Review: Firewalker by Josephine Angelini (Worldwalker #2)

Firewalker (Worldwalker #2)
Josephine Angelini
Published: Sept. 1, 2015 (Feiwel & Friends)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: purchased  

Reviewed by: Jenn

Rating (out of 5): 5 stars

Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will reference the previous book. If you haven’t started this series yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Trial by Fire.

Starting off where book one ended, Lily and Rowan find themselves back in Lily’s Salem after she burned herself almost down to the bone on the pyre to save those she cared for. Back at her original Salem, Rowan works to save her life and heal the severe burns that she acquired from their escape, while her family and friends try to make sense of what happened to her and where she had gone.

But being back in her Salem is not the happy homecoming she was hoping for. Not only has Lily changed, but also so have the people she has left behind. Lily’s sister has left school to care for their mother, Tristan’s bright future has changed because of bad choices he has made, and the police have been looking for Lily since she disappeared. Now that she’s back there are too many questions that need to be answered, and a truth she can’t tell, because who would believe that she’s a witch that travelled to another dimension.

Adding to the stress is Lillian, the doppelgänger she left behind in “New” Salem, who won’t leave Lily alone. Plaguing her with her memories. Wanting to explain the reasons that she became the evil witch and started killing those who didn’t follow her rules. Begging her to help her carry on her plans. In listening to Lillian, Lily is forced to keep secrets from Rowan, the man she has fallen in love with.

Firewalker starts out scorching hot, literally. Just like book one, the plot is fast paced with tons of action and lots of romantic moments that make you swoon.

Lily is stronger here, less afraid to use the powers she has gained. The addition of Breakfast, Una, Tristan, and her family helps meld Lily’s two worlds together. She still has Rowan, but now at her side she has a part of her old life too. Lily spirals down a bit in this book, keeping secrets that have dire consequences, but it doesn’t feel forced. There is also some conflict between her and Rowan that almost seemed like it was stuck in there just to have conflict, but honestly I got over that fairly quickly.

But where the book really shines is in the worldbuilding.

The woven, who are seen in book one as an enemy to the people are far more prevalent in book two. To me, this is where the world building becomes its strongest. There are different kinds of Woven, each have characteristics of animals that we know in the natural world, but some are like DNA experiments gone wrong. The author did an amazing job at creating creatures that are both compelling and terrifying. The woven aren’t the only part of the worldbuilding though that the author excels at, while Lily is on her journey to stop the Woven threat she travels through tunnels, forests, cities, and the wilds, and you as the reader are right there with her. Immersed in the different lands and people that surround her.

Firewalker was a joy to read. The characters grew. The world changed. The romance is heart pounding. Some questions are answered, while others spring up. Book two ends in such a way that you have to immediately go and buy the third installment.

Sexual content: kissing, scenes of a sexual nature