Trial by Fire. Can I just say there are books you enjoy. There are books you recommend. And then there are books that keep you up way too late because you have to know what happens next.
Trial by Fire by Christine Pope is firmly in that third category.
This is the third installment in the Legendary series featuring Sidney and Ben, and at this point, the stakes are no longer 
just personal. They are global, interdimensional, and deeply, painfully human.
And yes, at one point a unicorn shows up to save the day. Stay with me.
When Magic Meets Manipulation
From the very beginning, Trial by Fire wastes no time throwing readers into chaos.
A massive electromagnetic pulse disrupts Sidney’s powers, leaving her unstable and vulnerable. That alone would be enough to deal with, but things escalate quickly when she and Ben discover a Phoenix trapped mid-rebirth, unable to complete its cycle due to the interference.
And that is when everything starts to unravel.
Because none of this is an accident.
The reveal that Dr. Rosenthal has been orchestrating events across the series, from carved symbols in the forest to Ben’s very presence in Sidney’s life, adds a chilling layer to the story. His goal is as terrifying as it is calculated: push Sidney to her limits, break her if necessary, and ultimately weaponize interdimensional magic and the Phoenix itself.
It is not just villainy. It is control on a terrifying scale.
Love as Power, Not Decoration
One of the strongest elements of Trial by Fire is the relationship between Sidney and Ben. This is not a side plot.
This is not background romance. Their connection is literally part of the magic system.
Ben’s electromagnetic frequency stabilizes Sidney’s powers, and as the story unfolds, their bond deepens into something far beyond emotional attachment. It becomes essential to survival. When Ben sacrifices himself so Sidney can escape, it is not just a dramatic moment. It is a defining one.
And when Sidney turns around and goes back for him, even at the cost of her own strength, it reinforces what this series does so well:
Love here is not passive.
It is active, costly, and powerful.
High Stakes with Real Consequences
Saving the Phoenix is not optional.
If it dies:
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the interdimensional portals collapse
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entire worlds are at risk
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Sidney’s own mother and grandmother remain trapped on the other side
So when Sidney pushes herself to the brink to save both Ben and the Phoenix, the tension is real. The cost is real. And the book does not shy away from that.
By the time we reach the climax, both Sidney and Ben are running on nothing but determination and connection, and it shows.
And Then… a Unicorn
I would like to formally thank Christine Pope for giving us a unicorn that is not just decorative, but essential. This is not background sparkle. This is a fully functional, magical healer who steps in at a critical moment and quite literally saves 
lives.
And somehow, it works perfectly within the tone of the story. Because at its heart, Trial by Fire is about balance:
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science versus magic
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control versus freedom
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destruction versus rebirth
And yes…
sometimes that balance includes a unicorn.
Final Thoughts
Trial by Fire delivers everything you want in a series finale:
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emotional payoff
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high-stakes conflict
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meaningful sacrifice
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and a resolution that feels earned
Sidney and Ben’s journey is not easy, and it is not without cost. But it is deeply satisfying. And if you find yourself reading just one more chapter at 2:00 a.m., just know you are not alone.
⭐ Rating: 5/5 Stars
If you love:
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supernatural romance with real stakes
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mythological creatures that matter
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strong character-driven storytelling
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and villains you absolutely love to hate
this series is absolutely worth your time.
My Christine Pope Fan girl Moment
I want to take a minute to talk about Christine’s books for just a second. This woman builds worlds that you don’t just like, you become invested in them! You can check my review on her Vegas Slayer world here. She has stories with aliens, djinns, witches, demons and so much more. And with every book I read, I want more, and when a series inevitably ends (and they do), you mourn. But luckily, they are books and you can read them again and visit those worlds as many times as you like. And the amazing thing is. They are just as good each and every time you visit!
