The Wicked Will Rise

by Danielle Paige

Summary from GoodReads

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

Thoughts on the Book

I unexpectedly loved the first book, Dorothy Must Die.  I'm not the biggest Oz fan, but I love what Paige did with that universe.  When I finished the first one I was upset that sequel wasn't out yet, not even a title! And now, low and behold, the exact same thing with this one!  Where's book 3?

Review

This book starts immediately after Dorothy Must Die ends, Amy and Ozma in Ollie and Maude's arms flying away.  It had been about a year since I finished the first one, so I was a little fuzzy on some aspects, but the way the book delved right back into the thick of things reminded me of everything from the first one and by the end of the first chapter I wasn't struggling to remember anything.  

I love that Paige plays with the idea of trust, good versus evil, and silly versus smart.  So many characters we meet seem completely vapid and silly, but then they turn around and actually show great intelligence and understanding.  Amy finally comes to terms with herself and admits things, like her crush on Nox, to herself.  The first part of the book she kept justifying why she wanted to find and rescue Nox, she finally, after talking to Ozma, realized that she was lying to herself and she really only wanted to rescue him because she liked him, a lot.

Characters kept changing sides so you never knew who was good or bad, aside from Dorothy who is just plain evil, and Nox, who was just trying his best to do good.  But who knows?  That may all change in the next book.

The Wicked Will Rise expanded so much more on Oz and on the magic embedded in it.  Having never read Baum's original stories I don't have much to go by, but the way Paige writes it the land is absolutely fascinating and seems above and beyond in the fantastical sense compared to all the other Oz books and movies I've read/seen.  There was one scene that reminded me of the Lego Movie, which, in my opinion, made that seen so much funnier and more enjoyable.  

I give this book a 10/10.  When's the next one coming out??? TBA release dates are the worst! Especially when they're two years away! Stupid 2017.