*This review post is all about Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige.*
CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, FANTASY
ABOUT THE BOOK
TITLE: dorothy must die
series: dorothy must die series
AUTHOR: danielle paige
GENRES: young adult, fantasy
PUBLISHER: harpercollins publishing
PUBLISHING DATE: april 1st, 2014
FORMAT: paperback
page count: 452
source: self-purchased
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a fantasy retelling where the wicked become the heroes
dorothy must die summary: goodreads
I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I’ve read the books. I’ve seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can’t be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There’s still a yellow brick road—but even that’s crumbling.
What happened? Dorothy.
They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas.
I’ve been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I’ve been trained to fight.
And I have a mission.
My Thoughts about dorothy must die:
In spirit of the new movie “Wicked” staring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo I have decided to skip down the yellow brick road to the bookstore and purchase some books that take place in wonderful land of Oz.
However, in Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die things in Oz aren’t so wonderful anymore.
From the title I fully expected a darker retelling of The Wizard of Oz, what I was not excepting was a powerful message about the importance of self-discovery, self-reliance, and self-belief. Let’s get into it!
THE PLOT OF “DOROTHY MUST DIE”
In the beginning thinks look bleak for our main character Amy Gumm. She’s bullied by the popular girl at school being called names like “trailer trash” and “Salvation Amy”.
Her single mom is emotionally unavailable due to a severe alcohol and drug problem. Just when Amy thinks life couldn’t get any worse, a tornado sweeps through Kansas, carrying Amy and her pet rat away in their tiny trailer home.
When Amy lands in Oz, the happy singing Munchkins and bright technicolor landscape are nowhere to be found. Instead, she’s thrust into a monochromatic wasteland drained of magic, happiness, and hope.
"They talk about Oz where I’m from. I’ve heard about it my whole life. But this is messed up. What happened here? Indigo’s impassive face twisted into a snarl. “Dorothy happened,” she said.
Like Dorothy, Amy gets into trouble, but the characters who aid her are the ones deemed “Wicked.” Recruited by The Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, Amy learns that for Oz’s sake, Dorothy must die.
The plot hinges on Amy’s struggle to help her friends while attempting to assassinate Dorothy. It’s reminiscent of Jim Henson’s “Labyrinth,” where a young girl must save her brother from the tyrannical Goblin King, navigating a magical labyrinth filled with strange creatures along the way.
Overall, I enjoyed the plot. There was a lot of unsuspecting twists and turns that I did not see coming. The stakes were clear and felt important. The backstory was expertly woven in, not info-dumped.
Lastly, there is a real heart at the center of the story. Amy’s sense of low self worth were confronted head on. Her character had to overcome this in order to not only save herself, but to save all of Oz.
The character ARC was a satisfying read because she went from a despondent teen to a confident self-actualized young woman.
My only problem with the plot was that a significant portion of the story was spent with Amy asking questions that were either never answered or half-answered.
This was a frustration for both the character and for myself. Some of the vagueness in the beginning felt like it was dragging out the story for no reason.
The Characters of “Dorothy Must Die”
Amy Gumm – The Loner From Kansas
I related to Amy in so many ways. She has a deep sense of right and wrong and would risk it all to help others. Yet, she doesn’t match that same energy when it comes to defending herself.
Her character went from feeling like a punching bag to being the one doing the punching. It was satisfying as heck to read about her arc.
“I couldn’t help my mother anymore. If I’d ever had a chance, it was long gone now. But if I ever had a chance to help the monkeys, I would take it. No matter what it cost me. It was the least I could do. Not for him, but for myself. Just to say I had someone.”
Nox: The Loyal Soldier
Nox, a devoted member of the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, is a man shrouded in mystery. His shared backstory reveals the motivations behind his unwavering dedication, but the nature of his feelings for Amy remains ambiguous.
Is he merely using her as a means to an end, or are genuine emotions developing?
You’ll have to puzzle that out for yourself or keep reading the series to find out for sure.
Dorothy Gale: The Ruthless Ruler
You remember that sweet girl from Kansas? The one with the Gingham dress and pig tails merrily skipping down the yellow brick road? Yeah? Well, this isn’t that girl.
This Dorothy is more like Regina George from “Mean Girls” except 1000 times worse. As a reader I tried to puzzle out what made her change into such a tyrant.
The companions we once cherished – the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and even her little dog, Toto – have all morphed into cold, cruel beings under Dorothy’s rule.
Her heartless deeds are not for the faint of heart. While marketed as YA, parents may want to exercise caution if their teen is sensitive to graphic violence.
The Wicked Witches of Oz: A Twisted Reality
In this tale, the concept of “wickedness” is distorted. The witches, both old and young, beautiful and grotesque, come in unexpected forms. Their motivations are complex, and trust is a luxury no one can afford.
To avoid spoiling the story, I’ll refrain from naming these intriguing characters. Their true natures and intentions add layers of suspense to the narrative.
“Good. Like that means anything around here I hate to break it to you, but just because someone has pretty hair and good skin tone and a crown instead of a pointy hat doesn’t mean she’s not the baddest bitch this side of the Emerald City. Seriously. I can’t believe I’m risking my own neck to help you out.”
THE WRITING STYLE OF “DOROTHY MUST DIE”
The writing style of this novel is nothing short of captivating. With short, punchy chapters that end on cliffhangers, you’ll find yourself unable to put the book down.
The author’s vivid descriptions of Oz are so evocative, you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported into the heart of this fantastical world.
In fantasy one thing I struggle with is visualizing the fantastical. In “Dorothy Must Die” rarely did those struggles arise.
“I was used to cornfields back in Kansas, obviously, but these were different: every ear was as black and shiny as oil. It looked like each one had been dipped in tar. Or like all the life had been sucked out of them and had something bad and evil pumped back in their place.
However, the dialogue is where the book falters. At times, Amy’s voice feels flat, her questions and musings growing repetitive. You can’t help but wish for more depth, more variation in her interactions.
The only time I felt riveted by the dialogue were when the villains were speaking, their words dripping with malice and intrigue.
Dorothy Must Die Series Order
- DOROTHY MUST DIE, #1
- THE WICKED WILL RISE, #2
- YELLOW BRICK WAR, #3
- THE END OF OZ, #4
“Dorothy Must Die” by Danielle Paige is more than just a fun, thrilling ride through the magical world of Oz. Beneath its captivating surface lies a surprisingly poignant message: the power of self-belief can literally save the world. This series masterfully explores the gray areas between good and evil, reminding us that we all have the capacity for both.
Imagine finding yourself oscillating between wicked and good in a single day, your actions shaped by life’s unpredictable twists and turns. This is the magic of Paige’s storytelling – it not only transports you to a fantastical realm but also prompts you to reflect on your own moral compass.
Craving more of Oz’s enchantment after experiencing the “Wicked” movie? Look no further! The “Dorothy Must Die” series is your golden ticket to a spellbinding adventure that will satisfy your longing. With its richly imagined world, complex characters, and gripping plot, you won’t regret diving back into the Land of Oz.
So why wait? Click the Amazon button below and embark on this unforgettable journey today!
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Love Fantasy? Check out my review of my favorite fantasy retelling, “Spinning Silver” by Naomi Novik.