Finished audio 8-4-11, rating 4/5, fiction, pub. 2005
Unabridged audio read by the author. 14 hours.
Book 2 of the Oz series.
I loved Wicked, the first book about Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. I was less in love with the musical, but it was still good. The book had it all. Here is a link to the review I wrote for another book review site before I started my blog. I thought the book stood on its own brilliantly and was not all that excited to read a sequel, Elphaba was dead, the story was told.
Liir might be Elphaba’s son, no one is sure. He was raised by her but without maternal actions he was left to feel more like ward than a son. Liir was just a boy when Elphaba died and the story begins when he is found left for dead on the side of the road. He is nursed back to health at the cloister by the quadling girl, Candle. In alternating chapters we read about his recovery and what he did on the ten years between Elphaba’s death and his being found.
I felt a detachment from Liir that I didn’t feel to Elphaba, so the story, while good, did not touch me in the same way. I loved revisiting Oz and the Scarecrow and Glinda, the good witch. Maguire is a genius at creating an alternate reality. You will never watch the movie The Wizard of Oz in quite the same away again. This Oz has a dark underbelly full of political intrigue, revolution, animal rights, and an army of dragons trained to kill.
With all of the spectacle that is Oz this is still Liir’s story. His quest to find himself and discover his purpose. The journey was full of love, pitfalls, rediscovery, and disillusionment.
I would recommend this only for those who loved Wicked.
Maguire did a great job narrating his own novel, but I wonder if the distance that I felt from Liir was because that is how he chose to read him. It’s hard to say.
This is from my personal library and was chosen by Shanyn, JoJo, Laura, Donna, and Lisa-Marie. Here’s what they had to say…
“Son of a Witch is REALLY good! I think you’d really enjoy it!” Lisa-Marie
“Absolutely one of the books everyone should read. Well actually they should read all 3 in the series – Wicked, Son of a Witch and A Lion Among Men. There is so much more to these books than them being loosely based odd the Wizard of Oz.” Donna
“I have that in my stack and would like to know what someone else thinks of it.” Shanyn
Stacy's Books 
My sister loves everything Maguire writes, but I just didn’t connect with Wicked, so I probably won’t read this one.
I have yet to read Wicked but recently got a copy from my brother so I’ll be checking it out soon. Love the title on this one though.
I felt so bad for Liir in Wicked; how could she not feel any protective, motherly feelings for him?
I’ve never read any of these, but I know there are lots of fans!
I’ve heard such mixed reviews for this series. People seem to either love or hate it. But I trust your judgment so I need to get going on Wicked! Great review!
I have many mixed things about Maguire’s books. I’m not big into Dorothy so I’ll pass. Thanks for the review.
I never read anything by this author. I must try Wicked in the near future. I love the picture on the right side, you are all looking great 🙂
I read Wicked back in college for a bookclub and had a hard time with it so I’ll probably have to pass on this one. I did love the play though. It was pure fun.
Glad that you enjoyed this one. Unfortunately Wicked and I were not a love match 😀
I have Wicked on my TBR shelf and haven’t read it yet. I read Confessions of an Ugly Stepsiste by Maguire with my book club and liked it a lot. It surprised me as I didn’t expect to like it and was dreading reading it. So, I do need to read Wicked next since I liked Stepsister. I’ll keep this in mind if I like Wicked.
I read the book and while I liked it, I did think parts were extremely disturbing. I much preferred the musical because I believe it focused on the better part of book for me; the friendship between Glenda and Elphaba. I also wouldn’t have a problem taking a young kid to the musical whereas that book is definitely for an adult. 🙂
I wasn’t terribly impressed either. Put me off the series actually.