Welcome to the third of this week's guest posts on The Series Series! All week this week I'll be hosting guest posts from around the blogosphere, wherein five lovely book bloggers will share their love for a beloved book series by answering ten questions about it.
Today's post is brought to you by Cassi from My Thoughts Literally, and she'll be talking about The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire. I actually read the first book in this series years ago, and have even seen the Broadway musical based on that book a few times! (That music... oh that music... perfection.) But, for all that, I didn't even know that it was a part of a series. *head desk.* I am so glad that Cassi enlightened me on this. (She's also enlightened me on the Mistborn series, and has shared her love for The Magicians series here as well. Clearly I need to remain friends with Cassi forever so that she can continue to tell me what to read.) Thanks, Cassi, for writing this post, and for sharing your passion for this series! When you're done here, show Cassi some love by stopping by My Thoughts Literally!
Today's post is brought to you by Cassi from My Thoughts Literally, and she'll be talking about The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire. I actually read the first book in this series years ago, and have even seen the Broadway musical based on that book a few times! (That music... oh that music... perfection.) But, for all that, I didn't even know that it was a part of a series. *head desk.* I am so glad that Cassi enlightened me on this. (She's also enlightened me on the Mistborn series, and has shared her love for The Magicians series here as well. Clearly I need to remain friends with Cassi forever so that she can continue to tell me what to read.) Thanks, Cassi, for writing this post, and for sharing your passion for this series! When you're done here, show Cassi some love by stopping by My Thoughts Literally!
1. Describe this series in five words:
Dark Political Wizard of Oz
2. Who should read this series?
Fans of The Wizard of Oz, fans of retellings, fans of adult Fantasy like Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings
3. If this series were an animal what would it be?
A winged monkey. Much darker and more complicated that you thought possible.
4. Is there anything triggering in this series that readers should be aware of?
This is an adult book and there are some scenes of a sexual nature. In particular there is a scene in the first book where characters go to the world's version of a strip club and there is a bestiality scene. In the second book there is also a same-sex relationship. There's a lot going on here!
5. What food/drink did you crave after reading this series?
Nothing in particular. Perhaps some green elixir.
6. If you were to give this series to someone as a gift, what other item would you pair it with?
A copy of the Wizard of Oz, a map of Oz, and a copy of the musical soundtrack that is based on the first book.
7. What emotion did you feel the most while reading this book?
Shock and empathetic. Shock because it was so much darker than I expected and empathetic because Gregory Maguire does such an amazing job making you connect and root for a character you know to be evil. Then as the rest of the series develops you have a strong connection to all the other characters.
8. After finishing this series, what should I read next?
More Gregory Maguire! I'm a huge fan of his stuff. He has some amazing retellings. I recommend Egg & Spoon if you're looking for something more lighthearted. You should checkout more adult Fantasy with dark plot and political intrigue like A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin and Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
9. Summarize this series with a GIF:
10. Give your final pitch of why people should read this series:
Seriously, this is not the Oz that you are expecting. In the first book we get an amazing retelling and history of the Wicked Witch of the West and as the series develops there are so many elements of amazing adult Fantasies. It's darker, more dramatic, and more complicated than either the original Wizard of Oz or the musical. There's tons of political intrigue, action scenes, and complicated dramas. It's one of my favorite series! Fantasy fans and fans of retellings should absolutely check this series out. Plus the covers are so pretty! Both the hardcovers and the mass market paperbacks!
Great review!! I like the story of the Wizard of Oz, and I've seen the musical Wicked, but I didn't really feel inclined to read the book. Now I'm thinking I might try it. Fantasy that includes a lot of politics end up being very interesting for me. Thanks for sharing (Cassi)!
ReplyDeleteWell I've only read the first book, but from what I've read, the book and the musical are very different. But the political intrigue was certainly well done in the book, so if you like that sort of thing then this very well might be a great reading choice for you!
DeleteI didn't know Wicked was based on a book. I want to see Wicked, but haven't had a chance and now I want to read these books!
ReplyDeleteThe musical is so much fun! I hope you get the chance to see it someday. It just came to Capital Theatre downtown last year, so I'm not sure when it will be back. Hopefully soon!
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