Book Review- Dorothy Must Die

Dorothy Must Die by  Danielle Paige
♦publisher: Harper Teen
♦release date: April 1, 2014
♦hardcover, 432 pages
♦intended audience: Young adult

 Review: When Amy’s trailer gets whisked away in a tornado, she doesn’t have time to think about the irony of Dorothy in theWizard of Oz. The last thing she thought was that Dorothy’s tale was true and her trailer would land in Oz, but that’s only half the story…

 Oz is now a different place, not the magical land from the movie, but a twisted macabre version of what we think we know. However, something isn’t right in this twisted upside down world and soon Amy sees why.  Down is up and up is down, while good is wicked and wicked is good. Magic is disappearing and the Emerald City is under a whole new power.

 Munchkin County is now quiet, dead and creepy and the Tin Woodman is now the Grand Inquisitor of the Royal Tin Army. He is a maniacal hodgepodge of scrap metal, whose face is pinched and mean, with flashing metal eyes, and knife blades for teeth and fingers. The only thing recognizable is his funnel shape hat. While the Scarecrow has turned into an evil, mad scientist, that is always experimenting in the dark arts. Taking the loving munchkins and fabricating them into metallic wicked creatures that could only haunt your worst nightmares. And that poor Cowardly Lion, is no longer cowardly, instead he feasts upon the fears of anyone who should cross his path.

With Dorothy back in Oz, the Dorothy that we once knew, is now a horrible twisted version of what was originally portrayed.  Taking with her the versions of Glenda, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion along with her.

Amy quickly realizes, she is as far away from home as she could possibly get. Alone and starting to fear the drastic circumstances of the unknown, Amy meets her first somewhat- friendly face, Indigo.  Who introduces her to a world that is now meant to fear. Showing her that she will need to find those with whom she can trust, and soon.

But a group of evil witches and warlocks of the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked find Amy first. Forcing her to team up and carry out their mission to “kill Dorothy.”  For the only way to save the Land of Oz and all of its inhabitants, is to remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage and of course, kill Dorothy.

With Ollie, the flying monkey at her side and a magical knife given to her from the Order, Amy sets off to the Emerald City, to rid the tyrant ruler once and for all.

Danielle Paige, is a fresh new voice in the young adult industry. Armed and ready to take it by storm, or by magical force.Dorothy Must Die, is a must read for any fan of Wizard of Oz, or fantasy. Capturing readers of all ages, luring them in with a truly unique tale of evil genius, magical tyranny and the true meaning of discovering that where you came from doesn’t determine who you are.