This is the sequel to Wicked: The life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. This book takes place ten years after the death of Elphaba, Liir is found beaten almost to death and as he lays in a comatose state we find out his adventures since Elphaba’s death. Liir is tasked by the Elephant princess, Nastoya, to find a cure for her half life and return her to her Elephant body to die. Liir also tasks himself with finding out what happened to Nor.

The rich landscape and world of Oz from Wicked is still present in this book, although it seemed a little duller to me. Maguire’s writing did not seem as rich or insightful in this book as in Wicked. There was very little social commentary or political intrigue. Most of the plot is about Liir’s internal struggle to find himself. Liir’s character did not have the depth that Elphaba did and therefore the internal struggle wasn’t nearly as interesting. This was a nice continuation of the story to see what happened to Oz after Elphaba’s death, but it just left me wanting something with more meat to it, this was too light