This is certainly one of the better books in the Oz series. I really enjoyed Prince Inga and his magic pearls. I believe this one seems so different from the other books not because it doesn't take place in Oz, but because there is an element of danger added to this one. There were still several things I didn't like, and Baum's style of writing is still lacking to say the least, but it was an imaginative and interesting story none the less.