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Oz #11
The Lost Princess of Oz
Princess Ozma, ruler of the Land of Oz, has gone missing. With no magical means of returning her, Dorothy and her friends must travel into unknown lands and confront strange new challenges in order to find her. However, Ozma could be anywhere, and only a very powerful sorcerer could be but who? Book 11 of the 15 book series by L. Frank Baum. Journey through the magical world of Oz with Dorothy and friends with these beloved timeless classics.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 1917
437 people are currently reading
8457 people want to read
About the author
L. Frank Baum
3,274 books2,786 followersalso wrote under the names:
* Edith van Dyne,
* Floyd Akers,
* Schuyler Staunton,
* John Estes Cooke,
* Suzanne Metcalf,
* Laura Bancroft,
* Louis F. Baum,
* Captain Hugh Fitzgerald
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author best known for his children's fantasy books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, part of a series. In addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels (not including four lost, unpublished novels), 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema.
Born and raised in Chittenango, New York, Baum moved west after an unsuccessful stint as a theater producer and playwright. He and his wife opened a store in South Dakota and he edited and published a newspaper. They then moved to Chicago, where he worked as a newspaper reporter and published children's literature, coming out with the first Oz book in 1900. While continuing his writing, among his final projects he sought to establish a film studio focused on children's films in Los Angeles, California.
His works anticipated such later commonplaces as television, augmented reality, laptop computers (The Master Key), wireless telephones (Tik-Tok of Oz), women in high-risk and action-heavy occupations (Mary Louise in the Country), and the ubiquity of advertising on clothing (Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work).
* Edith van Dyne,
* Floyd Akers,
* Schuyler Staunton,
* John Estes Cooke,
* Suzanne Metcalf,
* Laura Bancroft,
* Louis F. Baum,
* Captain Hugh Fitzgerald
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author best known for his children's fantasy books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, part of a series. In addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels (not including four lost, unpublished novels), 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema.
Born and raised in Chittenango, New York, Baum moved west after an unsuccessful stint as a theater producer and playwright. He and his wife opened a store in South Dakota and he edited and published a newspaper. They then moved to Chicago, where he worked as a newspaper reporter and published children's literature, coming out with the first Oz book in 1900. While continuing his writing, among his final projects he sought to establish a film studio focused on children's films in Los Angeles, California.
His works anticipated such later commonplaces as television, augmented reality, laptop computers (The Master Key), wireless telephones (Tik-Tok of Oz), women in high-risk and action-heavy occupations (Mary Louise in the Country), and the ubiquity of advertising on clothing (Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
November 27, 2018
MUCH better than the last couple of volumes! This one actually felt like a proper Oz book and it felt like it packed in more story than the last few put together.
June 17, 2016
One of my favorite Oz books! review to come (maybe)
August 22, 2014
Although this book was 100% Oz, it felt different to me than previous ones. It once again had a sound plot, and there weren't any bizarre character introduced unnecessarily. All of the scenes in the book contributed to the movement of the story. Maybe Baum is just finally growing up into his writing... I'll take it. :)
Two notes about this book.
First: We finally see Toto talk!! The story goes that he gained the ability to talk as soon as he entered Oz in book one, but he's just too wise to waste words unnecessarily. Um, whatever.
Second: It's unclear to me why Trot & Captain Bill remained living in Oz. Previous mortals who have been allowed permanent residence in Oz had nowhere else to go and no family to return to. But at the beginning of The Scarecrow of Oz, where we meet those two character, we are told that Trot has a home and a mother, and she just spends most of her days with Captain Bill. Unless there's more to the story that is explained in Baum's other Trot & CB books, then why is Trot removed from her family with no explanation?? I don't like that.
Two notes about this book.
First: We finally see Toto talk!! The story goes that he gained the ability to talk as soon as he entered Oz in book one, but he's just too wise to waste words unnecessarily. Um, whatever.
Second: It's unclear to me why Trot & Captain Bill remained living in Oz. Previous mortals who have been allowed permanent residence in Oz had nowhere else to go and no family to return to. But at the beginning of The Scarecrow of Oz, where we meet those two character, we are told that Trot has a home and a mother, and she just spends most of her days with Captain Bill. Unless there's more to the story that is explained in Baum's other Trot & CB books, then why is Trot removed from her family with no explanation?? I don't like that.
September 11, 2024
Very enjoyable! Princess Ozma, the beloved fairy ruler of the magical realm of Oz, has gone missing along with all the most important magical items in Oz. These include: Ozma’s Magical Picture whereby she can see all that is happening in Oz; Glinda, the Good Witch’s Book of Records which tells her everything that happens anywhere in the world and the Wizard of Oz’s magical books and materials necessary to perform magic. There was also the theft of a new item, a jeweled dishpan made of gold, in a small corner of Oz, known as the Yip Country, but what this had to do with the loss of the other items, no one could imagine. It seems a throw away clue, a Red Herring, along with the Peach Tree which only grew one perfect peach. But these are not extraneous, we just need to await the revelation of their significance.
Two separate search parties are assembled for the lost ruler and other items. After a number of various and separate adventures, they meet up to face the wicked enemy as a combined force for the good. Fortunately, there were still a few minor magical items overlooked and/or unknown to the ‘princess thief’ which aided the rescue party in their efforts.
Another rollicking read from Mr. Baum! 4.5 stars
Two separate search parties are assembled for the lost ruler and other items. After a number of various and separate adventures, they meet up to face the wicked enemy as a combined force for the good. Fortunately, there were still a few minor magical items overlooked and/or unknown to the ‘princess thief’ which aided the rescue party in their efforts.
Another rollicking read from Mr. Baum! 4.5 stars
September 21, 2014
Ah, this is one of the most tantalizing installments in the Oz series. Not only does it feature perhaps the best title of all of L. Frank Baum's Oz books, it has one of the biggest casts of characters at work.
When Ozma disappears, all her friends go and search for her—as a result, we get to read about many of our old favorites from the Land of Oz, including Dorothy, the Patchwork Girl, the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger, the Scarecrow, et al. The other aspect of this book that separates it from the other Oz titles is that it involves a true mystery—one that keeps the reader turning the pages, to discover just what has become of Ozma. This book is a lot of fun and I quite enjoyed the illustrations, especially the one that shows our band of rescuers gazing upon themselves in the Magic Picture.
If you are looking to revisit the world of Oz, this book will be one of the most satisfying for you.
When Ozma disappears, all her friends go and search for her—as a result, we get to read about many of our old favorites from the Land of Oz, including Dorothy, the Patchwork Girl, the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger, the Scarecrow, et al. The other aspect of this book that separates it from the other Oz titles is that it involves a true mystery—one that keeps the reader turning the pages, to discover just what has become of Ozma. This book is a lot of fun and I quite enjoyed the illustrations, especially the one that shows our band of rescuers gazing upon themselves in the Magic Picture.
If you are looking to revisit the world of Oz, this book will be one of the most satisfying for you.
August 11, 2016
I previously read this book in 5th grade and again, at least in part, in college. This is one of the best books in the Oz series, in spite of Ozma being a damsel in distress for almost the entire book. It takes a lot of people, not just any one person, to rescue her, so at least there is that. In fact, the book is so populated with characters that many go off and Baum doesn't even bother to follow them, so perhaps the book's biggest flaw is that Baum follows the relevant search parties to the exclusion of the other search parties (I guess Baum thought that The Shaggy Man and his brother and Ojo, Unc Nunkie, and Dr. Pipt had been featured too much recently to be rate more than a mention, whereas Scraps had caught the imagination of his correspondents). It might also have been better if Dorothy's transformation experiments with the magic belt had been shown unexplained until later, but perhaps Baum didn't want to make Dorothy seem too sinister, but these are minor. The book also has some pretty intense philosophical discussion that shows some of Baum's strongest influence from Lewis Carroll's constructions of logic, but the tone is different, and Baum's love of diversity comes through the strongest.
I actually thought it odd that no one has decided to handle it as an adaptation, with special effects fantasies being popular these days. Who wouldn't want to see the super-strong Frogman battling with a giant grey dove in a large domed palace made of wicker? Maybe when Marvel adapted the Baum books, Skottie Young didn't want to draw a wicker palace. John R. Neill doesn't try (he shows the castle only from a distance), but he does make a couple of gaffes with the text, such as dressing Button-Bright in 1917 American clothes rather than similarly to Ojo, but different colors, as described by the text, and showing a banner in a tower of Herku when the text specifically mentions that there is none.) The Herkus are a fine example of Baum being a better writer than Ruth Plumly Thompson. Not only is the episode relevant to the rest of the story, but neither the Thists nor the Herkus call for the bizarre conformity that Thompson and many Baum successors display in the quaint towns of Oz. The Thists don't mind when the Ozmites say that they cannot eat thistles, nor do the Herkus either enslave the Ozmites as they do the giants, nor do they force them to eat the zosozo that makes them so strong. Indeed, both are gracious and hospitable hosts, even if the Ozmites find the Thists annoying. (This edition makes the Thists the cover picture.) I wasn't crazy about Toto's complaint about his lost growl, but since it seems to come back naturally, it may just be that the humor didn't work too well on me.
Still, the Thists and the Herkus are both commentaries on autocratic governments and deserve to be looked at seriously, although of course humor is intended on a certain level, as well. I really enjoyed the class commentary as the Yip men accompany the Frogman and Cayke down the mesa, only to go back after their clothes get ripped protecting those of the Frogman and Cakye.
The Frogman has always been a controversial character--Eric Shanower even destroyed him in an Oziana story--but I found him intensely likable once he bathed in the Truth Pond. He wants to be as wise and learned the way he was once perceived, and seeks to come by it honestly once under the compulsion of the Truth Pond, previously seen in The Road to Oz . He would have made an excellent foil for Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug T.E., who is mentioned only briefly in this book. When we return to the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman toward the end of the book, they have their usual bit about feeling superior to people made of meat, but how did they swallow Professor Woggle-Bug's pills, as it is implied that they do near the beginning of the book? I can easily imagine the Frogman trying to keep the Woggle-Bug honest and stop puffing himself up so much as they both continue their scholarly pursuits.
Perhaps the greatest element of the book is its themee of redemption as expressed through Ugu the Shoemaker. Vig, the Czarover of Herku, says that he would not call Ugu wicked, merely very ambitious. This leads to wicked behavior on his part, but he demonstrates an unwillingness to cause anyone serious harm, and the book ends with him realizing he is wrong and desiring to redeem himself. Having been the descendant of sorcerers, he was unhappy as a shoemaker, and this gives his character some motivation. Contrast him with the minor character of the ferryman, who was punished by the Tin Woodman for harming animals by being completely unable to communicate with them. This makes him unhappy around animals because it reminds him of his past cruelty. Some have dismissed the ferryman as an irrelevant episode, but it speaks to the book's overarching theme by contrasting a man who does evil to no purpose and one who does evil to advance himself and being unable to recognize it. I suspect he saw that in many an ambitious capitalist in our own world.
The live teddy bears, while surely an appeal to the book's youngest readers, give the book a contemporary feel, especially when the Big Lavender Bear threatens to send misbehaving subjects to American children--reminding us that Oz is not "once upon a time," but simply in a dimension invisible to us.
I actually thought it odd that no one has decided to handle it as an adaptation, with special effects fantasies being popular these days. Who wouldn't want to see the super-strong Frogman battling with a giant grey dove in a large domed palace made of wicker? Maybe when Marvel adapted the Baum books, Skottie Young didn't want to draw a wicker palace. John R. Neill doesn't try (he shows the castle only from a distance), but he does make a couple of gaffes with the text, such as dressing Button-Bright in 1917 American clothes rather than similarly to Ojo, but different colors, as described by the text, and showing a banner in a tower of Herku when the text specifically mentions that there is none.) The Herkus are a fine example of Baum being a better writer than Ruth Plumly Thompson. Not only is the episode relevant to the rest of the story, but neither the Thists nor the Herkus call for the bizarre conformity that Thompson and many Baum successors display in the quaint towns of Oz. The Thists don't mind when the Ozmites say that they cannot eat thistles, nor do the Herkus either enslave the Ozmites as they do the giants, nor do they force them to eat the zosozo that makes them so strong. Indeed, both are gracious and hospitable hosts, even if the Ozmites find the Thists annoying. (This edition makes the Thists the cover picture.) I wasn't crazy about Toto's complaint about his lost growl, but since it seems to come back naturally, it may just be that the humor didn't work too well on me.
Still, the Thists and the Herkus are both commentaries on autocratic governments and deserve to be looked at seriously, although of course humor is intended on a certain level, as well. I really enjoyed the class commentary as the Yip men accompany the Frogman and Cayke down the mesa, only to go back after their clothes get ripped protecting those of the Frogman and Cakye.
The Frogman has always been a controversial character--Eric Shanower even destroyed him in an Oziana story--but I found him intensely likable once he bathed in the Truth Pond. He wants to be as wise and learned the way he was once perceived, and seeks to come by it honestly once under the compulsion of the Truth Pond, previously seen in The Road to Oz . He would have made an excellent foil for Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug T.E., who is mentioned only briefly in this book. When we return to the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman toward the end of the book, they have their usual bit about feeling superior to people made of meat, but how did they swallow Professor Woggle-Bug's pills, as it is implied that they do near the beginning of the book? I can easily imagine the Frogman trying to keep the Woggle-Bug honest and stop puffing himself up so much as they both continue their scholarly pursuits.
Perhaps the greatest element of the book is its themee of redemption as expressed through Ugu the Shoemaker. Vig, the Czarover of Herku, says that he would not call Ugu wicked, merely very ambitious. This leads to wicked behavior on his part, but he demonstrates an unwillingness to cause anyone serious harm, and the book ends with him realizing he is wrong and desiring to redeem himself. Having been the descendant of sorcerers, he was unhappy as a shoemaker, and this gives his character some motivation. Contrast him with the minor character of the ferryman, who was punished by the Tin Woodman for harming animals by being completely unable to communicate with them. This makes him unhappy around animals because it reminds him of his past cruelty. Some have dismissed the ferryman as an irrelevant episode, but it speaks to the book's overarching theme by contrasting a man who does evil to no purpose and one who does evil to advance himself and being unable to recognize it. I suspect he saw that in many an ambitious capitalist in our own world.
The live teddy bears, while surely an appeal to the book's youngest readers, give the book a contemporary feel, especially when the Big Lavender Bear threatens to send misbehaving subjects to American children--reminding us that Oz is not "once upon a time," but simply in a dimension invisible to us.
November 11, 2023
*listened to audio book*
This one stepped out of the normal trend again and gave us a cute, clever plot, featuring most of the old characters. The was even a fun plot twist at the end. Probably in my top four!!
This one stepped out of the normal trend again and gave us a cute, clever plot, featuring most of the old characters. The was even a fun plot twist at the end. Probably in my top four!!
November 4, 2018
This is one of my favorite Oz books! I think it's because there's an actual mystery intertwined into the plot... Actually, multiple mysteries!
Princess Ozma of Oz is missing one morning, and her faithful friends must scour the land of Oz to find her. They're also trying to find the magical items that went missing on the same night that Ozma disappeared. To top it all off, Toto has lost his growl -- but that somehow has loosed the little terrier's tongue, because my, is he talkative in this volume!
Yes, it's another journey that takes the reader through various parts of Oz, to meet new and strange peoples... again. But this time, it just felt different to me. I liked it!
A fabulous read for children (and yes, adults).
Princess Ozma of Oz is missing one morning, and her faithful friends must scour the land of Oz to find her. They're also trying to find the magical items that went missing on the same night that Ozma disappeared. To top it all off, Toto has lost his growl -- but that somehow has loosed the little terrier's tongue, because my, is he talkative in this volume!
Yes, it's another journey that takes the reader through various parts of Oz, to meet new and strange peoples... again. But this time, it just felt different to me. I liked it!
A fabulous read for children (and yes, adults).
November 9, 2017
90/100
I actually thinks this is the quintessential Oz book. It features most of the characters you know and love from the series and a sharp narrative angle. We sped through it because my kids were really interested to hear what happened next. I think we finished the final third in one sitting.
I actually thinks this is the quintessential Oz book. It features most of the characters you know and love from the series and a sharp narrative angle. We sped through it because my kids were really interested to hear what happened next. I think we finished the final third in one sitting.
July 20, 2019
Некоторые люди просто не могут остановиться нести чушь!
May 5, 2021
Another adventure in the Land of Oz comes to an end. This one definitely get like a true Oz book.
Everyone you know and love are in it, plus, of course, a few new additions as usual. It seems that Baum was on his sweet tooth binge when writing this since we get introduced to Cayke and Cookie Cook in this story.
Overall a simple premise: Ozma is missing. Or is kidnapped. And a whole bunch of magical objects are missing (or have been stolen) with her.
We have a bit of mystery, a bit of heist, and a tons of fairy magic as this is, after all - Oz!
I struggled a little with the rating and really wanted to give it a 4 stars vs 3, as this volume is definitely better from the previous few. I, however, must be growing a bit bored of the same old formula in this series and even though I liked it, I didn’t like it A LOT, which would make it a four star to me.
Only a few left to go to wrap up the books written by Frank Baum. I will have to begin thinking about if I want to continue on my mission to read ALL of the Oz books or re-direct my time elsewhere. I’m kinda torn on that. Maybe I’ll take a break and read “Dorothy Must Die” series or “Wicked” series...we’ll see.
Until the next time folks!
Everyone you know and love are in it, plus, of course, a few new additions as usual. It seems that Baum was on his sweet tooth binge when writing this since we get introduced to Cayke and Cookie Cook in this story.
Overall a simple premise: Ozma is missing. Or is kidnapped. And a whole bunch of magical objects are missing (or have been stolen) with her.
We have a bit of mystery, a bit of heist, and a tons of fairy magic as this is, after all - Oz!
I struggled a little with the rating and really wanted to give it a 4 stars vs 3, as this volume is definitely better from the previous few. I, however, must be growing a bit bored of the same old formula in this series and even though I liked it, I didn’t like it A LOT, which would make it a four star to me.
Only a few left to go to wrap up the books written by Frank Baum. I will have to begin thinking about if I want to continue on my mission to read ALL of the Oz books or re-direct my time elsewhere. I’m kinda torn on that. Maybe I’ll take a break and read “Dorothy Must Die” series or “Wicked” series...we’ll see.
Until the next time folks!
July 12, 2022
After a while, a book all about Oz. It's quite well structured than some of the Oz books. A proper Oz character set up too.
In a nutshell, Ozma is kidnapped, other magical stuff around the country side are stolen and Dorothy and the band goes looking for them cos stealing magic and a girl is not a good thing to happen at all. But they're not the only ones who are looking for stolen magical things. A cook is also looking for her magic pan and of course they all meet up and decides to form an alliance against the magic thief. And the story goes on.
I loved the toy bears. I couldn't help but feel that the Berbils of Thunder cats was inspired by Baum's toy bear village. They're just too similar to think otherwise.
Again, the sarcasm wasn't lacking. I love how Frank uses the most normal things and turn them into the most sarcastic thing ever.
Book #42 of 2022.
Book #11 of Oz series
In a nutshell, Ozma is kidnapped, other magical stuff around the country side are stolen and Dorothy and the band goes looking for them cos stealing magic and a girl is not a good thing to happen at all. But they're not the only ones who are looking for stolen magical things. A cook is also looking for her magic pan and of course they all meet up and decides to form an alliance against the magic thief. And the story goes on.
I loved the toy bears. I couldn't help but feel that the Berbils of Thunder cats was inspired by Baum's toy bear village. They're just too similar to think otherwise.
Again, the sarcasm wasn't lacking. I love how Frank uses the most normal things and turn them into the most sarcastic thing ever.
Book #42 of 2022.
Book #11 of Oz series
June 6, 2025
One of the best of the series. It’s a big adventure, it’s got everyone. And it’s fun and clever and not a moment of it lags. Old characters join new characters. Baum admits in the intros to these that young readers often have ideas and ask questions and this book came from something a young reader said.
It’s also one where the title really does fit the story.
It’s also one where the title really does fit the story.
December 12, 2021
This is one of the better Oz books in the series, especially the later ones. I really enjoyed this addition to the series and the adventure that Dorothy and her friends went on.
Read
October 1, 2021Thank God the horas muertas en el trabajo, the audiobooks on YouTube, and being able to increase the speed of the video.
October 1, 2025
This story was actually really good. There's always an adventure and something to overcome. Princess Ozma goes missing (along with other magical items) and the characters have to go on a journey to rescue her. I love that a lot of the main characters from the beginning were more present in this story. The Mysterious City was one of my favorites and how they (well it was Scraps) figured out how to get in was quite fun to read.
There was a section in the book where they were comparing beauty and who was the most beautiful and the Lion responded with the following and I loved this: "Were we all like the Sawhorse, we would all be Sawhorses, which would be too many of the kind; were we all like Hank, we would be a herd of mules; if like Toto, we would be a pack of dogs; should we all become the shape of the Woozy, he would no longer be remarkable for his unusual appearance. Finally, were you all like me, I would consider you so common that I would not care to associate with you. To be individual, my friends, to be different from others, is the only way to become distinguished from the common herd. Let us be glad, therefore, that we differ from one another in form and in disposition. Variety is the spice of life and we are various enough to enjoy one another's society; so let us be content."
Another favorite part was when Toto lost his growl and said "But how about my lost growl?" and the Lion responded with, "The growl is of importance only to you. So it is your business to worry over the loss, not ours. If you love us, do not afflict your burdens on us; be unhappy all by yourself."
And lastly this quote from Ugu the Shoemaker said: "For many days of quiet thought have shown me that only those things one acquires honestly are able to render one content."
There was a section in the book where they were comparing beauty and who was the most beautiful and the Lion responded with the following and I loved this: "Were we all like the Sawhorse, we would all be Sawhorses, which would be too many of the kind; were we all like Hank, we would be a herd of mules; if like Toto, we would be a pack of dogs; should we all become the shape of the Woozy, he would no longer be remarkable for his unusual appearance. Finally, were you all like me, I would consider you so common that I would not care to associate with you. To be individual, my friends, to be different from others, is the only way to become distinguished from the common herd. Let us be glad, therefore, that we differ from one another in form and in disposition. Variety is the spice of life and we are various enough to enjoy one another's society; so let us be content."
Another favorite part was when Toto lost his growl and said "But how about my lost growl?" and the Lion responded with, "The growl is of importance only to you. So it is your business to worry over the loss, not ours. If you love us, do not afflict your burdens on us; be unhappy all by yourself."
And lastly this quote from Ugu the Shoemaker said: "For many days of quiet thought have shown me that only those things one acquires honestly are able to render one content."
February 26, 2018
The best thing about this Oz book is that it has all the main characters adventuring together - the entire huge ensemble of them - as they search for Ozma.
ETA 2018: The above point still stands - it is nice to see the stable of Oz characters undertake an adventure, instead of being the deus ex machina in someone else's story. While it seems to me we all could have been better off if Ozma had stayed lost, this was an enjoyable read. I didn't care for the Magic Belt being the last-minute answer to everything, but ah well - the journey was fun.
ETA 2018: The above point still stands - it is nice to see the stable of Oz characters undertake an adventure, instead of being the deus ex machina in someone else's story. While it seems to me we all could have been better off if Ozma had stayed lost, this was an enjoyable read. I didn't care for the Magic Belt being the last-minute answer to everything, but ah well - the journey was fun.
December 11, 2023
It was fun and lighthearted, with a couple of moralistic takeaways.
April 5, 2019
OzAThon Book 11
Well, the last one was not really an Oz Book at all and just adjusted to fit within the great scheme of things, this one is back to being about Oz through and through, yet it thankfully breaks the same old, same old formula.
What I mean is that we don’t have a person getting lost in Oz and encounter different parts and crazy inhabitants on their way and end up in the Emerald City with a big party, but something resembling an actual plot. I can’t remember the last time that actually happened.
And the plot is not even that uninteresting.
One morning Dorothy discovers that Ozma is missing, along with her magic picture, the Wizard‘s magic tool box and Glinda‘s all-knowing book. Parallel to that, in a different corner of Oz, a cook named Cayke is missing her magical frypan. Dorothy and group set out to find their missing Princess and magical items, while Cayke and her companion, the Frogman, do the same to find the frypan. For a while those two storylines run parallel, until they finally come together and mix in surprisingly well.
One thing that’s already a plus point from the beginning is Ozma‘s absence for most of the book, which leads to less praises of her awesomeness and smug behavior. I really needed that break from her. It also showcases that the characters are actually capable of doing something without relying too much on Little Miss Perfect.
The villain is relatively interesting, because he fulfills at least to some extant some of my favorite villain tropes, namely the matter of perception. He doesn’t see any evil in his doings and thinks he is right in his methods and doesn’t that make for more interesting conflicts? Sadly, Baum doesn’t really work with it as much as he could have, but whatever dude, I‘ll take that over confusing nonsense all day.
On the negative side, Baum again falls victim to the deus ex machina ending and I start to wonder if he simply never thought his stories through or just got bored along the way and wanted a fast, nice wrap up. The villain is defeated so easily and all the build up seems to be for nothing. An ending like this can work, but mostly when it’s played for laughs and not like it is written here. Basically, for eight books Dorothy has no clue how to properly use the magic belt until she suddenly does, because it’s convenient for the plot. Yeah, whatever.
There is also a whole ton of exposition and repetitions. I get to repeat some aspects of the story once in a while, and Baum always did that, but here he went overboard. I don’t need to be reintroduced to the characters every second chapter and thank you even kids can remember what happened like three chapter earlier, they are not that long.
Button-Bright is also back and I still have no fucking clue why. His character serves no purpose, he isn’t funny or cute, he is just annoying and takes up space that could’ve been used for more interesting characters or plot points.
And finally, there is the stupidest side-plot yet, Toto loses his growl and then suddenly finds it again and it beats me why this is part of the book. It doesn’t fit into the narrative, makes no sense and doesn’t even go anywhere. The dog was a better character when still barked instead of talked.
Despite some huge criticism, I still say it’s one of the better books, and being it just for a real storyline and the lack of a stereotypical formula.
Well, the last one was not really an Oz Book at all and just adjusted to fit within the great scheme of things, this one is back to being about Oz through and through, yet it thankfully breaks the same old, same old formula.
What I mean is that we don’t have a person getting lost in Oz and encounter different parts and crazy inhabitants on their way and end up in the Emerald City with a big party, but something resembling an actual plot. I can’t remember the last time that actually happened.
And the plot is not even that uninteresting.
One morning Dorothy discovers that Ozma is missing, along with her magic picture, the Wizard‘s magic tool box and Glinda‘s all-knowing book. Parallel to that, in a different corner of Oz, a cook named Cayke is missing her magical frypan. Dorothy and group set out to find their missing Princess and magical items, while Cayke and her companion, the Frogman, do the same to find the frypan. For a while those two storylines run parallel, until they finally come together and mix in surprisingly well.
One thing that’s already a plus point from the beginning is Ozma‘s absence for most of the book, which leads to less praises of her awesomeness and smug behavior. I really needed that break from her. It also showcases that the characters are actually capable of doing something without relying too much on Little Miss Perfect.
The villain is relatively interesting, because he fulfills at least to some extant some of my favorite villain tropes, namely the matter of perception. He doesn’t see any evil in his doings and thinks he is right in his methods and doesn’t that make for more interesting conflicts? Sadly, Baum doesn’t really work with it as much as he could have, but whatever dude, I‘ll take that over confusing nonsense all day.
On the negative side, Baum again falls victim to the deus ex machina ending and I start to wonder if he simply never thought his stories through or just got bored along the way and wanted a fast, nice wrap up. The villain is defeated so easily and all the build up seems to be for nothing. An ending like this can work, but mostly when it’s played for laughs and not like it is written here. Basically, for eight books Dorothy has no clue how to properly use the magic belt until she suddenly does, because it’s convenient for the plot. Yeah, whatever.
There is also a whole ton of exposition and repetitions. I get to repeat some aspects of the story once in a while, and Baum always did that, but here he went overboard. I don’t need to be reintroduced to the characters every second chapter and thank you even kids can remember what happened like three chapter earlier, they are not that long.
Button-Bright is also back and I still have no fucking clue why. His character serves no purpose, he isn’t funny or cute, he is just annoying and takes up space that could’ve been used for more interesting characters or plot points.
And finally, there is the stupidest side-plot yet, Toto loses his growl and then suddenly finds it again and it beats me why this is part of the book. It doesn’t fit into the narrative, makes no sense and doesn’t even go anywhere. The dog was a better character when still barked instead of talked.
Despite some huge criticism, I still say it’s one of the better books, and being it just for a real storyline and the lack of a stereotypical formula.
March 26, 2019
4*
Finally a book where the title is not misleading even though the character in question doesn't appear until the last couple chapters. Did the author suddenly realize he was going way off with his titles or something?
One morning, Dorothy goes to find Ozma to only realize that she isn't there and is actually nowhere to be found. Not only that but her magic picture has also disappeared so it's not easy to find Ozma as this picture shows what any person is doing at any time anywhere in the world, even if you're not in Oz. One other option is to go find Glinda but she is helpless as her magic book is also gone. So they start a search party and they end up meeting with a bunch of other characters who have lost their beloved items that are, in turn, magical. By the end, everything is well and resolved and everyone lived happily ever after (j/k!)
One thing I didn't quite get however is that even though the author was able to really put mystery in this one with Ozma and magical things having been stolen, he actually takes a whole chapter about halfway through to tell us exactly who did the deed and why he did it. That, to me, is a complete turn off and I almost didn't want to finis it because after that, I was starting to be able to tell what was gonna happen once the group would get to meet him. And it was reminiscent of what the group had to do with the Nome King in one of the earlier books.
Another thing: what was the point of Toto losing his growl? Did I miss the fact that it's a magical growl or something? Surely it isn't at all. Maybe the author wanted to put some sort of humor into this. It did permit us to finally hear Toto speak and he was fun.
Also? Why is it always Dorothy who "saves the day?" Can't it be anyone else for a change?
This is why I am not giving this book 5 stars because it would have deserved it. I really enjoyed this book otherwise and I was trying to figure out who could have done such a thing and it was fun to have a plot-driven book for once. As much as I did enjoy the previous ones, I did mention in my review of book 10 that I was starting to feel like the author was getting tired of writing these stories because it started to show. It's like he turned a new leaf with this one or something.
Finally a book where the title is not misleading even though the character in question doesn't appear until the last couple chapters. Did the author suddenly realize he was going way off with his titles or something?
One morning, Dorothy goes to find Ozma to only realize that she isn't there and is actually nowhere to be found. Not only that but her magic picture has also disappeared so it's not easy to find Ozma as this picture shows what any person is doing at any time anywhere in the world, even if you're not in Oz. One other option is to go find Glinda but she is helpless as her magic book is also gone. So they start a search party and they end up meeting with a bunch of other characters who have lost their beloved items that are, in turn, magical. By the end, everything is well and resolved and everyone lived happily ever after (j/k!)
One thing I didn't quite get however is that even though the author was able to really put mystery in this one with Ozma and magical things having been stolen, he actually takes a whole chapter about halfway through to tell us exactly who did the deed and why he did it. That, to me, is a complete turn off and I almost didn't want to finis it because after that, I was starting to be able to tell what was gonna happen once the group would get to meet him. And it was reminiscent of what the group had to do with the Nome King in one of the earlier books.
Another thing: what was the point of Toto losing his growl? Did I miss the fact that it's a magical growl or something? Surely it isn't at all. Maybe the author wanted to put some sort of humor into this. It did permit us to finally hear Toto speak and he was fun.
Also? Why is it always Dorothy who "saves the day?" Can't it be anyone else for a change?
This is why I am not giving this book 5 stars because it would have deserved it. I really enjoyed this book otherwise and I was trying to figure out who could have done such a thing and it was fun to have a plot-driven book for once. As much as I did enjoy the previous ones, I did mention in my review of book 10 that I was starting to feel like the author was getting tired of writing these stories because it started to show. It's like he turned a new leaf with this one or something.
January 24, 2022
After reading the fantastic Rinkitink, I was afraid that the following books in the series could not possibly compare to it. And with this eleventh installment, I was right. But! It is still enjoyable and features some points that distinguish it from the repetitive nature of much of the series: the ending of most Oz books features a reunion of sorts with all the major characters who have been in prior books. After a few times this event becomes a bit tiresome. In this one, though, all the characters rally together to find Ozma. Seeing them all set out on behalf of their queen was rather epic. Also, the frog man is arrogant about himself like many of the Oz non human characters. But he actually reforms and acknowledges that he is more of a humbug than the Wizard. True, the frog man only is humbled because he drinks from the truth pool, but I still appreciated the change, because most of the other pompous characters stay that way.
I also greatly enjoyed the humorous and wise dialogue among all the animal characters, another difference between this book and other Oz ones. Never before have all the animals travelled together. The other best part for me was the wizard matching his knowledge of magic with the shoemaker's. I feel that Baum shows the full extent of his creativity when portraying spells and enchantments. The lavender and pink bears were a welcome addition to the story as well, especially with the way most of the characters at first doubted the pink bear's answers but came to realize that they were always correct.
So, while not as good as Rinkitink, quite a good Oz book!
I also greatly enjoyed the humorous and wise dialogue among all the animal characters, another difference between this book and other Oz ones. Never before have all the animals travelled together. The other best part for me was the wizard matching his knowledge of magic with the shoemaker's. I feel that Baum shows the full extent of his creativity when portraying spells and enchantments. The lavender and pink bears were a welcome addition to the story as well, especially with the way most of the characters at first doubted the pink bear's answers but came to realize that they were always correct.
So, while not as good as Rinkitink, quite a good Oz book!
February 27, 2022
After reading so many of the Oz books with Joel Swagman on YouTube, I was starting to feel a little jaded by the series. Luckily, this one brought things back up, although not quite to their former levels.
I think part of that is because the last few books have just felt as though Baum was just shoehorning Oz in, rather than using the land and his original cast of characters to their full extent. The fact that this one centres on Dorothy and friends instead of just bringing them in at the end to say hello made for a much more engaging read.
The plot itself was pretty interesting too, because it basically centred around a bunch of characters teaming up to try to track down Ozma, who’s gone missing. What’s not to like about that?
All in all then, it’s restored my faith a little in what the Oz series has to offer, and I’m looking forward to finishing it off. Good times.
I think part of that is because the last few books have just felt as though Baum was just shoehorning Oz in, rather than using the land and his original cast of characters to their full extent. The fact that this one centres on Dorothy and friends instead of just bringing them in at the end to say hello made for a much more engaging read.
The plot itself was pretty interesting too, because it basically centred around a bunch of characters teaming up to try to track down Ozma, who’s gone missing. What’s not to like about that?
All in all then, it’s restored my faith a little in what the Oz series has to offer, and I’m looking forward to finishing it off. Good times.
February 18, 2025
After a reluctant start L. Frank Baum eventually wrote no less than thirteen sequels to 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', ever expanding his fantasy land with new regions and characters. Of these 'Ozma Of Oz' is rated best here on Goodreads, but 'The Lost Princess' comes second. I can see why: the book immediately starts with a great mystery in which not only Ozma, but also a multitude of magical objects have disappeared. Dorothy, along with several other characters clearly introduced in earlier volumes, goes on a rather clueless quest to find her stolen friend. Meanwhile, a cook and a frogman do the same. The result is a nice adventure with a lot of fantasy, but Baum doesn't really succeed in rounding up his tale well. Dorothy and her friends eventually rely on magic a little too much. Gone, too, is the dry wit of the first two books, although both Scraps the patchwork girl and the frogman are excellent comic relief. In all, a pleasant read, if not a particularly outstanding one.
February 15, 2022
This contains the Patchwork Girl which docks it a point. It does have a lot of nice Oz-iness which is good to have again.
Also very amused at the big crime of Ugu the Shoemaker (doing exactly what Ozma did a couple of books ago).
Also very amused at the big crime of Ugu the Shoemaker (doing exactly what Ozma did a couple of books ago).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2025
Okay like 2 or 3 times a character says something like “no one can die in the land of Oz”
But then like
Umm
What happened to the chick with the slippers at the beginning of the first book?? And her sister???
But then like
Umm
What happened to the chick with the slippers at the beginning of the first book?? And her sister???
November 14, 2025
This chapter in the Royal History of Oz introduces some new characters and collects virtually all our old friends together again as they chase through Oz, looking for all the magical items that have been stolen.
November 16, 2019
Parece que Baum tuvo mejores ideas en estos libros finales.
Cómo siempre hubo algunos personajes insoportables pero en este caso se fueron redimiendo y encuentro que eso vale harto al ser un libro infantil.
Ver a casi todo el cast de personajes igual fue genialm
Cómo siempre hubo algunos personajes insoportables pero en este caso se fueron redimiendo y encuentro que eso vale harto al ser un libro infantil.
Ver a casi todo el cast de personajes igual fue genialm
December 26, 2019
A step up from the last couple in the series. The endings are getting quite repetitive now, but the journey along the way was filled with adventure and interesting characters.
A fun read.
A fun read.
January 11, 2021
All I want is to write a series as well loved as the oz books are
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