Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years #1) in Into the Forest

Mar 29, 2022 Kathleen Newton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: z-katie-2022

NOT FOR CHILDREN (There are some descriptive sexy times.) Thoughtful take on the villain origin story. Pretty true to the (Judy Garland) movie, which was fun.

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Jun 13, 2014 Shannon Kitchens rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, a-decade-of-books, grown-up, witches

So, Wicked....did not work for me.

The rise of a villain is very easy to botch. You have to create a character, that when presented with a moral dilemma, ultimately makes the wrong choice and suffers the consequences. It's not that the choice isn't understandable, but rather that it is. We get why this person went so terribly wrong.

That's not at all what Wicked does. In fact, I don't think Elphaba ever actually does anything wicked. She's presented with struggle after struggle that is rarely her ...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Nora Peevy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

A fresh, masterful weaving of a favorite childhood tale. Filled with political, societal, and religious commentary, this story of the origin of evil and what it means to be human is entertaining and food for thought. There is so much to digest and so many laters to this novel. I feel it deserves another reading and look forward to the other books in this series. Elphaba is a witty and wonderful character. Well done, Maguire.

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Jun 07, 2016 Tessa Stockton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: religion, politics-torture-ethics-policy, fantasy, literary, cultural, fairy-tales, animals, conquest, sorcery, intrigue

Very interesting perspective. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, was painfully misunderstood and rejected (by the color of her skin, as well as her unconventional manners) rather than actually wicked. In this unique book, she grew to become an Animal rights advocate and more of a guerrilla. Her "cause" was not that unjustified in a world of vastly crooked politics, yet she faces a bitter end. Quite an allegory, this story. For a mature audience, however, and not recommended for kids. ...more

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