Book Review: The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige

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The Wicked Will Rise
Dorothy Must Die #2
Author: Danielle Paige
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Retellings
Released: March 31st 2015
Review Source: HarperCollins

In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

I am conflicted by this book. I loved Dorothy Must Die - such dark twisted tale. So I was expecting this book to be as dark as the first book… but fell short of this expectation. Nevertheless, I did enjoyed this retelling of the original story.

If you read Dorothy Must Die, then you know it ended crazy. The once beautiful Oz is now destroyed by the one and only Dorothy. Now a new girl from Kansas is in Oz and is willing to fight Dorothy and restore this place. Has Amy learns the truth about Princess Ozma, she embarks to a new mission. She must destroy everything and everyone protecting Dorothy to save Oz. At the ending of Dorothy, she conquered to get the first item on her list: the Tin Woodman’s metal, clockwork heart. Now she must figure out where the Lion keeps his courage and the Scarecrow’s brain. These she must posses to finally take down Dorothy.

Since Amy fought hard to get the Tin Woodman’s heart, I guessed the Lion’s courage would be extremely hard to acquire… Yet during this scene, I don’t know but it was rushed and I did not feared for Amy’s life. I just couldn’t believe how easy it was for her. As her journey continued, I felt the story dragged. Amy just went in circles. No actions. Not like the first one.

I guess I missed the gang. I missed how they all helped one another. I missed the actions and the crazy twists. Most of all the betrayals…

Indeed I will continue this series. I want to know how Amy will eventually bring down Dorothy. I just hope it is as dark as the first!

Read my Dorothy Must Die review!