Book Review: No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige

Title: No Place Like Oz
Author: Danielle Paige
Published by HarperCollins
Series: Dorothy Must Die #0.5
Date Published: 2013-11-12
Pages: 196
Genres: Young Adult
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon~ B&N
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In this digital original novella, Dorothy travels back to Oz to reunite with old friends, but her story may not have a happy ending. No Place Like Oz is a prequel to the forthcoming novel Dorothy Must Die.

After returning to Kansas, Dorothy Gale has realized that the dreary fields of Kansas don’t compare to the vibrant landscapes of Oz. And although she’s happy to be reunited with Aunt Em, she misses her friends from the yellow brick road. But most of all, Dorothy misses the fame and the adventure. In Kansas she’s just another prairie girl, but in Oz she was a hero. So Dorothy is willing to do anything to get back, because there really is no place like Oz. But returning to the land she left comes at a price, and after Dorothy is through with it, Oz will never be the same.

Perfect for fans of Alex Flinn, Marissa Meyer, and Gregory Maguire, No Place Like Oz is a dark reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Building off of its rich mythology, Danielle Paige creates an edgy, thrilling story for teens that chronicles the rise and fall of one of the literature’s most beloved characters. This digital original novella is a prequel that sets the stage for the forthcoming novel Dorothy Must Die.

My Thoughts:
Holy Munchkins, Dorothy! I loved this book. Not just a little bit. Like, it’s the best prequel. Ever. No two ways about it, this is by far, my absolute favorite novella ever written. I’m a big re-telling fan, but most of Alice In Wonderland and those types of books. But, Wizard Of Oz is one of my favorite all time movies, so, I wanted to try out Ms. Paige’s work. I pre-ordered Dorothy Must Die like ages ago, and can’t wait for the release. But, I  was curious about the whole series so when I saw that there was a prequel I grabbed it. I didn’t want it to end! 

Ms. Paige did a magnificent job of creating this story. Those that have watched Wizard Of Oz, know that there is a sequel to it called Return To Oz, starring Fairuza Balk. Reading Ms. Paige’s No Place Like Oz, was like watching a movie of both those combined. There were details to the book that was like reading movie 1, and there were details to the book that was like reading movie 2. But, along the way, Ms. Paige added laughable moments, witty characters that you wouldn’t see in the movies and an ending that is leaving me desperate for more. Right now. Not in April. 

For fans of Wizard Of Oz movies, you’ll love this book. It’s captivating, twisty, turny and full of Emerald, and witch-y goodness! I mean seriously. I was reading this on my Kindle Fire, I was reading this on my iPhone, I was reading this everywhere. Dorothy is an amazing character and I loved watching this book come to life for me! There is so much that I want to say about this novella but I’m holding back because I know it will turn to spoilers. All I will conclude with is this: Get.This.Book.Now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now. It’s over-the-rainbow incredible, it’s beyond Munchkin Land 5 star worthy and highest on my favorites list! 

Ms. Paige, you are a magnificent story teller and I can’t wait for this series to continue, or for my book to arrive in April!! You are now on my favorites list!!! Well done!