As much as I liked Wicked, I had a strong inkling that I was going to like Son of a Witch even better. The beginning was truly captivating, with the series of senseless "scrapings" and the discovery of the unconscious boy, who turns out to be Liir, the book's protagonist and the potential son of the Wicked Witch of the West.

The engaging start continued as Liir spent some brief time with the Yellow Brick Road friends from The Wizard of Oz. Being a huge WoO nut, I had no issue with the irreverent and perhaps more realistic portrayal of these classic characters.

When the silent maunt known as Candle was assigned to take care of Liir, that part was also quite good. The unconscious Liir's flashbacks were interesting and effectively advanced the plot. I was completely immersed in the story.

However, around three-quarters of the way into the book, I started to get annoyed. It seemed that Liir wasn't going to achieve anything significant. He wasn't going to have a gratifying ending to any of his quests and charges, he wasn't going to establish a romantic relationship, and he wasn't going to figure out himself. The book portrays Liir as a sort of malcontent, but he comes across as rather mild. The only thing that really stands out is the character's confusion about his identity and what he represents. And I didn't feel that he ever reached any conclusions about that. It was frustrating to reach three-quarters of the book and still sense that the protagonist had no clear sense of purpose.

Perhaps his lack of direction is the point of the story. I can understand how that might be the case. But for me, it didn't make for a satisfying reading experience. I know I'll reread Wicked multiple times, but I don't think Son of a Witch was worth finishing the first time around.

Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire is the second installment in the Wicked Years series, picking up after the events in Wicked.

Unfortunately, I didn't find this one as captivating as the first book. The pacing was really slow and laborious, and the main character (MC) was rather unengaging.

We follow Liir, the purported son of the Wicked Witch of the West. Throughout the book, Liir comes across as essentially useless and one-dimensional. He doesn't begin to show any real growth until approximately 75% of the way through.

However, what I did appreciate were the themes related to the sociopolitical climate of Oz. The book offers a critique of different forms of government and their lust for power and control.

Liir traverses all over Oz, alone in his search for any hint of his possible half-sister Nor. He enlists as a soldier only to defect later and eventually decides to develop a personality and take actions that the Witch might have sanctioned.

If you have an interest in politics and such, it can be an interesting read. But for me, I'm not likely to pick up the next two books in the series.

This was an excellent continuation of the story that began with "Wicked". I have always believed that this book and "Wicked" are two parts of the same narrative. In "Wicked", I was constantly intrigued by Liir, and I'm extremely glad that his story was able to continue, despite its tragic nature. His presence carried on through the subsequent books as well.

However, while reading this book, I didn't have the same vivid mental images as I did with Book #1. The plot seemed a bit jumbled at times. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed it, and it will always be a book that I return to. I would rate it 4 1/2 stars.

\\n  "At least I'm talking to myself. Instead of giving myself the cold shoulder”
\\n

I truly enjoyed this book almost to the same extent as the first one.

There were certain parts of it that seemed even more closely related to our current times. For instance, the Emperor's claim that he is essentially 'the chosen one' and godlike. It's quite obvious that this is a dig at a certain individual.

Moreover, I interpreted the old singer on her comeback tour as a reference to Judy Garland. I wonder if anyone else had the same thought.

Overall, in my opinion, this novel was not only highly entertaining but also thought-provoking. I'm really looking forward to getting the Lion's perspective in the next book. It's bound to be another exciting read.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and insights the author will bring to the table.

The story has me hooked and I'm eager to see how it all unfolds.

I believe the next book will build on the foundation laid by this one and take the readers on an even more thrilling journey.

I agree with some of the reviews which state that the story held promise and had the potential to venture in numerous directions, but then it simply fell short. I came to this realization halfway through the book when I noticed that not much had actually occurred, and I could sense that the pace wasn't going to pick up. After completing the book, I understood that this particular volume is merely part 2 of the Wicked Trilogy - it served as nothing more than a segue to the next installment. None of the mysteries were resolved, although there were hints scattered throughout the book suggesting that they would be addressed much later. The main character wasn't especially likable. It was difficult to develop an affinity for or empathize with a character who was so simplistic and self-centered. Eventually, he did change a little, but for the most part, Liir lacked any semblance of the personality that either of his parents (?) had possessed in the first book.

Wicked is the continuation and an expansion in part B of the story of The Wizard of Oz. Gregory McGuire is extremely good at doing retellings.

Liir is a complex character, whom the author develops extensively. On his hero's journey (although not in the traditional sense), he is seeking a whole bunch of questions that we also have.

I think the magic of the Wicked saga is that in the end, you yourself ask a lot of questions and draw your own conclusions, covering themes such as politics and all its aspects, power and wars, intolerance and segregation, sexual identity, and so on.

And although *SPOILER* (even though it's not really that much of a spoiler because that happened in The Wizard of Oz almost a century ago) Elphaba has already died, her figure remains very present, which shows how a person can die, but their ideas can endure.

This story not only takes us on an adventure in a fictional world but also makes us reflect on many real-life issues. It makes us think about how we看待 and deal with different people and situations. The characters in the story are so vivid and real that we can easily empathize with them.

Overall, Wicked is a remarkable work that combines fantasy and reality in a unique way, leaving a deep impression on the readers.

This book was truly satisfying. Liir, the son of Elphaba, discovers his true self. After 266 pages, he starts to do remarkable things to assist others, lead, unite, and take control of his mother's legacy. It's highly realistic as he accomplishes all this while still being in a state of confusion and self-doubt, obstacles that he never truly overcomes (much like Elphaba). I adored how everyone tells him "if only Elphaba was here to see this…" The Bird Congress, also known as Witch Nation (assigned by Liir to be the eyes of Oz and share information with other species and humans to thwart future despots), travels in the shape of a witch on a broom, and Liir rides in the position of the Eye of the Witch.

I loved it when he asks Nanny if she thinks Elphaba will have a history and she replies, "She does already, ninnykins! I just saw her flying up the valley. Her cape went out behind her, a thousand bits in flight (the thousands of birds). Nearly touched the peaks to the left and the right. If that’s not a history, what is?" So, Liir gives her a history. I also like how sarcastic he becomes in the middle of the book, just like his mother. After life has kicked him around a great deal, he lies in a coma, etc. At one point, he says, "What condition? I’ve been in this condition my whole life. It’s the only condition I know. Bitter love, loneliness, contempt for corruption, blind hope. It’s where I live." I also love how he develops a wry sense of humor and charm, accepting his fate of never knowing the answers. He tells Elphaba's monkey "She always liked you better" and smiles at him. The monkey then asks, "Considering who she was, is that a compliment or an insult?"

He poisons all the Emperor's dragons, which saves lives, gets revenge on Cherrystone, frees the skies for the birds, and unites two warring tribes who thought each other was responsible for the dragon attacks. He figures out a way to draw out the voices of the dead, which allows the She-Elephant to die properly. He still doesn't know if he is Elphaba's son until the last sentence when he holds up his newborn daughter in the rain to clean her (after finding her dead, wrapped in Elphaba's cloak, and reviving her). Her skin is green.

NOTE: Maguire is successful in using the "perception" of different witnesses and participants to change our "perception" of the well-known Oz Story through characters who must act without "knowing all the answers" or "having enough information." We all encounter this in life. There are those who don't act due to this lack of sufficient info, are held back, are cautious, and never do anything meaningful. And then there are those who take risks and act (knowing you will never have all the answers or enough info) and thus make/change history. In the traditional Oz Story, all the risks Elphaba takes are mis-perceived. So, it's fascinating how he again employs this same tool for the story of Liir, and everything he does could be seen as bad…but it's not. This leads to the immense satisfaction. And then you receive additional pieces of information that confirm he was on the right track, validating his decisions and actions. No misperception, just the story of an ordinary person who does amazing things. "If only Elphaba was here to see this…" I'm referring to more than just a mother's pride and personal vindication. I'm talking about a righting of the wrongs in the world that her son brings about.

And again, I wonder if the son will love the granddaughter properly, being her only caretaker. Obviously yes, because of the way he cared for her immediately, once again righting the wrongs his mother committed against him. What kind of person will the granddaughter be, what legacy will she leave on the world? How will she carry the burden of Elphaba, the burden of being green? Will Liir ever find Nor?

Green: fresh as spring, dewy, not rotten. The first color I learned about in literary symbolism. The green light of Daisy’s house that Jay Gatsby stares at across the water all the time. It represents HOPE, renewal, fresh new growth, a new beginning.

I'm not entirely certain as to why this book has an average rating of 3.32. In my opinion, it is an outstanding and captivating read that not only entertains but also makes you think deeply. Perhaps I have a certain bias towards Gregory Maguire, but I truly adored this book and believe that it reached a conclusion that was both inevitable and satisfying. I can't wait for the next installment in the series (which, if anyone is following along, delves into the character of Mother Yackle - Maguire read a bit from it at last year's Grub Street conference).

I just took a look at some of the other reviews, and I find myself disagreeing on multiple levels. The relationship between Elphaba and Liir is vividly demonstrated through his actions and behavior. To overlook this, I believe, is to miss a significant portion of the central theme [namely, what exactly constitutes wickedness?].

Anyhow, this book is divided into four parts. My interview with Maguire can be found on my blog here, in case anyone is interested in checking it out.

I truly wish this book had never crossed my path. I even wish that I had never acquired the skill of reading in the first place.

Gandalf, on the other hand, remarks that all those who have attempted to read it share the same sentiment. However, he emphasizes that it is not for them to determine such matters. Instead, all we have to decide is how to make use of the literacy that has been bestowed upon us. He points out that there are other forces at work in this world, Erik, aside from the will of Gregory Maguire. Barnes and Nobles was intended to stock this particular book, which means that you were also meant to pick it up. And that realization, well, it's a rather discouraging thought as I see it now. Hmph, I find myself completely bamboozled. Oh well, such is life.

I happened to pick up this book in a free book box within my neighborhood. I recalled having thoroughly enjoyed a couple of Maguire's other literary works several years ago. The narrative revolves around Liir. There is some ambiguity as to whether he is the offspring of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and the heroine of Wicked. For a significant portion of the initial part of the book, Liir is in a state of injury and unconsciousness.

Maguire truly has a remarkable talent when it comes to using imagery and metaphor. He also possesses a genuine skill for crafting believable characters and immersing them in intense and vivid settings. The plot, in and of itself, is rather thin. However, this allows the reader to direct their attention towards all the other aspects. The fascinating intermingling of human and animal characters, along with the occasional nods to certain elements of the original Oz story, serves to enhance the overall enjoyment of the reading experience.

This book is an absolute insult to any reader who possesses a functioning brain.

It is truly astonishing how one can manage to write about nothing for a couple of hundred pages.

The rude aspect is that this is actually being sold, for real money! (Seriously, I have no idea who thought that this could possibly be sold!)

It is obvious that this book was written with the sole purpose of producing a filler volume in a trilogy. The author, apparently, thought this was necessary after his first book was, for whatever reason, so commercially successful.

It is a huge waste of time, paper, and ink. And it is just grotesque that this guy actually made money from it.

[For the record - I did not buy this book. I read it because a friend had it, and I was really bored. I did not stop after 50 pages because I kept waiting for something to happen. When it turned out in the end that throughout the whole book nothing had ever happened, believe me, I was really pissed.]

I truly appreciate the ingenious creation of characters and the captivating lands that Maguire presents in his Wicked Series. This aspect was indeed the most enjoyable part of this book for me. In this second installment of the series, there were numerous story lines that were developed. However, although the author managed to resolve them, the payoff was not as substantial as I had expected. It left me with a sense of longing for more. I am fervently hoping that the next book in the series will be able to answer some of the lingering questions and provide some profound insights into the overarching question of "what was it all for"? I eagerly anticipate delving deeper into this enchanting world and uncovering the mysteries that lie ahead.