Ngl I was truly engrossed in this!!!

Liir was an incredibly interesting main character. He carried a great deal of baggage and guilt, which made it extremely difficult for him to find purpose in his life.

The love triangle involving Candle and Trism was simply captivating. It was completely unexpected and added an extra layer of complexity and drama to the story.

The plot was masterfully written. The time jumps between Liir's past and the present at the beginning of the book were seamlessly blended together, evolving into a play-by-play kind of storytelling later on.

This made the narrative flow smoothly and kept the reader engaged from start to finish.

Overall, this was a truly remarkable read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking story.

Deliciously well-written, just like Wicked. This statement immediately catches our attention and makes us curious. What exactly is being compared to Wicked in terms of its excellent writing? It makes us wonder if there is a new work that has emerged, perhaps a novel, a play, or even a piece of poetry, that rivals the quality and charm of Wicked. The use of the word "deliciously" implies that the writing is not only good but also has a certain allure that makes it a pleasure to read. It makes us eager to explore this new work and discover for ourselves what makes it so special. Just like Wicked, which has captivated audiences around the world with its engaging story and beautiful language, we can only imagine what this new creation has in store for us.

Son of a Witch (The Wicked Years, #2), Gregory Maguire

Son of a Witch is a captivating sequel to Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Published in 2005, it delves deep into the life of Elphaba's son, Liir. The story is told from Liir's perspective as he embarks on a journey to find his half-sister Nor and, incidentally, finishes some of Elphaba's work. It commences not long after the conclusion of "Wicked."

Liir's character is complex and engaging. He is burdened with the legacy of his infamous mother and must navigate a world that views him with suspicion. As he searches for Nor, he discovers more about himself and his family's history. The book is filled with rich descriptions of the magical and political landscape of Oz, as well as the personal struggles of its characters.

Overall, Son of a Witch is a must-read for fans of the "Wicked" series and anyone who enjoys a well-written fantasy novel. It offers a unique perspective on the world of Oz and its inhabitants, and leaves readers eager to discover what lies ahead for Liir and his family.

I absolutely adored this book. It was truly captivating from start to finish. The story had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't put it down.

However, there are still a few lingering questions in my mind. I'm really hoping that these will be addressed and answered in the next book.

The characters were so well-developed, and I became deeply invested in their lives and relationships. The plot was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end.

I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us in the next installment. I'm sure it will be just as amazing as this one.

Overall, this book was a great read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

I really liked it. Liir is one of those characters that you don't forget, although I would have liked the ending to be more conclusive. That's right, Liir finds, just in the last sentence of the book, the answer to the two questions that he asks throughout the entire story.

I read Wicked about 4 years ago and I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads. I'm considering rereading it because I'm sure the rating would be higher.

It makes me feel bad because the other two books in the series that are missing, I think they haven't reached Spain and seeing what I've seen, I don't think they will :(((( so I'm going to be left without reading them. What a pity!

Overall, despite the somewhat open ending, the story of Liir and the world of Wicked is truly captivating. It makes you think about morality, identity, and the nature of good and evil. I'm excited to see if a reread will deepen my understanding and appreciation of this wonderful book.

I hope that one day the other books in the series will be available in Spain so that I can complete my reading experience. Until then, I'll cherish the memories of Liir and his journey.

I am truly glad that this whole experience was over. To be honest, I was not impressed in the slightest. I do appreciate the idea of taking an existing intellectual property (IP) and putting one's own unique spin on it. However, this particular work, which is supposed to be a novel for adults, had some rather questionable aspects. Somehow, the detailed descriptions about the main character's penis seemed not only unnecessary but also completely out of line with the spirit of the original Oz books.

Throughout the reading, there were times when the story really dragged on. It felt as if the author was stretching certain scenes or adding elements that didn't contribute much to the overall narrative. As a result, I just didn't enjoy it. I had hoped for a more engaging and faithful adaptation that would capture the magic and charm of the Oz universe, but unfortunately, this fell short of my expectations.

The sequel to "Wicked", and the second volume of Gregory Maguire's four-volume "The Wicked Years" series, offers a truly wonderful revisitation of L. Frank Baum's "Wizard of Oz" series. This book takes readers on a new adventure that builds upon the rich and imaginative world established in the first installment.

Fans of the original series and the movie adaptations they inspired are sure to appreciate this continuation. However, there is so much more to discover for any careful reader. The story delves deeper into the characters and their relationships, exploring themes of love, loss, and redemption.

Smack dab in the middle of it, readers are left wondering: What will become of Liir and Candle? Their story is filled with mystery and anticipation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. But no spoilers here! It's best to pick up the book and enjoy the journey for yourself.

So, without further ado, it's time to turn the page and embark on the next chapter with "A Lion Among Men"!

A book to reflect on the interests that are put before us; both collective and individual, and the act of prioritizing (or not) oneself over them, but with a story full of fantasy, also half a fable. After all, if the lion in The Wizard of Oz could talk, why couldn't the birds?

I liked it, and if you liked Wicked, surely you were left with many questions that won't be resolved for you... since Gregory Maguire plays with that in this saga, making you ask yourself questions.

It makes me wonder if I feel like continuing (and finishing or not) the saga. This book has truly made me think deeply about various aspects of life and the choices we make. The unique blend of fantasy and thought-provoking themes makes it a captivating read. However, the unanswered questions also leave a sense of uncertainty, which makes me hesitate about whether to continue with the saga. On one hand, I'm curious to see how the story unfolds and if the questions will be answered. On the other hand, I'm not sure if I want to invest more time in a story that might leave me with more confusion. It's a tough decision, but one that I'll have to make soon.

Would you rather a book to have a great beginning and be awful for the rest, or to be mediocre the whole way through? That’s the choice between Wicked and this book.

As far as my experience with this book and its predecessor go, I apparently prefer solidly mediocre. I liked this book much better than Wicked. Whether that’s due to lowered expectations or the fact I prefer Liir as a protagonist (personalityless as he is) to Elphaba, who knows?

Unfortunately, I somehow deleted my review of Wicked, but the general gist was that I hated it. It felt like a long political metaphor I was too dumb to get, with dozens of pages spent on description before you got one blessed paragraph about something actually interesting.

This book is just the same. The plot is bare and Liir abandons his only actual goal multiple times. He never actually accomplishes it either, or much of anything honestly. Still more than poor Elphie did though. The writing is more clinical and detached than most text books I’ve read. There are moments that feel like they’re supposed to be emotional, but the characters don’t seem to care, so why should I? If the writing isn’t being bland it’s being gross. I could have lived a long and happy life without the sentence: “it takes a daughter of Lurline to draw out the milk only boys can make…”

TW: rape. Also what’s with the first giving birth to a baby in a coma in the first book, and then in this book ‘impregnating’ someone while being in a coma? And yeah, this book does involve the rape of a coma patient to heal him. And it's actually the right solution and works??

In conclusion: I hate it here and I don’t care if this book ends with no resolution, it’s the end for me.

For all the missteps that Maguire made in Wicked, he truly redeems himself in Son of a Witch. In Wicked, Elphaba often seemed disengaged and distant from her own tale. However, in this new installment, Liir takes center stage and navigates his narrative with great dynamism, constantly learning and evolving. Liir is an incredibly complex character. He is unsure of his place and purpose in life, which makes his journey all the more captivating. Throughout the novel, he gradually comes to terms with his identity and all the events that have preceded him. He is expected, both by the people of Oz and the readers, to be Elphaba's successor. But he develops into such a unique individual that the memory of the Wicked Witch almost fades away.

Oz, as a setting, feels far more vivid and real in Son of a Witch compared to Wicked. The previously artificial quirkiness is now better explored and masterfully written. The narrative style has also improved significantly. It presents the story through a series of flashbacks that gradually catch up to the present events. This approach allows the reader to discover Liir's story organically, rather than being spoon-fed the details. It adds a wonderful flow to the novel. Although some elements, like Liir's friendship with Trism or the Conference of the Birds, may seem out of place initially, they eventually develop into more fascinating and enticing plot points, keeping the reader fully engaged.

However, the novel does have a few drawbacks. One issue is Candle and her limited screen time. Despite having interesting characteristics, she comes across more as a plot device rather than a fully developed character. With more detailed scenes and a larger role in the narrative, this problem could have been resolved. Additionally, the novel's twist regarding the Emperor of Oz's identity feels rather abrupt and takes the reader out of the story. The novel even acknowledges the absurdity of the situation but still decides to keep the twist. Nevertheless, overall, Son of a Witch is a much better and more enjoyable read than Wicked. Although Liir seems to take a backseat in the subsequent novels, Maguire's stylistic growth gives us hope for what's to come.

Okay well...

After reading Wicked, I was left with a certain degree of curiosity regarding Liir's fate. Fortunately, we can now consider that curiosity to be sated. However, I don't have the inclination to read the rest of this series or the spinoff one. Nevertheless, I will definitely check out the graphic novel.

What I found appealing was that it wasn't similar to the first book. The writing had improved to some extent, and the book was a little less strange. Liir did indeed develop as a character, and it wasn't a bad listen overall.

Nonetheless, I do wish this series had a stronger hold on me. I was truly prepared to read all the books connected to it. But alas, it wasn't meant to be for me. Next up is the musical, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll like that at least.

Maybe the musical will offer a different perspective and bring a new level of enjoyment to the story. I'm looking forward to seeing how it presents the characters and the plot. Who knows, it might just change my opinion of the entire franchise.

Well, only time will tell. For now, I'll wait and see what the musical has in store for me.

I truly loved it.

It was an experience that left a deep impression on me.

And among all the aspects, I especially loved Liir.

Liir was such a remarkable character.

His presence added a unique charm to the story.

His actions and decisions were always interesting to follow.

I found myself constantly rooting for him.

His growth and development throughout the narrative were truly captivating.

He had a certain vulnerability that made him even more endearing.

I couldn't help but be drawn to his character.

Overall, my love for it and for Liir was undeniable.

It was a wonderful journey that I will always cherish.

I look forward to more stories that can touch my heart in the same way.

Maybe there will be more about Liir in the future.

I can't wait to find out.