Every time the scarecrow showed up, I was fully expecting him to be like “hi it’s me, Fiyero.”

However, to my great disappointment and confusion, he never did.

I would wait with bated breath, hoping that this time he would utter those familiar words.

The anticipation would build up inside me, only to be dashed when he remained silent and motionless.

It was as if he was taunting me, keeping his true identity a mystery.

Why couldn't he just be Fiyero?

I racked my brain, trying to figure out the reason behind his strange behavior.

Maybe there was some hidden message he was trying to convey, or perhaps he was testing my patience.

Whatever the case may be, I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

No matter how many times I was disappointed, I would continue to wait and hope that one day, the scarecrow would reveal himself as Fiyero.

Don't bother.

He seemed to be hoping that the book would be adapted for the stage.

The incidental characters and dialogue felt forced.

I read "Wicked" back then - I really liked it, so much so that I went to see the play.

I also read "Mirror Mirror" and remember enjoying it.

However, this book didn't have the same charm.

The story didn't flow well, and the characters didn't seem fully developed.

It was a disappointment compared to the other works I've read.

I wouldn't recommend it to others.

Maybe if it had been rewritten or edited more thoroughly, it could have been a better read.

But as it stands, it just didn't meet my expectations.

It's not a terrible sequel. Admittedly, it has been a while since I read "Wicked". The tiny nods to the musical were rather cute. However, Liir as the main character was just okay. He kind of falls into the role of "hero" for a set number of characters, lacking a real personality, at least in my opinion. And again, similar to "Wicked", the cover can be misleading. This is very much an adult book, but just by looking at it, you wouldn't know that. So perhaps there should be some kind of content warning at the beginning. Although it was toned down compared to the first book, the mature content is still there. Other than that, I just wanted to read this one to see how the second book was like, but it was nothing really memorable.

I truly had a great fondness for "Wicked". It was a remarkable and engaging book that captured my imagination.

However, for an unknown reason, "Son of a Witch" didn't appeal to me as much. Liir, the main character, is almost the complete antithesis of what Elphaba was, especially in the initial part of the book. He is deeply religious, extremely timid, and enlists in the military. While it is evident that he is doing this in an attempt to discover his true identity, I couldn't bring myself to like him very much.

A few questions are indeed answered towards the end of the book. But throughout the story, there were so many more unanswered questions that those few answers hardly seemed to matter. It was rather disappointing, especially considering how outstanding "Wicked" was.

I had high expectations for "Son of a Witch" based on the excellence of its predecessor, but unfortunately, it failed to meet those expectations.

**Title: The Importance of Recycling**

Recycling is of great significance in our daily lives.

It helps to conserve natural resources. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we can reduce the need to extract and process new raw materials.

This not only saves energy but also minimizes the negative impact on the environment caused by resource extraction.

For example, recycling paper can save trees, which are essential for maintaining ecological balance.

Moreover, recycling can also reduce waste disposal. Landfills are becoming increasingly scarce, and recycling helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.

This can help to extend the lifespan of landfills and reduce the pollution caused by waste decomposition.

In addition, recycling can create jobs. The recycling industry employs a significant number of people in areas such as collection, sorting, and processing of recycled materials.

Therefore, we should all make an effort to recycle and encourage others to do the same.

By doing so, we can contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and for generations to come.

2.75 stars

This is a meandering, non-linear story that had its moments of success but also left me confused in other parts.

At the beginning, I was enjoying it much more than "Wicked." The plot intrigued me, and I was eager to discover what had happened to Liir. The introduction of Candle added an element of mystery that I was keen to unravel.

However, then Liir (in theory) woke up, and that's when things took a turn for the worse for me. It all became too strange, and I was reminded that I didn't really like his character. I failed to see the point in most of what was happening, and some aspects were so poorly explained that I was completely baffled. Additionally, the sexualization of certain things made me uncomfortable.

I had read far enough to think that I might as well see where the story was going, but it was a real chore with only a small payoff. The very end managed to pique my interest again, but I wish it could have held my attention throughout. This is precisely the issue I had with "Wicked," but I wanted to know what happened next, so I picked up this one. Unfortunately, I think that ultimately this series isn't for me, and I will be stopping here.

I truly relished "Son of a Witch", notwithstanding the impression that it is merely an interlude within a more extensive narrative. In "Wicked", I had numerous preconceived notions regarding the characters. While I appreciated the perspective that the book offered on them, I must admit that it did somewhat hinder my perception. However, with "Son of a Witch", I did not encounter those same barriers to overcome.

I took pleasure in delving deeper into the character of Liir. I felt that he was unjustly treated in "Wicked", and thus it was fascinating to trace his growth and development in this book. There were indeed several occasions when I wanted to yell at him!

At the conclusion, there are a plethora of loose ends remaining. Consequently, I suspect (and hope!) that there is another book in the pipeline. It brought to my mind those M. Night Shyamalan films where one only gets to witness a single act within a much grander story. They are fulfilling in their own right, yet they leave you yearning for more.

Well, I must admit that I'm about 20 years late to this particular experience. I've actually owned this item since it was brand new. However, perhaps it works better for me now than it would have back then.

At times, it was a bit confusing until I managed to figure out the time line/s. But aside from that, it's truly very good.

I absolutely loved Liir and his complex emotions of anger and confusion as he searched for his place in the world. Dorothy was quite wild, which added an interesting element. Candle was also an intriguing character, as were the Sisters. The Birds, the army, the Emperor(!), and Trism - all of these aspects contributed to making the story so engaging. Maguire has really constructed a fascinating world with his beautiful writing.

I do plan on reading the other two books in the series. However, I'm currently a bit worn out on series' in general and will be taking a break first. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to delving into the story of the Lion and then the fourth book, which I'm sure will bring Dorothy back into the fold in an exciting way.

I can't wait to see what else this literary world has in store for me.

This had numerous problems. There were many issues, ranging from unlikable leads to a strange flashback narrative. However, the most egregious of them all was the act of disguising a rape as something sincere and romantic.

I'm going to provide spoilers here, but this truly disturbed me, and I want to ensure that others are adequately warned before reading, so I won't hide this due to spoilers. There's a particular scene where a girl engages in sexual activity with a young man who is unconscious. Supposedly, this is because he will die of hypothermia if she doesn't, and this is the only way to keep him warm. (Like.... seriously????) It is presented as a magnificent and romantic gesture, but in reality, it is rape, pure and simple - and should not be romanticized in any manner. I was astonished by the illogical reasoning and the fact that she gets caught in the act yet receives no punishment. I guess rape doesn't count if the victim is male, right? That's absolute nonsense.

A very satisfying story indeed is that of Liir and his growth in the land of Oz. It has been a pleasure to witness his maturation process as he not only helps people but also animals along his journey. The more we learn about Oz and its diverse citizens, the more intrigued we become. It's like uncovering a hidden treasure trove of wonder and magic.

Liir's character development is truly captivating. From a young and inexperienced individual, he evolves into a capable and kind-hearted hero. His actions have a positive impact on the lives of those around him, making the story all the more engaging.

As for me, I can't wait to start the third book. I'm eager to see what new adventures await Liir in the land of Oz and how he will continue to grow and make a difference. The world of Oz has truly captured my imagination, and I'm excited to delve deeper into its mysteries and charm.

Son of a Witch is the second installment in the Wicked series, and it is truly a work that is never lacking in imaginative settings, characters, and circumstances. Just like its predecessor, however, it can sometimes find itself bogged down by the sheer number of characters and the great depth of its descriptions.

Maguire, the author, is endlessly creative and clever in his telling of this story. The book is filled with characters that are not only vivid but also complex, making them come alive on the pages. One aspect that I really appreciated was that it offers a better understanding of its main character compared to the first book.

However, my criticism lies in the fact that there is a bit of a general lack of focus in the novel. At times, it can be quite difficult to follow and stick with due to its tendency to meander down paths that lead nowhere. This can make the reading experience a bit frustrating.

Overall, Son of a Witch is a topical and quirky modern-day fairy tale. Unfortunately, it gets bogged down by having an overwhelming amount of information and not enough clear focus. Despite this flaw, it still has its merits and can be an interesting read for those who enjoy the genre.

A glowing organ, like the illuminated heart of Oz itself pushed through the flesh of the land, pulsing with its own life, tricked out with monuments, defaced with graffiti of broken trees, the Palace of the Wizard a cancer upon the landscape, the dead center of it all.

This book indeed elicits a wide range of opinions. Overall, the story and plot merit a 3-star rating. Maguire's approach here is distinct from that in 'Wicked'. This is because, rather than presenting a different perspective like that of Elphaba, we are witnessing Liir's growth. Some aspects of the plot may not be the most captivating, perhaps due to Liir's character.

What truly elevated this book to a 4-star rating for me was the stark contrast between Liir and the other characters we've encountered in Maguire's Oz, mainly Elphaba through 'Wicked'. Liir has never known the security or knowledge that Elphaba had. He views her with a mix of resentment and jealousy, given her ability to handle most situations with confidence. Liir's story challenges the preconceived notions of Oz and Elphaba's narrative, leaving me with a newfound appreciation for him. Here is a young adult who has no solid foundation in life and spends most of the book feeling alone and lost, both figuratively and literally, with little understanding of what is true or not.

Although in 'Wicked' we witnessed the corruption of Oz, I thoroughly enjoyed Liir's journeys. They were centered in areas similar to Elphaba's, yet highly different. I was particularly drawn to the description of Emerald City in the opening quote, a city seemingly broken in half.

Therefore, while I believe that Maguire fails to match the success of 'Wicked' in terms of plot alone, the introduction of Liir's personality adds an interesting afterthought.