7 Books Like ‘Wicked’ That Will Transport You Back to The Emerald City and Beyond
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With the publication of the book Wicked in 1999, author Gregory Maguire kickstarted an international phenomenon. From the hit Broadway musical — which just celebrated its 20th birthday — to the anticipated movie adaptation set to release in November, fans simply cannot get enough of Elphaba, Glinda, Fiyero and the rest of their fellow Ozians. And if you’re one of the millions of fans who fell house over heels for the wonderful witches of Oz, we have excellent news for you! These 7 books like Wicked will not only take you back to The Emerald City but into other magical, mind-bending worlds.
Curious about what would have happened if Dorothy never dropped in? Try Fleischer and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Edward Gross, which has some cameos from everyone's favorite heartless, brainless and cowardly characters. If you’d rather leave the Wizard behind altogether, try Heartless by Marissa Meyer and travel to Wonderland instead. Keep reading for the rest of our grand and green picks.
‘Wicked’ by Gregory Maguire
It’s the book that started it all, so of course, we have to include it. In Gregory Maguire’s bestselling book, readers learn what happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in. Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) might be a smart girl with good intentions, but she is burdened with unsightly green skin. And Glinda (the Good Witch) is a beautiful girl with somewhat selfish intentions. Soon, the two find themselves roommates at Shiz University, and the true lines of wickedness and goodness become as blurred as ever.
What readers are saying: “I’ve read this book multiple times and just read it again in anticipation of the movie coming out. If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you will love it. The backstory and behind-the-scenes all tie together so neatly.”
‘Fleischer and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ by Edward Gross
From Woman’s World Senior Entertainment Editor Edward Gross comes another enthralling tale filled with captivating illustrations. After a clueless superhero named Fleischer finds himself in Oz, he has no choice but to team up with the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to try to defeat the Wicked Witch of The West. Soon, though, new villains arrive, and Fleischer and his friends have no clue how to defeat them. What follows is a battle of brains, heart and bravery.
What readers are saying: “The idea of Dorothy never dropping in was so intriguing to me, and Fleischer did not disappoint as a main character. This book was a fun and fresh tale set in the land of Oz.”
‘Dorothy Must Die’ by Danielle Paige
Get ready to see Oz as never before! Amy Gumm is an unpopular girl with a sad home life when she gets swept up in a tornado and plopped in a dystopian version of Oz. There, she’s recruited to get close to Dorothy, who’s become a tyrant, and to neutralize Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow. In a land where good witches can’t be trusted and wicked witches are the heroes, can Amy ever figure out which side she’s on?
What readers are saying: “This updated version of Oz that Danielle Paige created is magical (in all senses of the word). The story and action drew me in. There were tons of really creative and fun details. I liked Amy as a protagonist because she's a conflicted anti-hero while still a strong female character. I'm really looking forward to reading book two!”
‘Heartless’ by Marissa Meyer
This bestselling book by Marissa Meyer is another touching villain origin story. Catherine — the soon-to-be Queen of Hearts — might be the prettiest girl in Wonderland, but marriage is the last thing on her mind. But when she meets Jest, everything changes. Soon, though, secrets begin to unravel, and Catherine begins to transform herself from heartfelt to heartless.
What readers are saying: "Marissa Meyer writes the best retellings! And the story she wrote for the Queen of Hearts in this book was amazing! Heartbreaking, yes, but also very fun. The characters were wacky and interesting. The tea party was chaotic and fun (I expected nothing less). Plus, there was a plot twist there that was very surprising!
‘Finding Dorothy’ by Elizabeth Letts
Bestselling author Elizabeth Letts is known for her nonfiction works, but she turns to fiction in this book, a colorfully imagined novel that tells the story of Maud, the wife of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ author Frank Baum. The plot alternates from her youth to 1938, when Maud is 77 years old and learns her late husband’s book is being adapted into a film. Soon she meets Judy Garland and the two form a bond. A sweeping tale of Hollywood and true friendship.
What readers are saying: “I used to watch The Wizard of Oz with my best friend when I was a little girl, and now it brings back feelings of nostalgia and joy,” says Kate Arcell, Woman’s World Associate Health Editor. “So when she told me there was a book about the backstory of the film, I flipped. This had fun behind-the-scenes tidbits and stirred up so many fond memories.”
‘The School for Good and Evil’ by Soman Chainani
Take a magical journey to the village of Gavaldon in this fantasy novel, where best friends Sophie and Agatha share the unlikeliest of bonds. Sophie, a golden-haired seamstress, dreams of escaping her life to become a princess, while Agatha has all the makings of a real witch. One night, a powerful force whisks them away to the School for Good and Evil — where the true stories behind every great fairy tale begin.
What readers are saying: "Soman Chainani’s writing really pulls me into the story from the very beginning. The first time I read this book, I was turning pages so quickly I think I finished the book the first night. This second time through, it’s like revisiting an old friend. Some passages still have a way of making me smile. The friendship between Agatha and Sophie is well written, and I invested very quickly in their relationship and Agatha’s desire to get them both out of there. A great story that I’ll continue to reread in years to come.”
‘The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale’ by Virginia Kantra
Bestselling author Virginia Kantra is known for penning novels full of heart and emotion and this book — inspired by The Wizard of Oz — follows suit. Dorothy “Dee” Gale yearns for a place to belong. After their mother’s death, Dee and her sister Toni move in with their Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas, where Dee attends graduate school. But when problems arise in Kansas, Dee applies to the writing program at Trinity College Dublin. She soon meets a new group of new friends — the ‘brainless’ Sam Clery, the allegedly heartless Tim Woodman and the loyal Reeti Kaur — and faces an eye-opening year of opportunities, changes, love and loss. Will Dee find a new home and see the power that’s been inside of her all along?
What readers are saying: “The Fairy Tale Life of Dorothy Gale was a heartwarming and charming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz, but a modern version. It was a fun, entertaining story of self-discovery mixed with just the right amount of romance.”
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