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brokenchell's review
5.0
I absolutely adore this series. I love the way Danielle Paige writes. I'm am never bored, not even for a moment. This inside look on Jellia was a great way to get to know her better and gives some hope for Oz's future. I must admit I'm not a huge Wizard of Oz fan, but Danielle Paige has me so hooked that has changed, this take on Oz is the best one yet. Can't wait to read Novella 3 The Wizard Returns and Book two, The Wicked Will Rise, which I will be getting both books later today...
catpingu's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
To my surprise, we're following the honorable maid Jellia Jamb. I thought we'd see more inside Dorothy's twisted little mind, or Glinda's mysterious ambitions. Instead, we're looking at the early days of Dorothy's takeover and how she joined Wicked.
Nox is everywhere, that handsome son-of-a-gun. But I definitely do feel like he's just being shoe-horned into being the male lead for every girl in here. He's only functioning as a contact with Wicked, nothing interesting. Nothing that would even really warrant his appearance here; his entire role in this book could have been relegated to another character, a background character or something. Feels completely unnecessary.
A note, that I'm working on reading these books by publication (when I can get ahold of them). For books sharing the same year, I've been reading the novellas first and then the actual books. So far, I feel like it's worked in my favor.
Nox is everywhere, that handsome son-of-a-gun. But I definitely do feel like he's just being shoe-horned into being the male lead for every girl in here. He's only functioning as a contact with Wicked, nothing interesting. Nothing that would even really warrant his appearance here; his entire role in this book could have been relegated to another character, a background character or something. Feels completely unnecessary.
A note, that I'm working on reading these books by publication (when I can get ahold of them). For books sharing the same year, I've been reading the novellas first and then the actual books. So far, I feel like it's worked in my favor.
manoncremers's review
3.0
More reviews on my blog, Exploring Pages.
The Witch Must Burn is a prequel novella to Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die, released months after the release of the actual novel. As big of a fan I am of Paige's debut novel and couldn't stop recommending it to everyone, it was nothing but obvious I had to read this one too. I liked this addition to the series. I really do. Then why do have this feeling that this story is one I've read before, maybe even in the same series? It's because I have. People who have read Dorothy Must Die will quickly notice the undeniable similarities between these two. Unfortunately, the similarities don't stay within the story. Also some of the characters are similar to others, too. In this case, the way Glinda behaved and acted towards her servants reminded me a bit too much of Dorothy. If the shoes Dorothy wears made her act like Glinda, I don't know, but it surely looked like it. Glinda's now just the same villain as Dorothy, and I would have loved if she had been different.
Don't think I don't like the story because several resemblances. I was surprised by Jellia's point of view, but it didn't stop me from loving her background and personality. The reasons as to why Paige chose Jellia to tell the story may haven't been very clear in the beginning, but as I progressed with the book I quickly began to understand. I eventually liked her point of view so much more than Dorothy's. Despite her big mouth, she knew exactly how to play the game, and that's what I loved so much about her.
Although The Witch Must Burn came out after Dorothy Must Die, I highly recommend you read it before the novel, if you already haven't. Because now, this novella only seemed like a well written money-maker than an original story which could have been an amazing addition to this fabulous series.
'"That part is simple," Mombi said. "The witch is going to burn."
-- Danielle Paige, The Witch Must Burn
The Witch Must Burn is a prequel novella to Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die, released months after the release of the actual novel. As big of a fan I am of Paige's debut novel and couldn't stop recommending it to everyone, it was nothing but obvious I had to read this one too. I liked this addition to the series. I really do. Then why do have this feeling that this story is one I've read before, maybe even in the same series? It's because I have. People who have read Dorothy Must Die will quickly notice the undeniable similarities between these two. Unfortunately, the similarities don't stay within the story. Also some of the characters are similar to others, too. In this case, the way Glinda behaved and acted towards her servants reminded me a bit too much of Dorothy. If the shoes Dorothy wears made her act like Glinda, I don't know, but it surely looked like it. Glinda's now just the same villain as Dorothy, and I would have loved if she had been different.
Don't think I don't like the story because several resemblances. I was surprised by Jellia's point of view, but it didn't stop me from loving her background and personality. The reasons as to why Paige chose Jellia to tell the story may haven't been very clear in the beginning, but as I progressed with the book I quickly began to understand. I eventually liked her point of view so much more than Dorothy's. Despite her big mouth, she knew exactly how to play the game, and that's what I loved so much about her.
Although The Witch Must Burn came out after Dorothy Must Die, I highly recommend you read it before the novel, if you already haven't. Because now, this novella only seemed like a well written money-maker than an original story which could have been an amazing addition to this fabulous series.
jordannchloee's review
4.0
4.5. i really love jellia. so even though this seemed kinda useless in the grand scheme, to get some more of Gert, Nox and Jellia was worth it all. didn’t take long at all and fun.
janeeyre_914716's review
5.0
This one was soooooo much better than the first story! Though I have to say I'm officially convinced Glinda in this story is Dolores Umbridge reincarnated after reading/listening to this one; and especially with her PINK EVERYTHING even down to the food!
But to really describe her....
She is definitely as evil as evil gets though I hate to say it, but she's WORSE than my favorite beautiful vampires where and they both have nothing on her cause Glinda is many words I can't say and want to say. Truly the Umbridge of her world and how she thinks and ugh! So much PINK!!
Now, let's talk about Jellia and sexy handsome Nox.
Both are bad-A's and I seriously loved Jellia more. I'm excited and hope to see more of Nox in the stories, if not, hopefully he shows back up in the main series but I'm sure this isn't the last time we've seen him.
And can we mention a huge twist of what Glenda is also up to!? WHAT THE HECK!?
Overall solid 5 stars and I can tell each story is probably (and hopefully) going to be much better than the one before! I seriously cannot stop listening to these stories and I'm glad my Libby had the first volume available that I could download/borrow it and caved to do these novellas first to set me up for the mind [b:Dorothy Must Die|18053060|Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die, #1)|Danielle Paige|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1381437107l/18053060._SY75_.jpg|25337746] series!
But to really describe her....
She is definitely as evil as evil gets though I hate to say it, but she's WORSE than my favorite beautiful vampires where and they both have nothing on her cause Glinda is many words I can't say and want to say. Truly the Umbridge of her world and how she thinks and ugh! So much PINK!!
Now, let's talk about Jellia and sexy handsome Nox.
Both are bad-A's and I seriously loved Jellia more. I'm excited and hope to see more of Nox in the stories, if not, hopefully he shows back up in the main series but I'm sure this isn't the last time we've seen him.
And can we mention a huge twist of what Glenda is also up to!? WHAT THE HECK!?
Overall solid 5 stars and I can tell each story is probably (and hopefully) going to be much better than the one before! I seriously cannot stop listening to these stories and I'm glad my Libby had the first volume available that I could download/borrow it and caved to do these novellas first to set me up for the mind [b:Dorothy Must Die|18053060|Dorothy Must Die (Dorothy Must Die, #1)|Danielle Paige|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1381437107l/18053060._SY75_.jpg|25337746] series!
seeinghowitgoes's review
4.0
A whole of narcissism gone crazy, it's a topsy turvy view on things in the land of Oz, Dorothy is insane and ruling, Glinda is running experiments through the land with the scarecrow to mine the magic of Oz, Ozma is nowhere to be seen and who knows the Wizard's game plan.
In the middle of it all, Jellia. Born and bred in Oz, it's refreshing to see the world from her point of view and what a terrifying and tragic view it is indeed.
In the middle of it all, Jellia. Born and bred in Oz, it's refreshing to see the world from her point of view and what a terrifying and tragic view it is indeed.
cammmiam's review
2.0
In the second prequel novella to the Dorothy Must Die series, the reader follows the tale of Jellia, whom is Head Maid of the palace in Emerald City. The purpose of her narrative voice is to show the reasoning behind the resistance force from people who knew and loved Oz before Dorothy returned, as well as to reiterate focus upon Glinda’s plan to mine for more magic through the earth of Oz.
Unlike the first prequel story, which detailed Dorothy’s return to Oz and the disposal of Ozma, I would not consider this story to be as necessary to the series. It came off as much of the same as I had already read in Dorothy. There is more to Jellia than meets the eye; she can be useful to Wicked to further their goal to get rid of Dorothy and Glinda. She meets Nox and finds him to be charming. The truth about Wicked, the Wizard, and the grand scheme of everything is refused to Jellia just as it will go on to be with Amy; they are continuously told they can not have the entire story for their own protection, which is frustrating for the reader as well because at this point I would like some concrete answers.
Should you read this? If you are so enamored with this world then by all means give it a try. Were you not as enthralled with Dorothy Must Die (as I was) but are willing to give book two a try? Then you can go on to do so without this novella in mind.
Unlike the first prequel story, which detailed Dorothy’s return to Oz and the disposal of Ozma, I would not consider this story to be as necessary to the series. It came off as much of the same as I had already read in Dorothy. There is more to Jellia than meets the eye; she can be useful to Wicked to further their goal to get rid of Dorothy and Glinda. She meets Nox and finds him to be charming. The truth about Wicked, the Wizard, and the grand scheme of everything is refused to Jellia just as it will go on to be with Amy; they are continuously told they can not have the entire story for their own protection, which is frustrating for the reader as well because at this point I would like some concrete answers.
Should you read this? If you are so enamored with this world then by all means give it a try. Were you not as enthralled with Dorothy Must Die (as I was) but are willing to give book two a try? Then you can go on to do so without this novella in mind.
piper9004's review
3.0
This review originally appears on What Am I Reading?
Rate: 3
In a review about the first novella, I briefly complained about how the first novella left me with more questions than answered ones. When I found out that there was a second prequel novella, I thought it would answer those questions. I was wrong. Unlike the first novella, which was in Dorothy's POV, this novella was in Jellia's, Dorothy's personal maid, POV. While Jellia could describe the changes that occurred between Ozma's and Dorothy's reign, she didn't know the exact reasons why these changes were occurring. Of course, the most base answer is that Dorothy changed everything, but I wanted to know how or when Dorothy became evil? And if she's been a pawn of Glinda's since the original Wizard of Oz? How did the Scarecrow come up with his experiments and how did Dorothy feel about? Pretty much I wanted a more in-depth view of the world that Paige is creating. Sure this world stems from the movie The Wizard of Oz, but I want to know how everything became so twisted and how the main characters felt about this shift?
Nonetheless, this novella does show how Jellia came into contact with the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked (I think that's the name of the group). However, I was bothered by the fact that Jellia's interaction with the Order occurred almost exactly the same way Amy (from Dorothy Must Die #1) came to learn about the group. It was like Paige was recycling the scene. In this book, we also get our first glimpse of the machine Glinda uses mine magic that Amy mentioned in the first book. And it's also briefly mentioned that Glinda has already been mining magic before she had a machine, proof that this Good Witch may be bad.
So even though this novella didn't provide me with many answers and I'm not a fan of prequels, I will be reading the next one in hopes that at least some of my questions will be answered.
Rate: 3
In a review about the first novella, I briefly complained about how the first novella left me with more questions than answered ones. When I found out that there was a second prequel novella, I thought it would answer those questions. I was wrong. Unlike the first novella, which was in Dorothy's POV, this novella was in Jellia's, Dorothy's personal maid, POV. While Jellia could describe the changes that occurred between Ozma's and Dorothy's reign, she didn't know the exact reasons why these changes were occurring. Of course, the most base answer is that Dorothy changed everything, but I wanted to know how or when Dorothy became evil? And if she's been a pawn of Glinda's since the original Wizard of Oz? How did the Scarecrow come up with his experiments and how did Dorothy feel about? Pretty much I wanted a more in-depth view of the world that Paige is creating. Sure this world stems from the movie The Wizard of Oz, but I want to know how everything became so twisted and how the main characters felt about this shift?
Nonetheless, this novella does show how Jellia came into contact with the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked (I think that's the name of the group). However, I was bothered by the fact that Jellia's interaction with the Order occurred almost exactly the same way Amy (from Dorothy Must Die #1) came to learn about the group. It was like Paige was recycling the scene. In this book, we also get our first glimpse of the machine Glinda uses mine magic that Amy mentioned in the first book. And it's also briefly mentioned that Glinda has already been mining magic before she had a machine, proof that this Good Witch may be bad.
So even though this novella didn't provide me with many answers and I'm not a fan of prequels, I will be reading the next one in hopes that at least some of my questions will be answered.
jenn_darling's review
2.0
2.5 - overall I'm not really impressed because the author relies on a few "tropes" way too heavily. Bad Witches = cleavage and NEVER TRUST ANYONE EVER except totally me except TOTALLY NOT OK. *rolls eyes* And "it's a grand plan but I can't tell you anything" well ok i'm going to mouth off but then do exactly what you say except i mean i'm not supposed to trust you except I AM SUPPOSED TO DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU TELL ME without ANY OTHER KNOWLEDGE.