popkelture's review against another edition
5.0
First things first - The Wizard of Oz is seriously one of my favorite stories. I've seen the movie approximately 50,000 times, have sang "Over the Rainbow" in more talent shows than I can count, and have actually been Glinda in the stage production.
Dorothy Must Die takes everything that you know about Oz and its heroine and turns it on its head. Dorothy is not the sweet girl that we all know... Fame and power have gone to her head. She is certifiable, and punishes Ozians for things like "sass" - if punishment is even a strong enough word for what occurs.
The Scarecrow is a sadistic butcher that enjoys experiments on live (and dead) people and animals - the more gruesome the better.
The Tin Woodsman is Dorothy's head of security, but isn't the dancing TinMan we know - instead, he's an axe wielding, love sick murderer with an army of tin soldiers to do his bidding.
The Lion is anything but cowardly, and thrives off of fear of others - all while chomping on the flesh of Dorothy's victims.
Ozians love their Princess Dorothy, or at least pretend to for fear of punishment.
Glinda, the Wizard, monkeys, munchkins, and witches also make appearances in the story.
Some to guide the new heroine , Amy (also from Kansas, transported via twister to Oz), and some to hinder her in her task to kill Dorothy.
Amazing premise. Writing was great, story was fun, and I loved every page.
Dorothy Must Die takes everything that you know about Oz and its heroine and turns it on its head. Dorothy is not the sweet girl that we all know... Fame and power have gone to her head. She is certifiable, and punishes Ozians for things like "sass" - if punishment is even a strong enough word for what occurs.
The Scarecrow is a sadistic butcher that enjoys experiments on live (and dead) people and animals - the more gruesome the better.
The Tin Woodsman is Dorothy's head of security, but isn't the dancing TinMan we know - instead, he's an axe wielding, love sick murderer with an army of tin soldiers to do his bidding.
The Lion is anything but cowardly, and thrives off of fear of others - all while chomping on the flesh of Dorothy's victims.
Ozians love their Princess Dorothy, or at least pretend to for fear of punishment.
Glinda, the Wizard, monkeys, munchkins, and witches also make appearances in the story.
Some to guide the new heroine , Amy (also from Kansas, transported via twister to Oz), and some to hinder her in her task to kill Dorothy.
Amazing premise. Writing was great, story was fun, and I loved every page.
kateadale's review against another edition
Just wasn't for me. I realised I didn't care for the characters and that there was just noting really keeping me reading
dbert91's review against another edition
4.0
Gosh, I loved the idea behind this book. At points the writing was a little iffy (but it s a YA debut, what can you expect?). The plot doesn't actually pick up till the final chapters. If you can get past this book basically being a 400 page introduction to the sequel, then go for it. Awesome descriptions, a solid twist, and just a good spin on a story we all love.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
tartbarbie's review against another edition
5.0
Amy’s life isn’t great her father left them, she’s living in a trailer home and her mom isn’t mother of the year. After having a rotten day at school Amy returns home to find her mom heading out to a bar leaving her alone as a tornado looms on the horizon. Of course Amy doesn’t expect it to hit they never do, but this time her house is picked up dropping her in the wonderful world of Oz. What Amy finds is Dorothy has returned to Oz taken over and is power hungry with the help of Glinda they have taken over.
Amy’s first encounter with Dorothy doesn’t end pleasantly when she’s locked in a cell. With the help of the wicked witches Amy’s broken out but bound into the wicked witches order. It’s the order that trains Amy to kill Dorothy she’s the only one who will be able too, and she also learns that sometimes the wicked have to work together for the better of Oz. When Amy is returned to Emerald City as a maid under glamor that changes her looks, does she really learn how wicked Dorothy is.
I like Amy she’s the underdog, hasn’t had the best childhood but now that she’s in Oz it’s her chance to change everything. She’s kind of my new favorite character I just loved everything about Amy she’s sweet compassionate and willing to risk all for others. I also like Nox as a potential love interest I have high hopes for the future. I loved Dorothy in the past but the new Dorothy I just love to hate she’s so evil she’s the perfect bad guy.
I’ve been impatiently waiting for Dorothy Must Die since last year so of course I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth in. I read the prequel to the story which is a must read in my opinion before reading the book. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I loved the original movie so I had a good idea of what I everyone looked like. I still have a hard time picturing Judy Garland as bad that’s how I see Dorothy. I think the author has done an amazing job creating a new exciting series. The characters are beautifully created I could visualize them all from Amy as Astrid to the scarecrow even the flying monkeys. The book is action packed loaded with the characters you expect as well as lots of new characters to love. I honestly had a very hard time putting Dorothy Must Die down. It has the potential to be my favorite series of the year. I loved everything about the story and I was sad to see it end. I am impatiently waiting for the next book because I can’t wait to see what happens to Amy.
Amy’s first encounter with Dorothy doesn’t end pleasantly when she’s locked in a cell. With the help of the wicked witches Amy’s broken out but bound into the wicked witches order. It’s the order that trains Amy to kill Dorothy she’s the only one who will be able too, and she also learns that sometimes the wicked have to work together for the better of Oz. When Amy is returned to Emerald City as a maid under glamor that changes her looks, does she really learn how wicked Dorothy is.
I like Amy she’s the underdog, hasn’t had the best childhood but now that she’s in Oz it’s her chance to change everything. She’s kind of my new favorite character I just loved everything about Amy she’s sweet compassionate and willing to risk all for others. I also like Nox as a potential love interest I have high hopes for the future. I loved Dorothy in the past but the new Dorothy I just love to hate she’s so evil she’s the perfect bad guy.
I’ve been impatiently waiting for Dorothy Must Die since last year so of course I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth in. I read the prequel to the story which is a must read in my opinion before reading the book. I wasn’t sure what to expect because I loved the original movie so I had a good idea of what I everyone looked like. I still have a hard time picturing Judy Garland as bad that’s how I see Dorothy. I think the author has done an amazing job creating a new exciting series. The characters are beautifully created I could visualize them all from Amy as Astrid to the scarecrow even the flying monkeys. The book is action packed loaded with the characters you expect as well as lots of new characters to love. I honestly had a very hard time putting Dorothy Must Die down. It has the potential to be my favorite series of the year. I loved everything about the story and I was sad to see it end. I am impatiently waiting for the next book because I can’t wait to see what happens to Amy.
kristie_beth's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
mahaliathenerd's review against another edition
DNF. Teen pregnancy and bullying. Just not feeling this novel, but I am glad I gave it a try.
clair_shaw's review against another edition
3.0
That was disappointing. I guess with a title like, ”Dorthy Must Die” I expected Dorthy to, you know, DIE. My bad. And on top of that there is no ending. The story just stops in the middle of the action. There’s no resolution of any kind. I’m not saying I need sunsets and happily-ever-afters... But a nice light at the end if the tunnel would be great.
I also didn't expect this book to be so dark. I mean it’s REALLY dark. Even borderline creepy.
A couple few key players die in the beginning and I kept expecting their deaths to play some kind of role in the end, but no. Overall it was a really weird story. The concept was strong and I think was what ultimately kept me reading but I think it could have been executed a lot better. I don’t think i’ll read the second.
I also didn't expect this book to be so dark. I mean it’s REALLY dark. Even borderline creepy.
A couple few key players die in the beginning and I kept expecting their deaths to play some kind of role in the end, but no. Overall it was a really weird story. The concept was strong and I think was what ultimately kept me reading but I think it could have been executed a lot better. I don’t think i’ll read the second.
sierra_color's review against another edition
2.0
Okay, first thing's first, this book could have been so much better.
What is it's main problem?
Well, it boils down to characters. Specifically, Amy. She was literally just another Maddison (the bully in the first few pages of the book) but instead of being popular, she's a bullied loner.
Now, why do I say this? Isn't Amy supposed to kill Dorothy? Isn't she supposed to be the good girl here?
Well, yes. But the thing is she IS SO JUDGY AND PASSIVE AGRRESIVE.
If a character wears something she doesn't like, she just describes it in this demeaning manor, she is also for some reason, obsessed with cleavage. Literally. She described herself as flat chested, and then all the other girl characters who are "bad" and care about how they look are described as showing their cleavage. I don't.. understand?? Why does she care? I thought she was supposed to be different from Maddison or Dorothy, but I guess not.
Also, she literally has no character development. She's the same at the beginning, but near the end she's a LITTLE bit braver, and now has fighting skills. Also, the relationships between characters sucks ass.
Gert (one of the witches) and Amy's relationship doesn't feel real. It doesn't feel genuine. Why should Amy care about Gert? When Gert has done.. some not so good things to her. So it doesn't make sense WHY Amy trusts Gert. I would've liked it if Gert had understood what Amy had been through in her life, about Amy's mom, and maybe Gert had a similar family member, and so, when she was training to be a witch, Gert always had that horrible voice in the back of her head too. So her and Amy would have a mutual understanding, and Amy would have someone she can finally confine in. But no, instead, Gert can read minds.
You know what that sounds like?
Lazy writing.
This book is full of it. Tired clichés.
Everything feminine and pink is bad. Glitter is bad unless the main character is wearing it.
The popular girl is just a bitch who's pregnant. Dorothy is just another version of said popular girl. But now she has magic powers and can murder, wonderful.
This BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE!
We could have seen how Dorothy and Amy were alike. But instead we were told. And even though I was told throughout this book that Dorothy and Amy are SO SIMILAR I still do not know HOW. What would've been cool is to see that. Like Amy wants validation, and to be loved. That's how they could've been alike, and Dorothy is just a twisted version of that. BUT NOOOOOOO.
THE AUTHOR HAS TO LITERALLY SHOVE IT IN MY FACE. LIKE GOOD GOD.
What would've been SO great is to see how like, wanting love, or wanting too much of love, can be dangerous. That love can be toxic. But instead we got.. this. :/
Also, is no one else creeped out by the tin man?
And not in a good way either, he is a legit creep. Like, imagine falling in love with a girl that you met while she was a kid, and you were a grown ass adult.
The author clearly didn't THINK when writing this book, and that sucks, because, again, it could have been SO COOL! Like, one way of showing how Dorothy was vain would've been to use a mirror, and while Dorothy uses a mirror to gaze at herself, Amy uses to it gaze within herself. And we could see how these two characters are reflections of each other, actual foils, but instead we got a classic teen drama villain who has no motivation, and a classic YA protagonist, and to be honest, there are better things to read than this book. The concept is so amazing and unique, but the execution is subpar. I'd skip out on this one. I should have listened to my high school self when she first read it, because she thought it was disappointing too. Sigh, well, at least I got another book marked off my yearly reading challenge.
What is it's main problem?
Well, it boils down to characters. Specifically, Amy. She was literally just another Maddison (the bully in the first few pages of the book) but instead of being popular, she's a bullied loner.
Now, why do I say this? Isn't Amy supposed to kill Dorothy? Isn't she supposed to be the good girl here?
Well, yes. But the thing is she IS SO JUDGY AND PASSIVE AGRRESIVE.
If a character wears something she doesn't like, she just describes it in this demeaning manor, she is also for some reason, obsessed with cleavage. Literally. She described herself as flat chested, and then all the other girl characters who are "bad" and care about how they look are described as showing their cleavage. I don't.. understand?? Why does she care? I thought she was supposed to be different from Maddison or Dorothy, but I guess not.
Also, she literally has no character development. She's the same at the beginning, but near the end she's a LITTLE bit braver, and now has fighting skills. Also, the relationships between characters sucks ass.
Gert (one of the witches) and Amy's relationship doesn't feel real. It doesn't feel genuine. Why should Amy care about Gert? When Gert has done.. some not so good things to her. So it doesn't make sense WHY Amy trusts Gert. I would've liked it if Gert had understood what Amy had been through in her life, about Amy's mom, and maybe Gert had a similar family member, and so, when she was training to be a witch, Gert always had that horrible voice in the back of her head too. So her and Amy would have a mutual understanding, and Amy would have someone she can finally confine in. But no, instead, Gert can read minds.
You know what that sounds like?
Lazy writing.
This book is full of it. Tired clichés.
Everything feminine and pink is bad. Glitter is bad unless the main character is wearing it.
The popular girl is just a bitch who's pregnant. Dorothy is just another version of said popular girl. But now she has magic powers and can murder, wonderful.
This BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE!
We could have seen how Dorothy and Amy were alike. But instead we were told. And even though I was told throughout this book that Dorothy and Amy are SO SIMILAR I still do not know HOW. What would've been cool is to see that. Like Amy wants validation, and to be loved. That's how they could've been alike, and Dorothy is just a twisted version of that. BUT NOOOOOOO.
THE AUTHOR HAS TO LITERALLY SHOVE IT IN MY FACE. LIKE GOOD GOD.
What would've been SO great is to see how like, wanting love, or wanting too much of love, can be dangerous. That love can be toxic. But instead we got.. this. :/
Also, is no one else creeped out by the tin man?
And not in a good way either, he is a legit creep. Like, imagine falling in love with a girl that you met while she was a kid, and you were a grown ass adult.
The author clearly didn't THINK when writing this book, and that sucks, because, again, it could have been SO COOL! Like, one way of showing how Dorothy was vain would've been to use a mirror, and while Dorothy uses a mirror to gaze at herself, Amy uses to it gaze within herself. And we could see how these two characters are reflections of each other, actual foils, but instead we got a classic teen drama villain who has no motivation, and a classic YA protagonist, and to be honest, there are better things to read than this book. The concept is so amazing and unique, but the execution is subpar. I'd skip out on this one. I should have listened to my high school self when she first read it, because she thought it was disappointing too. Sigh, well, at least I got another book marked off my yearly reading challenge.
shellysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Had to read this story for my libraries book club read. I really enjoyed this story. Dorothy basically lets the fact that she killed the Wicked Witch go to head and becomes mean and nasty. All the characters have changed for the worse. Even Toto has a dark side!! I wasn't sure how this story would turn out but I loved the way the author made the characters we grew up loving so wicked and twisted. This story really surprised me and I didn't expect to love it the way I did! I will def continue on with the rest of this series.