You've really got to be a fan of Maguires and his world building throughout the Wicked writings...not necessarily the musical...to get this story and love it as much as his other inclusions into the whole series. I, for one, have been waiting for this take since I first picked up and loved Wicked. It's darker and more political but that's how the whole series is.

what i was hoping to be more insight into elphaba’s childhood turned out to be more so into the politics of Oz. just not what i expected. i didn’t really care for the writing either but some could love. i do think this book could be shorter as it felt things were repeated at times.

nonetheless, thank you so much for the arc read! glad to have been given the opportunity to read this!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for this early review copy.

This book is for lovers of Gregory Maguire's Wicked book series, not the musical/movie. I have concern that this will not get great reviews from people who have not read and loved Wicked and are expecting the whimsical and fun musical world. The books and musical are two completely different stories.
That being said, I absolutely loved this book. The original book had that large gap from Elphie's childhood to her years at Shiz and I had found myself wanting to know more about her childhood, and here it was! In this book you learn about how she developed her love and interest in the Animals, and how she found her way to Shiz. You also learn more about her relationship with Nessarose and of course Shell which we never actually meet in Wicked, only learn about him.
Early on in the book there was some weird formatting and dialog that made it difficult to read, but after getting through that, the story just flowed. I recommend sticking with it if you find yourself initially struggling.

For fans of Gregory MacGuire’s original books or for people who would really love more of Elphie’s backstory and world building, then this is for you. For casual fans of the musical or movie, I’d maybe recommend passing on this one.

I had read Wicked when I was in high school, and I’ll be honest, I really struggled with it. It was darker than I expected, and the writing style and language was really hard for me. I was excited to get this ARC and really try again a number of years later, but unfortunately it was a lot of the same for me. This books covers more between Elphies young years and her time at Shiz, and does have some interesting components, but the pacing was really slow and hard for me to keep interested in.

Again, maybe MacGuire’s style just isn’t for me, I suspect those that loved Wicked, Son of a Witch and Lion Among Men will also love this book.

Gregory Maguire’s Elphie: A Wicked Childhood is a captivating and unexpected gem, offering a rich and intimate glimpse into the early life of one of literature’s most misunderstood characters—Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West. For those who fell in love with *Wicked* and have long wondered what shaped the green-skinned, feisty Elphaba, this novel provides the answers, and so much more.

From the first page, Maguire pulls us into Elphie’s world—an Oz that is equal parts magical and heartbreaking. Young Elphaba’s childhood is anything but ordinary. Raised by a distant father, Frex, and a careless, self-absorbed mother, Melena, Elphie grows up in a family as complicated and disjointed as the world around her. She navigates sibling rivalries with her saintly sister, Nessarose, and the troublemaker Shell, all while grappling with her own identity. Maguire does a brilliant job of showing how Elphaba’s prickly nature is born out of a mix of neglect, longing, and an overwhelming desire to make sense of a chaotic world that doesn’t seem to want her.

One of the most striking elements of *Elphie* is how Maguire makes Elphaba’s journey feel incredibly relatable, even as it unfolds in a fantastical world. Her struggles with acceptance, friendship, and the stark realities of the world around her—particularly the mistreatment of the Animal populations in Oz—are universal experiences, despite the magical backdrop. Maguire’s prose is sharp and evocative, making Elphie’s inner turmoil tangible, while also reminding us that even the most seemingly wicked characters are formed by layers of circumstance and hardship.

This novel also shines in its exploration of Oz’s social and political divides. Elphie’s early encounters with the Animals—creatures oppressed and marginalized by society—set the stage for the strong moral convictions that will later define her character. As a reader, it’s hard not to feel for Elphie as she tries to carve out a place for herself in a world that doesn’t quite know what to do with her. Her struggles to fit in, her growing awareness of the injustices around her, and her thirst for something more—these elements make Elphie’s journey one of self-discovery, even as it hints at the darker path she will eventually take.

Maguire’s world-building is, as always, mesmerizing. He fills Oz with a strange mix of wonder and discomfort, and we see it through Elphie’s eyes—a young girl who is both a product of her environment and yet fiercely determined to define her own destiny. The familiar faces from *Wicked*, like the radiant Galinda, take on new depth here, and the world feels richer for it. Even if you’re new to the *Wicked* universe, Maguire does an excellent job of drawing you in without requiring prior knowledge of his earlier works.

Ultimately, *Elphie: A Wicked Childhood* is a powerful coming-of-age story, wrapped in the layers of fantasy and dark magic that Maguire is known for. It’s a reminder that the most iconic characters are often the product of their circumstances, their choices, and the forces that shape them—sometimes in ways we may never fully understand. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of *Wicked* or just discovering Oz for the first time, this novel is an essential read, full of heart, soul, and an unforgettable character who will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

I love musical theater and Wicked immediately captured my family’s hearts. When I read Gregory Maguire’s original Wicked novel, I was shocked to say the least. I was way too young for it, but I also loved how Maguire approached Elphaba and how she approached a world that saw her as “other.” Son of a Witch and A Lion Among Men felt the same. Unfortunately, Elphie didn’t live up to that same level of hype.

There were a few good nuggets of quotes in the novel, but overall, it was difficult for Elphie’s childhood perspective to allow Maguire to really explore how even a child is judged by society. There were many interruptions of “But Elphie wouldn’t understand this until later” that broke the flow of the narrative. None of the characters really felt well developed, and I kept wanting more. More of his world-building, more of his social commentary, just…more.

The plot was okay, but it left me disappointed. I liked his end message, but it took too long to get to and once he states the message, he basically just drops the story. And not in a fulfilling, wrapped up in a bow, kind of way. The kind that left me saying “wait, this is the end?” I’m not sure whether Elphie is evidence that this author is running out of ideas for the Wicked Years universe or if this universe had just been mined for everything it can give but they wanted to grab more to follow the movie’s hype-train, but something here didn’t quite work for me. It wasn’t bad, but it’s not one I’ll likely revisit often (if at all).

“Maybe it doesn’t matter how we’re made, in the end; it matters only who we are”
The story of Elphaba before. A young girl growing up as the daughter of a traveling minister and the events that would shape her into who she becomes. Maguire’s prose is elegant in a way that makes you feel like you’re stilling through the woods in deep conversation with a philosophy professor. Thank you to #netgalley and #williammorrow for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so pleased to be approved by NetGalley to read an ARC of Elphie. Overall I rated this 3 stars. As per usual I throughly enjoyed Gregory Maguire's writing style. I am however confused by the point of this book. It does not seem to have a story, rather it felt as though I was sitting in a class many many years after the events of his book Wicked, listening to a history lecture where they are trying to humanize the past. I found myself not caring for Elphie or her family. But it does allow for a brief glimpse into why she was the way she was....even if it is just conjecture.

DNF

I tried. I have read all of the other books in the series. I love the world, the premise, the characters. But this book was just to off course for me. The writing style was difficult. We start as Elphie as a baby but she is sometimes narrating the events. Other times we are just observing what is happening. There really wasn't a plot to speak of. Just lots of words and wonderings. I made it until she turns 13 and then I just couldn't stay with it.

Love the author and his other works. This one missed the mark for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! I loved reading this book and getting to know Elphaba more as a child. I have always been intrigued with the story and this was JUST what I needed.

I loved this book almost as much as I loved Wicked which is one of my favorite books I have ever read. I will definitely recommend this book to everyone. I loved reading about Elphaba when she was younger it definitely gives another view to her that I love.

I was so excited to read Elphie's backstory! Unfortunately, the book did not do anything for me. I read Wicked around 15 years ago, and fell in love with the story and the characters. I hoped this would be a wonderful addition to the Wicked stories, but I ended up feeling like it wasn't really necessary. I do think that Gregory Maguire has such a unique writing style and I have enjoyed books by him. Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for a digital arc of this title.

2.5/5 for me. Readers who are wholly immersed in the world of Wicked will enjoy this shorter tale of Elphie's childhood. It is a quicker read and gives a bit more depth to Elphie and Nessa as children but is not necessary if you want to just start with book 1.

This prequel was a major disappointment. As someone who grew up loving Wicked the Musical and appreciated Maguire’s original novel, I was eager to dive into more of Elphie’s story. Unfortunately, the writing style was choppy and overly flowery, making it difficult to follow and adding little substance to the narrative. Worse, nothing significant happened, leaving the story feeling unnecessary and failing to deepen my connection to Elphie. A prequel should enhance the original experience, but this one fell flat. Two stars. Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an advance copy for an honest review.

I loved Wicked but I couldn't finish this one. I made myself read 20% before I gave up hoping it would get better. The writing style was difficult to understand and I wasn't sure exactly what was going on. I hate giving bad reviews, so let me just say this...It isn't a bad book it just wasn't for me and I hope others love it.

What happened to young Elphaba before her witchy powers took hold in Wicked? Almost 30 years after the publication of the original novel, for the first time Gregory Maguire reveals the story of prickly young Elphie, the future Wicked Witch of the West—setting the stage for the blockbuster international phenomenon that is The Musical.

As always, Gregory Maguire's writing style is stunning. I appreciated the opportunity to check this out, getting backstory on this character was really enlightening as a person who has never seen the hit Broadway musical. I do think it would be worth the read.

4.0/5.0

I really enjoyed this one! It was interesting to learn even more about Elphaba's back story and the overlap with Nessa's. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one.

This was such a good read! I read this after reading the OG Wicked and it was the perfect combination. Loved reading the wicked witches side of thing, great job!

3 / 5 Stars

Thank you, Harper and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.

This was supposed to be about Elphie’s childhood and while I DNF’d toward the beginning (10% in), I felt I knew little about her from such a small yet superfluous description.

All I know about her is that she’s curious and thinks about others. Okay? Cool.

The other parts of what I read were about her parents who didn’t have much substance either, especially when they met at the ball. And it was hard to decipher because of the language being utilized.

I’m giving this 3 stars because there is an audience for this and I really want it to be reached. There is something here but that something is not for me. I hope its audience is found, but it’s not with me. Thank you, though.

I appreciated NetGalley providing this ARC for my honest review. As someone who only watched The Wizard of Oz once and never saw the hit Broadway musical Wicked, I was intrigued enough to read a prequel to Wicked. “Elphie: A Wicked Childhood” by Gregory Maguire offers readers a more profound insight into Elphaba’s early life and the events that shaped her character. Maguire’s detailed depictions of Munchkinland and the social elements at play make the world feel immersive and authentic. The narrative examines Elphie’s complex relationships and struggles, making for an emotionally engaging read. Whether you are already a fan of the “Wicked” series or looking for a new, character-driven fantasy to dive into, “Elphie: A Wicked Childhood” has much to offer. This book is projected to be released on March 25, 2025. #Elphie #Netgalley