Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book. I truly did. Wicked the book followed by Wicked the musical and now Wicked the movie have been a huge part of my life since I was young. However, I had a really hard time getting through this one. The entire book is written in a strange present tense with a narrator who seems to be watching but also omnipotent. It’s a style I really don’t enjoy and felt strange with all of the overt future tense moments reminding the audience of things we already know will happen in the Wicked timeline. There is no real plot or climax, just a series of mildly interesting events that sort of help build where Elphaba came from, but I don’t truly feel I know more about her now than I did before. I’m worried this book was a bit rushed and pushed out to capitalize on the Wicked movie success and so lacks a good heart or foundation.

I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, the writing style isn’t for me. The chapters are short and very poetic, which I understand aligns with the “wicked” theme, but the writing feels indirect and confusing. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t connect with it and DNF’ed halfway through. After spending time with the text, I still couldn’t grasp what I had read. Thank you for the opportunity to read early, though. While this book wasn’t for me, I wish continued success for the rest of your publication.

This story follows Elphaba’s memories as a child growing up that made her into the Elphie we all know. Her views and personality were formed by her family’s earliest adventures as outcasts. She became a typical older sister, after the loss of her mother. She had to watch after her siblings and fell into the background with father, so much so that he had no idea she could sing. When he finds out, he uses that as a way for her to help support the family too. The adults outside of her unit fostered her need to be more. The ending segues into her arrival at Shiz. The writing in this book is very detailed and drawn out.

I have not yet read Wicked, and will once the second part of the movie comes out. I had a hard time rating this as I love Elphie so much, but wish she would have done more in this book. I am so happy that we are getting her story as a child!

I found the writing style to be difficult to follow at times, but I did enjoy the back story of Elphaba's childhood. Elphie has always been a favorite of mine, so this was interesting.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

As someone who read the original Wicked series and seen the play twice, I was very excited to have the opportunity to read the Elphie ARC by Gregory Maguire. That being said, this book left me feeling very underwhelmed.

Elphie acts as a prequel before the Wicked Series, giving us a broader look into Elphie's childhood up until her arrival at Shiz University. I remember reading and enjoying the writing in the original wicked series, but the style of writing in this one felt very different. The writing didn't flow well in my opinion, at times feeling like the author was overly descriptive and flowery just for the sake of doing so. I personally do not enjoy this writing style, as I feel like it made it harder to stay invested in the plot, especially when nothing really notable happens. Nothing in this prequel felt necessarily "new", more like highlighting pivotal moments that were only referenced in the original series, such as the death of her mother during childbirth. Having a deep appreciation for the source material, and the hope that the plot would pick up is what really kept me going until the end with this one. Besides adding a few things such as Elphie's discovery of talking Animals, and characters that are meant to play small but "impactful" roles in her life, I didn't feel like this story added anything of actual importance to greater fabric of the Oz-Verse.

Giving this book a 2.5 stars, while I did appreciate the additional insights into Elphie's relationships with her family, overall I did not enjoy the plot and writing style in this one. While some who loved the original books may enjoy this one, sadly it wasn't for me. Thank you to netgalley and William Morrow for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Read this shortly after (finally!) watching the film adaptation of the Wicked musical. I adored the original novels, so I was SO excited to see that Maguire was releasing a new book exploring Elphaba's childhood. It was everything I was hoping for, and has all the hallmarks of Maguire's writing that I enjoyed: complex characters with conflicting motivations and desires, and layering a (somewhat silly!) fantasy world with prescient real world issues. Inspired me to do a Wicked reread... eventually!

This is for the readers who loved Wicked the book, loved Elphaba and her journey. I loved this book just as much as i loved Wicked. Elphaba's origin story not only lets us more into Elphaba's childhood but also into Elphaba's mindset. From her perspective. She is such an interesting amazing character. Her personality is observant but sarcastic. Yet she constantly voices her opinion.

Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the perfect time for a new tale from Gregory Maguire especially with part two of the Wicked movie coming out later this year. I also have the deluxe special edition pre ordered to proudly display with my gorgeous copy of Wicked!

This takes you back to the beginning. About how little Elphie came to be and a bit about her family history as well. It also covers a lot of the different areas and people in this magical world of Oz, all leading up to the story we know and love. I always loved the brief anecdotes showing snippets of Elphaba’s past but this fills in all the gaps.

The writing style does usually take away from Maguire’s storytelling for me but I think that’s a personal preference. The lack of dialogue (and odd layout when there is dialogue) makes it a bit hard to get through for me. Maguire does rely on simply telling a story start to finish as if he’s reading to you, which I respect but I like when there’s more dialogue and connects me more to the characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.25

I unfortunately had a very hard time reading this due to the writing style. I loved and re-read Wicked several times, but sadly this one just wasn't for me. I found myself re-reading sentences several times to make sense of everything. Thank you for the opportunity to read this.

Quite ejoyable story of Elphaba's younger years. This is not the movie or even the musical Elphaba. There are lots of political undertones throughout. Coming of age and nature versus nurture. 

4 stars

As always Gregory Maguire is a wonderful story teller and world builder. His characters are vibrant and interesting. This book was very well written. Why was it written though? idk. I don't feel like I got much new information or compelling twists of plot out of reading this prequel.

When I first heard that Elphie was coming out, I wasn’t sure I needed it. Wicked had already done a masterful job of exploring Elphaba’s character, giving us a rich, nuanced explanation of why she became the way she was. A prequel seemed unnecessary—what more could be said? However, when the Wicked film was released, my curiosity was once again piqued. The allure of returning to Oz, especially through Maguire’s complex and imaginative lens, made Elphie a much-desired revisit to this captivating world.

And I’m so glad I gave in. While Elphie may not feel essential, it is undeniably fascinating. What makes this book stand out is the deeper insight it offers into Elphaba’s family and their Munchkinlandedness—adding texture and humanity to the characters that shaped her. But what intrigued me most was the glimpse into Quadling Country and its people. Maguire uses this region as a mirror, reflecting some of our own world’s judgments and prejudices. Through the cultural clashes, class struggles, and social complexities of Oz, the book subtly critiques and comments on real-world biases, making the fantastical setting feel hauntingly familiar.

Beyond the world-building, the character arcs are what truly shine. Maguire once again crafts flawed, compelling figures whose motivations are layered and often morally ambiguous. Elphaba’s origins are enriched by the lives of those around her, making her eventual path feel all the more tragic and inevitable.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is the narrative voice. The idiosyncratic third-person omniscient style gives the story a unique and whimsical tone, occasionally breaking the fourth wall with wry observations or subtle humor. The narrator’s shifting voice adds texture, making the tale feel both grand and intimate.

Elphie may not be a necessary addition to the Oz canon, but it is a welcome one. Come for the expanded world-building, stay for the deeply human character arcs and the ever-enchanting prose that makes Maguire’s Oz feel as spellbinding and thought-provoking as ever.

This was a disappointment. Nowhere was the brilliant writing we have come to expect from Mr. Maguire. Is that why I didn't like it? Would I have enjoyed it if I hadn't expected the same brilliance of the other novels in this series or his other books? Would having the text include much fewer questions throughout have made me enjoy it more? Yes, that last question is correct. Frequently instead of information or insight, there were just a string of questions that imply possible options. This isn't a chose your own adventure, this is the story of the childhood of a beloved character. It also contradicted canon established in other books in the series. Not the musical or movie! I was a fan well before those two entered the scene. To reiterate, this was a disappointment. I think I would have liked it better had it been my first introduction to Elphaba and Mr. Maguire's otherwise fantastic writing.

(thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood for this, but it didn't work for me at all. This is a prequel to Wicked (the book, not the musical - there's definitely a difference in tone), and I was looking forward to learning more about the world that shaped the most famous witch we know and love...but I found this just frustratingly boring. This tells the story of Elphie growing up, following along her dad as he does some culturally insensitive traveling ministering. It really manages to tell no story at all, there is really no development of any characters, and nothing interesting happens. The writing seems almost childish, like it's written in the cadence of a fairytale, but uses unnecessarily big and flowery language. I really struggled to finish but was curious if there was anything that happens but ..nope. so, sadly this wasnt for me.

DNF @ Ch 7.

Maybe I just need to give this another shot later, but in the first six chapters we get no new information. We already know that Melena had an affair and that's where Elphaba came from, we already know Nessarose has no arms, and we already know Elphaba was born with sharp teeth. I'd think that a prequel like this would start out with more information we didn't already know 🫤. Again, maybe I just have to push through but I'm a little bummed this didn't start as good as I thought it would.

Let me start by saying this… Maguire’s writing style is not for everyone. If you loved the movie/musical and struggled through the book Wicked or the following ones- this is your warning that you will hate this one. If you are a fan- I recommend! It is a nice little treat to be back in this world!

Now for those (like myself) who enjoy McGuire’s quirky, meandering prose- this book gives you a lot of it! This origin story is mostly character development with little plot. We sit back and observe through the narrator’s musings Elphie’s coming of age, developing awareness (of herself, of her relationships, of those labeled as “other” including Animals), and developing her education/mind. We also witness the family dynamic between her father, her neglectful mother, Nessarose, and her little hooligan brother, Shell.

The complex relationships between Elphie and her family members and family caretakers I found the most fascinating and horrifying. I felt like a little too much time was spent on a subplot about Dwarf Bears and had to remind myself she was only in adolescence when she met them, so the same conclusions an adult would draw were not drawn. Nevertheless, it was interesting to see how it would relate to her future in Shiz.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. This review was left voluntarily.

I absolutely love Gregory Maguire and the Wicked books have been some of my favorites for a really long time. I read all 4 immediately as each one came out and was hooked. So getting to read this was a fantastic surprise.

The book dives into the formative years of the Wicked Witch of the West, offering a fresh and fascinating perspective on a character I’ve always found intriguing. As a fan of imaginative retellings of literary and historical figures, I was drawn to this story, eager to discover more about Elphaba.
From the outset, I was captivated by Elphaba’s journey—her story is both moving and powerful, tugging at my heartstrings. It’s incredible to uncover the layers of her backstory, shaped by her mother’s promiscuity, her father’s pious nature, and the societal treatment of Animals. Each challenge she faces molds her into the woman we ultimately know, and I was completely absorbed by how these experiences influenced her development.

The narrative is not just captivating; it’s laden with insights that deepen our understanding of Elphaba’s life. This prequel takes us on a journey through her childhood and university days, revealing the complexities that made her who she is. Before she became the infamous “Wicked Witch of the West,” Elphaba was a misunderstood girl grappling with a complicated family dynamic, a search for identity, and a naturally rebellious spirit.

Although the story has a slow and somewhat uneven start, it elegantly explores themes of judgment, prejudice, and resilience. Having cherished the original books, particularly Wicked and Son of a Witch, revisiting Elphaba’s narrative feels like reconnecting with an old friend and uncovering hidden gems along the way. While this novella does offer a unique viewpoint on a beloved character, it doesn’t quite capture the same enchanting tone or emotional depth as the original Wicked Years series.

Maguire’s signature prose is poetic and intricate, occasionally veering into overly flowery territory. While this lyrical style shines in some instances, it sometimes overshadows the story’s emotional core and detracts from the sense of wonder that makes Oz so magical.

Young Elphaba is deeply influenced by her mother, Melena’s scandalous behavior, and her father Frex’s strict piety. She deals with the typical childhood insecurities that arise with the arrival of her saintly sister Nessarose and her troubled brother Shell. As she witnesses the mistreatment of Animals in Oz, we see her navigate the challenging terrain of friendship, wrestling with her complexities at home.

The first half of the story primarily follows Turtle Heart and events surrounding his death, which I found to be an odd choice of focus. While it provides some context for Elphaba, the connection felt tenuous until about halfway through, when Elphaba finally steps center stage. Until then, the narrative leans heavily on character backstories and additional plot elements that overshadow her growth.

I was super excited when I got an ARC of this but unfortunately it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
As it even states on the cover, ‘A Wicked Childhood,’ this follows Elphie’s childhood before Wicked. I struggled getting through this, I found many parts confusing and just all over the place. Wasn’t enough to DNF and it did get a bit better as time went on. There were also several slow parts. However, I did enjoy reading more about Elphie as a child. Although this book happens in time before ‘Wicked,’ I would read in publishing order. I don’t necessarily consider this a prequel, if you haven’t read the rest of the books or at least ‘Wicked,’ then a lot of this book is going to be hard to appreciate.
Overall, I did enjoy reading more about Elphaba but the writing style of this particular book didn’t work well for me and it will not be something I re-read.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and allowing me to leave my honest review.

This was a perfect addition to the world that Gregory has spent years curating! I loved getting to go back in time and get even more of Elphaba story!