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!

Elphie by Gregory Maguire is a prequel to The Wicked Series. As I never read the series before, I thought this would be a great entry into it. The book itself provides insight into the early years of the Wicked Witch of the West. I am a major fan of the unpopular and creative retelling or reimagining of literary and historical characters which is why I picked up this book. Unfortunately the writing felt a little pretentious and was very uneven. I ultimately DNF'd this book at about the 70% mark.

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This prequel follows Elphie from childhood to her time at university. I enjoyed getting some backstory on Elphie and her character before she had her powers and became who we know her as. With that said, I had a hard time truly getting into this book. I think it wasn’t necessarily the story itself, but the pacing and the writing style that weren’t for me.

This story was such delight. As someone who has read the entire Wicked series, and loved every one, this is a must read! We follow Elphaba as a child growing up in the Quadling Country trying to figure out herself and the world around her. Maguire creates an almost episodic timeline of her growth and the background needed to fully understand her character in Wicked. Her first interaction with Animals and her aversion to water, all at the forefront of a great tale that sets up one of my all time favorite stories. I greatly admired this and would definitely would recommend to all lovers of the Wicked series!
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with an E-ARC to read and review!

Thanks to NetGalley, the Publisher and Author for an eARC of this title in exchange for my review.

Elphie by Gregory Maguire is a prequel to the Wicked books, ultimately focusing on Elphaba and how and why she got to where she was in the original series

Before she was the "Wicked Witch of the West", Elphie was an oft rejected girl, with a complicated family, struggling with identity and a rebellious nature.

The novella, after a slow and uneven start, shows how Elphie became the person she was by exploring themes of judgment, prejudice, and hardship. Having loved the original books, especially Wicked and Son of a Witch, it was nice revisiting the story, politics and background of Elphaba, filling in a few gaps and finding some Easter eggs and making some connections to a universe that has captivated so many.

DNfing at 12%. You definitely need to have read the Wicked series to understand what is happening in the first 9 chapters. Which is wild since this takes place BEFORE that series. I haven't read it and struggled, so I'm going to pass on this for now.

DNF'd around halfway through. This just wasn't the book for me. I read and enjoyed Wicked, but I felt like this story didn't add to anything significant to what I already knew. I also didn't enjoy the choppy sentences and overly descriptive language. Maybe it gets better in the second half, but I will not be finding out.

Thank you for Gregory Maguire, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I genuinely like many of the books by Gregory Maguire with Wicked and Son of A witch being two of my favorites by him, so of course I was excited to read this book as I'm sure may others will be. Unfortunately, this didn't live up to the same standard as the other books in my opinion and instead, missed the mark. It was excitng to return to the land of Oz where we get a fresh perpective of a beloved character starting with her childhood. I think this was a great idea because we usually only get stories with small, brief flashbacks of a character's childhood...so, this is a coming of age story. Maguire's writing style in this book is cumbersome because it's excessively whimsical even for a fairytale type of story. Another issue is that there's so much emphasis for half ofmthenstory on other characters and things happening in Elphie's world that she didn't feel like the main character. It took way too lomg for her to be the main focus in the story. It isn't a terrible story by any means.

I read Wicked many many years ago and though the original novel (and the following three) are met with divisive acclaim I did enjoy the darker take on this beloved story. I have since thoroughly enjoyed the Broadway and film adaptation and come to prefer them over the novel. That being said, none of these versions have really given us a good look into Elphie’s coming of age story. I had high hopes that Elphie would fill the gap I felt in this regard but sadly it didn’t.

I am familiar with Gregory Maguire’s writing style but I really struggled with it; this felt more like an exercise in prose than an actual story. I felt that the character study lacked depth and really didn’t feel like I connected with Elphaba as a child the way I did with her character as a young adult/adult.

While I appreciate the return to this world, I fear my expectations may have been too high and I was left wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

While I loved Wicked and Son of Wicked, I felt that this novel was lackluster in comparison. It offers a glimpse of Elphaba’s childhood at various ages and had plenty of “Easter eggs” for the fans of Wicked. This was intending to fill the gap in the explanation of Elphie’s life. This was definitely a book I had to think about while reading. Though it was less action packed (slow paced) and exciting than I would have hoped, personally, I feel it was effective in shining a light on her childhood. My favorite aspect of Maguire’s style of writing is his character development. No matter the plot, I always know I will fall in love with the characters.

Gregory Maguire revisits the land of Oz with Elphie, a coming-of-age prequel that delves into the early years of Elphaba Thropp, the future Wicked Witch of the West. This novel explores her complex upbringing—shaped by her mother’s wild nature, her father’s religious fervor, and the sibling rivalries that mold her character. As she navigates childhood struggles, the mistreatment of Oz’s Animal population, and her first attempts at friendship, Elphie’s path to becoming a witch begins to take shape, culminating in her arrival at Shiz University, where she meets the dazzling Galinda.

While Elphie offers a fresh perspective on a beloved character, it doesn’t quite capture the same tone or depth as Wicked and the original Wicked Years series. Maguire’s signature prose, often intricate and poetic, leans heavily into flowery language, at times bordering on excessive. This stylistic choice, while beautiful in parts, can overshadow the story’s emotional weight and detract from the sense of wonder and magic that makes Oz so captivating. Additionally, the novel’s pacing struggles to maintain momentum, making some sections feel overindulgent while others lack the depth they deserve.

For longtime fans of Wicked, Elphie offers an intriguing glimpse into Elphaba’s formative years, but it may not fully satisfy those looking for the same magic that made the original series so compelling.

This, however, was a bit of a letdown. There is something of a tone difference between Elphie and the initial Wicked Years Quartet, and I haven’t quite been able to put my finger on it. The initial jarring aspect was the flowery nature of Elphie’s prose. Maguire, I’ve come to understand, fancies himself as something of a wordsmith, and as such, often utilizes prose and syntax to develop his world and characters, at the expense of delving dangerously close to purple prose. This overexposure of language also detracts from the overall magic of Oz, and the excitement that inevitably comes with the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Elphaba Thropp’s earlier year

I didn't expect this book to even happen and with the movie it was inevitable I guess... wonderful dip back into this world that he created and better insight into the start of it all

4 stars rounded up from 3.5, we start with Elphaba at 4 years old, after Nessarose but before Shell was born and see a bit of what life was like with her family with dad being a traveling minister. Fast forward to age 13 and the family has relocated, we get to see Elphie start to become her own person after living a very isolated life and meeting different kinds of people with the appearance of a couple Animals as well. This was an interesting look at Elphie and an easier read than Wicked.

Gregory Macguire's writing style embodies the classic fairytale. His prose is whimsy and at times chaotic but ultimately entertaining. While I was entranced by the vibe of the writing, it takes until past 20% into the book for any actual story to begin and I was disappointed in how drawn out the introduction is.

The bulk of the story is actually about Turtle Heart and things post his death including looking for answers regarding it. In my opinion it's a weird plot point to expand on from Wicked. I felt the relevance and relation to Elphaba wasn't significant enough. We do get some insight into the discovery of her magic and talking animal cameos but it's really not until 50% in that Elphaba feels like the lead character and she gets her own story. Up until this point there is way more focus on each individual character's background, setting the scenes, Turtle Hearts story, and other added fluff that far outweigh the specific Elphie growth. I did love the actual Elphie story once we get to it (this starts around age 15 with her first job, her foray into learning, and such), but I was underwhelmed with the rest of the book

This was all together disappointing. It quite honestly feels like a cash grab with the new spike in Wicked popularity and that's a bummer.

For those who have difficulties with writing styles, I'd describe this writing as a little bit Practical Magic, a little bit Anne of Green Gables, and a little bit Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is absolutely readable, just takes some adjusting and is definitely not for everyone.

Thank you to William Morrow and Gregory Macguire for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

"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 Wicked: The Musical.

Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, will grow to have a feisty and somewhat uncompromising character in adult life. But she is always a one-off, from her infancy; Elphie is the riveting coming-of-age story of a very peculiar and relatable young girl.

Young Elphie is shaped and molded by the behaviors of her promiscuous mother, Melena, and her pious father, Frex. She suffers ordinary childhood jealousies when her sister, saintly Nessarose, and brother, junior felon Shell, arrive. She first encounters the mistreatment of the Animal populations of Oz, which live adjacent to but not intertwined with human settlements, haunted by a Monkey and receiving aid from Dwarf Bears. She thrashes through her first bruising attempts at friendship, a possible lifeline from her tricky family life. And she gleans the benefits of an education, haphazard though it must be - until she arrives at the doors of Shiz University, about to meet the radiant creature that is Galinda.

Elphie is destined to be a witch; she bears the markings from childhood - most evidently in her green skin but more obscurely and profoundly in her cunning and perhaps amoral behaviors, as she seeks to make do, to slip by, to sneak out, to endure, and to aspire."

I mean, the new cover art direction is fine... I just wish it matched the series as a whole, not the reprints.

I’m abandoning my review format for this particular review. And now for thoughts on Elphie. Oh, little asparagus. I was so excited for this book. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that it was bad per se. It’s just that nothing really happened. It seems that the book serves to tell the story of Elphie’s first memory to Elphie arriving at Shiz and saying goodbye to her father. White it adds depth to the characters of Elphie’s parents and siblings, and Elphie herself a bit I suppose, I’m just not sure it’s necessary. It does disclose who Nessa’s biological father is (which was probably the most exciting part of the book for me). The stories seem anecdotal at their best and uneventful/boring at their worst. If you’re a die hard fan of the Wicked series or if you’re Elphaba obsessed, this book may fare better in your favor. I’m giving the book 3 stars because it wasn’t bad, it was just boring.

This book is a fun look into Elphaba's childhood but it feels like Maguire is trying hard to be as odd as possible. There are the familiar characters - Elphie of course, Nessa, Shell, Frex, Nanny. And some new characters - Boozy, Lei, the Dwarf Bears. But wtf did I just read?

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of this book! This is my honest review.

Book Review: Elphie by Gregory Maguire

I have not read Wicked or other works by Gregory Maguire, though I have seen the musical on Broadway and the new film adaptation in theaters. I enjoyed both, though the film had some minor character development moments that felt confusing. Still, it soared in its classic, high-impact scenes—moments that were deeply satisfying and heart-pounding. I even cried at the end, wanting to know more about Elphie and Glinda’s stories. So, when I received the opportunity to review an early copy of Elphie, I was thrilled and grateful.

I struggled with writing this review. As a professional writer completing my MFA and finishing my debut novel, I asked myself: What could I possibly have to say about a book by Gregory Maguire, the very author who embedded Wicked into our collective imagination? But as a reader and writer, I have the right—and responsibility—to offer an honest critique, rooted in my understanding of craft.

Where Elphie Stumbles

The fundamental flaw of Elphie boils down to a core principle of commercial (genre) storytelling: show, don’t tell.

While I have no doubt Maguire had deep artistic intent behind his stylistic choices, that intent does not successfully translate into the reader’s experience. The novel leans heavily on exposition—telling rather than showing—which disrupts immersion and dulls the narrative’s emotional impact. The issue isn’t the plot; it’s the execution.

Maguire’s effort to craft a unique vernacular for Oz is ambitious, but it significantly slows comprehension. The prose feels dense, and the pacing suffers for it. Reading Elphie often felt like running a marathon with weights strapped to my legs—exhausting rather than exhilarating.

On a second read, I tried skimming past the heavy exposition and focusing on the scenes where the narrative unfolds in real time. These moments were far more engaging, and I found myself yearning for more of them. However, even in these scenes, authorial intrusion frequently disrupts the story. The voice strays, digresses, and reminds the reader that they are being told a story rather than experiencing one.

This breaks verisimilitude—the immersive illusion that makes fiction feel real. It’s akin to breaking the fourth wall, but not in a deliberate or effective way. There are rare occasions where an author can successfully insert themselves into a story, but here, it only distances the reader further.

The Verdict

Even if Elphie was intended as a literary experiment, the result is more frustrating than thought-provoking. The experience is often confusing and laborious, making it difficult to appreciate whatever artistic point Maguire hoped to convey. And when the reader cannot connect with the story, that artistic intent is lost.

I appreciate the opportunity to have read Elphie, and I respect Maguire’s ambition. But in the end, this novel left me wishing for the magic I felt at the end of Wicked—the musical and the film, not this book. 2/5 stars. ⭐️⭐️☆ ☆ ☆

Purchase Elphie via Harper Collins Publishers.

Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers/William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest and professional review.

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The first wave of “Wicked” mania has died down, but while you’re waiting for Part 2 to hit theaters, you can tide yourself over with this new book from the author of the source material. “Elphie” is the story of the little green girl’s childhood — who she was long before she became the Wicked Witch of the West and even before her years at Shiz University. We get to learn so much more about the inner workings of Elphaba, from the mind that created the world of “Wicked.” (Recommendation will be sent to subscribers of WordSmarts.com)