Thank you to the Publisher and the author for the advanced reader copy! I don't think this book was for me, as much as I love Wicked and Elphie's story. I will say, if you enjoy audio, the narrator does a wonderful job adding whimsy to the story overall. This book is definitely for fans of Wicked and The Wizard of Oz novels.

As someone who was very swept up in all the wicked buzz least year, this was a great read to tide me over to this fall.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read the first Wicked book quite some time ago, maybe 13 or more years ago & remember being surprised at how much I liked it, and how dark it was. This iconic piece of American culture/history, twisted into the "villains" POV - I liked it a lot. With this book being an origin story, I was excited to read it.

I think overall I am giving this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I felt good being immersed in this world again, especially when the world is so fleshed out. There were a lot of in-world wizard of Oz references that I found myself googling since I haven't read L. Frank's original novel (it's on the list now). I enjoy the way that Gregory writes in terms of themes, language, plot, etc. but have always disliked the way he writes female characters.

Elphie is a complex and deep character, but we lack emotional empathy for her in a connected way. We feel it more in an "outsider looking in on a poor child" sort of way, but it doesn't help with the immersion as much. I think a lot of the characters end up feeling this way, where we are just watching things play out instead of feeling emotionally invested as a participant in it. It's hard to explain, but is common enough in literature, especially older novels.

I picked up on a lot of subtle nods to both L. Frank's original series and Gregory's later books in the wicked series. There were a couple of lines that I liked a lot (especially at the end). It definitely felt foreboding and prophetic which I liked a lot. I wouldn't say that the plot is entertaining or dynamic, in fact it is a little boring and meandering, but despite that I personally just like the concept and vibe of the entire series, especially Elphie as we see her later in Wicked.

So, all that to say, 4 stars from me!

This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I really wanted to like this story, and while it had a promising start, it just didn't live up to expectations.

It's split up into four parts, with each part focusing on a different part of Elphie’s childhood. It felt more like a collection of random short stories featuring Elphie rather than a flowing, fleshed-out, and in-depth look into her childhood, which is what I was expecting.

The writing style took some getting used to. It was overly wordy in places, which kinda took me out of the story at times. I don't remember struggling as much with Wicked or the other books in the series. Maybe I did and I'm just not remembering, but I definitely struggled with it here.

Despite my issues with this book, there was never a moment where I thought about not finishing it. In fact, I kept thinking about it when I’d have to set it aside to do other things. And I was always eager to get back to it. I enjoyed visiting this world and these characters again. I also really liked seeing the sisterly bond between Elphie and Nessa. It was complicated, but you could tell that they really did care for each other.

As you can tell, I have mixed emotions about the book. It wasn’t bad. I think my expectations were just a little off. I'd recommend it to people who have already read Wicked. I don't think this would be a good starting place for someone new to it.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

Elphie by Gregory Maguire ⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of my most anticipated of the year because I love Wicked and have for years. Returning to this land and seeing Elphie grow up was a treat.

Maguire has his own writing style and it really was present in this one. The flow and pace and descriptions were very Maguire and took some getting used to. But nonetheless, when I got into it, I was pulled back into this storybook land.

Perfect addition for all the Wicked lovers.

I really wanted to like this. Wicked the play was amazing, the movie was good but I thought that maybe learning more about Elphie would help. It would bring more insight and life to the character, the movie or just in general. But there were so many holes, puzzle pieces that don’t fit and even more questions then I started with. Although the writer writes well, the character falls flat in general. No development, or quality to her. I have enjoyed other of the authors works…but not this one. I could take or leave this book but as a recommendation to others, I would say leave it. #Elphie #Netgalley

As a lover of all things Oz, I was excited for the opportunity to read Elphie as an ARC. Having finished, I have lots of mixed thoughts.

If you enjoyed the rest of the Wicked series, this follows the same third person, direct and unemotional narration. We get to see Elphaba grow up through the eyes of the world around her, but aren’t let in on many of her own thoughts.

The characters, like in the other books are not particularly likable or easy to root for. They don’t see to like themselves or each other very much either.

The most interesting part of Wicked for me was being shown the world and politics of Oz, since the characters were hard to connect to. This book lacked much of that. It was still present, but not much of the main focus.

The plot pacing reminding me more of Son of a Witch, characters on a journey for a LONG time, without actually progressing in the plot much for the entire book. And not much resolution or a satisfying conclusion.

While it was hard to connect with Elphaba, it was easy to see why she struggled to make emotional connections, as everyone in her life was pretty apathetic toward each other as well. Except for when it came to what they could do to help provide. Sometimes Elphaba is portrayed as an outcast, but really she may have been the most feeling of her family? And that’s not saying much as I don’t think she cared for any of them or anyone for that matter.

I struggled with picking this one up, even if it is the shortest of the series. I didn’t really get interested at all until about 80% in, and then only mildly so.

While I think this book wasn’t for me, I did decide to give it 3 stars as I do think it is in line with the other books of the series. But definitely not my favorite of the ones I have read (I have finished Wicked, Son of a Witch and DNFd A Lion Among Men at this review writing). I don’t think this one is dramatically worse, just didn’t go in a direction I hoped it would have.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow publishing for the advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have not seen the Broadway musical, and I have not yet seen the movie. I know that this book series is much darker than both of those, and I did read Wicked back when I was in high school, and I really enjoyed it. I was really looking forward to this prequel to see more of Elphaba's origin story.

However, this did not hit the mark for me. First of all, the first 30% of the book barely mentioned Elphaba at all, and focused on her mother and father, which honestly felt unnecessary. Second of all, this story felt like it dragged on with nothing much happening. The writing was flowery and long-winded, when it felt like the actual plot could have been in an email. Nothing much actually happened that added to Elphaba's story or character. I found myself skimming the last 25% of the book because honestly, I felt bored.

I so wanted to like this one. I did enjoy some of the nods to the original Wizard of Oz and Wicked series, foreshadowing some of what was coming, but other than that I don't think this was all that necessary, and it doesn't really add to Elphaba's story.

Did we need another book that takes place before Wicked, no? Was I going to absolutely read it, YES! I am obsessed with everything OZ and this book just adds more to the overall story. Who doesn't want to read more about Elphaba. This book is definitely for fans of the books that Gregory Maguire wrote. I would recommend to any one who wants to learn more about Elphaba's past.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced ebook!

I wanted to like this one SO much.

Wicked is my favorite book, mostly because Elphaba is one of the best characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. So, naturally I had high hopes to get a glimpse into her childhood.

Sadly, this just didn’t do anything to give us more insight into her character, and didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know. Part 1 was just painful to read and I almost didn’t finish. The only reason I pushed through to the end is because it’s such a short book and because of my overwhelming curiosity.

Just for reference, here are my feelings on the other books in this series:

Wicked: LOVE and will re-read over and over again
Son of a Witch: Just ok
A Lion Along Men: DNF
Out of Oz: I actually really liked this one

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Loved that we got to see what made Elphaba who she became in Wicked including more into how her mother was . The book seems a little choppy and seems to not have a cohesive story for a good chunk of the book. I did like this book and how it shows why she made some of the choices she made in Wicked.

I sadly had to DNF this one 10% in. The writing style just isn't for me and is dull and drab, and slow moving. I may try and pick it back up at a different time and if my review should change, I will come back here and edit this. Thank you for the opportunity!

A cool insight into Elphie's life. If you are a fan of Wicked, the book and the musical you will absolutely love this.

Like many readers, I first discovered Elphaba’s story through Wicked as a teenager, and I immediately fell in love with the concept - an origin story that reimagined a villain, turning her into something far more complex and compelling. So, when I picked up Elphie, I was eager to experience that world again, and this book delivered exactly what I hoped for: a fresh, deeply personal take on a character I’ve long adored.

What I appreciate most about Elphie is that it’s a true coming-of-age story. We get to witness Elphaba’s journey in a way that feels intimate and raw, watching her navigate the forces that shape her into the woman she becomes. Seeing her struggles, her triumphs, and the small, defining moments that ultimately lead to her infamous fate made this book a captivating read.

For anyone who, like me, fell in love with Wicked and wanted more insight into Elphaba’s life, Elphie is a must-read. It captures the heart of her story while offering new layers to explore, making it a powerful and engaging addition to her legacy.

“Elphie: The Wicked Childhood of Elphaba,” by Gregory Maguire, William Morrow, 288 pages, March 25, 2025.

Gregory Maguire is the author of “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” and the related books that are a retelling of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum.

“Elphie” is the coming-of-age story. She is shaped by her promiscuous mother, Melena, and her pious father, Frex. She has a sister Nessarose and a brother Shell. Elphie first encounters the mistreatment of the animal populations of Oz.

While I enjoyed the original “Wicked” and the resulting musical and movie, “Elphie” is a letdown. it is slow-moving and doesn’t have much of a plot. It is more of a story of Frex searching for Turtle Heart's family to atone than about Elphaba. There are long descriptions of landscapes. It is disjointed and relays on time jumps.

I recommend the original “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” instead of “Elphie.”

I rate it three out of five stars.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

"What happens next will be her story, not his, so he will turn away as she flies forward."

Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire provides a deeper insight into Elphaba's early childhood all the way into adolescence, before she becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. Readers get to observe defining moments in Elphie's childhood, and how these situations shape her character by teaching her important lessons. If you are a fan of the Wicked Years series, you will thoroughly enjoy this book. There are parallels between decisions her parents make in Elphie and decisions she makes later on in Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West that tied the two stories together in a thoughtful way. Readers see moments like Elphaba's first foray into magic through "hexing", as well as her first encounters with Animals and the issues they are facing in Oz. The Thropp family dynamic was also so interesting to read about further - I loved getting to read more about Nessa and Elphie's relationship, as well as Elphie's relationship with her little brother, Shell. ("If Elphie makes beans for supper, I'm going to die in here!") As with the other books in the Wicked Years series, the writing is rich and whimsical, with Elphie's signature sarcasm sprinkled heavily throughout the story. It truly is the perfect companion to the original series!

This review was also posted to Goodreads. Thank you so much to William Morrow and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book - it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year!! Elphie: A Wicked Childhood officially releases on March 25th, 2025.

I have loved the Wicked Years since I picked up that gorgeous B&N bound copy of Wicked and Son of a Witch for the first time nearly 17 years ago. My heart broke for Elphiba then, a girl doomed by the circumstances of her birth to suffer a life of misfortune. Elphie expands on what we know of the witch’s childhood. It is a series of tales set in Quadling country following Turtle Heart’s death and the resulting aftermath it has on the family.

While perhaps not necessary to understand the overall Wicked story line, this book does provide some insight into why Elphaba acts and feels the way she does about certain things. Not a lot happens in the traditional sense, so don’t expect a ton of action. These tales are definitely more circumstantial and character driven, but I still enjoyed it. My green girl, even at her worst, is one of my favorite literary characters.

Gregory McGuire is unique in his writing style. After years of reading his books, I’ve come to realize that you either love it or hate it. It’s flowery in its prose, but the shortness of the sentences can feel choppy at times. I understand why it’s not going to be for everyone, but I was excited to dive back into the world of Oz, and was not disappointed.

What I do want to say is, please don’t read this after watching the movie and being upset that it’s “dark and weird.” Wicked the book is dark and weird. That’s why I loved it. That’s why I loved this. It gives some much depth to a character traditionally seen as a villain. The book is NOT the musical. I hate seeing so many negative reviews because people are expecting the musical.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I received this arc from NetGalley and William Morrow publishing. This book focuses on Elphaba’s childhood. The book opens up after Nessarose has been born, and their father has moved them out to Quadling country to try to track down Turtle Heart’s relatives and spread the teachings of unionism. This book explores Elphaba’s relationships with her family members and covers several events leading up to when she leaves for Shiz University. I did struggle quite a bit with the writing style, but I did enjoy learning more about Elphaba’s childhood.

While I definitely should have read the series before the prequel, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing style is quite fantastical and added a lot to the book.

Oh, this was not what I expected. I’m a huge fan of the Wicked series; I think they are so diverse and uniques books. However, this was nowhere near the series. The story was choppy in places, short lines and chapters, and it just was all over the place.