"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.

#elphie #netgalley

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)

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

I don’t normally mind unreliable writers, but this reads like a toddlers stream of consciousness. Which is understandable considering it’s a child’s thoughts and memories, but the writing still needs to be fluid and understanding. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me, which is a shame because I’ve loved the other books in the Wicked Years series.

I think what was the hardest part of getting through this book for me was the writing style. It just felt jerky and awkward. I might’ve been able to get past that if there was also more to the story, but it just fell flat. Honestly, the book was boring and difficult to get through. I’m not sure if this author is for me.

⭐ Rating: 3.5/5
🔥 Spice: 0/5

Before she was the Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba was just a girl navigating a world that often rejected her. Elphie takes us through her entire journey from birth to the moment she steps into Shiz University, shaping her into the fiercely independent woman we know from Wicked. We see her complicated family life, her struggles with identity, her introduction to politics, and the first seeds of the rebellion that will define her future.

What I Loved:
- A Deep Dive into Elphaba’s Past: This book fills in all the gaps and shows exactly how Elphaba became the person she is.
- Powerful Themes: The story explores judgment, prejudice, and identity, reminding us that no one should be treated differently because of how they look.
- Political & Philosophical Undertones: If you love books that make you think, this one has plenty of layered social commentary—especially in the first part.
- Emotional & Thought-Provoking: By the end, I felt so much more connected to Elphaba and had a new understanding of her struggles.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Slow Start & Heavy Politics – The first 25% leans heavily into Oz politics, which may feel dense, but once you push through, the story truly takes off.

If you’ve ever wanted to truly understand Elphaba—her upbringing, her struggles, and what shaped her into the Wicked Witch of the West—this book delivers. While the first section can feel slow, it’s worth pushing through to see her full transformation.

As a lifelong Wicked fan, who has read the original book several times, Elphie became one of my most anticipated reads. I couldn't wait to learn more about Elphie's life growing up, and how it influenced the woman she grew into.

Unfortunately, this book fell short for me. Parts of the book were difficult to understand and keep up with. You get to see some different events in Elphie's life, but I thought there would be more milestone moments that were highlighted in the book. We do get to see more of Elphie's relationship with her father, siblings, and Nanny, but there are some questions still left unanswered. If you do plan to read this book, I highly recommend reading Wicked prior, as there are things from the original book that come up, that will be easier to understand. I enjoyed getting to dive back into the land of Oz, and to learn more about Elphie and how she grew to be, but wish there was a bit more magic to this book.

This could have easily been sent in an email.

I really had hope that I would love this a bit more than Wicked (which I recommend reading before reading Elphie as it mentions quite a lot of what happens there) but alas, I almost cried of boredom.

The only part I enjoyed somewhat was seeing Elphaba in her teenage years and seeing what was happening in this book and connecting it to Wicked. We also see how people always made their own truths the reality of a situation and having strangers believe that truth instead of the TRUTH TRUTH, which is a common theme in Wicked. But that’s truly where it ends.

Everything else feels neverending, the writing is again choppy and nothing is cohesive to one another. Nessa gets on my las nerve, as well as Shell. Don’t even get me started on the father. 😤

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange of an honest review!

While I've read Wicked before, I cannot say one way or another if this prequel has any contradictory information. I can say, however, that I enjoyed this exploration into Elphaba's youth. It was nice to see the origin story for Melena's three children. Elphaba is positioned as more relatable, Shell as more of a nuisance, and Nessa as self-centered and envious. And yet, despite it all, there are moments where you can see the family connection. It truly did feel like a proper family unit.

Unfortunately, there is nothing within this book that is alarming or truly brand new for the overall lore. We do get to explore more of the various lands and cultures, and we even get some prophetic hints to Elphaba's future.

Honestly, it was nice to simply have some new material from this version of Oz. Even though there's nothing that particularly stands out, I am very glad to have read it and I absolutely do still plan on purchasing it.

If I were doing an analysis on the characters, this book would be an essential tool since the main focus appears to be behind the inner workings of Elphaba's youth. It's not told in first person, but the narrator does provide the best-intentioned means to see inside her mind and how she perceives the world. Considering I first read Wicked in a university literature course, and it was a major part of my grade, I do think this book is valuable in furthering such discussions.

I had high hopes for this installment, but Elphie missed the mark. The first two-thirds were a slog to get through, and the writing style was stop-and-go. I thought we would get more information and backstory of Elphaba, but it felt like the focus was anywhere else.

While I anticipated a deeper look into Elphaba’s early life, the book instead focuses on the political landscape of Oz during her youth and adolescence. Unfortunately, the slow-moving plot and unusual writing style, characteristic of Maguire but distracting in this book, made this a challenging read for me. I am a fan of Maguire’s other works but found myself consistently frustrated, wishing things would actually happen.

I read Wicked back when the musical first came out, so it only makes sense I come back to the books now that the movie is out. This reminded me why I liked Gregory Maguire so much in high school, but it took a while to get into the story. Elphie covers Elphaba's life from her youth up to preparing to enter Shiz. I felt like the story became a lot more engaging once Elphie was old enough to truly have her own opinions and thoughts. You see her introduction to Animals, to education, and to magic; as well as more backstory of her family and how she became the woman she is in the musical. I'd say it's worth reading if you're wanting to go deep into the lore, but like everyone else said this is not like the musical.

For those of us who read Wicked way back before it was a musical and then a movie, we know it's dark. And visceral. No amount of tulips will every be able to take that away. Now me? I love all of the mediums of the story bc they resonate differently. And this is no exception. Right back into Oz we go.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have enjoyed other books by Gregory Maguire, including Wicked. I am also a big fan of the musical. I had high hopes for this book. And I have to say it was a bit of a struggle.

It has been well documented that the Wicked book series is much darker than the musical, that is so "popular" right now, and this does not change with Elphie. But it does not connect you to the characters. I have to say that I did not really find any of the characters likeable. The writing is awkward and somewhat hard to follow. And this being said that I knew what to expect from Maguire's writing previously.

I have to say that this was just an average book for me.
3 stars, being generous.

Elphie is the story of Elphaba's Childhood.
This book is much easier to read than Wicked (I do suggest reading that though). I just felt like Wicked can be challenging. This was ann amusing read for fans of Wicked. This doesn't change anything about the story; it just gives you insight into Elphaba as a child. I partially feel this was unnecessary to publish, but I still enjoyed it.

Thank you, Gregory Maguire, William Morrow, and Netgalley for the ARC of this.

I am truly surprised that I received this book, especially considering my rating of "Wicked". I'm also not at all surprised that I didn't enjoy this book either. In my opinion, "Wicked" didn't need a prequel, and I believe neither it nor this awful book should have been published.

If you've read Gregory Maguire's previous Oz books you are in for a treat!
Please note that this book is NOT for children, and contains very adult themes.

Another delightful trip to Oz that I will be thinking about for a long time to come!

It has been ages since I read Wicked, but immediately when I started this one I was right back in that world! I love an origin story, so this was right up my alley. I did forget that Gregory Maguire has a particular writing style that is so much more descriptive and observational rather than focusing on conversations and interactions, and after reading so many thrillers and romances lately, this one felt a little slower to me. Overall, the story was spectacular and I enjoyed a more thorough look into the childhoods of Elphaba and Nessa!