Fairly enjoyable, quick read. Really though, all the pertinent information on the character as it relates to the main books in the series is given in the last two chapters. I'm not going to spoil anything, but there is a pretty big twist on the final page of the book that should completely change how you view the Wizard going forward. ( )

I wouldn't say that this is a particularly cheery series but for some reason I found The Wizard Returns to be more sinister than the last two novellas. This might be because 1. I always found The Wizard to be a rather shifty fella and 2. This book did not resolve the mystery surrounding this character. Is he good? Is he wicked? Who's side is be actually on? Nobody knows!! What we do know is what he was up to when the people of Oz thought he had returned home (you're not even ready for that anticlimactic reveal). I, for one, am chomping at the bit for the next book in the series, The Wicked Will Rise, which I'm sure will more than satisfy my burning curiosity…I hope. ( )

Obviously I was excited about The Wizard Returns coming out because I’ve been obsessed with the Dorothy Must Die series and have been buying the books and prequels as soon as they’re available. I did have a sliver of concern at the thought of this prequel focusing on the Wizard, mostly because I don’t like him. But I pushed past it and read The Wizard Returns anyway.

The Wizard Returns is very dense for a short story. It took me longer than usual to wade through it all. I’m not sure if I just didn’t care about the Wizard in general or if it was the story, but I’m leaning toward not liking or caring about the Wizard. He’s basically a jerk and starts out in The Wizard Returns with no memory of his past misdeeds in Oz. You would think that would be the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf. Of course nothing is that simple in Danielle Paige’s version of Oz.

The Wizard Returns introduces you to a few more of the fairies in Oz, other than Ozma. So far I find their presence confusing. They don’t seem to be overly helpful or harmful. I definitely wouldn’t trust them though. Another monkey was introduced, Iris. There were moments that I liked her and then moments where I was annoyed by her presence.

I liked it, but I didn’t like it. Let me try to clarify that statement. I liked it as part of the Dorothy Must Die series, but not as an individual short story. I don’t like the Wizard as a character, at all. Therefore it’s hard to like a story that focuses on him. I wouldn’t specifically recommend The Wizard Returns, but if you’re already reading the series why would you skip the third prequel?

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