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nicoleh302's review
5.0
I received and Advanced Reader Copy and am voluntarily reviewing it. This Oz ain't the Oz we know. The witches are crazy and sadistic. Some things are still the same. Dorothy is caught up in a storm in her farm house in Kansas with Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Sheltering with her emotional support dog, Toto. The tornado lifts the house up and it lands in Oz on top of the Wicked Witch of the East. The munchkins declared her and Toto (who is now a human), Tobias, as sorcerers and their blood needed to revitalize their crops. Up on the post is were the meet a scarecrow named Crowe. Finding companions gave Crowe a reason to get down. The only solution to Dorothy's problem lay with the Wizard of Oz and they journey down the yellow brick road to OZ.
On their journey they find a tin man, Talos and a lion, Leon. The four of them journey to Oz to meet with the Wizard. The wizard tells them the only way to release the spells on each of them is to continue to kill the rest of the Wicked Witches in the West, South and North. Each mission is somehow worse than the one before. Will the connection they are forging be one that will stand the test of time? Will everyone get what they want?
This book is definitely a different take on the original story. It is much darker and a lot steamier. The relationship between the four main characters evolve in ways readers will not believe. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. These retellings make you look at those fairytales in a different light. A darker light and I am here for it.
On their journey they find a tin man, Talos and a lion, Leon. The four of them journey to Oz to meet with the Wizard. The wizard tells them the only way to release the spells on each of them is to continue to kill the rest of the Wicked Witches in the West, South and North. Each mission is somehow worse than the one before. Will the connection they are forging be one that will stand the test of time? Will everyone get what they want?
This book is definitely a different take on the original story. It is much darker and a lot steamier. The relationship between the four main characters evolve in ways readers will not believe. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. These retellings make you look at those fairytales in a different light. A darker light and I am here for it.
ink3dalice's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
skys_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I received an advance listeners copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really bloody enjoyed this one and I don't know if I will ever be able to look at The Wizard of Oz the same way again😂. I loved the characters and their developments throughout, the breaking down of a lot of walls and the bond they all created. There is definitely a nice balance between the plot and the spice, and the spice was definitely spicing🥵. The plot is a really interesting one and it gives a lot of homage to the original book, whilst giving it that edgier feel that keeps you on your toes waiting for the next twist. We get to have a look at character’s that we only hear off in the original book, which added a nice little layer to it. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and see if they also ruin the classics for me (all in a good way).
I really bloody enjoyed this one and I don't know if I will ever be able to look at The Wizard of Oz the same way again😂. I loved the characters and their developments throughout, the breaking down of a lot of walls and the bond they all created. There is definitely a nice balance between the plot and the spice, and the spice was definitely spicing🥵. The plot is a really interesting one and it gives a lot of homage to the original book, whilst giving it that edgier feel that keeps you on your toes waiting for the next twist. We get to have a look at character’s that we only hear off in the original book, which added a nice little layer to it. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and see if they also ruin the classics for me (all in a good way).
jly8s's review
5.0
I loved this Wizard of Oz retelling! This story is enjoyable to read and characters written wonderfully. The author has written well developed main and side characters and the prose is descriptive without being too much. The plot is good and there is spice simmering throughout. Overall, this was a great book.
ohtislove's review
4.0
3.5 stars, probably, but giving it the full four.
I liked this! It was a first from this author for me, although not my first Wizard of Oz retelling. I read it in just a little over a day, and honestly there's really something to be said for a standalone book! A relief to just have the whole story wrapped up, and not need to consider whether I liked it enough to continue on to the next book.
The writing was quick, and the characters were endearing. The FMC harped a little too much on her backstory throughout the book (we're talking about blowing a director AGAIN??) but other than that she was fine. The spice was pretty good, and honestly I loved the m/m relationship/friendships within it as well.
I'd definitely read another one within this series of standalones!
I liked this! It was a first from this author for me, although not my first Wizard of Oz retelling. I read it in just a little over a day, and honestly there's really something to be said for a standalone book! A relief to just have the whole story wrapped up, and not need to consider whether I liked it enough to continue on to the next book.
The writing was quick, and the characters were endearing. The FMC harped a little too much on her backstory throughout the book (we're talking about blowing a director AGAIN??) but other than that she was fine. The spice was pretty good, and honestly I loved the m/m relationship/friendships within it as well.
I'd definitely read another one within this series of standalones!
sydnienovareads's review
4.0
So excited to see a why choose retelling of one of my favorite classics! This was dark, spicy, and a little bit gory. It immediately captured my attention and I devoured the book in one sitting. The characters were dynamic and had interesting backstory and the way Dorothy meets her "sidekicks" along the way and deals with the Wizard's commands was super thrilling.
kaytee_bookshelf's review
5.0
I devoured this book in a day!!
Dorothy - rescuer of hot psychopaths, the deranged man whisperer, the emotionally unavailable pied piper! (There are so many great lines in this book!)
“Let’s talk about apples! I love apples! Who doesn’t love apples?”
I love this Dorothy! Coming from a rough go in Hollywood doing anything she could to hit it big only to go back to Kansas feeling like a failure. But at least she still had her emotional support dog Toto! Oh Tobias! (Sigh) I want a Tobias!
Tobias, Crowe, Talos, and Leon… what a crew! All cursed and covered in trauma. They are all so perfect and beautiful the way they are written. I immensely enjoyed all of them, especially in the chapters from their own POVs.
I really want to give this book like 10 stars!!
Dorothy - rescuer of hot psychopaths, the deranged man whisperer, the emotionally unavailable pied piper! (There are so many great lines in this book!)
“Let’s talk about apples! I love apples! Who doesn’t love apples?”
I love this Dorothy! Coming from a rough go in Hollywood doing anything she could to hit it big only to go back to Kansas feeling like a failure. But at least she still had her emotional support dog Toto! Oh Tobias! (Sigh) I want a Tobias!
Tobias, Crowe, Talos, and Leon… what a crew! All cursed and covered in trauma. They are all so perfect and beautiful the way they are written. I immensely enjoyed all of them, especially in the chapters from their own POVs.
I really want to give this book like 10 stars!!
outofcontroltbr's review
4.0
This is an ARC review. This is the second book I’ve read by Leanne Bell and I’m 100% here for it. The dark and dirty retelling of what may be misguided children stories are amazing. The characters are so real and I fall for them all instantly. This retelling is (obviously) about the Wizard of Oz and I loved it.
btchreads's review
5.0
This is the version of Oz you didn't realize you needed in your life! This is definitely dark, darker than the first book in the Vicious Wonders series. I considered We're All Mad Here to be light gray on the darkness scale, while There's No Place Like Oz lands in the faded black darkness. Check Trigger Warnings, there are a few. As far as spice level goes, I would only call this mildly spicy, but definitely not vanilla. The timeline throughout the story seems a little off. Things seem to progress quickly for the characters, but when they discuss what has happened later in the book timing does not seem to match up. It really doesn't distract from the story, I just caught myself questioning it a couple of times.
Leann Belle does a fabulous job with character development this round. Dorothy is written in a way that every woman can find a way to relate to her. You have your pick of Cinnamon Roll to Sasshole and everything in between with Tobias, Leon, Crowe and Talos. As each character is introduced into the mix, you cant help but fall in love with them and see how they are the next perfectly fitting puzzle piece to the band of misfits! I did want more detail and depravity for each of the Witches.
There's No Place Like Oz is in my top 3 reads for Fairy Tale re-telling. I recommend this book for readers who like Dark Romance, Spicy Romance and Why Choose!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Leann Belle does a fabulous job with character development this round. Dorothy is written in a way that every woman can find a way to relate to her. You have your pick of Cinnamon Roll to Sasshole and everything in between with Tobias, Leon, Crowe and Talos. As each character is introduced into the mix, you cant help but fall in love with them and see how they are the next perfectly fitting puzzle piece to the band of misfits! I did want more detail and depravity for each of the Witches.
There's No Place Like Oz is in my top 3 reads for Fairy Tale re-telling. I recommend this book for readers who like Dark Romance, Spicy Romance and Why Choose!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
sassypantsreading's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Once again, I am in awe and obsessed with a Vicious Wonders book! There’s No Place Like Oz was so good! Of the three books I’ve read in the series, this one stood out because Dorothy is with each of her men all the time. They aren’t frenemies like they are in Alice in Wonderland and Labyrinth retellings. However, just because the element of conflict was removed from the relationship between the men didn’t mean there was no conflict. Each of the witches was twisted and dark in their own right. I loved how the men had almost visceral reactions to seeing their witch again and had to work through their trauma. I think the characters in this book had the biggest redemption arcs. And, as always, I love how Ms. Belle explores different aspects of mental health and how the journeys allow the women to heal. Stalking Cinderella is up next for me, and I can’t wait!
I was fortunate to receive a copy of There’s No Place Like Oz from BookSirens to voluntarily review.
I was fortunate to receive a copy of There’s No Place Like Oz from BookSirens to voluntarily review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Murder