A review by ericadeb
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire

3.0

Before I say anything about this book, I have to put out there that the first in the series is my favorite book of all time. That being said, I had a few issues with this conclusion of the Wicked Cycle. First off, it was a rough and tough read. While the first book, and even the majority of the second were focused mostly on the main character (Elphaba or Liir) with social commentary and political and religious undertones throughout, the last two books, this one especially were about 75 percent politics and 25 percent character driven. Yes it was interesting to see what has happened in Oz after all these years, but at times I felt like I was trekking uphill with the clock of the time dragon tied to my back. In the end, some questions we answered and some stories were tied up, but there were just as many, if not more questions left to ponder. SPOILER ALERT! Who the heck was the wizard anyway? Why was Shell such a terrible emperor and how did he go from Southstairs drug dealer to ruling Oz? What happened with Rain and Tip? Did Candle ever come back? Where did the clock come from and who was Mr. Boss's boss? And for God sake, was that Elphaba who opened Glinda's cell door? I mean come on! I was happy to read Rain's story, but I can't say that I was completely satisfied with this conclusion. I would have liked to see things all tied up in a nice little bow, or at lease a haphazard knot.