After 10 years from GMaguire's Wicked novel about the life and times of the wicked witch of the west, comes the sequel on what became of Oz after Elphaba died in the hands of dorothy and the wizard has gone back to his world. In this book, Leir, the Son of Elphaba (well he isn't much sure if he is just yet) has gone to a journy to find his childhood friend which is his half sister. Also in the setting of this book, Glinda the good witch is stepping down as the matriarch of Oz and is in search for a new emperor for Oz.
The story started on where Wicked ended. Upon the death of Elphaba Lir went in search for his half sister whom took him to Oz and the convent of St. Galinda. The exact convent where elphaba gave birth to him and where she took refuge when she felt lost to herself. Along the journey he met a girl and the scarecrow and the brother of Elphaba. He even seek audience with Glinda in asking for the whereabouts of his half sister. In his meeting with Galinda, it is indeed shown in this scene on how Glinda valued Elphaba as her friend. By the sight of elphaba's hat and broom she became emotional and demanded where Lier got it. There in that conversation she believed that leir is her friend's son and decided to help him search for his half sister. As she said and i qoute "its the least i can do for her" refering to elphaba.
Political struggle between neighboring towns and religious differences had become quite rampat when the wizard was kick out from Oz by Glinda. Animals are still forced to live in hiding or became slaves. Lier became the symbol or image of the Animals which elphaba tried to establish. If the first book shows on how Elphaba was fighting for a cause on her own. In this 2nd installment it shows how people thought about her and how many people and Animals believed in her cause. In this Lier took advantage of his connection to elphaba in able to search for her half sister. Also, whenever Lier meet people who are allies of elphaba, they seem to treat Lier as if he is carrying on the legacy of what Elphaba was fighting for.
I could not really pin point what the lesson learned in this novel. But for me it makes sense since i read wicked. This is the time where unexpected people gets to be in an unexpected positions. It is about fighting back and carrying a legacy of a person who was branded to be wicked. Its sooo much true in reality... sometimes you have to die in a tragic death in able for people to see what you were trying to do. The book ended with a graffiti on a wall stating "Elphaba Lives". I hope it simply means Elphaba left a legacy in terms on what she was trying to fight for. Not like in the musical where she actually staged her death. That would really turn me off on this series. I like it the way it is. I think in this series the line from dark knight movie is very true "Its either you die a hero or live long enough to be the villain." In this case, elphaba live long enough to be the villain.
GM Wicked series is one of the best series I have ever read. I would highly recommend people to read this. ^_^ A good book for high school students to make it as their book report in their literature class.
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