“Into a Wicked World” is a witty and heart-warming YA re-telling of the “Wizard of Oz” tale. It takes place from the POVs of Dorothy and Nick Chopper (the “Tinman”), who are joined in Oz by Prince Lional (the “cowardly lion”) and Straw the scarecrow on Dorothy’s mission to return to Kansas.

First of all: Oh. My. God! I requested an ARC of this book from NetGalley on a whim (why not try something new?) and I am so glad I did!!! After tentatively reading the first few chapters, I found myself flying through the rest of the book and developing the most unexpected love and adoration for it. How is IAWW not more well-known?!

The story was superbly written—with many quote-worthy passages—and progressed effortlessly. The abundant jokes and banter shared among the characters made me smile. The struggles and triumphs of Nick and Dorothy tugged at my heart strings and brought tears to my eyes. This is a must-read for those who love found family, sweet (but not spicy) romance, and conflicts between good and evil!

I loathe retellings-Im not sure why. But this, this was SO good! A creative spin on a historically loved tale making it more modern and easy to relate to. If you're a fan of reimagined classics and enjoy diving into darker narratives, Into a Wicked World is an absolute must-read. In this gripping rendition, the author skillfully transforms the beloved world of Oz into a gritty and intense journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. From the very first chapter, readers are thrust into a reality, all be it familiar, but far removed from the whimsical Oz they may be familiar with.

Really enjoyed this modern retelling of the Wizard of Oz story. Wonderful cast of characters who were compelling and well developed. Looks to be the beginning of a great series and I look forward to answers to some of the mysteries in the next books!

I have never read a wizard of oz retelling before this and I really enjoyed it! The story was very well thought out and the romance was perfectly executed.

Into a wicked world was a really fun read. I loved The Wizard of Oz growing up and I really enjoyed the land of Oz that Swan created. While he stuck to our basics of what we knew about our friends who take Dorothy along for the ride (no heart, no brain, no courage) it really flips a lot of it on its head. Does someone have a heart if they can’t show any emotions? Do you have a brain if you’re learning the world for the first time but could solve any math problem? What is actually a courageous action? I actually loved that Dorothy is from present day earth and her banter was really fun. There were some plot points that were a little confusing and the story felt a little unfinished at the end, obviously there’s going to be another book but I just felt like it ended in a weird place. Overall I would recommend this book to a friend, especially if they have a special place in their heart for Oz.

Into a Wicked World was a great retelling of Wizard of Oz. This imaginative story created a vivid and enchanting world filled with our beloved characters, including the Straw, Nick, and Lional. In this modern version, Dorothy is plagued by her narcissistic mother's demand for money after her father dies. She is whisked to the land of Oz while trying to escape her mother. She runs into the cast of characters on their way to the Emerald City.

This retelling was an exciting take on the story and was different enough to keep me wanting to know more. The back story of the Wicked Witch and the Tinman's storyline was creative and set the plot. The writing was fun and humorous. This book was a light-hearted fantasy with a touch of romance. It is a must-read for anyone seeking a journey into the land of Oz.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.

5 STAR READ FOR ME. I LOVE TO FIND 5 STAR READS. IT'S AMAZING TO FIND BOOKS THAT GIVES US EVERYTHING LIKE THIS ONE.

I was really excited to have the chance to read this ARC. The wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies growing up. This was a really interesting, modern retelling of the story , that had my giggle in some places. I will definitely say this is a 5 star and I don't give those often

I felt like it could have been cut down.
The scarecrow character wasn’t very likeable and the tinman was too stoic because he couldn’t express emotion.
Felt very YA.
It was ok but I didn’t feel like it added much to the original story.