Danielle Paige (2015)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult
Reading Time
12 Minutes
Key Themes
See below
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To save a fractured Oz, a Kansas girl must betray her heroes and confront a Dorothy who refuses to stay dead, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens both worlds.
After failing to kill Dorothy Gale, Amy Gumm returns to the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked's hideout. The Wicked Witches of the West, East, North, and South confront her, revealing Dorothy is alive and escaped with the Scarecrow. The Order's leaders are in disarray, blaming Amy for the setback. However, the Witches, especially Mombi, hint at an older threat to Oz: the Nome King. They explain Dorothy is not the main evil but a pawn, and the real mission is to stop the Nome King from taking over Oz. Amy's initial goal to destroy Dorothy now seems like a distraction. Her new instructions are to find Princess Ozma.
Amy realizes the Order is no longer united, and her life is in danger, particularly from the increasingly unstable Mombi. With her friends, Nox and the changed Pete, she escapes the Order's stronghold. Other Order members, loyal to Mombi, pursue them. During their flight, Amy learns more about the Order's internal conflicts and the factions that emerged after Dorothy's escape. She understands that trusting anyone within the Order is risky. Her only hope is to find Princess Ozma, who supposedly holds the key to defeating the Nome King.
As Amy, Nox, and Pete travel across Oz, they see the Nome King's destructive impact. The once green landscapes become barren, turning into shifting sands and rocky areas. They witness the forced recruitment of Munchkins and other Ozian creatures into the Nome King's army. Fear grips the land. The group must constantly avoid the Nome King's patrols and the remaining loyalists of the Revolutionary Order. This journey shows them the true extent of the threat facing Oz. It makes Amy question everything she thought she knew about good and evil in this magical land.
Amy, Nox, and Pete eventually reach the Emerald City, finding it under the rule of the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, who are now allied with Dorothy. The city, once a symbol of hope, is now a place of fear. Its citizens live under strict watch. The Scarecrow, with the Tin Woodman's heart and the Lion's courage, has become a harsh ruler, manipulating people with propaganda. Amy is shocked by how much her former enemies have changed and how power corrupted them. She realizes infiltrating the Emerald City will be harder than she expected, as it is heavily guarded and full of loyalists.
In the Emerald City, Amy watches Dorothy Gale from a distance. She sees Dorothy's manipulative charm and her ability to sway others. However, Amy also glimpses Dorothy's vulnerability, a hidden fear that suggests a deeper struggle. Amy understands Dorothy is not just a simple villain but a complex character driven by her own desires and fears, possibly controlled by a greater power. This observation makes Amy question the clear-cut morality the Revolutionary Order taught her, blurring the lines between good and evil.
Following a hint, Amy, Nox, and Pete travel to the Glass City, a mysterious, forgotten place. There, they seek an ancient oracle, a being said to hold Oz's collective memories. The oracle, through visions and riddles, reveals Oz's true history, including the old war between the Nome King and Oz's original rulers. Amy learns about Oz's magic and the disrupted balance. The oracle also hints at Princess Ozma's power and her connection to Oz's essence, emphasizing the importance of finding her.
After much searching and overcoming various challenges, Amy finds Princess Ozma, who has been hidden for protection. Ozma is not the warrior Amy expected, but a wise and kind leader who deeply understands Oz's magic. Ozma tells Amy the Nome King's full plan: to drain Oz of its magic and turn it into a barren, mineral-rich land for his own gain. Ozma explains she is Oz's rightful ruler and holds the key to restoring its magic, but she needs Amy's help to activate it. Their alliance is a turning point in the fight against the Nome King.
Princess Ozma gives Amy a new, vital mission: to gather the scattered fragments of Oz's ancient magic before the Nome King can claim them. These fragments are hidden in dangerous places across Oz, guarded by magical creatures and old traps. Amy, now fully committed to Ozma's cause, agrees to this dangerous quest. This journey tests Amy's courage, resourcefulness, and growing magical abilities. She learns to trust her instincts and rely on her friends, Nox and Pete, as they face mythical beasts, treacherous lands, and the constant threat of the Nome King's forces. Each fragment they retrieve brings them closer to restoring Oz's power.
As Amy and her allies gather the magical fragments, they face more aggressive attacks from the Nome King's forces. The Nome King, sensing their progress, sends his fiercest warriors and constructs to stop them. These encounters are brutal, forcing Amy to use her growing magical powers and leadership skills. She sees the destructive power of the Nome King's army and the damage they inflict on Oz. These battles remind her of the high stakes and urgency of their mission, pushing Amy to her limits and strengthening her resolve to protect Oz.
Just as they are close to finishing their quest, Amy and Ozma discover a betrayal from within their group. A seemingly trusted ally, secretly working for the Nome King, tries to steal the collected magical fragments. This betrayal shakes Amy's trust and almost breaks their determination. However, during the struggle, a surprising revelation comes to light about the Nome King's power and a hidden weakness he possesses. This small glimmer of hope reignites their resolve and provides a new strategy for defeating the seemingly invincible Nome King, setting the stage for a final confrontation.
Recognizing the serious threat from the Nome King, Amy, with Ozma's guidance, tries to unite the divided factions of the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. She appeals to the remaining Witches and their followers, emphasizing the common enemy that threatens all of Oz, despite their past loyalties. It is difficult, but Amy's sincerity and the growing evidence of the Nome King's destructive power begin to persuade some members. This fragile alliance is a significant change. Those who once wanted to destroy Dorothy (and Amy) now fight alongside her against a greater evil. The unity, though uncertain, provides much-needed reinforcements.
As the final confrontation with the Nome King nears, Amy feels a deep connection to Oz. Through intense magical experiences and visions, she discovers her presence in Oz is not accidental but linked to the land's destiny. She learns she has an innate, powerful magic, a latent ability to influence and protect Oz. This revelation empowers Amy, giving her the confidence and strength to face the ultimate challenge. She realizes her initial mission was simply a catalyst for her to discover her true purpose and potential as a protector of Oz.
The forces of good and evil clash in a final battle for Oz's fate. Amy, Ozma, and their new alliance, including the reunited factions of the Revolutionary Order and other brave Ozians, confront the Nome King's overwhelming army. The battle is fierce and devastating, with magic and weapons clashing across the land. Amy, using her awakened powers and fighting alongside her friends, leads the charge, showing great courage and determination. The stakes are higher than ever, as Oz's very existence hangs in the balance, pushing every character to their limits.
At the height of the battle, a critical moment arrives when a heroic sacrifice is made to weaken the Nome King's power. This selfless act, performed by a key character, creates an opening for Amy and Ozma to deliver a decisive blow. Using the combined magic of the collected fragments and Amy's awakened powers, they defeat the Nome King, severing his connection to Oz and stopping him from draining its magic. The victory is hard-won and comes with a cost. The sacrifice leaves a lasting impact on Amy and her allies. Oz is saved, but not without scars, and the future remains uncertain.
With the Nome King defeated, Oz slowly begins to recover. Princess Ozma, with Amy's help, starts the long process of restoring Oz's magic and rebuilding the shattered land. The balance between good and evil is still delicate, and the scars of the war remain. Amy, having played a key part in saving Oz, now faces new responsibilities. Her understanding of Oz, and her place within it, has completely changed. She has evolved from a reluctant hero to a powerful protector, ready for whatever challenges lie ahead in this magical, yet dangerous, land. Oz's future, and Amy's role in it, is now open for a new chapter.
The Protagonist
Amy transforms from a confused pawn to a determined leader, accepting her destiny and unlocking powerful magic within herself to save Oz.
The Supporting
Nox's loyalty to Amy deepens, and he fully commits to fighting for the true good of Oz, overcoming his past with the Order.
The Supporting
Pete solidifies his loyalty to Amy and the cause of freeing Oz, proving his worth as a true friend and warrior.
The Supporting
Ozma emerges from hiding to reclaim her rightful place and guide the fight against the Nome King, restoring hope to Oz.
The Antagonist/Supporting
Dorothy's role shifts from clear antagonist to a complex figure, demonstrating her manipulative power while hinting at deeper vulnerabilities and external influences.
The Antagonist
Mombi descends further into madness and ambition, becoming a direct threat to Amy and a symbol of the Order's internal corruption.
The Antagonist
The Nome King's power and influence grow throughout the story, culminating in a direct confrontation as he attempts to fully conquer Oz.
The Antagonist/Supporting
The Scarecrow solidifies his tyrannical rule in the Emerald City, demonstrating the corrupting influence of power and intellect.
The Antagonist/Supporting
The Tin Woodman becomes a hardened and unwavering enforcer for Dorothy's regime, demonstrating the twisted nature of his newfound 'heart'.
This theme is central to the novel. It constantly challenges Amy's ideas about who is 'wicked' and who is 'good.' The Revolutionary Order, first presented as a force for good against Dorothy, is shown to be fractured and manipulative. Dorothy, supposedly the ultimate evil, is revealed as a complex character, possibly a pawn, and not the true villain. The Nome King emerges as the clear evil, but even then, characters switch loyalties, blurring the lines further. Amy herself, initially tasked with a seemingly evil deed (killing Dorothy), becomes a hero by fighting for Oz's true good, which requires her to defy her original mentors. This constant re-evaluation forces Amy and the reader to question quick judgments and look for deeper truths.
“The line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind.”
Amy's journey is one of self-discovery. She begins as a cynical, insecure girl from Kansas who feels like an outsider. In Oz, she enters a world where her identity is constantly challenged and redefined. She deals with her role as a 'Wicked' girl, then as a potential savior, and finally as a powerful individual deeply connected to Oz. Her internal struggles, growing confidence, and acceptance of her latent magical abilities all contribute to her evolving sense of self. She learns her true power comes not from external labels but from within, and from choosing her own path.
“Maybe being 'wicked' wasn't about being evil. Maybe it was about being strong enough to defy what everyone else expected of you.”
The novel explores how power can corrupt, even those who seem good or simply want something they lack. The Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, once sympathetic, become tyrannical rulers after gaining their desired attributes (brain and heart). Mombi's desire for power within the Revolutionary Order leads her to become a dangerous, manipulative figure. Dorothy herself, once seemingly innocent, wields significant power and uses it for control. This theme highlights how seeking and gaining power can change a person's character, turning them from heroes into oppressors, regardless of their initial intentions.
“Having what you want doesn't always make you good. Sometimes, it just makes you greedy.”
The theme of redemption is clear in several characters, especially Pete, the former Flying Monkey. Pete, initially a servant of the Wicked Witches, chooses to break free and become a loyal friend and ally to Amy. His transformation shows that individuals are not bound by their past actions or loyalties and can choose a different, more virtuous path. The novel also hints at the possibility of redemption or a more complex understanding for characters like Dorothy, suggesting that even those called 'evil' might have underlying reasons or be capable of change. This theme offers hope and complexity in a world often shown in stark black and white.
“It's not where you start that matters, it's where you choose to go.”
The essential items driving the main quest.
The scattered fragments of Oz's ancient magic serve as the primary MacGuffin in 'The Wicked Will Rise'. Amy and Princess Ozma's quest to locate and gather these fragments is the central driving force of the narrative. These items are crucial for restoring Oz's power and ultimately defeating the Nome King. While their specific powers are important, their true significance lies in motivating the characters' actions, leading them through various dangers, and providing a clear objective for the majority of the story. The retrieval of each fragment marks a step forward in their overarching mission.
A source of ancient knowledge guiding the hero.
The oracle in the Glass City acts as a classic plot device, providing Amy with vital information and a deeper understanding of Oz's history and the Nome King's true threat. The oracle's revelations about Princess Ozma, the ancient war, and the nature of Oz's magic serve to clarify Amy's mission and give her direction. Without this device, Amy would be largely without guidance, fumbling in the dark. It also adds a layer of mysticism and destiny to her journey, suggesting that her arrival and mission are part of a larger, preordained plan for Oz.
An unexpected turn by a trusted ally.
The element of betrayal is a significant plot device used to create tension, raise stakes, and test Amy's trust. The unexpected betrayal by a seemingly trusted ally near the climax of the story serves to deepen the emotional impact and complicates the heroes' mission. This device forces Amy to re-evaluate her alliances and highlights the pervasive nature of deception in Oz. It also creates an opportunity for a sudden shift in strategy or a new revelation, pushing the narrative forward and intensifying the conflict leading up to the final confrontation.
Amy's initial reluctance to embrace her destiny.
While not a single device, Amy's initial 'refusal of the call' is a clear stage of the Hero's Journey. At the beginning, Amy is reluctant to accept her role as a 'Wicked' girl and is often cynical about her purpose in Oz. She questions her abilities and wishes to return home. This initial resistance makes her eventual acceptance of her destiny and her transformation into a powerful leader more impactful. It allows for character growth and provides a relatable entry point for the reader, as Amy grapples with the overwhelming challenges placed upon her.
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Danielle Paige is a "New York Times" bestselling author of young adult fantasy novels. She is best known for her Dorothy Must Die series, which reimagines "The Wizard of Oz." Her other notable works include "The End of Oz," "Yellow Brick War," "The Wicked Will Rise," and "Stealing Snow."
