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susanquilty's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t decide if I love or hate the absurdity of the Oz books. Well, hate is too harsh… There’s definitely a lot of eye rolling and mocking while I read them, but there’s something endearing about the silliness.
For example, just when I think these books can’t get any sillier, Santa shows up as a guest at Ozma’s birthday party. Nope, it’s not a Christmas-themed story. He’s just there mixed in with the other fantastical guests because kids like Santa and Frank Baum wrote stories to entertain kids.
Here’s what I’ve learned while making my way through the Oz collection: Don’t expect the plot of any of these books to make sense. Things happen because they happen. Characters show up with seemingly mysterious pasts that are never revealed. Just go with it or stop reading, but don’t expect any resolution beyond a happy ending.
For example, just when I think these books can’t get any sillier, Santa shows up as a guest at Ozma’s birthday party. Nope, it’s not a Christmas-themed story. He’s just there mixed in with the other fantastical guests because kids like Santa and Frank Baum wrote stories to entertain kids.
Here’s what I’ve learned while making my way through the Oz collection: Don’t expect the plot of any of these books to make sense. Things happen because they happen. Characters show up with seemingly mysterious pasts that are never revealed. Just go with it or stop reading, but don’t expect any resolution beyond a happy ending.
rikican2's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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? No
4.0
tori_storydelver's review against another edition
2.0
This book was only slightly better than book #4, Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz. Dorothy goes off alone with the shaggy man, who steals todo by the way, and so all three of them get lost. They instantly think they are on the road to Oz, and run into new characters along the way which all ask to be invited to Ozma's birthday.
By the end of the book the Shaggy Man was my favorite character, despite his creepy start. I also thought Polychrome was an interesting idea, but she didn't have a very big part. I thought some of Baum's imaginatitive characters had come back, and in that respect I enjoyed parts of this book. However, I agree with others that Button Bright was the most annoying character in the series so far. The one time the group did run into problems it was just magically resolved, and it ended as quickly as the last book.
By the end of the book the Shaggy Man was my favorite character, despite his creepy start. I also thought Polychrome was an interesting idea, but she didn't have a very big part. I thought some of Baum's imaginatitive characters had come back, and in that respect I enjoyed parts of this book. However, I agree with others that Button Bright was the most annoying character in the series so far. The one time the group did run into problems it was just magically resolved, and it ended as quickly as the last book.
mr_sosotris's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not a big fan of this one. WHY DID YOU JUST CASUALLY GO WITH THAT STRANGE MAN, DOROTHY!!??
The first half of the book is fun-ish with adventures and monsters and such, but then the second book is like this mega Oz reunion special where we see where everyone is and how they’re doing, and there’s a Santa Claus cameo, and it’s basically just this meaningless parade of characters. Maybe little kids would like this.
I did enjoy Jack Pumpkinhead having graves for all his previous heads. It’s very goth.
The first half of the book is fun-ish with adventures and monsters and such, but then the second book is like this mega Oz reunion special where we see where everyone is and how they’re doing, and there’s a Santa Claus cameo, and it’s basically just this meaningless parade of characters. Maybe little kids would like this.
I did enjoy Jack Pumpkinhead having graves for all his previous heads. It’s very goth.
tashawallace95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emmhardt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5