Son of a witch by Gregory Maguire

Title of book: Son of a Witch

Name of author: Gregory Maguire

Paperback: 512 pages

Publisher: Headline Review (3 April 2008)

Synopsis:

For everyone who fell under the WICKED spell…Back in the land of Oz, Gregory Maguire introduces us to Liir, an adolescent boy last seen hiding in the shadows of the castle after Dorothy did in the Witch. Bruised, comatose, and left for dead, Liir is tended to at the Cloister of Saint Glinda by a silent novice called Candle, who wills him back to life with her musical gifts. What dark force left Liir in this condition? Is he really Elphaba’s son? He has her broom and her cape – but what of her powers? In an Oz that, since the Wizard’s departure, is under new and dangerous management, can Liir keep his head down long enough to grow up?

Everyone, welcome back to Oz. Following on from ‘Wicked’ the story of Liir begins, a boy with not much of a past and questionable parentage, he may or may not be Elphaba’s son. ‘Son of a witch’ follows Liir through his many adventures whilst trying to find out who he is, where is he going and how much power he actually has.

I enjoyed ‘Son of a witch’ Liir is a lovely character, his doubts hold him back but what made him lovely for me was the fact that he constantly kept trying and continuously fought the powers of Oz. The book is very dark in parts, brilliantly written, unfortunately at some parts the story got really slow but then improved.

Another success by Gregory Maguire.

I loved the ending too and a lot of the questions raised in ‘Wicked’ are answered especially the whereabouts of Nor.

I am looking forward to the next sequel, ‘A Lion Among Men’ which is due for release this year.

Rating: 8/10 (Due to the slowness in parts)

Reviewed by Heen (Paula)