We think this cover is pretty cool, and the title is cryptic enough to get our attention. We can’t pretend we don’t know Gregory Maguire wrote Wicked, so it’s pretty clear the creature perched atop the “h” is one of those infamous monkeys. (Then again, no wings—so maybe we’re wrong.)
The subtitle “A Wicked Childhood” lets us know that Mr. Maguire has once again dipped into the Wizard of Oz universe. And while we’ve read plenty of those Wicked books—and might be approaching full saturation—the black background, emerald-toned typography, and that moody monkey silhouette still draw us in. It’s dark and elegant and makes us feel like we’re in for a story with bite.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Based on the Cover, We Think This Book Is About…
Elphie tells the story of a baby monkey born in the wilds of Oz. The Wicked Witch of the West buys him from a trader and enslaves him in her castle. He manages to escape and return to his family. Or not.
Set in the world of Wicked, Elphie explores the early years of Elphaba Thropp—the future Wicked Witch of the West. Told through the eyes of her childhood and her evolving identity, it gives readers a new lens on how magic, injustice, and destiny shaped one of fiction’s most misunderstood figures.