The Deja Vu Review [5]

The Deja Vu Review is a new Sunday feature with mini-reviews from books I’ve read before I began my blog at The Book Addict’s Guide! Since I’ve been reading my whole life and only started my blog back in April of 2012, this is my opportunity to revisit some older books and share some mini-reviews of those that didn’t quite make it into the blog spotlight after the initial read.

This Week’s Topic: A book about magic

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wicked Years, #1)Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
My rating: 1 of 5 stars (DNF)
My Original GR Review: This book just wasn’t for me. I saw the musical and I absolutely loved it. The book, however, was extremely different and I felt like there were a lot of unnecessary details, ideas, and concepts in the fact that it just made the book straight up bizarre. I only made it 45 pages into the book and just couldn’t bring myself to come back to it. I feel like this is either a love it or hate it book. Unfortunately I was not on the love it side. I would have kept reading if it was a short book, but I couldn’t make it through that many pages.
I think my mistake here was hoping it would be like the musical, which I adored! The musical is a very light adaptation. The book was extremely intense and a little too much so for me! I ended up not finishing and swapping the book.

 

The Looking Glass Wars (The Looking Glass Wars, #1)The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My Original GR Review: Very interesting twist on the classic Alice in Wonderland tale. I like how it was intentionally different, making Wonderland a real place which Alice must claim back from her vicious aunt who stole the throne back from Alice’s mother. Very creative, quick read which keeps you reading until the end.
I still haven’t read more in the series yet, but I really did like this first book! I really enjoyed the retelling of Alice in Wonderland and how the magic of it all had a purposeful story instead of just chaos! 



Hi, I'm Brittany!
Hi, I'm Brittany!

I'm an avid reader, candle-maker, and audiobook lover! Here you'll find book reviews, fun blog posts, and my other loves of photography & craft beer!

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8 thoughts on “The Deja Vu Review [5]

  1. Vyki

    My sister really liked Wicked, but she did say it was hard to get into, especially in the beginning. It is sitting on my shelf, but I have not gotten to it yet. I will also have to check out The Looking Glass Wars. I am pretty sure I have heard something of it, but I forgot about it, so thanks of the reminder. I like that you post up books you didn’t like, too.

  2. Merin

    I agree that Wicked was really slow. I did finish it – I think it helped that I’d read the book prior to seeing the musical – but it was a slog and took me a really long time. I won’t be reading the rest of the sequels, although I do own other Gregory Maguire novels, so will give those a try to see if they go any better.

  3. Briana

    I’ve never seen the musical, so I had no expectations of the book, but I’m not sure I even finished the first chapter. And I gave the book away.

    I have The Looking Glass Wars, so hopefully I’ll get around to reading it sometime!

  4. Lucy

    I bought Wicked after seeing the musical but never read it. I’ve seen the mixed reviews and think you’re right that it’s a love it or hate it type book. Probably not my thing either.
    The Looking Glass Wars sounds like a good one though!

  5. Quinn

    I felt exactly the same way about Wicked! Loved the musical. I mean seriously love (but not as much as Newsies!!!), but I just could not get into the book. When I borrowed the book from the library, I knew that it wouldn’t be exactly like the musical (I had done some research), but it was even worse that I expected. I don’t think I got past page 45 myself.

    I read The Looking Glass Wars a few years ago, and I did like it. I didn’t love it, but I liked it, and gave it three stars.

    Awesome picks this week! 🙂

  6. EM Castellan

    I adore Wicked! I read the book first, loved it, then I went to see the musical, which I loved as well but for different reasons. As you mention, the musical captures the essence of the book, but is overall quite fun and perky, whereas the book is dark and complex. But I love that such a book can still get traditionally published, even though it IS very bizarre.

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