Elphie: A Wicked Childhood is certainly worth reading for diehard fans of the series (like myself), but the Elphaba prequel struggles because it doesn't really know where it belongs — which is an ironically meta failing, given the story itself. Gregory Maguire's latest addition to the Wicked Years series will feel familiar in style to anyone who has read the rest, although it feels significantly more like the later books than the original.

A coming-of-age story for Elphaba has some serious potential; it's the one time period missing from her life, and would be eclipsed only by a Glinda prequel (which, honestly, I would still read if Maguire feels like writing it!). The book takes place during the family's years in Quadling Country, and while there are some absolutely beautiful lines and literary devices being used, it unfortunately lacks the kind of strong plot that would elevate it to the level of Wicked.

Elphie Is Packed With Callouts & Setup To The Movie & Musical, But Contradicts It At The Same Time

It Wants A Foot In Each World & Feels Unbalanced As A Result

As someone who fell in love with the original book series before the first stage performance of Wicked, I came to Elphie wondering how it would fit between the two (especially as its original release date was pushed back by several months, seemingly to better slot in between the release of the two parts of the film). For musical fans, the book is packed with callouts to the films — from the emphasis on Elphaba's singing voice (which is mentioned in the original books), to the creation of her iconic black dress. It even changes the character of Melena to better fit with the movie version.

These are fun nods to the eventual sensation, but there is an inherent issue with trying to align a new book with the movie or musical, which is that the film version already contradicts much of the original series. One of the biggest changes is in Elphaba's arrival to Shiz, which is on her own merit in the books, but is down to an accidental outpouring of magic in the movie.

Thankfully, Elphie sticks to the original story on this one, and in the overall approach to Oz, which will come as a relief to anyone who didn't love the way that the musical strips away the complexity and politics of the original.

These are fun nods to the eventual sensation, but there is an inherent issue with trying to align a new book with the movie or musical

However, it's extremely clear throughout that the book is aware of the musical. It's impossible for anyone not to be, of course, as the musical has long eclipsed the book in popularity. But the constant nods to the musical, and the way the book chooses to emphasize those traits of Elphie's that show up in in it (her history with Animals, for example) can be a little too obvious. It doesn't quite know which fictional world it wants to live in.

Elphie Functions As A Perfect Supplement To The Wicked Years, But Fails To Stand On Its Own

The Prequel Books Feel More Like An Appendix Than A Prequel

Throughout, the book does an incredible job of filling in the blanks. It delves deeper into why Elphaba feels such a connection with the plight of the Animals in Oz, and her relationship with magic and her sister. However, the main criticism that I can level at it (as someone who is a fan of Maguire's particular writing style) is that it feels entirely supplementary, without much of a central arc in itself.

At times, it feels as though Elphie may be setting up a coming-of-age romance, but these hopes are quickly dashed. At others, it seems as though it may be aiming for more of a classic adventure story. However, at the end of the day, nothing much actually happens. In many ways, this is accurate to childhood and growing up, as most children and teenagers do simply move through life without earth-shattering conflict and resolution.

However, at the end of the day, nothing much actually happens.

Accuracy can be praised, then, and literary style (the opening part, with slightly surreal writing that mimics a child's awareness of the world, is beautifully done), but the book cannot exist as a story unto itself in any meaningful way. This isn't necessarily a terrible thing.

Readers will absolutely know what they are getting, and it will be perfect for anyone who just can't get enough of Maguire's Oz, but I would have preferred a clearer journey, and one that strode through Quadling Country rather than meandered more ively through it. After all, the Elphaba I know and love from the original books and the musical is anything but ive.

This Wicked Prequel Will Appeal To Musical Fans Who Also Enjoyed A Lion Among Men

It's A Slow, Detailed Walk Through An Unknown Corner Of Oz

Throughout the book, the pacing and style reminded me not of Wicked itself, but of A Lion Among Men, the third book that tells the story of the Lion from cub to Coward. The third in the series, Lion Among Men tells the same kind of personal history, but is often considered the slowest of the Wicked Years series, with good reason.

Elphie does the same. It wanders through the swamps (both literal and metaphorical), with occasional moments of sparkling prose, carefully providing information that isn't necessary to love Wicked, but which speaks to just how well-thought-out Maguire's Oz really is. It's not a quick read with a clear plot, but at this point in the franchise, it doesn't have to be. Instead, it's a way to dig deeper into who Elphaba really is, and as such, it keeps alive the spirit of the original book that started it all.