It is the film of 2025…and you are so bummed there isn’t going to be another. These books totally capture the magic of Wicked and will tide you over until you watch the movie over (and over) again.
The Priory of Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Inys is a kingdom on the brink of disaster. As assassins near the ruling House of Berethnet, conflict rises between the East and West and Queen Sabran struggles to conceive an heir to prevent the rise of the Nameless One. The lives of the queen, her protective mage and a training dragonrider are intertwined in this epic fantasy for the ages. A complex exploration of power, magic and love, this story captures the state of a divided kingdom much like Oz, full of wonder and danger beneath the surface. It’s a dense read that’s not for the faint of heart, but it will def leave an impact (and make you totally rethink the power of Wicked).
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
If forbidden love is your jam, you’re about to fall under the spell of this dazzling novel. At its focal point is the mysterious Cirque De Reves, an enchanting circus that shows up under the darkness of night. Behind the black and white tent, a fierce duel has been brewing for young magicians Celia and Marco, whose instructors have been training them to battle since childhood. And yet, the two opponents are magnetically drawn to each other and fall in love. The blossoming feelings between Elphaba and Fiyero (it’s safe to say we’ll be rewarded with more of that in the sequel) are much like the love story between the two magicians as they navigate a magical and dangerous world.
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
Above all else, Wicked is a story about outsiders rising against oppression. A fierce and powerful heroine like Elphaba, Tisaanah has spent her life enslaved, only surviving with the help of her sharp mind and magic. The night of her escape turns deadly when she barely survives *and* sort of murders her kingdom, Threll’s, most powerful man. To escape, and to save her best friend from behind, she travels to an organization of magic Wielders, the Orders, under the apprenticeship of handsome and mysterious fire wielder Maxantrius. It’s a story full of passion and dark magic, and comes alive with the power of a single brave heroine.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
Many people gloss over where Wicked actually comes from. Before we learned about the friendship of Elphaba and Galinda (the “Ga” is silent), we only knew about Dorothy and her journey through Oz with a ragtag crew of misfits, some magic shoes and a kind witch at her side. This story takes a similar modern stance on one of our oldest fairytales. In the same kingdom where Cinderella found her prince years ago, teen girls are selected as wives by suitors at the Annual Ball. 16-year-old Sophia, however, wants nothing to do with this ritual. Hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum at the Ball, she meets Constance, Cinderella’s only living descendant. The two decide to take down the king, and uncover the truth behind Cinderella’s fairytale. This story is fresh, bold and another powerful underdog tale.
Practical Rules For Cursed Witches by Kayla Cotting
This story, which is kind of like if Elphaba and Galinda ditched Fiyero and got together, follows the budding witch Delilah, whose family curse is to never find love. Desperate to change her fate, she sets out to find her magical Calling with more than one goal in mind. Her mission takes a turn, however, when she’s hijacked by Kieran, the son of the kingdom’s most powerful family, who commissions her to break his curse, in which he grows weaker as his twin sister, Briar, becomes dangerous. The twins’ family adds complications, as they send hunters to get them back. And the quest becomes even more confusing when Delilah finds herself catching feelings for the grumpy and irresistible Briar. This quest story full of whimsy, magic and romance will have you swooning and ready to hit the theaters.
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