Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige is a reimagining of Oz, praised for its dark twist and strong protagonist. Reviewers appreciate the creative world-building and suspenseful plot. However, some critique the pacing and character development. Overall, it offers a fresh, though slightly uneven, take on a classic tale, appealing to fans of young adult fantasy.

A reader who enjoys Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige is typically a young adult with a taste for dark retellings of classic tales, especially fans of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Comparable to fans of Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles or Gregory Maguire’s Wicked, they revel in twisted, imaginative worlds and strong, complex heroines.

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige follows sixteen-year-old Amy Gumm from Kansas, who is swept by a tornado into a dystopian Oz ruled tyrannically by Dorothy. Amy discovers the land's desolation, joins a rebellion led by witches, and trains to overthrow Dorothy and restore magic to Oz. Themes of bullying, violence, and oppressive rule are present in the narrative.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Fantastical / Adventurous

- Dorothy Must Die is part of a series that reimagines the classic world of Oz, drawing inspiration from both L. Frank Baum's original novels and popular interpretations, including the famous 1939 film adaptation.
- Danielle Paige, the author of Dorothy Must Die, previously worked as a television writer and won a Writers Guild of America award for her work on soap operas before transitioning to writing young adult fiction.
- The book's unique twist involves a dystopian take on the Land of Oz, where the protagonist discovers that Dorothy has become a tyrannical ruler, leading to a story that explores themes of power and corruption.

**Amy Gumm**  
A young woman from Kansas who finds herself in Oz, she becomes involved in a rebellion against Dorothy's oppressive rule. Her journey involves self-discovery and navigating the complexities of her new environment.

**Dorothy**  
Once the beloved character from the Wizard of Oz, she is now a tyrannical ruler in Oz whose actions have instigated a resistance movement against her.

**Nox**  
A member of the witch rebellion, he is tasked with training Amy and is dedicated to the cause of defeating Dorothy. He becomes Amy's main love interest throughout her journey.

**Gert**  
One of the leading witches in the rebellion against Dorothy. Gert is characterized by her kind demeanor and plays a guiding role in Amy's initiation into the rebellion.

**Mombi**  
An older witch and a leader within the rebellion, known for her mysterious past and deep involvement in the resistance against Dorothy.

**Glamora**  
Glinda's twin sister and one of the leaders of the witch rebellion, she is committed to fighting Dorothy and trains Amy in the ways of Oz.

**The Wizard**  
An enigmatic figure known from Oz's past, he now provides guidance and support to the rebellion with his extensive research aimed at defeating Dorothy.

**The Scarecrow**  
A darker version of his original incarnation, he is obsessed with enhancing his intelligence through scientific means and serves Dorothy in her corrupt regime.

**Tin Woodman**  
A mechanized and weaponized version of the familiar character, he remains loyal to Dorothy despite her indifference, driven by his unrequited love for her.

**The Lion**  
Twisted from his original courageous form, he now preys on fear to sustain his bravery under Dorothy's command.

**Pete/Ozma**  
Initially appearing as Pete, he is later revealed to be the true heir to the throne of Oz, embodying a complex legacy within the story's context.

**Indigo**  
A former captive under Glinda's rule, she is one of Amy's first companions in Oz and seeks to escape from the magical land.

**Ollie**  
A flying monkey who sacrifices his wings to gain freedom from Dorothy's control and works with the rebellion to save his sister.

**Jellia Jam**  
The head maid in Dorothy's palace who secretly aligns with the witch rebellion and remains steadfast in her commitment to the cause.

**Glinda**  
Once a good witch, Glinda is now corrupted and serves as one of Dorothy's enforcers, illustrating a transformation from her original portrayal.

**Amy’s Mom**  
A significant influence on Amy's character; her struggles and unpredictable behavior shape Amy's development and emotional journey.

**Madison Pendleton**  
A popular girl at Amy's school whose bullying contributes to Amy's feelings of isolation and resentment at the story's outset.

**Melindra**  
A skilled member of the witch rebellion, she initially feels threatened by Amy's presence due to her own long-standing efforts against Dorothy.

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Chapters 1-3

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Chapters 19-21

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Chapters 22-25

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Chapters 26-30

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Chapters 31-34

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