Yellow Brick War and The End of Oz

Yellow Brick War and The End of Oz (Dorothy Must Die #3 & #4) by Danielle Paige (2016 & 2017) 270 & 277 pages

I listened to the audiobooks on Hoopla narrated by Devon Sorvari. It was back in 2020 when I listened to part two of this YA series. This year I've been continuing many series I read years ago. I remember the main cast of characters and generalities, but find that I have forgotten many specifics. I wasn't acclimated for several chapters of Yellow Brick War. Ultimately I thought #3 was a weaker entry in the series. Even though I needed reminders of certain things, I thought this one became repetitive by going over plot points from books #1 and #2 too many times. The objective for Amy Gumm is the same as it has been through the first two books. She is working with the Order of the Wicked, who are the "good guys," to kill the tyrant Dorothy. Amy spends a good portion of the story back in Kansas reconnecting with her mom and getting to know her "reformed" bully. The Nome King, who appears several times in Baum's adventures and in the movie Return to Oz, is introduced, but his impact on the plot here is hazy. When Amy returns to Oz there is a bit of strategizing for the upcoming battle amidst her blossoming love for Nox. This epic war was not very exciting despite Amy turning herself into a dragon-like monster at one point. It was long and pointless. I don't mean in the sense of the futility of war. I mean that the battles have very few consequences on the plot and central characters. 

Book four was better. Dorothy is still not dead. Amy has a supernatural meeting with Lurline the past fairy queen of Oz, and that is a deep cut for Oz fans. About half the chapters are from the point of view of Dorothy as she is saved, imprisoned, and engaged to the Nome King. The threat of Dorothy's power combined with the Nome King's is more consequential. There are so many plans at cross-purposes. The other half involves Amy, Nox, and Amy's former bully Madison travelling from Oz to Ev, where the Nome King rules. Characters are introduced that people would recognize from the movie Return to Oz, but of course Ms. Paige adds a twist. The romance between Amy and Nox is taken to the next level. Amy and Madison clear the lingering tension between them further. The showdown and resolution between Amy and Dorothy is creative. The epilogue is fun too.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning

The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard (2010) 319 pages

Jody Linder is confronted with the release from prison of the man her extended family believes killed her parents when she was three years old. In small town Rose, Kansas, the population had mixed feelings over Billy Crosby's conviction. Even though almost everyone agrees he was a lousy person–an alcoholic who drove when drunk and beat his wife–there was evidence that was withheld from his defense attorney that could have helped show he was not guilty of the murders. Jody and her family are reeling, filled with concern that Billy is returning to their town, and might want to get revenge for the prominent family's part in his conviction. The novel takes us back twenty-three years and fills in the picture before and after the murder of Jody's father and the disappearance of her mother, who is presumed dead. We learn that Billy's son Collin is now an attorney who has been instrumental in his father's return, despite his dislike of this man who hurt his mother.

The tumult that Jody experiences and her actions based on it ring true. I found this novel suspenseful in part, with startling revelations as the story wraps up.