Son of a Witch

Author: Gregory Maguire

Genre: Fantasy

The Broadway hit musical Wicked was taken from Son of Witch’s prequel. The following book to Wicked tells the story of Elphaba’s (The Wicked Witch of the West) son, Liir. With the help of his mother’s cape and broom, Liir tries to learn about his clouded past.

His journey takes him to the Emerald City, now ruled by Lady Glinda. Attempting to find his lost sister, Nor, Liir meets up with Elphaba’s brother, Shell.

From the Sea of Grass to the Southstairs prison in the Emerald City, Liir meets a variety of companions, including a young girl named Candle, who falls in love with him. The whole book tells the interesting story of a son of a witch.

This book is a high reading level, probably 14 and older. To fully understand the plot you should read Wicked, and if you like it try some of the other Gregory Maguire books. I rate this book a 10 out of 10.

The Will of the Empress

Author: Tamora Pierce

Genre: Fantasy

Although Pierce’s Protector of the Small, The Song of the Lionesss, and Wiild Mage series are interconnected, the newest set of books has a setting of its own. The set of books was Circle of Magic, and the second The Circle Opens. This book is apart from those, but tells the story of the same four characters: Daja, Briar, Triss, and Sandry.

Sandry is the heiress to her lands in Namom, and she journeys there with her three friends to visit her cousin, the empress Berenene. The plan to stay for a few weeks is not the Empress’s plan, however.

New secrets are being kept, new characters introduced, and enemies made. Yet the most challenging feat of all is to take away the differences that divide the four friends, and fight the will of the Empress.

I enjoyed this book, even though I had only read part of the very first book. Just from that I was able to piece together what had happened in previous books. It is at a reading level of about 13 and up. I would rate it a 9 out of 10.