Dorothy Must Die summary

The Wickedness of Oz

In Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige, we are introduced to a darker, twisted version of the magical land of Oz. The protagonist, Amy Gumm, is a troubled teenager living in Kansas. She feels isolated and unloved, and her only solace is her pet rat, Star. When a tornado hits her trailer park, Amy is transported to a version of Oz that is nothing like the one we know from the classic tale.

This Oz is grim and sinister. Dorothy, once the innocent girl from Kansas, has returned and is now a power-hungry ruler. She has turned into a cruel despot, ruling Oz with an iron fist, and has subjugated the land's inhabitants. The once kind-hearted Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion are now her ruthless enforcers. Glinda the Good Witch has also turned wicked, serving as Dorothy's advisor.

The Revolutionary Order of the Wicked

Amy is quickly caught up in the political turmoil of this new Oz. She is recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, a group of rebel witches who are fighting to overthrow Dorothy and restore peace to their land. The Order believes that Amy, as the 'other girl from Kansas', has the potential to defeat Dorothy and bring balance back to Oz.

As Amy undergoes training, she becomes more aware of her own magical abilities, which were previously unknown to her. She learns that she is a 'dark witch', possessing formidable powers that she must harness to fulfill her destiny of killing Dorothy. Amy is initially reluctant to accept her role, but the Order's leaders manage to convince her that this is the only way to save Oz.

The Dark Side of Magic

As Amy delves deeper into the world of Oz, she discovers that magic is not always benevolent. She encounters terrifying creatures like the flying monkeys, who are enslaved and mutilated by Dorothy's regime. She also learns about the darker side of the land's history, including Dorothy's previous attempts to maintain her rule by using dark magic.

Despite the Order's efforts, Amy struggles with her mission to kill Dorothy. She is torn between her innate goodness and the necessity of using dark magic to achieve her goal. Additionally, she finds herself sympathizing with Dorothy's tragic past and the loneliness that led her to become the tyrant she is today.

The Battle for Oz

In the climax of Dorothy Must Die, Amy finally confronts Dorothy. Their battle is intense and brutal, with Amy tapping into her dark powers to match Dorothy's strength. However, Amy cannot bring herself to kill her adversary. Instead, she imprisons Dorothy in a magical prison, hoping to find a way to heal her and restore her former self.

As the book ends, Amy realizes that her journey is far from over. She has saved Oz from Dorothy's tyranny, but many challenges still lie ahead. She must continue to navigate the treacherous landscape of Oz, forging alliances, and fighting new adversaries, all while grappling with her own inner darkness.