Review: The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige

The Witch Must Burn (Dorothy Must Die, #0.2) by Danielle Paige
Published: November 11th 2014 by HarperCollins
Pages: 100

There’s a new Wicked Witch in Oz—and her name is Dorothy. This digital original novella is the second installment in the prequel arc to the edgy and exciting New York Times bestseller Dorothy Must Die. 

Dorothy Gale is back . . . and she’s not the sweet little heroine of Oz anymore. She’s power-hungry and vicious, and she leaves a trail of destruction beneath her spike-heeled, magical shoes. But behind the scenes, there’s someone else pulling the strings. Someone who doesn’t want fame or glory—just control. 

Glinda of the North brought Dorothy back to Oz for a reason. And in The Witch Must Burn, a young maid is about to discover that a witch who says she’s Good might be the most dangerous kind of Wicked. 

 The Witch Must Burn, by debut author Danielle Paige, is a dark and compelling reimagining of a beloved classic and is perfect for fans of Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Beastly by Alex Flinn, and Wicked by Gregory Maguire.

'"That part is simple," Mombi said. "The witch is going to burn."

The Witch Must Burn is a prequel novella to Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die, released months after the release of the actual novel. As big of a fan I am of Paige's debut novel and couldn't stop recommending it to everyone, it was nothing but obvious I had to read this one too. I liked this addition to the series. I really do. Then why do have this feeling that this story is one I've read before, maybe even in the same series? It's because I have. People who have read Dorothy Must Die will quickly notice the undeniable similarities between these two. Unfortunately, the similarities don't stay within the story. Also some of the characters are similar to others, too. In this case, the way Glinda behaved and acted towards her servants reminded me a bit too much of Dorothy. If the shoes Dorothy wears made her act like Glinda, I don't know, but it surely looked like it. Glinda's now just the same villain as Dorothy, and I would have loved if she had been different.

Don't think I don't like the story because several resemblances. I was surprised by Jellia's point of view, but it didn't stop me from loving her background and personality. The reasons as to why Paige chose Jellia to tell the story may haven't been very clear in the beginning, but as I progressed with the book I quickly began to understand. I eventually liked her point of view so much more than Dorothy's. Despite her big mouth, she knew exactly how to play the game, and that's what I loved so much about her.

Although The Witch Must Burn came out after Dorothy Must Die, I highly recommend you read it before the novel, if you already haven't. Because now, this novella only seemed like a well written money-maker than an original story which could have been an amazing addition to this fabulous series.