No Place Like Oz - Danielle Paige (Dorothy Must Die 0.5)

The next Dorothy Must Die won't be out until next year, so I thought to get my fix of this twisted world, I would read the prequel! There is also another book coming out this year in the series, The Witch Must Burn, which is 1.5 in the series.
I was very intrigued with this series because I love the Wizard of Oz story, and I love it when someone takes a story like that and twists it into something creepy and weird. Plus, the cover was completely awesome and caught my eye.
I do believe this prequel is from the perspective and focus of Dorothy herself - her story of how she got back to Oz after leaving to go back to Kansas. It may give a little bit of insight into the character of Dorothy and I am excited to see how the writing style of Paige transforms throughout the series and development of the characters.

'After returning to Kansas, Dorothy Gale has realised that the dreary 

fields of Kansas don't compare to the vibrant landscapes of Oz. And 

although she's happy to be reunited with Aunt Em, she misses her friends

from the yellow brick road. But most of all, Dorothy misses the fame and 

the adventure. In Kansas she's just another Prairie girl, but in Oz she was 

a hero. So Dorothy is willing to do anything to get back, because there

really is no place like Oz. But returning to the land she left comes at a 

price, and after Dorothy is through with it, Oz will never be the same.' 

Dorothy Must Die - Danielle Paige - Complete

I did quite enjoy this book. I find twisted familiar stories entertaining most of the time. I like it when an author takes something like The Wizard of Oz and manipulates it into something completely different, however, still keeping some of the infamous familiarities we know and love from the original.
This book has some annoyances, however, I do think a lot of which can be blamed on the inexperience of the writer. I do believe this is her first  book, if I am not mistaken. Usually when an author writes a series like this, one can see the improvements in the writing and character and plot development as the series progresses. So I am excited to see where the book goes from here.
I did really like it. I found some phrases repetitive; Amy said 'I don't even know who you are, why would I help you?' Or the like several times. There was also a weird twist in the end which was both confusing and made the previous over half of the book seem almost irrelevant - as the whole mission and her alliances change.
However, the writer kept me interested, and I will be purchasing and reading the following books in the series to see what happens! I definitely found the creepy, twisted characters and events pretty awesome and intriguing, refreshing and exciting.
I gave this one 4/5
I am going to begin reading the prequel, because I think that's the only other one out at the moment in this series. I will have to wait a while for the others!

Peter Pan - J.M. Barrie - Complete

Finally, I can say that I have read the infamous Peter Pan! I have always loved this story. However, I did first know the story through movies. I absolutely loved the different movies and shows that came from this story and so I thought it was very similar.
There are many similarities, the movie from 2003 has many of the same lines even. However, there were some very distinct differences that I actually didn't like.
The movie has a bit of romance in it, as in Peter actually fell in love with Wendy, but in the book that doesn't seem so, even though they kiss a few times - he actually just secretly wants a mother, someone to look after him, which with the kisses just seems a little weird. Also, Wendy's mother allows her to go back to Neverland once a year to help him with Spring Cleaning...? However, he forgets for many years in a row and when he comes back she's old with a daughter. Who then goes with him every year for Spring cleaning, and then her daughter, her daughter and so on.
I mean, I guess that's nice in a way. I just feel like the movie almost ended in a happier fashion. And he forgets much more in the book - I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps it is because sometimes even his thoughts are "growing up" and so when he gets back to Neverland, they are forgotten.
I did like it. I think I will still read it to my kids. However, I will make sure they also watch the movie, and Hook - which I actually think is a really good sequel to the story of Peter Pan :)
3/5

Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery - Complete

I enjoy listening to books as I fall asleep! For one, it helps me doze off, and secondly, it's actually a really good way to get those classics I feel like I should have read by now out of the way!
Anne of Green Gables is one those. Almost everybody has read them and I have heard about them ever since I could remember. So now I can finally say I have read it! - Well, listened to it at least.
I liked it actually, I found it to be quite funny, funnier than I expected it to be. Anne is such an annoying yet lovable child. And I found it quite amusing how much she hated being a red head - which is even more amusing because so many red heads that I have met love her because she was a red head and apparently a good role model for young red heads.
I found her constant talking and hilarious remarks very amusing and can completely imagine a small intelligent girl saying them.
Honestly though, I don't remember the ending of the story. I remember the beginning and some of the middle. I either was too tired to take it in, or it just simply hasn't stuck. I did enjoy it though. I think it's a good one to read to the kids.
3/5 stars