LoveWicked? Learn More About the Novel That Inspired the Movie — And Gregory Maguire’s Other Oz Books

Mar. 15, 2025

Gregory Maguire’s ‘Wicked’ universe novels.Photo:William Morrow (8)

William Morrow (8)

But be forewarned, littleWickedfans: Maguire’s books are decidedly adult fare. For young bookworms eager to continue “dancing through life” on the page, check outkid-focusedWickedbooksinstead.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Here’s your guide to all of Maguire’s novels set within theWickeduniverse.

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‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’

William Morrow

The first novel in Maguire’s “Wicked Years” series follows Elphaba, long before she became the Wicked Witch of the West. She begins her education at Shiz University, during a time of unrest in Oz, where the Animal population is at risk of exile. And Elphaba, herself ostracized for her green skin, will stop at nothing to give a voice to the voiceless.

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‘Son of a Witch’

The second installment of the “Wicked Years” books picks up a decade after Elphaba melted away in front of Dorothy and her friends. A young man named Liir, who may or may not be the Wicked Witch’s son, begins his own journey through Oz, to find the rest of his supposed family members and discover his own potential powers.

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‘A Lion Among Men’

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‘Out of Oz’

Maguire wraps up the “Wicked Years” books with new — and dire — problems for Oz. The magical land has tipped into chaos, with Glinda the Good Witch placed on house arrest and Munchkinland facing a looming threat of war from the Emerald City. Amongst it all, Elphaba’s granddaughter, Rain, will step into her own in the final volume.

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‘The Brides of Maracoor’

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‘The Oracle of Maracoor’

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‘The Witch of Maracoor’

“Another Day” comes to an end as Rain begins a journey back to Oz after meeting her grandfather, the onetime Wizard of Oz known as Rainary Ko. Oz is not only Rain’s home, but where her lover lives too, and she must use everything she’s learned as she prepares to return home, in the trilogy’s final book.

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‘Elphie: A Wicked Childhood’

Elphaba’s true origin story is explored in Maguire’s latest novel in the Wicked universe, publishing next year.Elphie: A Wicked Childhoodfollows Elphaba’s “peculiar” coming-of-age with her parents, her sister, Nessarose, and her young brother, Shell, the beginnings of her advocacy against the mistreatment of Oz’s animal population and her life before she arrives at Shiz University, where she meets Galinda.

source: people.com