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The Great and Terrible Land #2
East of Envy
Betrayed by the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale is now forced to team up with the heartless mercenary, the Tin Woodman. Tin has a grudge of his own against the Wizard – not only is he the man who stole Tin’s heart, but now he’s taken Tin’s little brother, Gabriel, for his own ends.
But defeating the Wizard won’t be easy – he has all of Oz under his spell and more power than anyone. Or does he?
Because Dorothy is more than she seems, and Tin can't help but be drawn to her. And the longer Dorothy’s in Oz, the more she uncovers about her murky past, and her own potential magic.
And when all is said and done, Dorothy might have to reckon with an earth-shattering truth: maybe Kansas isn’t home after all.
But defeating the Wizard won’t be easy – he has all of Oz under his spell and more power than anyone. Or does he?
Because Dorothy is more than she seems, and Tin can't help but be drawn to her. And the longer Dorothy’s in Oz, the more she uncovers about her murky past, and her own potential magic.
And when all is said and done, Dorothy might have to reckon with an earth-shattering truth: maybe Kansas isn’t home after all.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2026
About the author
Nikki St. Crowe
43 books13.1k followersNikki St. Crowe is a USA Today and No. 1 Amazon Bestselling Author specializing in dark, spicy romantasy where the villain gets the girl and the girl gets the power.
Nikki considers the start of her professional career to be in the 4th grade when she placed 2nd in a Young Author’s Competition. Back then she crafted stories about magical mansions and lost treasure. She’s since ditched the treasure hunts, but she'll never give up on the magical mansions (or the morally grey men who inhabit them).
These days, when Nikki isn’t writing or daydreaming about villains, she can either be found in the woods or at home with her husband and daughter.
For information on new releases, sign up for Nikki’s newsletter, The Forbidden Garden: https://nikkistcrowe.myflodesk.com/th...
Nikki considers the start of her professional career to be in the 4th grade when she placed 2nd in a Young Author’s Competition. Back then she crafted stories about magical mansions and lost treasure. She’s since ditched the treasure hunts, but she'll never give up on the magical mansions (or the morally grey men who inhabit them).
These days, when Nikki isn’t writing or daydreaming about villains, she can either be found in the woods or at home with her husband and daughter.
For information on new releases, sign up for Nikki’s newsletter, The Forbidden Garden: https://nikkistcrowe.myflodesk.com/th...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️
Back to the reimagined classic world of Oz I go. But the intriguing bit? This. Dorothy. Kills. 🔪🔪🔪
I’m conflicted on how to rate this…
As an adventure story? It’s brimming with magic and danger while the story flows forward staying interesting.
But the romance? Half-baked and solely lust-focused.
The main appeal to this series is its reimagining of the classic story of “The Wizard of Oz”, but going a darker, more adult route with instances of drug use, sex, death, and more.
It’s the “romance” that’s dragging down this book. Hell, calling it romance feels out of place as its almost strictly lust—and oftentimes inopportune lust at that. Baby girl, Dorothy, was contemplating her blowjob prowess mid-meeting a drug dealer for instance. Considering that we are dealing with life and death consequences in this book, the sex and lusty thoughts felt out of place and detracted from the world setting.
But! The stakes are high and there’s actual plot, so I will be continuing with the series. Even if some of Dorothy’s inner thoughts had me rolling my eyes.
Special shoutout to the full cast of the audiobook! We get 90% Dorothy POV, but it’s her men that truly blessed my ears whenever we’d get a Rook or Tinman chapter!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Other The Great and Terrible Land Reviews:
West of Wicked (3.75 ⭐️)
Back to the reimagined classic world of Oz I go. But the intriguing bit? This. Dorothy. Kills. 🔪🔪🔪
I’m conflicted on how to rate this…
As an adventure story? It’s brimming with magic and danger while the story flows forward staying interesting.
But the romance? Half-baked and solely lust-focused.
The main appeal to this series is its reimagining of the classic story of “The Wizard of Oz”, but going a darker, more adult route with instances of drug use, sex, death, and more.
It’s the “romance” that’s dragging down this book. Hell, calling it romance feels out of place as its almost strictly lust—and oftentimes inopportune lust at that. Baby girl, Dorothy, was contemplating her blowjob prowess mid-meeting a drug dealer for instance. Considering that we are dealing with life and death consequences in this book, the sex and lusty thoughts felt out of place and detracted from the world setting.
But! The stakes are high and there’s actual plot, so I will be continuing with the series. Even if some of Dorothy’s inner thoughts had me rolling my eyes.
Special shoutout to the full cast of the audiobook! We get 90% Dorothy POV, but it’s her men that truly blessed my ears whenever we’d get a Rook or Tinman chapter!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Other The Great and Terrible Land Reviews:
West of Wicked (3.75 ⭐️)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🌪️💚✨Book 2 in this edgy retelling of OZ✨💚🌪️
When it came down to whether to continue this series, I wavered. After finishing West of Wicked book #1 in The Great and Terrible Land series, I was caught between the issues I found problematic, the characters that intrigued me, and the dark version of OZ with thought provoking world building. Eventually, deciding to accept the widget and jump back in with adjusted expectations. I liked it overall but did not love it. The audiobook has stellar full cast narration including the talents of Eden O'Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter.
East of Envy picks up right where West of Wicked leaves off with Dorothy injured and bleeding after finding out the Scarecrow's identity. In this installment Dorothy and Tin are trying to find Toto as Dorothy tries to piece together her own origin story.
The biggest problem here is the insta-lust. I do not clutch pearls over smut one way or another. However, I believe that in great novels all elements should either serve the plot, atmosphere, or characterization. This read as awkward smut for smut's sake in effect pulling down an otherwise addictive read. It felt out of place and the novel would've been stronger without the scenes and also Dorothy's odd sexual musings that were voiced at inopportune times were off-putting.
The twists on these classic characters were fascinating. Tin man as a drug addict was unexpected and added a sense of depth and intrigue. Rook being a male character with power in a world where the magic is matriarchal seems to be setting the stage for a twist. Toto seems like more than the average dog and I'm curious to discover if my thoughts on him are correct or not. Dorothy is the least interesting character in my opinion and a lot of my frustration with that is being privy to her thoughts that turn to sex even when her life is on the line. It is not realistic at all. If someone is trying to kill me, I'm thinking about little more than survival. Women can be smart and sexy it is not an either-or situation.
This novel has dark content; be sure and check triggers.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for extending an invitation to read an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When it came down to whether to continue this series, I wavered. After finishing West of Wicked book #1 in The Great and Terrible Land series, I was caught between the issues I found problematic, the characters that intrigued me, and the dark version of OZ with thought provoking world building. Eventually, deciding to accept the widget and jump back in with adjusted expectations. I liked it overall but did not love it. The audiobook has stellar full cast narration including the talents of Eden O'Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter.
East of Envy picks up right where West of Wicked leaves off with Dorothy injured and bleeding after finding out the Scarecrow's identity. In this installment Dorothy and Tin are trying to find Toto as Dorothy tries to piece together her own origin story.
The biggest problem here is the insta-lust. I do not clutch pearls over smut one way or another. However, I believe that in great novels all elements should either serve the plot, atmosphere, or characterization. This read as awkward smut for smut's sake in effect pulling down an otherwise addictive read. It felt out of place and the novel would've been stronger without the scenes and also Dorothy's odd sexual musings that were voiced at inopportune times were off-putting.
The twists on these classic characters were fascinating. Tin man as a drug addict was unexpected and added a sense of depth and intrigue. Rook being a male character with power in a world where the magic is matriarchal seems to be setting the stage for a twist. Toto seems like more than the average dog and I'm curious to discover if my thoughts on him are correct or not. Dorothy is the least interesting character in my opinion and a lot of my frustration with that is being privy to her thoughts that turn to sex even when her life is on the line. It is not realistic at all. If someone is trying to kill me, I'm thinking about little more than survival. Women can be smart and sexy it is not an either-or situation.
This novel has dark content; be sure and check triggers.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for extending an invitation to read an ALC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 25, 2026
This was such a fun, spicy read and I honestly enjoyed it even more than the first book! East of Envy jumps right back into the chaos of Oz and felt faster-paced, darker, and even more addictive.
I loved getting more of Dorothy’s past and magic, but the Dorothy and Tin’s dynamic was absolutely the highlight for me. The tension, banter, morally grey energy, and SPICE were so much fun.
And the full-cast audiobook was the perfect way to experience it. Having distinct voices for the characters made the world feel so much more immersive and really elevated the chemistry and tension.
Twisty, spicy, fast-paced, and just a really fun time. I’m definitely ready for more of this unhinged version of Oz.
I loved getting more of Dorothy’s past and magic, but the Dorothy and Tin’s dynamic was absolutely the highlight for me. The tension, banter, morally grey energy, and SPICE were so much fun.
And the full-cast audiobook was the perfect way to experience it. Having distinct voices for the characters made the world feel so much more immersive and really elevated the chemistry and tension.
Twisty, spicy, fast-paced, and just a really fun time. I’m definitely ready for more of this unhinged version of Oz.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you bramble and NetGalley for the gifted arc! This is something I never thought I’d say—I think this series would be better without any romance aspect in it. I think the idea is so creative, and the world/plot is the best part of this.
But the romance? It’s just insta-lust and makes Dorothy dumb. Like why is she thinking about sucking dick in the middle of a life-or-death situation? Why is she so damn horny for these mid ass dudes??
This book is short and can be read in under 3 hours easily. There’s multiple POVs, and it feels like the author is trying to fit so much into such a small book. There’s been no emotional hook that gets me invested into a series. The dialogue feels awkward and stilted, and Dorothy is a helpless FMC.
The first book had a good enough ending that I decided to continue, but I don’t think I’ll be reading the next book. 2.5 stars for the entertaining plot and creative world
But the romance? It’s just insta-lust and makes Dorothy dumb. Like why is she thinking about sucking dick in the middle of a life-or-death situation? Why is she so damn horny for these mid ass dudes??
This book is short and can be read in under 3 hours easily. There’s multiple POVs, and it feels like the author is trying to fit so much into such a small book. There’s been no emotional hook that gets me invested into a series. The dialogue feels awkward and stilted, and Dorothy is a helpless FMC.
The first book had a good enough ending that I decided to continue, but I don’t think I’ll be reading the next book. 2.5 stars for the entertaining plot and creative world
September 22, 2026
Ok folks, time to head back to Oz 🌪️💚🌈! The story picks up right where we left off with Dorothy bleeding out on the verge of death after learning the true identity of ‘Rook’ the Scarecrow 🌾. This story follows Dorothy and her latest companion (aka kidnapper) “Tin” as they seek to rescue Toto, learn more about her past, and try to save Oz from the Wizard - all while wearing a pair of FABULOUS silver slippers 🩶🌺 💅🏻.
Once again, it’s a fairly fast-paced read, and we learn a great deal about several character’s backstories which I found to be very helpful. We get a dash of spice 🌶️ with the Dorothy and Tin which adds some intrigue to the already established ‘connection’ 😉 between Dorothy and Rook. Dorothy is NOT letting a little murder and mayhem stop her from getting to know her MMC’s a little better 🤭❤️🔥. This story goes deeper into the history of Oz royalty 👑 and the every elusive gods, so it was important to pay attention. My one complaint is that it feels like there are maybe too many storylines? I’m sure the author is going to tie it all together at some point, but there were points in the story I was a little confused about some of the action 🫣.
🎧: The audio performance had some of my favorite narrators: Connor Crais, Eden O’Neill, Ellis Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East & Stella Hunter 🤩. The performances were unsurprisingly great and the story played out beautifully in my head while listening 🤌🏽.
But, wait! Don’t pack up your ruby slippers just yet 👠, this book once again ends on a cliffhanger 🫨 so it looks like we will be heading back to Oz to find out what happens to Dorothy and the Emerald City crew 💚🌪️🪓. I’m here for it. I am the target audience for a dark fantasy retelling of any kind 🤸🏽🖤.
Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC 💞
🎧: 4⭐️
📖: 3.5⭐️ rounded up
🌶️
Once again, it’s a fairly fast-paced read, and we learn a great deal about several character’s backstories which I found to be very helpful. We get a dash of spice 🌶️ with the Dorothy and Tin which adds some intrigue to the already established ‘connection’ 😉 between Dorothy and Rook. Dorothy is NOT letting a little murder and mayhem stop her from getting to know her MMC’s a little better 🤭❤️🔥. This story goes deeper into the history of Oz royalty 👑 and the every elusive gods, so it was important to pay attention. My one complaint is that it feels like there are maybe too many storylines? I’m sure the author is going to tie it all together at some point, but there were points in the story I was a little confused about some of the action 🫣.
🎧: The audio performance had some of my favorite narrators: Connor Crais, Eden O’Neill, Ellis Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East & Stella Hunter 🤩. The performances were unsurprisingly great and the story played out beautifully in my head while listening 🤌🏽.
But, wait! Don’t pack up your ruby slippers just yet 👠, this book once again ends on a cliffhanger 🫨 so it looks like we will be heading back to Oz to find out what happens to Dorothy and the Emerald City crew 💚🌪️🪓. I’m here for it. I am the target audience for a dark fantasy retelling of any kind 🤸🏽🖤.
Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC 💞
🎧: 4⭐️
📖: 3.5⭐️ rounded up
🌶️
November 2, 2026
3/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️
I enjoyed the first book, but my biggest complaint was how short it was and how abruptly it ended. Unfortunately, East of Envy hasn’t changed my opinion.
I get it. Short, fast-paced books are kind of Nikki St. Crowe’s M.O., but I just don’t think that format works particularly well for fantasy. Fantasy needs room to breathe. Give me the world-building, the character development, the twists, the tension, and a story that actually has time to unfold.
Having now listened to books one and two, I’m convinced they could have easily been combined into one complete novel. Instead, we’re getting pieces of a story packaged as separate books, and I’m just not a fan of that trend. At some point, it starts feeling less like a creative decision and more like a blatant money grab. (Cough, cough, SJM.)
And here’s the frustrating part: even though the story has natural stopping and starting points, I still walked away feeling like almost nothing happened. There’s a difference between leaving readers wanting more and leaving them feeling like they didn’t get enough in the first place.
As for the audiobook, the full cast of narrators was fantastic. Connor Crais, Eden O’Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter all delivered excellent performances. The narration brought the characters and Oz to life, but even a cast this talented can’t make an incomplete story feel complete.
The potential is there. The performances are there. I just wish the actual story was, too.
I’d much rather pay for one fully developed fantasy novel than several installments that feel like they should have been chapters in the same book.
Thanks to MacMillain Audio for the ALC.
1.5/5 🌶️
I enjoyed the first book, but my biggest complaint was how short it was and how abruptly it ended. Unfortunately, East of Envy hasn’t changed my opinion.
I get it. Short, fast-paced books are kind of Nikki St. Crowe’s M.O., but I just don’t think that format works particularly well for fantasy. Fantasy needs room to breathe. Give me the world-building, the character development, the twists, the tension, and a story that actually has time to unfold.
Having now listened to books one and two, I’m convinced they could have easily been combined into one complete novel. Instead, we’re getting pieces of a story packaged as separate books, and I’m just not a fan of that trend. At some point, it starts feeling less like a creative decision and more like a blatant money grab. (Cough, cough, SJM.)
And here’s the frustrating part: even though the story has natural stopping and starting points, I still walked away feeling like almost nothing happened. There’s a difference between leaving readers wanting more and leaving them feeling like they didn’t get enough in the first place.
As for the audiobook, the full cast of narrators was fantastic. Connor Crais, Eden O’Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter all delivered excellent performances. The narration brought the characters and Oz to life, but even a cast this talented can’t make an incomplete story feel complete.
The potential is there. The performances are there. I just wish the actual story was, too.
I’d much rather pay for one fully developed fantasy novel than several installments that feel like they should have been chapters in the same book.
Thanks to MacMillain Audio for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 4/5 ⭐️
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 4/5🌶️
East of Envy by Nikki St. Crowe
The Great and Terrible Land #2
Really enjoyed the first book and I was so stoked to be offered the alc of this one!
Love the audiobook! The narrators do such a great job bringing the characters to life and really giving you that immersive experience.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book via NetGalley!
I love the reimagining here. It is a much darker retelling and that is definitely continued with this book. I love that the plot is dark and that the stakes are so high! It is such a fast-paced listen. This is super spicy and at times the spice didn’t always seem to make sense to me and felt out of place but other than that I am enjoying the series.
I encourage those who are considering this series to read the content warnings as there are a lot of heavy topics/themes in here.
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 4/5🌶️
East of Envy by Nikki St. Crowe
The Great and Terrible Land #2
Really enjoyed the first book and I was so stoked to be offered the alc of this one!
Love the audiobook! The narrators do such a great job bringing the characters to life and really giving you that immersive experience.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book via NetGalley!
I love the reimagining here. It is a much darker retelling and that is definitely continued with this book. I love that the plot is dark and that the stakes are so high! It is such a fast-paced listen. This is super spicy and at times the spice didn’t always seem to make sense to me and felt out of place but other than that I am enjoying the series.
I encourage those who are considering this series to read the content warnings as there are a lot of heavy topics/themes in here.
October 13, 2026
4⭐️
🌶️.5
Multi POV
I listened to the audiobook 🎧
Narrators: Stella Hunter, Connor Crais, Shane East, Sean Masters, Ellis Gossage, Eden O’Neil, Mark Bramhall
This was an interesting continuation of The Wizard of Oz retelling. East of Envy picks up where West of Wicked left off, and we get to dive even deeper into Dorothy’s past, the secrets surrounding Oz, and the complicated relationships between the characters.
One thing I really enjoyed was learning more about Rook, along with the history and mythology of Oz. There’s plenty of mystery and morally grey characters!
The story did drag and felt like it wasn’t going anywhere, but I have faith that this’ll pick up more in book 3… especially with that major discovery cliffhanger!
As for the audiobook I really enjoyed the narration! The multiple narrators did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and I loved being able to experience this darker version of Oz through audio.
Tropes + atmosphere:
Dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz
Morally grey characters
Witches, humans, gods
Hidden identities
Forced proximity
“Who did this to you”
Found family
CLIFFHANGER
Overall, a fun, dark, and imaginative continuation of the series! I’m looking forward to Book 3!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley.
🌶️.5
Multi POV
I listened to the audiobook 🎧
Narrators: Stella Hunter, Connor Crais, Shane East, Sean Masters, Ellis Gossage, Eden O’Neil, Mark Bramhall
This was an interesting continuation of The Wizard of Oz retelling. East of Envy picks up where West of Wicked left off, and we get to dive even deeper into Dorothy’s past, the secrets surrounding Oz, and the complicated relationships between the characters.
One thing I really enjoyed was learning more about Rook, along with the history and mythology of Oz. There’s plenty of mystery and morally grey characters!
The story did drag and felt like it wasn’t going anywhere, but I have faith that this’ll pick up more in book 3… especially with that major discovery cliffhanger!
As for the audiobook I really enjoyed the narration! The multiple narrators did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life and I loved being able to experience this darker version of Oz through audio.
Tropes + atmosphere:
Dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz
Morally grey characters
Witches, humans, gods
Hidden identities
Forced proximity
“Who did this to you”
Found family
CLIFFHANGER
Overall, a fun, dark, and imaginative continuation of the series! I’m looking forward to Book 3!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy
First if you love audio books, this is one to not miss! Nikki spoiled us with this cast. I found this book in particular was even more enjoyable listening to these incredible narrators as we continue Dorothy's journey than me silently reading it. It captures the vibes and kept me yearning for time to listen to one more chapter.
The other thing Nikki did well was give us a quality second book in the series. Sometimes book 2s can feel like fillers or like it didnt add to the plot but this one did. It has spice but I loved the mixture of secrets and twists more. I actually prefer Nikki's retelling to many of the variations of this story. We get a why choose romance and a morally grey Glinda instead of a candy land princess vibe. Yes please! Add in the why choose between Rook and Tin and you have such an intriguing cast of characters. Dorothy isn't to be forgotten either as she grows more in herself with each book. I love a heroine that doesnt feel over the top but also isnt weak and she meets that middle ground so beautifully. Most of all I'm invested in her journey and this series to continue
The other thing Nikki did well was give us a quality second book in the series. Sometimes book 2s can feel like fillers or like it didnt add to the plot but this one did. It has spice but I loved the mixture of secrets and twists more. I actually prefer Nikki's retelling to many of the variations of this story. We get a why choose romance and a morally grey Glinda instead of a candy land princess vibe. Yes please! Add in the why choose between Rook and Tin and you have such an intriguing cast of characters. Dorothy isn't to be forgotten either as she grows more in herself with each book. I love a heroine that doesnt feel over the top but also isnt weak and she meets that middle ground so beautifully. Most of all I'm invested in her journey and this series to continue
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If there’s one thing I’ll never outgrow, it’s fairy-tale retellings 🖤 Especially when someone takes a childhood classic, throws it into a dark alley, adds morally gray men and dangerous magic and says, “Let’s make this weird.” 😈 Nikki St. Crowe is hittin’ it! 🔥
East of Envy picks up right where West of Wicked left off and Oz is an absolute MESS. 🌪️ Secrets, betrayals, twists, unanswered questions and a whole lot of questionable decision-making had me flying through this book like I had somewhere important to be. Dorothy is trying to find Toto while piecing together her past, discovering her magic and figuring out who she can actually trust. You know, your average Tuesday in Oz. 😂
I’m loving Dorothy’s character development. 🖤 Watching her become more confident, embrace her power and start taking things into her own hands has been one of my favorite parts of this series. We also get more of Tin and Rook’s backstories along with some fascinating history about Oz before the Wizard came along and made everything everyone’s problem. The more we learn, the messier things get and I am HERE for it! 🙌
Familiar characters, familiar story elements and yet everything feels dark, twisted, sexy and completely unhinged. 🔥 The Wizard is definitely not the charming little man behind the curtain we remember. 👀
Is there romance? Ehhh, at this point, I’d call it insta-lust with a side of “well, this could get interesting.” 😏 The spice and tension are there but the emotional romance is still very much a work in progress. Dorothy is certainly keeping herself entertained and who am I to judge? The woman has bigger problems than choosing a man. Or not choosing one. 😂
I appreciate that these books are short, fast-paced and ridiculously easy to devour. Are they literary masterpieces destined to change the face of fantasy forever? No. Do I care? Also no. 🤷♀️ Sometimes I want complicated prose and a book that makes me question my entire existence. Other times I want dark fairy-tale chaos, dangerous magic, morally gray men and a cliffhanger that makes me want to throw my Kindle across the room.
THAT EPILOGUE?! 😱 Nikki! You cannot just drop that on us and expect me to go about my life like a functioning adult. I have questions. I need answers. These cliffhangers are becoming a personal attack. 😤
🎧 Audio: The full-cast narration is fantastic! Everyone brings their characters to life and the distinct voices make it easy to follow along. Listening while reading was an absolute treat and the performances added another layer of enjoyment to an already entertaining story. ✨ The audiobook features stellar full-cast narration from Eden O'Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter. 👏
East of Envy is another addictive installment in The Great and Terrible Land series. 🖤 I’m invested in Dorothy’s journey, the mysteries surrounding her past, the history of Oz and whatever nonsense is waiting for us next. Gimme the next book! I’m clearly not emotionally prepared, but that has never stopped me before. 😂
East of Envy picks up right where West of Wicked left off and Oz is an absolute MESS. 🌪️ Secrets, betrayals, twists, unanswered questions and a whole lot of questionable decision-making had me flying through this book like I had somewhere important to be. Dorothy is trying to find Toto while piecing together her past, discovering her magic and figuring out who she can actually trust. You know, your average Tuesday in Oz. 😂
I’m loving Dorothy’s character development. 🖤 Watching her become more confident, embrace her power and start taking things into her own hands has been one of my favorite parts of this series. We also get more of Tin and Rook’s backstories along with some fascinating history about Oz before the Wizard came along and made everything everyone’s problem. The more we learn, the messier things get and I am HERE for it! 🙌
Familiar characters, familiar story elements and yet everything feels dark, twisted, sexy and completely unhinged. 🔥 The Wizard is definitely not the charming little man behind the curtain we remember. 👀
Is there romance? Ehhh, at this point, I’d call it insta-lust with a side of “well, this could get interesting.” 😏 The spice and tension are there but the emotional romance is still very much a work in progress. Dorothy is certainly keeping herself entertained and who am I to judge? The woman has bigger problems than choosing a man. Or not choosing one. 😂
I appreciate that these books are short, fast-paced and ridiculously easy to devour. Are they literary masterpieces destined to change the face of fantasy forever? No. Do I care? Also no. 🤷♀️ Sometimes I want complicated prose and a book that makes me question my entire existence. Other times I want dark fairy-tale chaos, dangerous magic, morally gray men and a cliffhanger that makes me want to throw my Kindle across the room.
THAT EPILOGUE?! 😱 Nikki! You cannot just drop that on us and expect me to go about my life like a functioning adult. I have questions. I need answers. These cliffhangers are becoming a personal attack. 😤
🎧 Audio: The full-cast narration is fantastic! Everyone brings their characters to life and the distinct voices make it easy to follow along. Listening while reading was an absolute treat and the performances added another layer of enjoyment to an already entertaining story. ✨ The audiobook features stellar full-cast narration from Eden O'Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter. 👏
East of Envy is another addictive installment in The Great and Terrible Land series. 🖤 I’m invested in Dorothy’s journey, the mysteries surrounding her past, the history of Oz and whatever nonsense is waiting for us next. Gimme the next book! I’m clearly not emotionally prepared, but that has never stopped me before. 😂
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ALC review✨
3.5⭐⭐⭐💫
2🌶️🌶️
3🎧🎧🎧 Full cast - Connor Crais (Narrator); Eden O'Neill (Narrator); Ellie Gossage (Narrator); Mark Bramhall (Narrator); Sean Masters (Narrator); Shane East (Narrator); Stella Hunter (Narrator)
Duration: 10 Hours, 18 Minutes
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wow, this series is not typical Wizard of Oz story we grew up on - this is definitely a darker retelling where the author takes the characters and puts her own twist in them. It still feels like the Oz story, but a more mature and spicy retelling, which I enjoyed.
East of Envy picks up where book 1 left off - Dorothy is betrayed by Rook, otherwise known as the Wizard of Oz, and is left to die after being stabbed. Once she's healed, The Tin Man and Dorothy work together to bring down the Wizard and to rescue Toto as he's being held doggy prisoner by the Wizard in the hopes that Dorothy will come rescue him. There's only one problem - the Wizard is announcing that Dorothy is a villain and must be stopped at all costs.
Dorothy is slowly adapting into her leader role and becoming a strong FMC. Although, I was worried for her in some scenes, due to her continued lust over the Wizard - girl, the man betrayed and stabbed you and left you to die, stop it. Because of that I feel like the love triangle aspect of the story is falling flat for me, why is she still lusting over the Wizard after what he did? The Tin Man is a complex character in the sense that he knows he feels an attraction to Dorothy, but yet can't fully come to terms with his feelings for her. Of course, it doesn't help that the Wizard took his heart making it near impossible to actually have feelings for her.
The audiobook was great! I loved the full cast of narrators, some of them being my absolute favorite. They each have a distinct voice and were perfect for the characters in the story. If you want to get full experience of the story definitely immerse read it, I found myself easily falling into the Oz world.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I would recommend it as it is a fun and fast paced read.
Tropes:
-Wizard of Oz retelling
-Forced proximity
-Love Triangle
-Hidden Identity
-Found family
-Secrets and betrayal
3.5⭐⭐⭐💫
2🌶️🌶️
3🎧🎧🎧 Full cast - Connor Crais (Narrator); Eden O'Neill (Narrator); Ellie Gossage (Narrator); Mark Bramhall (Narrator); Sean Masters (Narrator); Shane East (Narrator); Stella Hunter (Narrator)
Duration: 10 Hours, 18 Minutes
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wow, this series is not typical Wizard of Oz story we grew up on - this is definitely a darker retelling where the author takes the characters and puts her own twist in them. It still feels like the Oz story, but a more mature and spicy retelling, which I enjoyed.
East of Envy picks up where book 1 left off - Dorothy is betrayed by Rook, otherwise known as the Wizard of Oz, and is left to die after being stabbed. Once she's healed, The Tin Man and Dorothy work together to bring down the Wizard and to rescue Toto as he's being held doggy prisoner by the Wizard in the hopes that Dorothy will come rescue him. There's only one problem - the Wizard is announcing that Dorothy is a villain and must be stopped at all costs.
Dorothy is slowly adapting into her leader role and becoming a strong FMC. Although, I was worried for her in some scenes, due to her continued lust over the Wizard - girl, the man betrayed and stabbed you and left you to die, stop it. Because of that I feel like the love triangle aspect of the story is falling flat for me, why is she still lusting over the Wizard after what he did? The Tin Man is a complex character in the sense that he knows he feels an attraction to Dorothy, but yet can't fully come to terms with his feelings for her. Of course, it doesn't help that the Wizard took his heart making it near impossible to actually have feelings for her.
The audiobook was great! I loved the full cast of narrators, some of them being my absolute favorite. They each have a distinct voice and were perfect for the characters in the story. If you want to get full experience of the story definitely immerse read it, I found myself easily falling into the Oz world.
Would I recommend it? Yes, I would recommend it as it is a fun and fast paced read.
Tropes:
-Wizard of Oz retelling
-Forced proximity
-Love Triangle
-Hidden Identity
-Found family
-Secrets and betrayal
March 2, 2026
Arc review Great continuation of this series. I love that the author is writing longer and still just as fun and twisty stories.
November 4, 2026
📖 Title: East Of Envy
🖋️ Author: Nikki St. Crowe
🎙️ Narrator(s): Connor Crais; Eden O'Neill; Ellie Gossage; Mark Bramhall; Sean Masters; Shane East; Stella Hunter
📅 Pub Day: November 3, 2026
💌 Publisher: Macmillan Audio
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🏷️ ASIN: B0G72LCHPR
⏱️ Length: 10h 18m
📌 Genre(s): Fantasy, Romantasy, Dark fantasy
⭐ Star Rating: 3.5★
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Back to Oz, and things are somehow even messier this time. East of Envy picks up right where West of Wicked left off, with Dorothy trying to figure out what comes next. She and Tin are working together to find Toto while Dorothy starts digging into her past and what she actually is.
I liked getting more of this darker Oz. The twists on the familiar characters are still my favorite part, and I enjoyed learning more about Tin and Rook. There's magic, danger, and a mystery that kept me going, and I was curious where Dorothy's story was headed.
I still have mixed feelings, mostly because of the romance. I'm not totally against spice, but the constant lustful thoughts and sudden sexual tension felt out of place, especially when Dorothy was in situations where survival should have been the only thing on her mind. It took me out of the story more than once.
The audiobook was great! The full cast was fantastic, and I loved hearing the different character perspectives.
I enjoyed this one even if I didn't love every part of it. That ending has me curious about what comes next, and I'd be interested in sticking with the series, but I wouldn't complain about a little less insta lust and a little more plot next time.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ Dark Oz retellings
✔️ Twisted fairy tales
✔️ Wicked characters
✔️ Magical worlds
✔️ Morally gray characters
✔️ Spicy fantasy
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Nikki St. Crowe, and Macmillan Audio for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
🖋️ Author: Nikki St. Crowe
🎙️ Narrator(s): Connor Crais; Eden O'Neill; Ellie Gossage; Mark Bramhall; Sean Masters; Shane East; Stella Hunter
📅 Pub Day: November 3, 2026
💌 Publisher: Macmillan Audio
🎧 Format: Audiobook
🏷️ ASIN: B0G72LCHPR
⏱️ Length: 10h 18m
📌 Genre(s): Fantasy, Romantasy, Dark fantasy
⭐ Star Rating: 3.5★
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Back to Oz, and things are somehow even messier this time. East of Envy picks up right where West of Wicked left off, with Dorothy trying to figure out what comes next. She and Tin are working together to find Toto while Dorothy starts digging into her past and what she actually is.
I liked getting more of this darker Oz. The twists on the familiar characters are still my favorite part, and I enjoyed learning more about Tin and Rook. There's magic, danger, and a mystery that kept me going, and I was curious where Dorothy's story was headed.
I still have mixed feelings, mostly because of the romance. I'm not totally against spice, but the constant lustful thoughts and sudden sexual tension felt out of place, especially when Dorothy was in situations where survival should have been the only thing on her mind. It took me out of the story more than once.
The audiobook was great! The full cast was fantastic, and I loved hearing the different character perspectives.
I enjoyed this one even if I didn't love every part of it. That ending has me curious about what comes next, and I'd be interested in sticking with the series, but I wouldn't complain about a little less insta lust and a little more plot next time.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
If you like:
✔️ Dark Oz retellings
✔️ Twisted fairy tales
✔️ Wicked characters
✔️ Magical worlds
✔️ Morally gray characters
✔️ Spicy fantasy
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Thank you to NetGalley, Nikki St. Crowe, and Macmillan Audio for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
This review is cross‑posted across multiple platforms.
October 19, 2026
I received this ALC from MacMillan Audio. All thoughts are my own.
I read West of Wicked earlier this year and was my first book by this author. I had such a blast when I saw this one hit Netgalley I knew I was running to apply! This Full Cast DUAL narration audio is short and sweet, like all of Nikki's books but delivered so much! Getting to see the relationships bloom in the most delightful way makes me so so so excited for what comes next.
I have my fingers CROSSED for a why choose but right now were really seeing love triangle vibes? Either way I am here for it!
That ending had my jaw on the FLOOR!
Some criticism I've seen so far is that the romance is very insta-lusty, which, to be fair, is what our FMC is looking for here. She was questioning her boring, stable life and wanted the opposite: to follow her passion and experience life. So if you aren't liking that kind of story, this one might not be for you.
What to expect:
- wizard of oz retelling
- tin woodsman (cough cough DADDY)
- Dorothy but bad b version
- lost Gods
- rebellion
- she doesn't know who/what she is
- cliffy
I read West of Wicked earlier this year and was my first book by this author. I had such a blast when I saw this one hit Netgalley I knew I was running to apply! This Full Cast DUAL narration audio is short and sweet, like all of Nikki's books but delivered so much! Getting to see the relationships bloom in the most delightful way makes me so so so excited for what comes next.
I have my fingers CROSSED for a why choose but right now were really seeing love triangle vibes? Either way I am here for it!
That ending had my jaw on the FLOOR!
Some criticism I've seen so far is that the romance is very insta-lusty, which, to be fair, is what our FMC is looking for here. She was questioning her boring, stable life and wanted the opposite: to follow her passion and experience life. So if you aren't liking that kind of story, this one might not be for you.
What to expect:
- wizard of oz retelling
- tin woodsman (cough cough DADDY)
- Dorothy but bad b version
- lost Gods
- rebellion
- she doesn't know who/what she is
- cliffy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Nikki St. Crowe, Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC, this is my honest review!
I was so happy to get more Tinman and Rook POVs since they were my favorite from book 1. We get a lot more of their backstory and it gave us some answers to the questions left at the ending of West of Wicked. We also get POVs from new characters that provide an even bigger mystery to the story. Dorothy I'm still iffy about but I did enjoy her fire and determination. There is a great amount of mystery, suspense and adventure in this and the revelations along with new secrets will keep you invested and wanting more.
I was so happy to get more Tinman and Rook POVs since they were my favorite from book 1. We get a lot more of their backstory and it gave us some answers to the questions left at the ending of West of Wicked. We also get POVs from new characters that provide an even bigger mystery to the story. Dorothy I'm still iffy about but I did enjoy her fire and determination. There is a great amount of mystery, suspense and adventure in this and the revelations along with new secrets will keep you invested and wanting more.
October 28, 2026
📖 Wizard of Oz Retelling
📖 Love Triangle
This was a very fun retelling for what it was. I don’t think this series in particular is really for me. I like other series by this author though. This book picks right off where the first book ended. I like how the book made it hard to differentiate who the villains were. Dorothy was betrayed by the Wizard Of Oz and she has to team up with Tin Woodman to get revenge. If you read this series or decide to try it out, I hope you love it!
September 13, 2026
Nikki gave us really solids second book in this series and I will be back for the next one. I was lucky to receive and ALC and enjoyed the audiobook for this read.
The layers of timely commentary about gender roles and femininity was so incredibly done. No one can miss the message if you are paying attention.
Audiobook Style: Full Cast Dual Performance
Voice Actors: Connor Crais, Eden O'Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, Stella Hunter
Audiobook Length: 7 hours, 38 minutes
Spicy with multiple scenes
Also, Toto is the real MVP
The layers of timely commentary about gender roles and femininity was so incredibly done. No one can miss the message if you are paying attention.
Audiobook Style: Full Cast Dual Performance
Voice Actors: Connor Crais, Eden O'Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, Stella Hunter
Audiobook Length: 7 hours, 38 minutes
Spicy with multiple scenes
Also, Toto is the real MVP
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 stars
East of Envy picks up with the betrayal of the Wizard of Oz still hanging over Dorothy, and we’re still trying to figure out WHAT THE HECK TOTO ACTUALLY IS 😂. Meanwhile, I am continuing to slowly fall in love with the heartless, sexy Tin Man. He is still one of my absolute favorites and one of Dorothy’s besties, and I need everyone to understand why.
Also, do yourself a favor and check out Nikki St. Crowe’s character art on Instagram for the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Seriously. LOOK AT THEM. Those visuals are going to make you feel all the feels once you know these characters. 😂
I love Dorothy so much. She’s strong and resilient, but she’s also incredibly caring. I love how much she fights for justice and how fiercely she cares about the people around her. In this second installment, we really get to see her character development as she steps further into her powers, her feminine strength, and especially her rage. Give me a caring, mushy FMC who can also absolutely wreck someone when necessary. I’m here for it.
There are mysteries, magic, gods, betrayal, romance, and SO many questions that I need answered. Even though this is a retelling, it really doesn’t feel like the story we already know. Nikki takes these familiar characters and completely makes them her own, and I love that I never quite know where she’s going with them.
And the audiobook?? AMAZING. The full cast featuring Connor Crais, Eden O’Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter brings so much life to the story. This is one of those books where I would absolutely recommend the audio because it makes the whole experience feel even more immersive.
One thing to note if you’re coming to this expecting Nikki’s usual level of spice: even though the story itself is dark, I’d still put the spice around 🌶️🌶️ 1.5 chili peppers for me. So don’t go into this expecting the same spice level as some of her other books.
This series is SO bingeable and fast-paced, and I already need book three because I have approximately one million questions. 😂
5 stars for me!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. I had such a fun time listening to this one!
East of Envy picks up with the betrayal of the Wizard of Oz still hanging over Dorothy, and we’re still trying to figure out WHAT THE HECK TOTO ACTUALLY IS 😂. Meanwhile, I am continuing to slowly fall in love with the heartless, sexy Tin Man. He is still one of my absolute favorites and one of Dorothy’s besties, and I need everyone to understand why.
Also, do yourself a favor and check out Nikki St. Crowe’s character art on Instagram for the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Seriously. LOOK AT THEM. Those visuals are going to make you feel all the feels once you know these characters. 😂
I love Dorothy so much. She’s strong and resilient, but she’s also incredibly caring. I love how much she fights for justice and how fiercely she cares about the people around her. In this second installment, we really get to see her character development as she steps further into her powers, her feminine strength, and especially her rage. Give me a caring, mushy FMC who can also absolutely wreck someone when necessary. I’m here for it.
There are mysteries, magic, gods, betrayal, romance, and SO many questions that I need answered. Even though this is a retelling, it really doesn’t feel like the story we already know. Nikki takes these familiar characters and completely makes them her own, and I love that I never quite know where she’s going with them.
And the audiobook?? AMAZING. The full cast featuring Connor Crais, Eden O’Neill, Ellie Gossage, Mark Bramhall, Sean Masters, Shane East, and Stella Hunter brings so much life to the story. This is one of those books where I would absolutely recommend the audio because it makes the whole experience feel even more immersive.
One thing to note if you’re coming to this expecting Nikki’s usual level of spice: even though the story itself is dark, I’d still put the spice around 🌶️🌶️ 1.5 chili peppers for me. So don’t go into this expecting the same spice level as some of her other books.
This series is SO bingeable and fast-paced, and I already need book three because I have approximately one million questions. 😂
5 stars for me!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC. I had such a fun time listening to this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow! What a terrific follow up book! Can’t wait to read the next one!
So, imagine a remaking of The Wizard Of Oz… but where Dorothy is NOT sweet and innocent, and the Tin Man is just so much more than tin!!
We open up where the last book left off. Dorothy is dying / bleeding g out on the floor. Tin Man finds her and is a wreck. He immediately seeks help… and somehow, nurses her back to life. But how? She clearly appeared to be dying?
And so, we delve into Dorothy’s backstory and what she is about, and what she is to become… and… where and who she came from!
So… hold on to your pitchforks!
She has figured out that Rook misled her, AND, tried to kill her/ leave her for dead.
And if that’s not bad enough, he has now stolen Toto and put a bounty on Dorothy and Tin’s heads!
Additionally, Dorothy is appearing to be a bit spicy 🌶️ in that she’s going for both guys???
Loved this one! Quick. Furious. Spicy. Magical. Sweet… and Bloody… and GORY!
#EastOfEnvy by @NikkiStCrowe and narrated phenomenally by a full cast which brought so much more depth to the book!! The narrators were: @ConnorCrais; @EdenONeill; @EllieGossage; @MarkBramhall; @SeanMasters; @ShaneEast ; and @StellaHunter!
4.5 crazy, furious, frenzied, magickal, bright, scary stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, but please look 👀 for it in a few days. Release date is 11/3/26!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
So, imagine a remaking of The Wizard Of Oz… but where Dorothy is NOT sweet and innocent, and the Tin Man is just so much more than tin!!
We open up where the last book left off. Dorothy is dying / bleeding g out on the floor. Tin Man finds her and is a wreck. He immediately seeks help… and somehow, nurses her back to life. But how? She clearly appeared to be dying?
And so, we delve into Dorothy’s backstory and what she is about, and what she is to become… and… where and who she came from!
So… hold on to your pitchforks!
She has figured out that Rook misled her, AND, tried to kill her/ leave her for dead.
And if that’s not bad enough, he has now stolen Toto and put a bounty on Dorothy and Tin’s heads!
Additionally, Dorothy is appearing to be a bit spicy 🌶️ in that she’s going for both guys???
Loved this one! Quick. Furious. Spicy. Magical. Sweet… and Bloody… and GORY!
#EastOfEnvy by @NikkiStCrowe and narrated phenomenally by a full cast which brought so much more depth to the book!! The narrators were: @ConnorCrais; @EdenONeill; @EllieGossage; @MarkBramhall; @SeanMasters; @ShaneEast ; and @StellaHunter!
4.5 crazy, furious, frenzied, magickal, bright, scary stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
This one has NOT BEEN RELEASED YET, but please look 👀 for it in a few days. Release date is 11/3/26!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ll start by saying I don’t typically love retellings, but this one I was all about. Gimme the next book asap pls I beg!
There is so much to love about East of Envy. I loved Dorothy, the mystery surrounding who she really is and what her powers may or may not be, and the fact that we don’t even fully know who our MMC is yet. There are so many pieces still up in the air, and I genuinely loved trying to figure out where everything was going.
The twists were subtle enough that they didn’t feel thrown in for shock value, but they still managed to surprise me while making sense within the story. I loved the addition of Blue and the mystery surrounding other beloved characters.
The audio was SO well done. The multicast dual narration worked incredibly well for this story, which surprised me because it’s not necessarily the narration style I usually gravitate toward. It made the story feel exciting and immersive, and I genuinely did not want to stop listening.
My main issue (and really only) came toward the end. Some developments happened so quickly that I found myself going, “Wait… what?” It wasn’t that the plot itself was well-developed, I just wanted more connection between certain moments. More context and a little more clarity about how we got from point A to point B.
There are still A LOT of unanswered questions, but many of them feel intentional, and I have a feeling we’ll get those answers as the story continues. And considering how badly I want those answers? Yeah, I’ll absolutely be continuing.
-spicy Wizard of Oz retelling
-hidden identity (even from herself)
-morally questionable characters
-who is the villain??
-who is the MMC??
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC! All opinions are my own!
There is so much to love about East of Envy. I loved Dorothy, the mystery surrounding who she really is and what her powers may or may not be, and the fact that we don’t even fully know who our MMC is yet. There are so many pieces still up in the air, and I genuinely loved trying to figure out where everything was going.
The twists were subtle enough that they didn’t feel thrown in for shock value, but they still managed to surprise me while making sense within the story. I loved the addition of Blue and the mystery surrounding other beloved characters.
The audio was SO well done. The multicast dual narration worked incredibly well for this story, which surprised me because it’s not necessarily the narration style I usually gravitate toward. It made the story feel exciting and immersive, and I genuinely did not want to stop listening.
My main issue (and really only) came toward the end. Some developments happened so quickly that I found myself going, “Wait… what?” It wasn’t that the plot itself was well-developed, I just wanted more connection between certain moments. More context and a little more clarity about how we got from point A to point B.
There are still A LOT of unanswered questions, but many of them feel intentional, and I have a feeling we’ll get those answers as the story continues. And considering how badly I want those answers? Yeah, I’ll absolutely be continuing.
-spicy Wizard of Oz retelling
-hidden identity (even from herself)
-morally questionable characters
-who is the villain??
-who is the MMC??
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC! All opinions are my own!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you loved book one, East of Envy is absolutely worth picking up. It’s fast-paced, the banter is sharp and fun, and it ends on a cliffhanger that had me ready to start the next book immediately (which I unfortunately cannot do this time around like I did with book 1). Sequels can be hit or miss, but this one kept me hooked.
If you’re a sucker for morally grey characters, forced proximity, and found family, this series has you covered. The banter is what ties it all together, and it lands so well that these tropes feel fresh instead of familiar. This one has some insta-lust, but I knew what I was signing up for with a why choose romance.
The audiobook is the way to experience this one, the full cast of seven narrators is a major highlight. Every one of them held their own and brought real personality to their character. A full cast will always make an audiobook an instant sell for me, and this one more than delivered. Hearing the banter performed makes it even better. If you’re an audio fan, don’t miss this one.
After the cliffhanger in book one, I was desperate for answers, and this book delivers more of them. We settle back in with characters we already know, and we have new ones who shake things up. As with many second books in a series, the middle leans into setup and can feel a little slower, but it pays off. Every piece is being put in place for that ending, and it’s worth it.
This series has me completely invested, and I absolutely cannot wait for book 3. Read this if you want a fast, banter-filled series with a cast that’s easy to fall and bonus points if you can listen to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advance Listener Copy. All opinions are my own.
If you’re a sucker for morally grey characters, forced proximity, and found family, this series has you covered. The banter is what ties it all together, and it lands so well that these tropes feel fresh instead of familiar. This one has some insta-lust, but I knew what I was signing up for with a why choose romance.
The audiobook is the way to experience this one, the full cast of seven narrators is a major highlight. Every one of them held their own and brought real personality to their character. A full cast will always make an audiobook an instant sell for me, and this one more than delivered. Hearing the banter performed makes it even better. If you’re an audio fan, don’t miss this one.
After the cliffhanger in book one, I was desperate for answers, and this book delivers more of them. We settle back in with characters we already know, and we have new ones who shake things up. As with many second books in a series, the middle leans into setup and can feel a little slower, but it pays off. Every piece is being put in place for that ending, and it’s worth it.
This series has me completely invested, and I absolutely cannot wait for book 3. Read this if you want a fast, banter-filled series with a cast that’s easy to fall and bonus points if you can listen to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the Advance Listener Copy. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2026
I was so excited for this sequel and it did not disappoint!
West of Wicked left us off on QUITE a cliffhanger, so I was really anticipating how things would go down in this one. This is the second book in The Great and Terrible Land series, and it is a much darker and spicier take on The Wizard of Oz. I actually think Nikki St. Crowe really has made this story her own and was very clever with how she organized some of the original source material into something new.
This second book starts off RIGHT where the first left off, and it was helpful to me to look up key details from the first before I dove in. It’s hard to talk about much without spoiling either book, but what I will say is that Dorothy really is able to turn off one part of her brain and switch her thinking REAL fast 🤣🤭 Iykyk
I loved getting more insights into this world and the characters in this book now that there have been several big reveals. This one was less twisty than the first, but very action packed start to finish, & still leaves off on somewhat of a cliffhanger that will leave you with yet again more questions!
Something this series has been great at so far is always leaving you with a sense of distrust of basically every character. It’s difficult to know who we should trust and who is still hiding secrets (let’s be real—everyone). I’m also really curious about Toto after this book. 👀
🎧This is not an audio to miss! It is multicast narration (as is the first) and while not done in duet, it was great hearing each character’s respective voice when there is a POV change. I once again particularly loveddd Shane East as Rook, and all of the other narrators do a great job representing their characters too. It felt like a very immersive reading experience and I’d highly recommend!
West of Wicked left us off on QUITE a cliffhanger, so I was really anticipating how things would go down in this one. This is the second book in The Great and Terrible Land series, and it is a much darker and spicier take on The Wizard of Oz. I actually think Nikki St. Crowe really has made this story her own and was very clever with how she organized some of the original source material into something new.
This second book starts off RIGHT where the first left off, and it was helpful to me to look up key details from the first before I dove in. It’s hard to talk about much without spoiling either book, but what I will say is that Dorothy really is able to turn off one part of her brain and switch her thinking REAL fast 🤣🤭 Iykyk
I loved getting more insights into this world and the characters in this book now that there have been several big reveals. This one was less twisty than the first, but very action packed start to finish, & still leaves off on somewhat of a cliffhanger that will leave you with yet again more questions!
Something this series has been great at so far is always leaving you with a sense of distrust of basically every character. It’s difficult to know who we should trust and who is still hiding secrets (let’s be real—everyone). I’m also really curious about Toto after this book. 👀
🎧This is not an audio to miss! It is multicast narration (as is the first) and while not done in duet, it was great hearing each character’s respective voice when there is a POV change. I once again particularly loveddd Shane East as Rook, and all of the other narrators do a great job representing their characters too. It felt like a very immersive reading experience and I’d highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is pure chaos. It’s like a cartoon tornado.
We dive right back in where the last book left off. Dorothy betrayed and left for dead by the Wizard. Only she isn’t dead.
For much of the book, readers are left wondering what in the world the Wizard's endgame is. He leaves Dorothy, the biggest threat to his power and influence, alive. He is searching for the Gods and yet he doesn't to do so with great urgency. He puts a bounty on Dorothy and the Tinman's heads yet he doesn't make any effort to capture either of them when given the chance.
Dorothy herself is equally confused. She hates Rook aka the Wizard for betraying her, and yet she can't seem to fight her attraction to him nor cut ties cleanly. Meanwhile, she also has a complicated relationship with the Tinman. Neither of them forgets he was sent to hunt her down, however, they're attracted to each other against their better judgment. They share one goal - taking down the Wizard. To do so, they transverse Oz in effort to find someone capable of teaching Dorothy about her powers. Along the way the reunite and meets with allies, those who also wish to see the Wizard brought down.
I don't want to spoil anything else, so I'll leave it at that. If you go into this expecting clear motives, logical decisions and a predictable course of action you will be disappointed. This book is more vibes than that plot. I imagine not everyone will enjoy the chaos.
But I, for one, had a fun time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
We dive right back in where the last book left off. Dorothy betrayed and left for dead by the Wizard. Only she isn’t dead.
For much of the book, readers are left wondering what in the world the Wizard's endgame is. He leaves Dorothy, the biggest threat to his power and influence, alive. He is searching for the Gods and yet he doesn't to do so with great urgency. He puts a bounty on Dorothy and the Tinman's heads yet he doesn't make any effort to capture either of them when given the chance.
Dorothy herself is equally confused. She hates Rook aka the Wizard for betraying her, and yet she can't seem to fight her attraction to him nor cut ties cleanly. Meanwhile, she also has a complicated relationship with the Tinman. Neither of them forgets he was sent to hunt her down, however, they're attracted to each other against their better judgment. They share one goal - taking down the Wizard. To do so, they transverse Oz in effort to find someone capable of teaching Dorothy about her powers. Along the way the reunite and meets with allies, those who also wish to see the Wizard brought down.
I don't want to spoil anything else, so I'll leave it at that. If you go into this expecting clear motives, logical decisions and a predictable course of action you will be disappointed. This book is more vibes than that plot. I imagine not everyone will enjoy the chaos.
But I, for one, had a fun time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bramble for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book two East of End starts right where book one left off. So much happened in book one and so much more happens in this book. The Wizard betrayed Dorothy and Toto has been taken as well. Now in East of Envy The Wizard has convinced everyone Dorothy is evil and he will save them all. Tin also becomes a huge part in this book and he and Dorothy become more than either thought they would though Tin and the Wizard are connected in more ways that thought before.
But what really shines in this book is Dorothy and who she really is. We learn some in the first book but in this book we really learn so much more of her back story and her family. We also get to see her coming to the realization that Oz may be her home even though she has left people back in Kansas she truly loves. I loved Dorothys story in this book this bookend series is filled with a lot of gray, and I love a good gray story. Nikki St. Crowe does an outstanding job giving us more of Dorothy, who she is and what made her who she is even if she doesn't even know it yet.
I said in book ones review I love the Wizard of Oz I have many memories of it when I was little so getting a new interpretation of it that is done so well has me over the moon... or rainbow(I couldn't resist). I also love that more characters are introduced in this book from the original books. We learn so much in this book but with learning so much we get more questions. Book two was done so well, it didn't lag or feel like a let done after such a great first book in the series. After book two I can't wait for the next in the series. I'm not sure where book three will take us after everything that happens in this book but I can tell you I can't wait to find out.
*Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC
But what really shines in this book is Dorothy and who she really is. We learn some in the first book but in this book we really learn so much more of her back story and her family. We also get to see her coming to the realization that Oz may be her home even though she has left people back in Kansas she truly loves. I loved Dorothys story in this book this bookend series is filled with a lot of gray, and I love a good gray story. Nikki St. Crowe does an outstanding job giving us more of Dorothy, who she is and what made her who she is even if she doesn't even know it yet.
I said in book ones review I love the Wizard of Oz I have many memories of it when I was little so getting a new interpretation of it that is done so well has me over the moon... or rainbow(I couldn't resist). I also love that more characters are introduced in this book from the original books. We learn so much in this book but with learning so much we get more questions. Book two was done so well, it didn't lag or feel like a let done after such a great first book in the series. After book two I can't wait for the next in the series. I'm not sure where book three will take us after everything that happens in this book but I can tell you I can't wait to find out.
*Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark, messy, addictive Oz? Apparently, I’m into it. 😂
East of Envy picks up with plenty of action and takes the dark Oz retelling even further. There’s violence, drugs, prophecy, political intrigue, and a Dorothy who is definitely not the sweet, innocent character we grew up with.
I really enjoyed getting more of the world in this installment and seeing Dorothy start to uncover more about herself. There are more layers to the characters, a better sense of where everyone stands, and enough reveals to keep me invested without feeling like the story was just throwing twists at me.
There is some spice, but thankfully it doesn’t take over the story. There’s actually plenty happening outside of the romance, which I appreciated.
The full-cast audiobook was also a major win for me. It kept me completely invested and made an already cinematic story feel even more alive.
And honestly, I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying this series. I’m not usually a huge fan of retellings, especially ones based on childhood stories, and dark/spicy fantasy isn’t always my thing. Somehow, though, this one works.
4/5 ⭐️ — If you enjoyed the first book, I think this is a strong follow-up. I’m definitely continuing the series.
East of Envy picks up with plenty of action and takes the dark Oz retelling even further. There’s violence, drugs, prophecy, political intrigue, and a Dorothy who is definitely not the sweet, innocent character we grew up with.
I really enjoyed getting more of the world in this installment and seeing Dorothy start to uncover more about herself. There are more layers to the characters, a better sense of where everyone stands, and enough reveals to keep me invested without feeling like the story was just throwing twists at me.
There is some spice, but thankfully it doesn’t take over the story. There’s actually plenty happening outside of the romance, which I appreciated.
The full-cast audiobook was also a major win for me. It kept me completely invested and made an already cinematic story feel even more alive.
And honestly, I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying this series. I’m not usually a huge fan of retellings, especially ones based on childhood stories, and dark/spicy fantasy isn’t always my thing. Somehow, though, this one works.
4/5 ⭐️ — If you enjoyed the first book, I think this is a strong follow-up. I’m definitely continuing the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
A great sequel, so much happened but it also didn't feel rushed at all. I mean don't get me wrong, I had a lot to say at certain points but the entire story between Rook, Tin, and Dorothy is so sweet and endearing in it's own way. Despite the hate Tin and Rook have for each other, they obviously have some common ground and I loved that. Tin clearly still caring about Dorothy even though he doesn't have a heart. Rook missing her even though he done FUCKED UP. But their relationship not stalling, instead Nikki St Crowe found a way for it to grow and change in good and bad ways. I'm really interested to see how this story will wrap up in the third book. Definitely great for fans of dark romantasy and the Wizard of Oz, it'll scratch that itch and a really great way to see how you feel about a Why Choose romance.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Nikki St. Crowe, and Bramble for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
A great sequel, so much happened but it also didn't feel rushed at all. I mean don't get me wrong, I had a lot to say at certain points but the entire story between Rook, Tin, and Dorothy is so sweet and endearing in it's own way. Despite the hate Tin and Rook have for each other, they obviously have some common ground and I loved that. Tin clearly still caring about Dorothy even though he doesn't have a heart. Rook missing her even though he done FUCKED UP. But their relationship not stalling, instead Nikki St Crowe found a way for it to grow and change in good and bad ways. I'm really interested to see how this story will wrap up in the third book. Definitely great for fans of dark romantasy and the Wizard of Oz, it'll scratch that itch and a really great way to see how you feel about a Why Choose romance.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Nikki St. Crowe, and Bramble for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
•ALC REVIEW•
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Holy crap. What just happened?
I went into this having just finished listening to West of Wicked- thank goodness because the cliffhanger was rough.
This series had me absolutely hooked. The whole time, I was wondering who the villain really was. I found myself really invested in Cleo in particular- there’s something about her that I really enjoyed and I hope this series is going to continue because there’s more for her here for sure. I find myself still asking questions and wondering where this world is going to take us.
As far as the listening experience- this cast is incredible and they all did a fantastic job. This story deserved full cast duet narration, however. I understand that’s not always possible- but this story and these characters deserved it. With a story as intense and suspenseful as this with a character cast as well done as it is, a duet narration would’ve been the icing on the cake.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Holy crap. What just happened?
I went into this having just finished listening to West of Wicked- thank goodness because the cliffhanger was rough.
This series had me absolutely hooked. The whole time, I was wondering who the villain really was. I found myself really invested in Cleo in particular- there’s something about her that I really enjoyed and I hope this series is going to continue because there’s more for her here for sure. I find myself still asking questions and wondering where this world is going to take us.
As far as the listening experience- this cast is incredible and they all did a fantastic job. This story deserved full cast duet narration, however. I understand that’s not always possible- but this story and these characters deserved it. With a story as intense and suspenseful as this with a character cast as well done as it is, a duet narration would’ve been the icing on the cake.
October 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
⭐ 3.5/5
🎧 Format: Audiobook ARC
🌶️ Spice: 1.5/5
I really enjoyed the retelling aspect of East of Envy. It incorporates plenty of recognizable elements from the original story while adding new ideas and twists that help it feel like its own story rather than simply recreating something familiar.
I especially appreciated the balance between those original elements and the newer additions. There was enough familiarity to enjoy the connection to the source material, but enough was changed and expanded upon to keep me interested in where the story was going.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen and a creative take on a familiar story.
Final Verdict: A fun and imaginative retelling that does a nice job blending familiar elements with something new. 3.5 stars!
⭐ 3.5/5
🎧 Format: Audiobook ARC
🌶️ Spice: 1.5/5
I really enjoyed the retelling aspect of East of Envy. It incorporates plenty of recognizable elements from the original story while adding new ideas and twists that help it feel like its own story rather than simply recreating something familiar.
I especially appreciated the balance between those original elements and the newer additions. There was enough familiarity to enjoy the connection to the source material, but enough was changed and expanded upon to keep me interested in where the story was going.
Overall, this was an enjoyable listen and a creative take on a familiar story.
Final Verdict: A fun and imaginative retelling that does a nice job blending familiar elements with something new. 3.5 stars!
September 8, 2026
This was a really strong sequel to West of Wicked. I love that Nikki gave us our broad stroke picture in the first book and this book she used to really give us the inner workings the of the characters. We learned so much about them, their motivations, their inner monologues in this book were much more telling than the last.
The extra layers added onto the concept of aging, femininity, sexuality, pleasure, shame…it really gives us an in depth view of the feelings of every day women. Painted under a tale we all know and love, The Wizard of Oz, we get a more in depth view of this complex world with so many twists and turns. I couldn’t have predicted a fair amount of this book and I think it was wonderful!
The extra layers added onto the concept of aging, femininity, sexuality, pleasure, shame…it really gives us an in depth view of the feelings of every day women. Painted under a tale we all know and love, The Wizard of Oz, we get a more in depth view of this complex world with so many twists and turns. I couldn’t have predicted a fair amount of this book and I think it was wonderful!
November 3, 2026
It was so fun to pick up where book one's whirlwind ended. Where the first book throws you into the retelling and adventure.. the second book develops the world and characters further. I loved getting to know more backstory on everything. And we got more on Tin and Rook! But yet, I still have so many more questions?!
You can tell the growth for Dorothy is coming, she's building on who's she's been, what she knows about herself, and learning about who she can be and who she wants to be. I really enjoyed Dorothy's journey in this second installment.
I can't wait to see this series come together. I love that Nikki is so good at writing fast-paced, quick reads and just wish I had the whole series to devour 😅 it's just such a fun Wizard of Oz retelling!
You can tell the growth for Dorothy is coming, she's building on who's she's been, what she knows about herself, and learning about who she can be and who she wants to be. I really enjoyed Dorothy's journey in this second installment.
I can't wait to see this series come together. I love that Nikki is so good at writing fast-paced, quick reads and just wish I had the whole series to devour 😅 it's just such a fun Wizard of Oz retelling!
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