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Dorothy Must Die #0.5
The Straw King
Once upon a time, the Scarecrow's only wish was to have a brain. This digital original novella is the fifth installment in the prequel arc to the edgy and thrilling New York Times bestsellers Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise and follows the Scarecrow after he finally gets his wish.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow received the gift of a brain from the Wizard and was appointed the new ruler of Oz. In The Straw King, the Scarecrow's tale takes a crooked turn when his reign is threatened. With faith in his newfound wisdom shaken, the Scarecrow will turn to anyone who can help—even if others have their own interests at heart.
The Straw King by 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.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow received the gift of a brain from the Wizard and was appointed the new ruler of Oz. In The Straw King, the Scarecrow's tale takes a crooked turn when his reign is threatened. With faith in his newfound wisdom shaken, the Scarecrow will turn to anyone who can help—even if others have their own interests at heart.
The Straw King by 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.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2015
77 people are currently reading
7255 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Paige
34 books5,600 followersDanielle lives in NY. Before turning to YA, she worked in television & was nominated for several Daytime Emmy's. Dorothy Must Die is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
March 17, 2016
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
Catching up before I read Yellow Brick War
What I thought
I don't have much to say, but it was much better than that creepy Tin Man story!
Oh but Ozma taking down that Ginger bitch and pissing off Glinda!!!!!
Why this book?
Catching up before I read Yellow Brick War
What I thought
I don't have much to say, but it was much better than that creepy Tin Man story!
Oh but Ozma taking down that Ginger bitch and pissing off Glinda!!!!!
March 9, 2016
Creo que de los 3 compañeros de Dorothy en este retelling, Scarecrow es el más interesante, o por lo menos el que más me intriga. Me encanta que haya una novela de cada uno de los 3, y sobre todo me fascina poder conocer los puntos exactos en los cuales cada personaje cambia. Simplemente increíble.
“The thing you'll never understand is that it doesn't matter how much information you put in your brain. It's about what you do with the information you have.”
“The thing you'll never understand is that it doesn't matter how much information you put in your brain. It's about what you do with the information you have.”
April 10, 2017
This one was okay, but I wished it showed more of the Scarecrow's change, rather than just the events that had happened.
I think I just felt a little detached from everything - also because of the random new characters that were introduced, but I did like how it told us more about the history of Oz.
I think I just felt a little detached from everything - also because of the random new characters that were introduced, but I did like how it told us more about the history of Oz.
January 26, 2023
“The thing you'll never understand is that it doesn't matter how much information you put in your brain. It's about what you do with the information you have.”
January 18, 2018
This novella gives great insight as to the very start of the series. It is definitely a must read!
October 31, 2016
This is post originally on Vivian's Book Pavilion
Ah! This one is slightly better than the first. I think Scarecrow was indeed an interesting character in the series…before he was crazy as well. I love reading! So I’ve totally no objection for someone to sit around library all day long. But…you are a king!!!! Or, “were” until the army come to attack and Glinda came.
Someone came to challenge Scare, and since he spent most of his time reading, he had no battling experience, not to mention with guns pointing right between his eyes. And he wasn’t the one ask for courage, so it make sense that he ran away first, right? Now, Glinda came! Why aren’t I surprise at all? Glinda might seem to be an unimportant character in the novella series, yet she appeared every time, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And she was one of the most horrible villains of all. Sorry? Where your sense of taste? Pink? (Which has nothing to do with the point.) SO, HEAR MY POINT NOW!!! Glinda appeared in every novella, and made tons of horrible decisions. What I don’t get it is that how can Scare sensed the horrible deeds behind Glinda still help her alone? Where was your brain? Was it make of STRAW??? PLEASE!!!! No, sometimes, even you can memorize doesn’t mean you’re smart, and Scare was one of the cases.
But, the story was truly exciting, and I love how Lulu appeared as a child and how Ozma appeared as a crazy queen. She really reminds me of Luna!! In a good way, sort of. And I especially love the scene that Ozma stood out to protect her country, even she didn’t really know what she was doing. That’s a true queen, she was destined to be one.
Ah! This one is slightly better than the first. I think Scarecrow was indeed an interesting character in the series…before he was crazy as well. I love reading! So I’ve totally no objection for someone to sit around library all day long. But…you are a king!!!! Or, “were” until the army come to attack and Glinda came.
“You ain’t the real king, you old strawbag, and I’m dumping you out on your straw behind.”
Someone came to challenge Scare, and since he spent most of his time reading, he had no battling experience, not to mention with guns pointing right between his eyes. And he wasn’t the one ask for courage, so it make sense that he ran away first, right? Now, Glinda came! Why aren’t I surprise at all? Glinda might seem to be an unimportant character in the novella series, yet she appeared every time, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. And she was one of the most horrible villains of all. Sorry? Where your sense of taste? Pink? (Which has nothing to do with the point.) SO, HEAR MY POINT NOW!!! Glinda appeared in every novella, and made tons of horrible decisions. What I don’t get it is that how can Scare sensed the horrible deeds behind Glinda still help her alone? Where was your brain? Was it make of STRAW??? PLEASE!!!! No, sometimes, even you can memorize doesn’t mean you’re smart, and Scare was one of the cases.
But, the story was truly exciting, and I love how Lulu appeared as a child and how Ozma appeared as a crazy queen. She really reminds me of Luna!! In a good way, sort of. And I especially love the scene that Ozma stood out to protect her country, even she didn’t really know what she was doing. That’s a true queen, she was destined to be one.
November 18, 2015
A much better installment to the Dorothy Must Die series than that horrible book about the creepy Tin Man. This novella concentrates on the Scarecrow right after the Wizard puts him on the throne as a placeholder till Ozma, the true leader, comes of age.
Scarecrow loves having a brain and plans to use it to read books but an attack on the palace nixes that idea. He's forced to flee with the Lion and meets up with Glinda who's obviously up to no good. The only question is if he'll be smart enough to figure out the play and come up with an effective counter strategy.
Recommended.
Scarecrow loves having a brain and plans to use it to read books but an attack on the palace nixes that idea. He's forced to flee with the Lion and meets up with Glinda who's obviously up to no good. The only question is if he'll be smart enough to figure out the play and come up with an effective counter strategy.
Recommended.
December 3, 2015
This novella is a high 3.5 for me, so I am rating it at 4 stars. It was definitely a better novella than Heart of Tin and I enjoyed seeing things from Scare's point of view. I love Danielle Paige though, no matter what!
August 1, 2024
The Scarecrow is horrid. Yet somewhat in character to later books. Just add an ego and a bit of power-hunger-mania and you get this madman!
So this twists what happens when Jinjur attacks the palace and Ozma takes the throne. Quite a different take on that tale. But Glinda once again manipulates things. Although I think his downfall goes back further than this. Just what DID the wizard do for this misfit group? Why is everything so twisted for them? Scarecrow is HEARTLESS in this and selfish to a new level.
So this twists what happens when Jinjur attacks the palace and Ozma takes the throne. Quite a different take on that tale. But Glinda once again manipulates things. Although I think his downfall goes back further than this. Just what DID the wizard do for this misfit group? Why is everything so twisted for them? Scarecrow is HEARTLESS in this and selfish to a new level.
April 9, 2020
Un libro ambientado en el mundo de Oz, con los personajes de la saga sobre Dorothy creada por la autora. Este libro se sitúa temporalmente después de la vuelta de Dorothy a la Tierra, siendo el protagonista el Espantapájaros, que actúa como el rey del país de Oz; junto al León, que es el rey de las bestias. Ambos deben enfrentarse a quién se cree heredera del trono.
Entretenido, pero debe leerse después de los libros principales de la serie.
Entretenido, pero debe leerse después de los libros principales de la serie.
January 3, 2021
Realmente Glinda es el centro de todo, isn't she?
December 12, 2024
The timing of events in this one didn’t make as much sense.
January 25, 2021
otra genial precuela de nuestra serie de dorothy must die.
Esta vez desde el POV del gran espantapájaros. en esta ocasión hay una diferencia algo notoria en la cronología, ya que nos está narrando desde antes que ocurran los hechos tras la llegada de Dorothy, así que podemos ver todo lo ocurrido y cómo fue gestado el plan de su regreso, cosa que cuando uno lee la primer precuela lo encajas muy bien. Es bastante movida a comparación de la anterior. Muy buen POV.
Esta vez desde el POV del gran espantapájaros. en esta ocasión hay una diferencia algo notoria en la cronología, ya que nos está narrando desde antes que ocurran los hechos tras la llegada de Dorothy, así que podemos ver todo lo ocurrido y cómo fue gestado el plan de su regreso, cosa que cuando uno lee la primer precuela lo encajas muy bien. Es bastante movida a comparación de la anterior. Muy buen POV.
July 16, 2023
Fills in the gaps from when Scarecrow was King of Oz until Ozma returns. I love how this book series honours the original novels while creating unexpected twists.
May 23, 2016
As sadistic as the Scarecrow is in the series I was expecting this novella to be a little more gruesome.
I was surprised to see the Scarecrow's journey unfold. With the Tinman he was just "in love" and everything else was ignorantly ignored. With the Scarecrow he did not start out cruel or sadistic. He just journeyed down a road where he felt in order to keep up with the rest of villains he had to evolve.
What better way to evolve than to steal the brains of other intelligent creatures? :)
I was surprised to see the Scarecrow's journey unfold. With the Tinman he was just "in love" and everything else was ignorantly ignored. With the Scarecrow he did not start out cruel or sadistic. He just journeyed down a road where he felt in order to keep up with the rest of villains he had to evolve.
What better way to evolve than to steal the brains of other intelligent creatures? :)
August 4, 2017
No espere que me guste tanto esta historia, en serio me sorprendió :D
Nunca me interesó mucho este personaje, pero luego de Wicked... Fiyero <3 <3 jejeje
Nunca me interesó mucho este personaje, pero luego de Wicked... Fiyero <3 <3 jejeje
November 21, 2015
Rating: 3.25/5
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
October 11, 2021
Reseña completa en Books FD
Tomando en cuenta lo que ya conocía de lo que era capaz de hacer el Espantapájaros, verlo de esta manera me sorprendió, es cierto, por momentos se me hizo un poco lenta y aburrida, no había maldad en él, por lo menos no al inicio, él lo que más deseaba era usar aquel regalo que el Mago le había dado, así que lo único que hizo después de que lo pusieran frente al trono de Oz fue sumergirse completamente en la biblioteca y leer, leer y leer aún más, cuando Jinjur y su ejército de mujeres atacan el palacio para recuperarlo y dárselo a quien le corresponde por derecho, él al estar solo interesado en cultivar su regalo, huye y busca al León, a falta de “maldad” solo hasta que aparece Glinda, es cuando hay una oportunidad de recuperar el palacio y no cederselo a Ozma, y del mismo modo que con el Hombre Hojalata vamos viendo esos pequeños pasos que fue dando para llegar a ser ese ser tan cruel, despiadado y oscuro que ya conocíamos. Interesante!!!
Tomando en cuenta lo que ya conocía de lo que era capaz de hacer el Espantapájaros, verlo de esta manera me sorprendió, es cierto, por momentos se me hizo un poco lenta y aburrida, no había maldad en él, por lo menos no al inicio, él lo que más deseaba era usar aquel regalo que el Mago le había dado, así que lo único que hizo después de que lo pusieran frente al trono de Oz fue sumergirse completamente en la biblioteca y leer, leer y leer aún más, cuando Jinjur y su ejército de mujeres atacan el palacio para recuperarlo y dárselo a quien le corresponde por derecho, él al estar solo interesado en cultivar su regalo, huye y busca al León, a falta de “maldad” solo hasta que aparece Glinda, es cuando hay una oportunidad de recuperar el palacio y no cederselo a Ozma, y del mismo modo que con el Hombre Hojalata vamos viendo esos pequeños pasos que fue dando para llegar a ser ese ser tan cruel, despiadado y oscuro que ya conocíamos. Interesante!!!
July 25, 2019
I was initially disappointed in the time that this one was told...The Scarecrow has been this mad scientist for awhile, and I was expecting more of that; instead this one told the story of Scarecrow as the King of Oz. I ended up really enjoying this one, it was slightly longer than the other novellas and really packed with information. Scarecrow just wants to read books and use his new brain, but he's afraid there is something the Wizard didn't tell him about his gift and the Lion agrees. Scare is overthrown by Jinjur and her female army who just starts decimating random Ozians. Glinda pops back up and has found the lost fairy princess and true ruler of Oz, Ozma. But Scare has an ever-growing mind and sees through Glinda's manipulations immediately. Glinda is the true villain of the series and the depths and lengths she'll go to are apparently limitless.
June 9, 2021
What the heck did I just read/listen to!? Glinda you sly old sneaky b***ch of a witch what the frick!? And Scare! What was up with him in this one? All I can say is DO NOT underestimate Scarecrow because after reading/listening to how he was in the few previous stories he makes an appearance had my spine chilling and kinda "freaked out" of what he's up to and what he does! Especially in the previous book near the end! Ugh! These are seriously getting to be super good with each read and it's hard to pick a favorite so far considering each story is different character set ups and their stories and Danielle Paige is doing a PHENOMENAL job with these retellings which I'm actually loving more and more! I can't put the books/stories down or stop listening once I pick them up. They're just too good!
May 6, 2020
A prequel to Dorothy Must Die this is the Scarecrow's story. He's busy trying to rule Oz (mostly by reading books) when Jinjur and her army of girls storms the palace and takes over. He barely escapes with the Cowardly Lion to the Forest of the Beasts. After an ill-fated attempt to retake the Emerald City, he is approached by Glinda who has the true ruler of Oz with her. Will the Scarecrow stand back and let Ozma take the throne or will he bide his time and work with Glinda to take over Oz?
I enjoyed reading this one about the Scarecrow. He's motivated by knowledge and if you've read the Dorothy Must Die series you know that he takes it to extremes.
I enjoyed reading this one about the Scarecrow. He's motivated by knowledge and if you've read the Dorothy Must Die series you know that he takes it to extremes.
December 17, 2024
Esto es lo que esperaba!! En el libro pasado solo se hablaba del amor obsesionado del hombre de hojalata a Dorothy. Pero este fue la excelente combinación de historia y desarrollo de personaje, el espantapájaros era uno de los personajes que menos me importaban, pero en este, simplemente quería saber más de él y entrar a su cerebro para saber que tanto pensaba. Me hubiese gustado saber como es que llego a ser ese tirano del que hablan en los otros libros, no me hubiese importado que se alargara el libro. Lo disfrute mucho pero quería saber más.
Espero que uno de los siguientes libros sea sobre Glinda, me tiene muy pero MUY intrigado ese personaje.
Espero que uno de los siguientes libros sea sobre Glinda, me tiene muy pero MUY intrigado ese personaje.
October 12, 2017
The Tin Man's obsession (aka "love") was creepy, but at least it was interesting. Sorry, Scarecrow, but your internal monologue was just boring.
The entire time he was just wondering if his gift from the Wizard (i.e. his brain) was working. He really didn't do a whole let other than let things happen around him. Although, he seems to have caught on the evil Glinda way quicker than everyone else, so props there.
At this point, I'm too far into this series to stop. I have to finish it now.
The entire time he was just wondering if his gift from the Wizard (i.e. his brain) was working. He really didn't do a whole let other than let things happen around him. Although, he seems to have caught on the evil Glinda way quicker than everyone else, so props there.
At this point, I'm too far into this series to stop. I have to finish it now.
April 17, 2018
Look, I get that these characters all had their own story leading up to the main novels, and I get that they all became who they were for a reason. I just....can't bring myself to care about these rather dull side characters. I only have a couple more of these and then I'm done with them though, so that's something to look forward to.
June 19, 2021
The 5th novella in the Dorothy must die series told from the scarecrows POV. I thought this was going to be similar to the tin mans story but just a different so was pleased that it wasn’t. This starts not long after Dorothy left oz and the scarecrow was king, it shows what happened for the throne to pass from to ozma. I liked discovering what happened but I found it dragging at times
October 17, 2017
Hasta ahorita esta secuela es la que mas me ha gustado. El Espantapájaros es el personaje mas noble de la historia original de Oz, asi que fue interesante ver como su inteligencia ya no era utilizada solo para el bien, sino para la"venganza" y la malicia.
February 7, 2020
I absolutely love this series but holy fuck was this awful. Just so boring. The scarecrow can suck my dick. The most interesting part was literally the last page. This could have been so much better oh well.
February 8, 2025
When I first started reading I thought this book was going to be the mad scientist scarecrow but it wasn’t. It is set just after Dorothy and the wizard leave before the scarecrow goes mad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2017
3.5/5.0
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews