Twisted

by Elizabeth Montgomery

Who could’ve known one pair of shoes could cause so much trouble.
Dee’s lost the sparkly red heels, and when she befriends a witch to help her find a way home, she finds herself down the rabbit hole. With the veil between Wonderland and Oz torn wide open, things go awry.
The flying monkeys are loose in the Kingdom, Hatter is lost on the sun-colored brick road, and betwixt a battle of the worlds, the Red Queen seeks power, but all Dee wants is to go home.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Young Adult, Fairy Tale Retellings

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 29, 2016

About the author

Elizabeth Montgomery was born in Williamsburg, Va and raised in Yorktown, Va. Growing up in and around the historic triangle spurred her love for the unusual and paranormal. She is a mom to four amazing kids, a wife to an extraordinary husband and a full-time pediatric nurse. When not writing, working or helping with homework you can find Elizabeth with her nose stuck in a book or hovering around her Keurig waiting for that next cup. She is the author of the best-selling Dyphillum Series, an Upper YA paranormal series, and her latest release Scarred that hit #1 Hot New Release on Amazon for her category. A portion of all proceeds for Scarred are donated to an antibullying foundation.

Reviews

[Katie Harder-schauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A little known fact about me (unless you've met my mother) is that I LOVE The Wizard of Oz. According to my mother, when I was 3, I had to watch it 3 times a day, every single day. She probably hated the movie after the first month of that. Even though I've never read the books by L. Frank Baum, I get very excited about Wizard of Oz retellings or continuations. Twisted by Elizabeth Montgomery imagines what Dorothy's life would have been like after the wizard took off in his balloon if she'd lost the ruby slippers.

I felt like this approach was a fresh take on The Wizard of Oz story and provided a slightly different view of Glinda that really makes sense if you think about it just a little bit. Even if you think about her actions in the movie (I'm not sure about the books since I haven't read them), they fit with this view of her.

A big issue with this story for me is that Ms. Montgomery avoided using names from the original stories like the plague, and it was completely unnecessary because The Wizard of Oz is in the public domain. There was no real good reason to refer to Toto as "the pup" all the time, and it annoyed it, a lot. Additionally, when Dee encountered a tin man, it was like she'd never seen one before, and that made no sense at all to me.

Another issue for me is that there were far too many spelling and grammar errors for a book this size. Granted, I had an ARC, but I checked two separate issues that I'd highlighted against the version available on Amazon and both were still present, so I have reason to believe the others were not caught and corrected either.

Overall I give Twisted 3 out of 5 stars because I liked the idea and overall story arc, but it failed to deliver on a few aspects.

Reviewed on Just Another Girl and Her Books blog
http://www.justanothergirlandherbooks...

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being in the foreign land of Oz, the great wizard left Dee behind with no way to return back home. Now, she must rely on a winged lion, a seemingly elderly witch, and the alluring Hatter to make her way home. However, once she has all the pieces, does she really want to go back?

This interesting take on Oz/Wonderful brings some familiar characters: flying monkeys, the good witch, the Mad Hatter, Wonderland's Red Queen, and even an appearance from the mischievous Cheshire Cat. The reader gets a taste of both magical and unreal worlds as Dee tries to figure her way out.

The story, itself, is inventive and holds events that were not featured in the original stories, giving it a fresh look. However, I felt the ride with Dee was a bit too rushed. Several events happen one after the other and my mind was spinning.

I was a little disappointed that the Wonderland aspect of the story did not come into play until more than halfway through the book, and we were all rushed out of there quickly. This is also about the time Dee's poor dog was almost forgotten about. When the entrance to Wonderland came about, and Dee's dog rushed through, it was pages before he was vaguely mentioned. Then, it wasn't until the end of the book that we really hear about him again. This seemed out of character for Dee since throughout most of the beginning she seemed pretty attuned with the location of her pup.

There were some grammatical errors within the text ("jaspers" should be "Jasper's", 'A heard of white bunnies..." should be "A herd of white bunnies", etc.). However, these were sporadic enough that my enjoyment of the book wasn't deterred too much.

Overall, for those who enjoy reinvented fast-paced fairy tales, this might a great read for you!

I received a free copy of this book from the JGBS Review Library in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

[Erin Bedford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin's Book Reviews: An Author Reviewing Other Authors
http://www.erinbedford.com/bookreviews

Dee was supposed to click her heels, make a wish, and POOF be back in her bedroom. But when those red shoes fail her, Dee has to find her own way out of Oz and back to Kansas. Along the way she meets a whole new set of interesting, borderline crazy characters who attempt to help Dee back to where she belongs. Things just don't go her way when a spell meant to take her home goes haywire, Dee finds herself falling down the rabbit hole and faced with a whole new set of problems.

Twisted is a fantastical tale of Dee (Dorthy reinvented) and what could have happened if the ruby red slippers hadn't done what they were supposed to. The author has an awesome way with words and her descriptions make you feel like you aren't just following a character as they have amazing adventures, but like you are right there along with them.

Now I do have to say I was really looking forward to this release and loved the sneak peeks I got from attending Facebook Release party, but after I began to read it I was a little disappointed. While there is some great descriptions and lots of wonderful characters, Wonderland isn't even mentioned until over half of the story is over and then since the story isn't very long your peek into Wonderland is brief and leaves you wanting more.

The story does have an open ending so there is potential for a sequel, which is confirmed by the sneak peek of the next book Red Queen's Return to Wonderland. I look forward to seeing where the next book goes and hope it fulfills the emptiness I was left with because of Twisted.

I give this read 4.5 bunnies! I rounded up!

[Ang -PNR Book Lover Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc received for honest review.

Guest reviewer Rachelle for PNR Book Lover Reviews

I really struggled to read this Arc. Literally on page one I came across spelling errors and throughout the entire book formatting issues literally drove me insane. Every. Single. Page. Ahh.

Then to literally have almost zero dialogue in the entire first chapter was a great case of telling not showing.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not one who dislikes the retelling and *twisting* of old tales, but this was annoying as crap.

For starters, it starts at the end of the classic, using what essentially is the finalisation of a story to begin... really little Dorothy just happened to lose her shoes and then has to go on another journey to find them?

And what's with "the pup" ... The wizard of Oz, is public domain... you could have called him toto.

Maybe if you'd given me some incredible love interest for Dorothy or some epic ending I would have been happy. I have after all seen Wicked five times - and that my friends is an epic twisted tale of the Wizard of Oz.

But I just found it ridiculous and messy. Connecting the wizard of Oz and Alice in wonderland was just lazy in my opinion.

And that is why i'm giving this a three, which I think is definitely fair. Which I hoped wouldn't be the case at all but with a cover as gorgeous as this and some imagination I was hoping for so much more from twisted but I was left thoroughly disappointed.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted by Elizabeth Montgomery

Dee loses her sparkly red shoes and now she can't find her way home. She ended up in a far away land being sucked up into a tornado. First she starts in OZ and then Wonderland, not knowing exactly how to get back home. On the way she meets some friends, and enemies as well. Will she ever get home?

A fantastic fantasy loosely based on "The Wizard of Oz" and "Alice in Wonderland". But the story in no way copies or carries on either story. It is really the story of what happens to Dee when she didn't use those red shoes to get home. Fast paced, with enlightening dialog and descriptive detail, I felt as if I were right beside Dee. For those who enjoy a great (twisted) fairy tale/fantasy Twisted is the book for you, I highly recommend it.

[L.L. Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted is a interesting spin on The Wizard of Oz with a hint of Alice in Wonderland. With a unique plot and interesting characters, readers of all ages will enjoy it. I love the whole premise and can't wait to read more from his author.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing mash up of the magical worlds of Oz and Wonderland, Elizabeth Montgomery delivers a quick, fun read with Twisted. Picking up after our heroine has found the Wizard only to be left behind in Oz, Dee’s harrowing journey is only just beginning as she struggles to find a way home. From the moment I laid eyes on the gorgeous cover and read the intriguing synopsis, I was hooked. I adored the concept that Elizabeth Montgomery has created, enjoying the curious characters and the promise of two beloved novels coming together in unexpected ways. Dee was easily likable. In fact, her sass, smarts and curiosity was very reminiscent of classic Dorothy and I appreciated that Elizabeth Montgomery didn’t stray from the true heart of the character. I also enjoyed the relationship she had with Samuel and Aeris. Those friendships helped give Dee depth and personality through their interactions and dialogue.

Unfortunately this novel didn’t quite live up to its stunning cover for me. Twisted felt like the beginning of a story, which was hard to reconcile since it was marketed as a standalone book. The majority of the novel took place in Oz so by the time Dee made it to Wonderland, the story was almost over. From then on it was a rush to the end and the relationships that developed in Wonderland and beyond suffered from this - especially Dee’s supposed relationship with the Hatter. It happened too quickly and, in conjunction with her strange feelings for Pox, just felt disingenuous and random. Since the synopsis focused on this crossing over of the two worlds, I was disappointed to find that it wasn’t the main focus of the novel. This isn’t to say that I didn’t enjoy what I read. I did. I just needed more. Plus, there was so much potential in the world building and writing that I couldn’t help but want something more substantial from Twisted.

I adored the relationship that Elizabeth Montgomery hinted at between Aeris and Jasper. Honestly, this was probably one of the strongest parts of the book and I would gladly read an entire novel dedicated to their story based on what was revealed to us in Twisted. Jasper and Aeris’ connection (and the depth it gave both the characters) was a prime example of some of the potential I saw in this author. There was genuine emotion brewing and I would have loved to see more of that throughout the story. Elizabeth Montgomery’s writing was colorful, painting a vibrant picture of her fantastical world and allowing me to experience her words as I read. There is definitely a magical quality to her writing that just needs to be honed and polished. While Twisted didn’t wow me, if you’re interested in a short, intriguing read, this may just be the fun, fanciful book you’re looking for. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this author and look forward to seeing what Elizabeth Montgomery comes up with next.

[Megan (lost among the stacks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ᴀ ᴛᴡɪꜱᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴀʟᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴍᴇʀɢᴇꜱ ᴡɪᴢᴀʀᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴏᴢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀʟɪᴄᴇ ɪɴ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀʟᴀɴᴅ? ꜱɪɢɴ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ! ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʙᴏᴛʜ ꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴇꜱ ɪᴍᴍᴇɴꜱᴇʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀ ꜱᴍᴀꜱʜ ᴜᴘ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀᴡᴇꜱᴏᴍᴇ. ⁣
⁣
ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ɪꜱɴ’ᴛ ʙᴀᴅ, ɪᴛ ʜᴇʟᴅ ᴍʏ ᴀᴛᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ. ʜᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ɪᴛ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʙᴇ ᴍʏ ᴇxᴘᴇᴄᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴛᴏᴏ ʜɪɢʜ ᴏʀ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ᴘʀᴇᴄᴏɴᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ɴᴏᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ʜᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴀʏ ᴏᴜᴛ ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ ꜰᴇʟʟ ꜱʜᴏʀᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴍᴇ. ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ ᴜꜱᴇꜱ ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴏɴʟʏ ᴋɴᴏᴡɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ʙʏ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏɴᴅᴇʀʟᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴏʀᴛɪᴏɴ ʙᴜᴛ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴛᴇꜱ ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀɪɢɪɴᴀʟ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏᴢ ᴘᴏʀᴛɪᴏɴ. ᴡɪᴢᴀʀᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴏᴢ ɪꜱ ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄ ᴅᴏᴍᴀɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴜꜱᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʀᴇᴘᴇʀᴄᴜꜱꜱɪᴏɴꜱ. ⁣
⁣
ᴅᴇᴇ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴅᴇᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱʜᴇ ᴅᴇꜰɪɴɪᴛᴇʟʏ ʜᴇʟᴅ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴏʀɪɢɪɴᴀʟ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴛʀᴀɪᴛꜱ. ꜱʜᴇ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴛɪᴍɪᴅ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ᴀʟꜱᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴛᴏ ꜰɪɢʜᴛ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴇꜱꜱᴇʀ ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱᴛᴀɴᴅ ᴜᴘ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴜʟʟɪᴇꜱ. ɪ’ᴍ ᴀ ʜᴜɢᴇ ꜰᴀɴ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴀᴍᴜᴇʟ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪᴏɴ ᴀɴᴅ ʜɪꜱ ᴠᴇʀʏ ꜱɴᴀʀᴋʏ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ. ʜᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴠᴇʀʏ ᴏɴ ʙʀᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ꜱᴏ ᴍᴀɴʏ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ꜱᴄᴇɴᴇꜱ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪᴍ. ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ɪᴛ’ꜱ ᴀ Qᴜɪᴄᴋ, ᴄᴜᴛᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ʀᴇᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ. ⁣
⁣
ꜱᴏ ɢʀᴀʙ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʙᴇꜱᴛ ꜱɴᴜɢɢʟᴇ ʙʟᴀɴᴋᴇᴛ, ᴘɪᴄᴋ ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ᴄᴏᴍꜰʏ ꜱᴘᴏᴛ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏ! ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ! ⁣

[Chrissy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started out fine, then quickly spun out of control with the weirdness. Look, Dorothy in the original books was supposed to be around 9-10 years old. Movie Dorothy was 12. The sexual feelings she had in this book for the Hatter was beyond creepy, and then she started to feel the same way towards Pox? No. Too weird for me.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I would have given this book a 3 anyways, but the lack of name for the dog (pup)completely drove me to distraction.

[Victoria Weimar · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, I thought it would be better.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confession time: I have a review of one of Elizabeth (“No, not the deceased star of Bewitched”) Montgomery's earlier books that I jotted down over a year ago, and have not yet posted. I felt bad – I didn't like it as much as others did in their reviews, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why.

Then, I received a copy of Twisted, the start of Ms. Montgomery's new series. I read it – and I really liked it! The author blends two famed fantasy realms together in this series – Oz and Wonderland – to tell a different tale than either of their original authors could have imagined.

In my opinion, Ms. Montgomery captures the spirit of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, albeit with a bit more mature an edge than some of Mr. Baum's works – I can't see Santa Claus making a guest appearance in this series, for example. The author never actually says “Oz “ (I don't think), and the young woman acting as our protagonist goes by “Dee” rather than “Dorothy”, but we all know who she is. (NOTE: Legally, Mr. Baum's works are available for derivation – however, the 1939 movie is not. SO, one can allude or directly reference one as long as it does not bring in the other – which is quite the slippery slope. This may explain the author's reticence to be direct.) The new characters she introduces would fit in quite well in one of Mr. Baum's original works – to the point where I am assuming that they are new characters, but would not be surprised had they been taken from one of the later Oz books!

Wonderland is not quite how I remembered it. The land that Ms. Montgomery describes is a darker place than I pictured from reading Lewis Carroll (or from watching the Disney cartoon, which of course being a Disney cartoon was brightened up a bit). Still, the tone set in this land is actually appropriate and explainable, based upon the behavior of the Red Queen and her subjects.

All in all, an interesting and mostly enjoyable literary effort. I'd encourage our author to return to this / these world(s) and tell us more tales of Dee, the Hatter, and the rest. (And, I think I'm finally ready to post that original review, which I have tucked aside waiting …)

RATING: 4 stars

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for a promise of a prompt and honest review. I provided no guarantees of any reaction, positive or negative, only my usual commitment to do so in a civil and polite manner.

[Angela Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantasy with a hint of romance. Yes, a hint of romance... you will have to read it to find out what I am referring too! I recommend this for young adults. This is a book full of so many surprises, I never knew what to expect, an unique mesh of Oz and Alice in Wonderland is the only way I can describe it. Dee is lost in a unfamiliar world, and her only desire is to go home... or truthfully her real desire is to be accepted and loved. Maybe she is really where she is supposed to be.

Dee has found herself without any means to get back home, the red shoes are no where to be found. But fortunely she happens across someone to lead her to a kind witch, who is willing to help her. Spells go awry, and well two worlds are combined. This can not be good or can it? Time will only tell. Dee has a lot of decisions to make and she must follow her own heart.

favorite passages.
"Long flowing rivers, cliffs that overlook the sunflower fields, and forest of solace."
"The wicked witch had tried to kill me with her Redbull-infused monkeys, and then again with her poisonous flower fields."
"The brilliant wings of the small creatures glimmered in the small bits of sunlight that filtered through the trees on the other side of the stream."
"I watched him limp away, his golden fur glistening against the rays of the sun as if it had been sprinkled with diamond dust."
"They mimicked a distant rumble of thunder rolling through the air on a hot summer night."
:Glow-bugs dances through the land creating an artistic landscape that even the greats would be wowed by."
"Crossing the street there was the equivalent of a guppy swimming through a shark infested river."
"She was heartbroken, and no words would ever fix that."
"Staring into his eyes felt similar to that first sip of hot chocolate you take on a cold snowy day-warm and soothing as it radiates joy throughout your entire body."
"Everything could stay just like it was forever, and I'd be one happy human in a sea of insanity."
"I closed my eyes and froze the moment in my memory."

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twisted is an interesting story that takes what you know about Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz and flips it on its head.

I was intrigued not only by the premise, but by the gorgeous cover, as well. I was definitely curious to see where the story went and how the author put her own spin on two beloved classics.

Dee, the main character, has defeated the Wicked Witch in Oz, but has been left behind by the wizard, and she's lost her precious ruby slippers. What's a girl to do with no way home? Enlist the help of a glitter-bombing witch, of course.

Dee and Aeris set off to figure out how to send Dee back to Kansas with her fiesty little pup. Along the way, they encounter a tin man and a flying lion, and when Aeris accidentally sends them to Wonderland, things get even more crazy than they already are.

For me, I felt like the story was a bit rushed. It was decent, but I would have liked more. I mean, I get that most people know the backstory of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy, but I would have liked to have seen a new take on how Dee got there and what happened between the time she arrived and the time she killed the Wicked Witch.

I also had a hard time feeling connected to the characters. Dee just sort of irked me in some ways, although I can't really explain why. She just sort of did. Aeris was ok. A bit crazy, but likable enough. The Mad Hatter was a strange one. He was mad, but he also had this weird insta-romance sort of thing that happened with Dee, and I didn't particularly care for that. And the other thing that bothered me was that Dee kept calling her dog "the pup" instead of giving him a name. I wanted him to have a name, just so I could stop hearing her (in my head as I read) saying the word pup every time she talked about him or to him.

Overall, Twisted is a unique story, but I do wish it had been fleshed out more with the plot and characters. The world building was pretty good, though. I liked the descriptions of Oz and Wonderland.

I'd rate Twisted 3.5 stars. Give it a whirl.

[Megan | A Page to Turn · Rating 4 out of 5]

 My Rating: 4

"Everything could stay just like it was forever, and I'd be one happy human in a sea of insanity."

I had no idea how much I would love this book when I opened it up on my kindle! First of all, check out that gorgeous cover!! You can tell right there what this mash up fairy tale might just have to do with - imagine a future after Dorothy clicked those red heels... then she lost the shoes. The world she lives in goes bat shit crazy and Oz collides with Wonderland and you're left wondering what the hell just happened... New and interesting characters as well as some new takes on old ones. I really enjoyed reading this darker, richer version of Wonderland. It reminded me a lot of the Johnny Depp movie version! I could see that Hatter as the one in the story! 

"Staring into his eyes felt similar to that first sip of hot chocolate you take on a cold snowy day-warm and soothing as it radiates joy throughout your entire body."

A really great story written by an accomplished author. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a sort of re-telling. It's not. It's more like a take on what COULD of happened. It's a twisted up version of a story that only someone with a very creative mind could of come up with! While Montgomery didn't need to put a whole lot of time into world building due to these world's already existing, she did put the time into her twists and turns that get you to the end of the book. Lots of action, some adventure and a tad sprinkle of romance. The end of the story left open some plot holes for more, so I look forward to seeing what happens next for Dee. 

[Chasity Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I bought this book based on how killer the cover is. I'm not one to judge a book based on it's cover, but this cover really captivated me that I bought it on the spot before even reading the blurb, so I went in reading it rather blind. And I'm glad that I did because I didn't expect any of the story at all.

In the beginning we meet Dee, or Dorothy as she's walking through Oz trying to find someone to help her get home. She meets some allies along the way that help her, even though they don't help her get home to Kansas. We meet Samuel, Jasper, and Aeries, which are all amazing characters that you really can't help but love. Especially when you find out the star-crossed lovers plot behind two of the characters, more so the full story at the end- which I didn't see coming at all.

And the name Twisted fits this novel perfectly, because it is Twisted. You don't see any of the twists and turns that happen, which in most novels you eventually begin to piece it together. That didn't happen with this novel. I could never formulate what I thought was going to happen next because there was nothing that I could think it could lead up to, especially since it was so different from the original Wizard of Oz.

I definitely look forward to reading more from Elizabeth Montgomery and hope to see more of Dee in Oz. Or even more twisted tellings of other stories, because she has such an imagination that she could come up with some brilliant twists that no one has done before. Because she did it here. I have high expectations for this amazing author.

[Ash Kemp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holy smokes Batman! I knew that I could expect something to do ith Oz, but I had no real idea what to expect from Twisted. Still, this wasn't it. This is more of a re-imagining of what happened after the wizard, Dorothy and Toto hopped in that hot air balloon and supposedly back to Kansas, than a straight re-telling of the Wizard of Oz. Think of it as an alternate, darker, more suspenseful sequel. With a very unexpected antagonist. The gorgeous cover is not a ruse to distract you from poor writing, as Montgomery's lush depictions of a decrepit land fill you with shivers and creepers lurk in every corner. Seriously, at one point I actually JUMPED from a fright while reading. You become so sucked into this book you forget the world around you exists, whether it's for 20 minutes or the entire 4 hours. Honestly the only thing that was missing was a bit more background, but if we just assume that the background comes from the original, I understand leaving this out since the story is so well known to people who either have seen the first movie adaptation or read the book. If you are a fantasy reader, a lover of suspense, like a good bit of horror, or just want a different type of re-telling, get a copy of Twisted and prepare to be dazed!

***A copy was provided for my honest opinion***

[Lynkon Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted by Elizabeth Montgomery
The day that this author started posting teasers for this book, I KNEW I had to read it. The cover reveal and additional teasers just fed that need!! The Wizard Of Oz is my all time favorite movie, so I will admit I was curiously cautious on my expectations.
The author does an amazing job at combining two worlds that so many of us grew up with. Dee isn't the same meek girl we knew from the classic movie--in this story she is strong and independent, with a dash of feisty!! I couldn't help but fall in love with the other characters, they were well illustrated for the reader and had personalities that were easy to connect with.
While trying to get Dee back home, her and her found friend, Aeris fall into another world....wonderland. This new world to Dee will bring it's own set of new friends and new enemies. A curious man who Dee finds herself drawn to, called Hatter. Along with a rabbit who tries to help, and a red queen who seeks power and control.
The end of this book keeps you on the edge of your seat and you'll find yourself laughing, worrying and possibly shedding a tear or two.
I highly suggest this book for all ages and am looking forward to more by Elizabeth Montgomery.

[Kelly Smith Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love seeing old stories remade with a new view. Sometimes it doesn't really work, but other times it is a magical thing, equalling or surpassing the original. Ms. Montgomery's story about Dee (AKA Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz) is a brilliant mash-up of Oz and Alice In Wonderland, showing us a mixture of two of the most recognizable and popular fictional lands in literature.
We all know Oz, Wonderland, and the characters, so how did she manage to elevate them to new heights? By not only merging them, but enhancing them with new creatures and characters. Oz has darker secrets in regards to their witches and even Dee's own past and abilities, and Wonderland is much darker, reminding me of the newer films' version of the realm as opposed to the brightened Disney version.
I was entranced from page one, drawn into the story, learning about the lands, and feeling as though I was transported to Oz and Wonderland myself. Not only would L. Frank Baum be proud of this novel, I think he would weep with joy at how wonderfully this book was written.
This is the kind of YA that can be enjoyed by anyone, be they 12 or 72!

[Fiction Vixens Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by Elizabeth Montgomery and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this remarkable story. This great story has a touch of Oz and Wonderland rolled in one great story . Elizabeth Montgomery has written a lovely story that flows smoothly throughout the whole story,and this story will keep you captived from start to finish. This story is about Dee who happens to be trapped in a totally different world then what she knows, but she ends up meeting so many interesting characters and such new worlds from what she knows. This read will keep you entertained with twists and turns on the fairy tales that we all grew up with, But with some new adventures ,this story kept me on the edge of my seat ,well waiting to see what was going to happen to Dee next. there's angst, magic, action, and some sweet romance and that is what makes this story what it is. I could go on and tell you so much more about Dee and her magic land ,,but that would spoil the read for you. I highly recommend that you read this great story ,because you won't be disappointed. This story is excellent for young /adults also.

[A. Powers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dee has just been abandoned in Oz after the wizard takes off in his balloon without her, and now she can’t get back to Kansas because she’s lost the red shoes. So she teams up with an old lady who attempts to help her get back home, only to accidentally end up in Wonderland instead. This poor girl just can’t catch a break!

In all honesty, I wasn’t really sure what to think of this book. It’s super fast-paced with non-stop action from the first page until the very end. I usually love it when books are fast-paced, but in this case I felt like it all just flew by in a blur, and I never really got a chance to like any of the characters. And every time I blinked, I missed about ten different plot points because it was just too fast. And due to the Oz/Wonderland setting, lots of random, magical things happened – unfortunately, it was just that as well – random. Nothing ever made any sense to me. But then again, neither did anything about the original Alice in Wonderland, either. Haha. I guess if you love those stories and are interested in a different take plus a cool fusion between the two worlds, then this is certainly a fun book.

[Jenny Zimmerman]

Read my full review at http://blackwords-whitepages1977.blog...


I was really excited to read this story because I have read other books by this author and I love her style of writing.

This book really fits its title. This is one story that totally blew me away. It brought forth two classic stories into one book with a twist. I have never read anything like this before. It's full of shocking and amazing surprises, but I felt as if I didn't connect with the characters in the story. The story-line is strong and well written and the characters were unique and mysterious in their own special ways, but the story really didn't quite click for me. I still highly recommend this read to others because someone else will have a different opinion to this book as I did.

Juniper Grove Solutions provided me with a digital ARC copy of the book for review purposes only as part of their review library. No remuneration was exchanged.

[Jennifer Jimmerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book from the author.

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Elizabeth sent out some beautiful digital posters and the cover is fantastic. I was super excited to get it in my inbox. I found the first part of the book a little bit slow, unfortunately. I hate to say that. I didn't get into the book until we made it to the Tin City. Things really picked up for me there.

I LOVED the Wonderland portion of the book and would have liked more time there. I didn't know what to expect for any of it. Goodness: Hatter and Pox. Love them too. The ending was unexpected as well. I liked it. I wish the book had been longer.

Also, there is a blurb at the end for what happened to the Queen of Wonderland. I highly recommend reading that. It is set up to read if you so desire and not necessarily as an epilogue. It would appear another book may be in the works. I'd like to see that.

[Stalking · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, I am a huge fan of authors retelling old stories in a new way. I was very excited because the Wizard of Oz happens to be one of my all-time favorites. Twisted takes a new turn and we follow Dee after the wizard has taken off in his hot air balloon and she is left to find her way home alone. As I was reading along, the new adventure was fun and exciting, with glimpses of the original story here and there. The first part of this story is great, I thoroughly enjoyed it but what really made it an excellent read? That is what happens later in the book! Twisted went from a great read to instant favorite for how the author seamlessly combined two amazing worlds and captured the essence of both so dead on that it’s hard to believe they aren’t written by the original authors. Teens and adults alike will fall in love with Dee and her adventures in this crazy, twisted up story.

[Patrick Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combining beloved landscapes and characters from two of the most fantastical and famous fictional lands of all time, Elizabeth Montgomery picks up the story of The Wizard of Oz and takes it into a bizarre new direction - straight through Lewis' Carroll's Wonderland.

Taking great pains to reveal much-beloved characters without ACTUALLY using the names we've come to identify them by, the story follows Dee, along with her faithful (but nameless) pup, as they stroll through the aftermath of Oz left by the reign of the wicked, departed Witch. She comes across another witch with a fondness for glitter, a winged lion, and eventually a portal leading to Wonderland, where she runs afoul of a certain queen with a penchant for dismembering those who displease her.

It's a wacky, wild ride - at time as little bit TOO wacky for me - but it's a quick read, and an enjoyable one. I would recommend it to lovers of fantasy and of classic 19th century tales.

[Kristy Centeno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping to my belief that reviews shouldn’t give too much away out of respect for those that haven’t read the book, I’m going to add my personal opinion on the tale and leave it at that.
Admittedly, the cover caught my attention and drew me in. The blurb helped.
With that out of the way, I’d like to point out that Twisted was an interested take on the Wizard of Oz. The author did her magic and reimagined a world full of dark surprises throughout the progress of every chapter. It was an easy, fast-paced read with plenty of action from start to finish.
My only complaints are that it may have gone a little too fast for my tastes. And although entertaining as far as fiction goes, I would have liked a bit more background.
However, I did enjoy Twisted and thought the author was very creative and imaginative in the way she presented her take on the Wizard of Oz meets Wonderland.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[The Color of Ink · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you read this story, you will step into an alternate world full of suspense and darkness. However, before I get away with telling you what a good story this is, can we talk about the cover? It’s bright, eye catching, and full of life. I love it!

The world and characters the author creates make it hard not to get sucked in to this story. There are several descriptive lines and phrases that help you feel what the characters are feeling. I would only say a little more explanation/background to make this more of a stand-alone read.

It’s hard not to give things away with this one. I’m treading lightly, because you really need to experience this story for yourself. You’re going to want to be just like Dee, having no idea what is going to happen next. I love the spin on the two worlds included. I’m looking forward to the next. I’m sure you will too. Enjoy!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Twisted" by Elizabeth Montgomery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This author never seizes to amaze me. Her writing is always beautifully thought out, easily glides along, and always keeps you captivated. Romantic Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, and now Twisted tops off the 5 star reads by Elizabeth Montgomery.

Dee is a curious and tenacious girl trapped in a world she knows nothing about. This story keeps you entertained with a twist on the fairytale that you've grown up with and turns it into something new and adventurous. I enjoyed the things Dee sees and the creatures she meets along the way to find her way home.

You will not be disappointed with this novel. Twisted is an amazing tale of growth, spirit, and ones love for family.

[Tammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book. The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland are two of my favorite story's from childhood. The combination of the both in one book and I was sold!
It had a bit of a slow start for me. The more I read the more I was drawn into the story. When the two worlds combined I was hooked!! Just like Dee I was confused, worried and had absolutely no idea what was going on or what was going to happen next. I loved it, it kept me on edge.
Action, angst, magic and a sweet romance come together and make this a fun book. I will definitely be looking for the next one. I love a good villain and I want more Red Queen.

[Tammy ~Witching Hour Reads~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Twisted! It is a fantastic spin, slash retelling of The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. I was hooked from the beginning, the world and characters that Elizabeth Montgomery has created is really quite spectacular. I can picture myself in Dees shoes, well not the red sparkly ones anyway, but I felt like I was with her on her search to get home.
This fantasy is full of adventure, danger, love, fun unique creatures, seriously what's not to love. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone who loves Fairy Tale retellings you will not be disappointed.

I received this book from the author for an honest review.