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Another Day #1
The Brides of Maracoor
* Duration: 9 hours and 30 minutes *
Multimillion-copy best-selling author Gregory Maguire unveils the first in a three-book series spun off the iconic Wicked Years, featuring Elphaba’s granddaughter, the green-skinned Rain.
Ten years ago this season, Gregory Maguire wrapped up the series he began with 'Wicked' by giving us the fourth and final volume of the Wicked Years, his elegiac 'Out of Oz' .
But “out of Oz” isn’t “gone for good.” Maguire’s new series, Another Day, is here, twenty-five years after Wicked first flew into our lives.
Volume one, 'THE BRIDES OF MARACOOR', finds Elphaba’s granddaughter, Rain, washing ashore on a foreign island. Comatose from crashing into the sea, Rain is taken in by a community of single women committed to obscure devotional practices.
As the mainland of Maracoor sustains an assault by a foreign navy, the island’s civil-servant overseer struggles to understand how an alien arriving on the shores of Maracoor could threaten the stability and wellbeing of an entire nation. Is it myth or magic at work, for good or for ill?
The trilogy Another Day will follow this green-skinned girl from the island outpost into the savage badlands of Maracoor before she learns how, and becomes ready, to turn her broom homeward, back to her family and her lover, back to Oz, which - in its beauty, suffering, mystery, injustice, and possibility - reminds us all too clearly of the troubled yet sacred terrain of our own lives.
©2021 Gregory Maguire (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
Multimillion-copy best-selling author Gregory Maguire unveils the first in a three-book series spun off the iconic Wicked Years, featuring Elphaba’s granddaughter, the green-skinned Rain.
Ten years ago this season, Gregory Maguire wrapped up the series he began with 'Wicked' by giving us the fourth and final volume of the Wicked Years, his elegiac 'Out of Oz' .
But “out of Oz” isn’t “gone for good.” Maguire’s new series, Another Day, is here, twenty-five years after Wicked first flew into our lives.
Volume one, 'THE BRIDES OF MARACOOR', finds Elphaba’s granddaughter, Rain, washing ashore on a foreign island. Comatose from crashing into the sea, Rain is taken in by a community of single women committed to obscure devotional practices.
As the mainland of Maracoor sustains an assault by a foreign navy, the island’s civil-servant overseer struggles to understand how an alien arriving on the shores of Maracoor could threaten the stability and wellbeing of an entire nation. Is it myth or magic at work, for good or for ill?
The trilogy Another Day will follow this green-skinned girl from the island outpost into the savage badlands of Maracoor before she learns how, and becomes ready, to turn her broom homeward, back to her family and her lover, back to Oz, which - in its beauty, suffering, mystery, injustice, and possibility - reminds us all too clearly of the troubled yet sacred terrain of our own lives.
©2021 Gregory Maguire (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers
10 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 12, 2021
530 people are currently reading
17567 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Maguire
110 books9,123 followersGregory Maguire is an American author, whose novels are revisionist retellings of children's stories (such as L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz into Wicked). He received his Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Tufts University, and his B.A. from the State University of New York at Albany. He was a professor and co-director at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature from 1979-1985. In 1987 he co-founded Children's Literature New England (a non-profit educational charity).
Maguire has served as artist-in-residence at the Blue Mountain Center, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Hambidge Center. He lives in Concord, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 336 reviews
November 12, 2021
I'm at a bit of a loss.
I enjoyed the earlier books in this universe. Generally, Gregory Maguire can deliver. However, I have always had a handicap in that I actually read all the original Oz books, so I know exactly what Quadling Country and Tick-Tock and all the rest are supposed to be like. This universe was always a weird alternate reality compared to the original children's books, if for no other reason than because people in Oz are supposed to be immortal. Everyone in Oz can choose to stop aging at whatever age they choose; and they are so completely immortal that, if chopped to tiny pieces, each individual piece of flesh will still be alive and conscious to a degree.
But I digress. No, this universe has very little in common with the original Oz books. Hell, even the book that started all this, Wicked, has almost nothing in common with the famous musical that was made out of it.
The books in this universe usually have a melancholy tone. The protagonists are usually unsure of themselves, making seriously flawed decisions in a seriously flawed world. There are usually themes of agnosticism. Elphaba and Liir, the protagonists we had in Wicked and Son of a Witch (Rain's grandmother and father, respectively) bounced from career to career seemingly by accident. We watched their lives lurch forward at an uneven, rushed pace, as the books would gloss over years at a time.
This book? At a minimum, I have a serious problem with its pacing. We agonized for hundreds of pages (or hours of the audiobook) about the fact Rain landed on a small island with a policy that there must be exactly 7 women on it. No more, no fewer. Then we kept rehashing this idea over and over again. Talking about whether Rain would count as one of the seven "brides," and whether they should be allowed to order her to leave.
Over and over and over again.
There were a few references to magic, but they were so brief and never followed up on, they probably needn't have been included at all. Back in Wicked, magic was more something that happened to Elphaba, and not something she studied or had any serious control over. They were more like unsolicited miracles, further muddying the possibility of there being a god in this universe. In this book, the references to magic are too brief and different to even compare.
In previous books we watched in shock as Maguire fast-forwarded through years of Elphaba's and Liir's lives. Suddenly, we find out that Elphaba somehow spent years basically living as a nun (a "Maud"). We find out that Liir joined the army, seemingly just as accidentally as his mother joined a convent.
But here, we have the opposite problem. Hundreds of pages following as nothing much in particular happens to Rain.
Rain has amnesia, which is probably necessary for the plot, but frustrating for the reader. I will note that amnesia is arguably a recurring theme in this series, as both Elphaba and Liir had memory problems about conceiving/birthing their children. (Elphaba suffered a blow to the head and doesn't remember giving birth to Liir, and Liir was unconscious when Candle mounted him and conceived Rain.) Why does this family have such a propensity for amnesia?
Rain can no longer ride a flying broomstick, which previously was basically the only cool thing she did. Just when things start to get exciting again, the novel is over. So now we have to just accept that this book is an overly long introduction to a new series, and the author didn't understand how badly he needed to edit.
Just disappointing.
I enjoyed the earlier books in this universe. Generally, Gregory Maguire can deliver. However, I have always had a handicap in that I actually read all the original Oz books, so I know exactly what Quadling Country and Tick-Tock and all the rest are supposed to be like. This universe was always a weird alternate reality compared to the original children's books, if for no other reason than because people in Oz are supposed to be immortal. Everyone in Oz can choose to stop aging at whatever age they choose; and they are so completely immortal that, if chopped to tiny pieces, each individual piece of flesh will still be alive and conscious to a degree.
But I digress. No, this universe has very little in common with the original Oz books. Hell, even the book that started all this, Wicked, has almost nothing in common with the famous musical that was made out of it.
The books in this universe usually have a melancholy tone. The protagonists are usually unsure of themselves, making seriously flawed decisions in a seriously flawed world. There are usually themes of agnosticism. Elphaba and Liir, the protagonists we had in Wicked and Son of a Witch (Rain's grandmother and father, respectively) bounced from career to career seemingly by accident. We watched their lives lurch forward at an uneven, rushed pace, as the books would gloss over years at a time.
This book? At a minimum, I have a serious problem with its pacing. We agonized for hundreds of pages (or hours of the audiobook) about the fact Rain landed on a small island with a policy that there must be exactly 7 women on it. No more, no fewer. Then we kept rehashing this idea over and over again. Talking about whether Rain would count as one of the seven "brides," and whether they should be allowed to order her to leave.
Over and over and over again.
There were a few references to magic, but they were so brief and never followed up on, they probably needn't have been included at all. Back in Wicked, magic was more something that happened to Elphaba, and not something she studied or had any serious control over. They were more like unsolicited miracles, further muddying the possibility of there being a god in this universe. In this book, the references to magic are too brief and different to even compare.
In previous books we watched in shock as Maguire fast-forwarded through years of Elphaba's and Liir's lives. Suddenly, we find out that Elphaba somehow spent years basically living as a nun (a "Maud"). We find out that Liir joined the army, seemingly just as accidentally as his mother joined a convent.
But here, we have the opposite problem. Hundreds of pages following as nothing much in particular happens to Rain.
Rain has amnesia, which is probably necessary for the plot, but frustrating for the reader. I will note that amnesia is arguably a recurring theme in this series, as both Elphaba and Liir had memory problems about conceiving/birthing their children. (Elphaba suffered a blow to the head and doesn't remember giving birth to Liir, and Liir was unconscious when Candle mounted him and conceived Rain.) Why does this family have such a propensity for amnesia?
Rain can no longer ride a flying broomstick, which previously was basically the only cool thing she did. Just when things start to get exciting again, the novel is over. So now we have to just accept that this book is an overly long introduction to a new series, and the author didn't understand how badly he needed to edit.
Just disappointing.
March 26, 2022
They just had to piss me off with the owl! I’m not in the mood to skim read or deal with cruel animal deaths. I hope that person got set on fire but since I stopped reading at that point, I don’t know. Bastards, I was hoping yo love and own the hardback. On to the next!
Don’t question me!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Don’t question me!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 1, 2022
This is an OK spin-off to Maguire's brilliant The Wicked Years Complete Collection: Wicked, Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz series. It's about Elphaba's granddaughter Rain, who washes ashore on the island of Maracoor Spot, an island inhabited only by seven women who live their lives there in the service of Maracoor.
Not much happens. The entire book could have been condensed into a short story without losing much. Also, there are a lot of incomplete sentences which bug the shit out of me. Some incomplete sentences are fine, keyword some. They can add emphasis.
However, they're popping up more and more and make for shoddy writing IMO. I know this author can write well - I've read most of his books - so why this change? It reinforces for me the suspicion that many authors are now writing to appeal to audio readers rather than visual, making books more like how we speak than what has in the past been acceptable as proper writing.
Language changes over time. Just like everything else, it's constantly evolving. Perhaps I need to learn to be a little more flexible and a lot less nit-picky?
Maybe I'll read the second book or maybe I won't. There wasn't much in the way of philosophical musings that I loved so much in the Wicked books, which was a disappointment for me and makes me not care much about what happens next.
I'm sad to give a mediocre review for a Gregory Maguire book but I gotta keep it honest.
Not much happens. The entire book could have been condensed into a short story without losing much. Also, there are a lot of incomplete sentences which bug the shit out of me. Some incomplete sentences are fine, keyword some. They can add emphasis.
However, they're popping up more and more and make for shoddy writing IMO. I know this author can write well - I've read most of his books - so why this change? It reinforces for me the suspicion that many authors are now writing to appeal to audio readers rather than visual, making books more like how we speak than what has in the past been acceptable as proper writing.
Language changes over time. Just like everything else, it's constantly evolving. Perhaps I need to learn to be a little more flexible and a lot less nit-picky?
Maybe I'll read the second book or maybe I won't. There wasn't much in the way of philosophical musings that I loved so much in the Wicked books, which was a disappointment for me and makes me not care much about what happens next.
I'm sad to give a mediocre review for a Gregory Maguire book but I gotta keep it honest.
February 28, 2022
“The Brides of Maracoor” is the first in the “Another Day” series, by “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” author Gregory Maguire.
Fragrant with beautiful prose, and full of magical fairy tale whimsy as only Maguire can do, “Maracoor” tells the story of Rain, Elphaba’s granddaughter, as she finds herself stranded on the secluded island of Maracoor, surrounded by only women, women who are responsible for weaving time (or so they’re told). But Rain’s arrival is unexpected, and along with it comes many other unexpected atrocities across the entire nation, and so, obviously, Rain herself is blamed. Rain and the women of Maracoor each must fend for themselves as the nation they previously knew is under attack by strange forces, forces Rain may be responsible for but cannot remember.
I love Maguire’s writing style. It is so unique and creative and I have yet to find anything similar. Although it is flowery and beautiful, it is still relevant, and he does not write simply to fill space. His language is meaningful, and only serves to accentuate his strong characters and his strange and mystical settings.
In “Maracoor”, the “brides” are seven women, of all ages, who are cloistered in a temple on a small island, sequestered away from the rest of the world. Here, they participate in self-flagellation, and weave seaweed, interrupted only once a year when an official from the mainland comes to assess their numbers. Maguire manages to elicit feelings of feminist camaraderie for the “brides”, and their unique relationship is both magical and tragic.
The story is told in two parts, and we hear from many characters (Rain, Lucikles—the island official, the brides of Maracoor and one bride in particular, the youngest, named Cossy). Each section and chapter is clearly labeled, and it is easy to identify who is narrating the tale. Had anyone else but Maguire been the writer, hearing from every character would be daunting and intimidating but in this case, it only serves to cement a relationship between the reader and the books’ characters, and to provide a completely immersive reading experience.
I love that this novel is the first of several, and I look forward to hearing more of Rain’s story. There are so many different avenues Maguire can take this one, and he can do no wrong. Magical, mythical and immersive, “Brides of Maracoor” provides a unique fairy tale experience, full of fantasy and talking Animals that have me desperate for more.
Fragrant with beautiful prose, and full of magical fairy tale whimsy as only Maguire can do, “Maracoor” tells the story of Rain, Elphaba’s granddaughter, as she finds herself stranded on the secluded island of Maracoor, surrounded by only women, women who are responsible for weaving time (or so they’re told). But Rain’s arrival is unexpected, and along with it comes many other unexpected atrocities across the entire nation, and so, obviously, Rain herself is blamed. Rain and the women of Maracoor each must fend for themselves as the nation they previously knew is under attack by strange forces, forces Rain may be responsible for but cannot remember.
I love Maguire’s writing style. It is so unique and creative and I have yet to find anything similar. Although it is flowery and beautiful, it is still relevant, and he does not write simply to fill space. His language is meaningful, and only serves to accentuate his strong characters and his strange and mystical settings.
In “Maracoor”, the “brides” are seven women, of all ages, who are cloistered in a temple on a small island, sequestered away from the rest of the world. Here, they participate in self-flagellation, and weave seaweed, interrupted only once a year when an official from the mainland comes to assess their numbers. Maguire manages to elicit feelings of feminist camaraderie for the “brides”, and their unique relationship is both magical and tragic.
The story is told in two parts, and we hear from many characters (Rain, Lucikles—the island official, the brides of Maracoor and one bride in particular, the youngest, named Cossy). Each section and chapter is clearly labeled, and it is easy to identify who is narrating the tale. Had anyone else but Maguire been the writer, hearing from every character would be daunting and intimidating but in this case, it only serves to cement a relationship between the reader and the books’ characters, and to provide a completely immersive reading experience.
I love that this novel is the first of several, and I look forward to hearing more of Rain’s story. There are so many different avenues Maguire can take this one, and he can do no wrong. Magical, mythical and immersive, “Brides of Maracoor” provides a unique fairy tale experience, full of fantasy and talking Animals that have me desperate for more.
September 13, 2021
I always enjoy reading a book by Gregory Maguire but especially enjoyed this one as I won an advanced readers copy in a Goodreads giveaway (thank you, Goodreads)!
As always with Maguire’s books, I was enraptured with the story right from the beginning. There are section blocks that are written from different character perspectives which keeps the tale interesting and propels it forward. Sometimes this tactic can make the story confusing and Maguire did a wonderful job avoiding that! The only downside to reading this book is having to wait a while for the next one to come out. It was wonderful to have the Oz story continued through Rain and her experience with the Brides of Maracoor.
Does anyone else need a dictionary on hand when reading anything of Maguire’s? He uses the BEST words, but some I have never heard of before. Just another reason why his writing is so great because I learn so many new words! Please tell me I’m not alone in this 😅
Absolutely get your hands on this book when it hits the shelves this October!
As always with Maguire’s books, I was enraptured with the story right from the beginning. There are section blocks that are written from different character perspectives which keeps the tale interesting and propels it forward. Sometimes this tactic can make the story confusing and Maguire did a wonderful job avoiding that! The only downside to reading this book is having to wait a while for the next one to come out. It was wonderful to have the Oz story continued through Rain and her experience with the Brides of Maracoor.
Does anyone else need a dictionary on hand when reading anything of Maguire’s? He uses the BEST words, but some I have never heard of before. Just another reason why his writing is so great because I learn so many new words! Please tell me I’m not alone in this 😅
Absolutely get your hands on this book when it hits the shelves this October!
April 14, 2025
10 years ago, the Wicked series ended with Rain flying out to sea to see what future awaited her anywhere but Oz. And now, 10 years later, we pick up right where we left off. An amnesiac Rain has washed up on an island inhabited by the seven Brides of Maracoor, women chosen to perform a life of devotional practices. On the mainland, an invading army has taken advantage of the same storm Rain flew in on to mount an assault on the capitol. How these two events are related becomes more clear the further in the story progresses.
Let me state plainly, I am a huge Oz fan. The 1939 film is one of my favorite movies, the 1900 novel one of my favorite books. I've devoured all Oz media I can get my hands on, and the Wicked books were no exception. Even though they ended up being a 4 book series, none of them was written in a way that indicated another book in the series would follow. The same cannot be said here. As clearly stated on the front and back covers, this is the first book in a trilogy, and boy can you tell. The first half of the book is a lot of very slow buildup to set up the politics and religions present in this new land; what little "action" we receive is saved for the back half. While I was excited to read more of Rain, the amnesia trope means she isn't really the Rain we grew to love in Out of Oz. The very end of the book, when Oz references started becoming more prevalent, were the only times I really got any enjoyment out of this one.
Maguire writes in his usual elegant style, and while I think a third of this book could have been edited out, the prose we got was beautiful and heady and in some places, too dense for me to comprehend a full meaning. So, classic Gregory Maguire!
I am interested to see how this trilogy continues and ends, but I think I'm inclined to wait for both books to come out before I dive back in. While I understand this is being viewed as a spinoff rather than a sequel, I would still like to deal with the fallout of the events of Out of Oz and how Rain processes them, and I hope we see an actual return to Oz in the final book, but my hopes are low on that one.
Thank you to William Morrow & HarperCollins for an ARC, my first ever!
Let me state plainly, I am a huge Oz fan. The 1939 film is one of my favorite movies, the 1900 novel one of my favorite books. I've devoured all Oz media I can get my hands on, and the Wicked books were no exception. Even though they ended up being a 4 book series, none of them was written in a way that indicated another book in the series would follow. The same cannot be said here. As clearly stated on the front and back covers, this is the first book in a trilogy, and boy can you tell. The first half of the book is a lot of very slow buildup to set up the politics and religions present in this new land; what little "action" we receive is saved for the back half. While I was excited to read more of Rain, the amnesia trope means she isn't really the Rain we grew to love in Out of Oz. The very end of the book, when Oz references started becoming more prevalent, were the only times I really got any enjoyment out of this one.
Maguire writes in his usual elegant style, and while I think a third of this book could have been edited out, the prose we got was beautiful and heady and in some places, too dense for me to comprehend a full meaning. So, classic Gregory Maguire!
I am interested to see how this trilogy continues and ends, but I think I'm inclined to wait for both books to come out before I dive back in. While I understand this is being viewed as a spinoff rather than a sequel, I would still like to deal with the fallout of the events of Out of Oz and how Rain processes them, and I hope we see an actual return to Oz in the final book, but my hopes are low on that one.
Thank you to William Morrow & HarperCollins for an ARC, my first ever!
October 13, 2021
**UPDATE ON OCTOBER 13 – THERE IS A MAP! Haha!**
If you liked THE WICKED YEARS series by Gregory Maguire, you will enjoy this new book that picks up where OUT OF OZ left off.
Thank Lurline we’re back in this world! Or should I be thanking Mara? 🤔
The book shines best at world building - the culture is fascinating! I loved reading about the customs, architecture, religion, temples and more. Maguire does a fantastic job at placing you right there in the world with his characters.
I can still smell the sea salted air, and with a brisk breeze, inhale the temple incense mixed with sparkling green grass and tart apple.
No spoilers from me, but I do enjoy the pacing of events, and the few plot twists that I didn’t see coming - from my point of view, it kept me reading and wanting more.
I would read again, and I would recommend.
The book comes out in October 2021 and I have an advanced reader’s copy. I would like to own this in hardback and plan on buying upon release. I hope the published retail version has maps, but if not, no biggie.
If you liked THE WICKED YEARS series by Gregory Maguire, you will enjoy this new book that picks up where OUT OF OZ left off.
Thank Lurline we’re back in this world! Or should I be thanking Mara? 🤔
The book shines best at world building - the culture is fascinating! I loved reading about the customs, architecture, religion, temples and more. Maguire does a fantastic job at placing you right there in the world with his characters.
I can still smell the sea salted air, and with a brisk breeze, inhale the temple incense mixed with sparkling green grass and tart apple.
No spoilers from me, but I do enjoy the pacing of events, and the few plot twists that I didn’t see coming - from my point of view, it kept me reading and wanting more.
I would read again, and I would recommend.
The book comes out in October 2021 and I have an advanced reader’s copy. I would like to own this in hardback and plan on buying upon release. I hope the published retail version has maps, but if not, no biggie.
January 4, 2022
I received a free e-copy of The Bridges of Maracoor by Gregory Maguire from NetGalley for my honest review.
I am an absolute fan of anything from Gregory Maguire. A master storyteller who never disappoints. A book to be cherished, loved and dreamed about again and again.
I am an absolute fan of anything from Gregory Maguire. A master storyteller who never disappoints. A book to be cherished, loved and dreamed about again and again.
May 26, 2021
Maguire takes us back to the land of Oz…or at least to an adjacent continent. Elphaba’s granddaughter Rain finds herself marooned on an island of women practicing obscure religious rituals while guarding a precious relic. Her appearance causes problems for a mid level civil servant just trying to get home to his family. Maguire’s excellent world building skills are on full display. The setting feels rich, inhabited, and plausible. I’m very excited to be back in the land of talking Animals, green-skinned women, and harrowing bureaucracy.
NetGalley provided me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
NetGalley provided me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 26, 2021
I didn't spend a lot of time yearning to read this and it's probably just as well. The setting of Maracoor was intriguing and the service of the brides was well described. I loved the youngest bride and felt for her through the strangeness of the events that occurred and the barbed community that she lived in but in the end it was that community that I found difficult to accept. Despite emphasizing the story of the brides arriving as infants and living in a community that never exceeded 7 women they were extraordinarily able to understand social mores when they did encounter them.
The saving grace is Gregory Maguire's exquisite use of descriptive language.
Perhaps if it had not been so long since I read his other Oz books I might have been more drawn in.
The saving grace is Gregory Maguire's exquisite use of descriptive language.
Perhaps if it had not been so long since I read his other Oz books I might have been more drawn in.
October 30, 2021
A slog, like a dreadful homework. After 100 pages the portentiousness (not a typo) of it all drained the momentum of the story. This felt like the second, not the first volume, of a trilogy.
September 14, 2021
I keep thinking one of these days I'm going to get tired of Gregory Maguire, having read almost all of his books. It has yet to happen. I got sucked into Maracoor as easily as I was sucked into Oz, if not more; the island occupied by the brides is such a weird little insulated world and I loved living in it. I do think this works pretty well as a standalone but it's worth reading at least "Wicked" and "Out of Oz" for context.
January 9, 2022
Only just three stars.
This is a trilogy, and if you're not willing to commit to all three you might be wasting your time reading this one, because it's all setup.
It's about a set of "brides", who cut their feet every day while casting nets to manage time. No, really. Somehow not one of them, even as they are replaced one at a time, ever says, "this is bullshit, what are we doing here?"
They are visited once a year by Bicycles, or is it Licorice? He is a nebbish. Decent chap, but a nebbish.
The brides contain a crone, a bitch, and a child, all of whom are bog-standard versions of same. The rest are mostly placeholders. We are reminded endlessly that there are seven of them, not six, not eight, and seven shall be their number, neither shall it be more nor less. Seven.
Rain arrives by broomstick and goose. No, really. She has amnesia, how convenient for the author.
She sort of vapours around twiddling her thumbs. And she makes eight.
The goose talks, and is clearly the smartest being on the island.
There are conflicts, and a few things finally happen.
Likrotes, or whatever, takes them back to civilization. We meet the Bvalit or whatever the heck he's called, and a judge; both are delightful. And we meet a bunch of ordinary, decent people, which is a hugely refreshing change in a genre where we fully expect our characters to lose everything they have every 100 pages or so.
So we approach the end. So many loose ends to resolve. Guess how many get resolved? Yep.
Zip-a-rooni. Nyetsa. Zilch. None.
This should have been a novella, and if it had been I might be planning to read the next one. But it wasn't, and I'm not.
This is a trilogy, and if you're not willing to commit to all three you might be wasting your time reading this one, because it's all setup.
It's about a set of "brides", who cut their feet every day while casting nets to manage time. No, really. Somehow not one of them, even as they are replaced one at a time, ever says, "this is bullshit, what are we doing here?"
They are visited once a year by Bicycles, or is it Licorice? He is a nebbish. Decent chap, but a nebbish.
The brides contain a crone, a bitch, and a child, all of whom are bog-standard versions of same. The rest are mostly placeholders. We are reminded endlessly that there are seven of them, not six, not eight, and seven shall be their number, neither shall it be more nor less. Seven.
Rain arrives by broomstick and goose. No, really. She has amnesia, how convenient for the author.
She sort of vapours around twiddling her thumbs. And she makes eight.
The goose talks, and is clearly the smartest being on the island.
There are conflicts, and a few things finally happen.
Likrotes, or whatever, takes them back to civilization. We meet the Bvalit or whatever the heck he's called, and a judge; both are delightful. And we meet a bunch of ordinary, decent people, which is a hugely refreshing change in a genre where we fully expect our characters to lose everything they have every 100 pages or so.
So we approach the end. So many loose ends to resolve. Guess how many get resolved? Yep.
Zip-a-rooni. Nyetsa. Zilch. None.
This should have been a novella, and if it had been I might be planning to read the next one. But it wasn't, and I'm not.
August 27, 2021
This is not my usual read but i won this on goodreads and happily jumped in. Very curious mythical and fantastical book ,i was in the mood for imaginary life for a bit. The setting reminds me of greek myths the stony windswept islands. ,the talking goose and strange apparitions some very scary. I love the sea as the background and the tides and moon controlling it all especially love the green girl Rain with her cool calm head and bravery.
November 6, 2021
Well this book isn’t Wicked (what else is?) but as usual I find that Maguire’s stories set in that universe are his best. I would actually put this book squarely in the middle of the Oz books (with Wicked and Son of Witch the better books). There is some interesting philosophy on the nature of choice and responsibility and at least one old trope gets turned on it’s head. I’d put this one at almost 3.5 stars, and I will definitely read the next books in the series.
February 23, 2024
Yes please I would indeed very much like to live on an island with only six other women and we grow our own food and walk in the woods and, like...create literal time for the whole world.
But could I skip the whole "slicing open the bottoms of your feet every day" part?
Oh man, I loved this. Unlike seemingly most people, I adored Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and enjoyed the rest of that series, too. I admit I was let down by After Alice, but this book was back to Wicked levels for me. I don't know, I guess Maguire's writing style and characters just work for me, you know? Like with The Wicked Years series, I was just totally enchanted with the world he created and how he described it to us, with his creations of people and places and language and magic and all of it. And I love how well he does this particular type of fantasy, where the reader might not feel 100% sure they understand everything, but it kind of doesn't matter, and isn't meant for us to do so anyway. We're not of that world, so it can't make perfect sense to us. And for me, that makes it even more fun, because it removes the need to be analytical about it, and lets you just imagine What if the real world were this one?
I loved the interactions among the brides, and their personalities, especially Helia and Cossy. There's an interesting structure among them, in that they essentially operate as a family, but since each of them were brought to the island as babies, they don't actually understand what "family" means, so they're free to create it in whatever way makes sense for their situation. They also have their mystical duties to perform, and they do so out of a sense of duty, even if they don't know why the duty is theirs to bear, or to or for whom it is being performed.
And Rain just grabbed my heartstrings. I loved that even with the trauma she'd been through and the loss of her memory and her understand of the world, she still retained an inner fire and a resolute nature, and would not allow others to dictate the shape of her life, whatever that life might be now. The bond she forged with Cossy was beautiful, and of course, who doesn't love a woman who comes with her own talking Goose?
Yeah, I just fucking loved this, absolutely adored it. Can't wait to continue the series because I have to know what happens to all of these women after the events at the end!
But could I skip the whole "slicing open the bottoms of your feet every day" part?
Oh man, I loved this. Unlike seemingly most people, I adored Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, and enjoyed the rest of that series, too. I admit I was let down by After Alice, but this book was back to Wicked levels for me. I don't know, I guess Maguire's writing style and characters just work for me, you know? Like with The Wicked Years series, I was just totally enchanted with the world he created and how he described it to us, with his creations of people and places and language and magic and all of it. And I love how well he does this particular type of fantasy, where the reader might not feel 100% sure they understand everything, but it kind of doesn't matter, and isn't meant for us to do so anyway. We're not of that world, so it can't make perfect sense to us. And for me, that makes it even more fun, because it removes the need to be analytical about it, and lets you just imagine What if the real world were this one?
I loved the interactions among the brides, and their personalities, especially Helia and Cossy. There's an interesting structure among them, in that they essentially operate as a family, but since each of them were brought to the island as babies, they don't actually understand what "family" means, so they're free to create it in whatever way makes sense for their situation. They also have their mystical duties to perform, and they do so out of a sense of duty, even if they don't know why the duty is theirs to bear, or to or for whom it is being performed.
And Rain just grabbed my heartstrings. I loved that even with the trauma she'd been through and the loss of her memory and her understand of the world, she still retained an inner fire and a resolute nature, and would not allow others to dictate the shape of her life, whatever that life might be now. The bond she forged with Cossy was beautiful, and of course, who doesn't love a woman who comes with her own talking Goose?
Yeah, I just fucking loved this, absolutely adored it. Can't wait to continue the series because I have to know what happens to all of these women after the events at the end!
October 12, 2021
*I was provided with an ebook copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review*
When I first heard that Gregory Maguire was going to once again return to Oz for a new trilogy, I was thrilled! Wicked has been one of my favorite books since I read it a few years after it was published, and I cherish my signed first-edition copies of all four books in the Wicked Years saga. I even had the honor of meeting Mr. Maguire on his tour for the final book in that series, “Out of Oz”. But with this news came a bit of curiosity and a few reservations: how would he be able to return us to the world? After all, Rain had snuck away and left Oz for destinations unknown at the end of “Out of Oz”. When I read the description of “The Brides of Maracoor”, I felt my reservations peak out. This book doesn’t seem to have anything to do with Oz… is it going to be connected or satisfying? Thankfully the answer is a full-throated “Yes!”.
“The Brides of Maracoor” finds Rain washed up on an unknown shore with her Goose companion Iskinaary. She has lost all memories of who she is, what she was doing, and where she is from. All she can remember is being tossed out of the skies by a vicious storm and landing on the shores of Maracoor Spot. It is here that she meets the Brides of Maracoor, seven women who spend their lives in seclusion on the island, piously stringing together nets that represent time. They rub their feet raw until they bleed each morning in a sign of piety and discipline.
Their whole world is rocked to its core by Rains arrival. Some embrace her and seek to help. Others are wary and distrustful and want her gone. A power struggle ensues and ends in tragedy.
Meanwhile, the women receive their annual visit from Lucikles, a member of the Maracoor mainland who is charged with ensuring that there are still 7 brides on Maracoor and that they have all of the supplies they need. He arrives to chaos and confusion due to Rain and the power struggle. He leaves and promises to return to solve this issue.
Yet when he arrives home, he finds a country in distress after a massive attack from a foreign army. He travels across the country to find his family but is eventually called back to make his report on his trip. The leadership deem the attack the fault of Rain and her appearance and they send Lucikles back to Maracoor Spot to retrieve Rain and one of the brides to face charges. More chaos ensues after the trial, resulting in the rescue of Rain and the bride by the flying monkeys and the return of Rains memories.
That’s a very oversimplified recap but it the story. However, it was incredible! Do not go into looking for another Wicked or Out of Oz - this book is not that. This novel is a fresh story about memory and power and grief. It is about the power of misinformation and gossip. It is deep and makes you think but doesn’t get too stuck in the weeds to become overwhelming.
Gregory Maguire is an amazing world builder, and you can tell how much he really enjoyed doing that with this novel. It’s the first time he can wholly invent a brand new world on this book series as it is the first to not have basis in Oz or other fairy tales. The governing ideals of Maracoor are fascinating, and the Brides and their job are too.
Give this book a shot - you’ll be glad you did! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!
When I first heard that Gregory Maguire was going to once again return to Oz for a new trilogy, I was thrilled! Wicked has been one of my favorite books since I read it a few years after it was published, and I cherish my signed first-edition copies of all four books in the Wicked Years saga. I even had the honor of meeting Mr. Maguire on his tour for the final book in that series, “Out of Oz”. But with this news came a bit of curiosity and a few reservations: how would he be able to return us to the world? After all, Rain had snuck away and left Oz for destinations unknown at the end of “Out of Oz”. When I read the description of “The Brides of Maracoor”, I felt my reservations peak out. This book doesn’t seem to have anything to do with Oz… is it going to be connected or satisfying? Thankfully the answer is a full-throated “Yes!”.
“The Brides of Maracoor” finds Rain washed up on an unknown shore with her Goose companion Iskinaary. She has lost all memories of who she is, what she was doing, and where she is from. All she can remember is being tossed out of the skies by a vicious storm and landing on the shores of Maracoor Spot. It is here that she meets the Brides of Maracoor, seven women who spend their lives in seclusion on the island, piously stringing together nets that represent time. They rub their feet raw until they bleed each morning in a sign of piety and discipline.
Their whole world is rocked to its core by Rains arrival. Some embrace her and seek to help. Others are wary and distrustful and want her gone. A power struggle ensues and ends in tragedy.
Meanwhile, the women receive their annual visit from Lucikles, a member of the Maracoor mainland who is charged with ensuring that there are still 7 brides on Maracoor and that they have all of the supplies they need. He arrives to chaos and confusion due to Rain and the power struggle. He leaves and promises to return to solve this issue.
Yet when he arrives home, he finds a country in distress after a massive attack from a foreign army. He travels across the country to find his family but is eventually called back to make his report on his trip. The leadership deem the attack the fault of Rain and her appearance and they send Lucikles back to Maracoor Spot to retrieve Rain and one of the brides to face charges. More chaos ensues after the trial, resulting in the rescue of Rain and the bride by the flying monkeys and the return of Rains memories.
That’s a very oversimplified recap but it the story. However, it was incredible! Do not go into looking for another Wicked or Out of Oz - this book is not that. This novel is a fresh story about memory and power and grief. It is about the power of misinformation and gossip. It is deep and makes you think but doesn’t get too stuck in the weeds to become overwhelming.
Gregory Maguire is an amazing world builder, and you can tell how much he really enjoyed doing that with this novel. It’s the first time he can wholly invent a brand new world on this book series as it is the first to not have basis in Oz or other fairy tales. The governing ideals of Maracoor are fascinating, and the Brides and their job are too.
Give this book a shot - you’ll be glad you did! I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!
June 8, 2022
Hate to be this person, but I honestly don't think this book needs to exist. I read it all, and it either shouldn't have been written full stop, or it should have been written not connected to the Wicked universe but rather as many of Maguire's other books are - in standalone worlds.
I loved seeing Rain grow up in Out of Oz, and was hoping since this new series was supposed to be tangentially connected to Oz that it would be done well. But Maguire could have made this book not connected to Oz at all. We didn't need Rain as an avatar for exposition to learn the ways of life of the Brides of Maracoor, because Cossy as the newest Bride provides a ready character for that. Maybe Maguire had ideas of the Brides, the Vessel, the faith, the world, and the general story arc, but it all easily could've been written as an "Any Person arrives on a strange island" book, without Rain and Iskinaary, not connected to Wicked at all.
Essentially, the lesson here is: don't try to link a new venture to your best-selling thing of all time if you can't. do. it. well. Unless Maguire does a LOT more in subsequent books or takes Rain back to Oz, and even then only if it is done VERY well, he would have left his readers better off with the open-ended but well-crafted conclusion of Out of Oz.
Additionally, I (like other reviewers it seems) think the owl scene was egregious and entirely unnecessary, since we don't see that sailor in any more depth ever, and the people of Maracoor Abiding weren't particularly barbarous in general, so the scene provided no context for the people or the world that we needed to know. [You show us a particularly violent sailor who does a seriously brutal thing to an animal with no warning and then it never comes into play or is referenced in any way? Coooool.] That level of explicitly described violence is not in keeping with Maguire's style and was a huge turn-off. I don't shrink from much in what I read, but I genuinely had to question whether I still wanted to read on after reading that scene because it felt so unnecessary.
I loved seeing Rain grow up in Out of Oz, and was hoping since this new series was supposed to be tangentially connected to Oz that it would be done well. But Maguire could have made this book not connected to Oz at all. We didn't need Rain as an avatar for exposition to learn the ways of life of the Brides of Maracoor, because Cossy as the newest Bride provides a ready character for that. Maybe Maguire had ideas of the Brides, the Vessel, the faith, the world, and the general story arc, but it all easily could've been written as an "Any Person arrives on a strange island" book, without Rain and Iskinaary, not connected to Wicked at all.
Essentially, the lesson here is: don't try to link a new venture to your best-selling thing of all time if you can't. do. it. well. Unless Maguire does a LOT more in subsequent books or takes Rain back to Oz, and even then only if it is done VERY well, he would have left his readers better off with the open-ended but well-crafted conclusion of Out of Oz.
Additionally, I (like other reviewers it seems) think the owl scene was egregious and entirely unnecessary, since we don't see that sailor in any more depth ever, and the people of Maracoor Abiding weren't particularly barbarous in general, so the scene provided no context for the people or the world that we needed to know. [You show us a particularly violent sailor who does a seriously brutal thing to an animal with no warning and then it never comes into play or is referenced in any way? Coooool.] That level of explicitly described violence is not in keeping with Maguire's style and was a huge turn-off. I don't shrink from much in what I read, but I genuinely had to question whether I still wanted to read on after reading that scene because it felt so unnecessary.
January 18, 2023
This was a good follow up to the Wicked series for me. Unfortunately, I had forgotten the ending of that series, which would have helped me understand a bit better at least part of the story. But I always enjoy Maguire's writing, and this was no exception.
Elphaba's grandaughter, Rain, finds herself with amnesia on an island populated only by 7 women, in addition to goats, birds, etc. The Goose, Iskinaary, has accompanied her, but isn't giving her clues about her past. The 7 women are the titular Brides of Maracoor, who are tasked with weaving time and guarding The Vessel.
Their life is overturned by the appearance of Rain on the island, the murder of one of the Brides, and the invasion of the mother island.
All in all, a good read. I look forward to #2.
Elphaba's grandaughter, Rain, finds herself with amnesia on an island populated only by 7 women, in addition to goats, birds, etc. The Goose, Iskinaary, has accompanied her, but isn't giving her clues about her past. The 7 women are the titular Brides of Maracoor, who are tasked with weaving time and guarding The Vessel.
Their life is overturned by the appearance of Rain on the island, the murder of one of the Brides, and the invasion of the mother island.
All in all, a good read. I look forward to #2.
August 17, 2021
It will always amaze me how often women are the focal point of some hatred or superstition that makes a woman unclean, evil, and worthless. To be feared above all else. The first part of the book was a little dry, but then it got going for me. I was able to read the novel in a few short days due to the rain, and I was getting intrigued as to what will happen at the very end...no peeking. I plan on reading some more from the author; in fact, I have Wicked on my shelf. If your looking for Dorothy or Toto from the original OZ in this book, you will be disappointed.
November 14, 2021
This was 40 pages of plot stretched into 368. Quite the slog to force myself though.
April 20, 2022
I loved the earlier books in this universe from Maguire and was so excited when I saw this in my local bookstore.
Maguire did a great job in the way he separated each character we hear from. There's no confusion about who's perspective we're reading from. And that's really refreshing because often it can be overwhelming to read a book that's from multiple perspectives.
This book felt very Gregory Maguire with his normal whimsical prose and his incredible use of descriptive language.
This is definitely a book that sets up the rest of the series. Know that going in will help set expectations.
The first part of the book was a little difficult and slow, but it picked up and didn't disappoint.
audiobook
The audiobook was decently narrated. It's not my favorite narrator by any means and there were points where I felt like her voice was soothing enough to put me to sleep, which is not what I'm looking for in audiobooks.
Maguire did a great job in the way he separated each character we hear from. There's no confusion about who's perspective we're reading from. And that's really refreshing because often it can be overwhelming to read a book that's from multiple perspectives.
This book felt very Gregory Maguire with his normal whimsical prose and his incredible use of descriptive language.
This is definitely a book that sets up the rest of the series. Know that going in will help set expectations.
The first part of the book was a little difficult and slow, but it picked up and didn't disappoint.
audiobook
The audiobook was decently narrated. It's not my favorite narrator by any means and there were points where I felt like her voice was soothing enough to put me to sleep, which is not what I'm looking for in audiobooks.
October 14, 2021
I didn't quite know what to expect going into this book; although I've read several of Gregory Maguire's books, the only Oz-related one I'd read was Wicked several years back. However, The Brides of Maracoor really drew me in despite my lack of background knowledge. The setting is sparse and at times haunting; the characters come across as very real as they struggle with life events outside of their control and towards self-discovery. To me, the book reads like a journey rather than doing anything too surprising plot-wise. All in all, I think this might actually be one of my favorites by Macguire so far.
(Note: I received an ARC of this book via a Goodreads Giveaway)
(Note: I received an ARC of this book via a Goodreads Giveaway)
August 15, 2022
This book is about 7 women living on an island alone where they are expected to repeat the same task over and over again each day because important people on the mainland told them to since birth. This is disrupted when a woman named Rain falls from the skies on their shore. Now everyone is starting to question their purpose and what they should do with Rain.
This feel like a metaphor for the novel itself. It is the 5th book in the Wicked series, but it is an island to itself. It has a tenuous connection to the previous books. Why was this book written? What purpose does it serve and why is it so repetitive?
Theoretically, this book is interesting because Rain connects the plot to the Wizard of Oz legend, but she has amnesia so that potential connection is not available.
It feels like this book is a trick. Like, it was intended as a standalone, but Maguire worried no one would read it if not for the Wicked connection so Rain was dropped in after the fact to lure people into reading.
Some of the interpersonal drama with the new characters is interesting. The political intrigue and commentary in this new fantasy land is ok, but its not that exciting. The book goes to great lengths to avoid anything too action-packed.
A naval assault on a major city happens between chapters. A character learns of the attack after it happens and wanders through the aftermath. Another character fights off wolves and is injured in the process, but this is also told after the fact.
Legal hearings and accounting practices of diplomats is the only action this book will give us...until it ends, when the book comes to an abrupt TO BE CONTINUED page.
It feels like a prank on the reader.
This is still better than 3rd Wicked book.
This feel like a metaphor for the novel itself. It is the 5th book in the Wicked series, but it is an island to itself. It has a tenuous connection to the previous books. Why was this book written? What purpose does it serve and why is it so repetitive?
Theoretically, this book is interesting because Rain connects the plot to the Wizard of Oz legend, but she has amnesia so that potential connection is not available.
It feels like this book is a trick. Like, it was intended as a standalone, but Maguire worried no one would read it if not for the Wicked connection so Rain was dropped in after the fact to lure people into reading.
Some of the interpersonal drama with the new characters is interesting. The political intrigue and commentary in this new fantasy land is ok, but its not that exciting. The book goes to great lengths to avoid anything too action-packed.
A naval assault on a major city happens between chapters. A character learns of the attack after it happens and wanders through the aftermath. Another character fights off wolves and is injured in the process, but this is also told after the fact.
Legal hearings and accounting practices of diplomats is the only action this book will give us...until it ends, when the book comes to an abrupt TO BE CONTINUED page.
It feels like a prank on the reader.
This is still better than 3rd Wicked book.
November 3, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The publisher's summary pretty much tells the entirety of this novel. There is no hidden storyline that wasn't included in order to keep the summary spoiler-free. As the first installment of new trilogy, the majority of this book is world-building and what I can only guess is the build up to the real action. To tell the truth, I was pretty bored by the lack of action but Maguire's talented storytelling kept me invested. While I was a bit let down by this book on its own, I have high hopes for the next releases. I absolutely LOVED and recommend this to anyone who loved the WHOLE Wicked series, not just the first book, because the later books have heavier ethical and political storylines which is where I see this series (Another Day) going.
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The publisher's summary pretty much tells the entirety of this novel. There is no hidden storyline that wasn't included in order to keep the summary spoiler-free. As the first installment of new trilogy, the majority of this book is world-building and what I can only guess is the build up to the real action. To tell the truth, I was pretty bored by the lack of action but Maguire's talented storytelling kept me invested. While I was a bit let down by this book on its own, I have high hopes for the next releases. I absolutely LOVED and recommend this to anyone who loved the WHOLE Wicked series, not just the first book, because the later books have heavier ethical and political storylines which is where I see this series (Another Day) going.
Come chat with me about books here, too:
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
August 31, 2021
There are times that I feel like I am the only person left who has not read this popular series so I was happy to begin a spinoff series that can stand alone. The brides are a very devout order with strong ties to nature and the sea. They lead a quiet life spending their whole lives on the island doing sea related offerings and self flagellation with almost no interaction with the outside world. When Rain washes up on their shores and is taken in by the brides her presence shakes up the order along with the realization that the outside world may be closing in. Quiet magic with an emphasis on nature makes me think that fans of Alice Hoffman will also enjoy this. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
October 21, 2021
An interesting start…
Clearly Gregory Maguire knows how to build a world. But is it a world worth exploring this time? Continuing to follow Rain’s story is rewarding in the end, or, at least it promises to be before the last page leaves you waiting for fulfillment. I found the other storyline, following Lucikles and Leorix to be…frustrating and at times boring. I’m still not sure why Maguire had us following them when there was so little about them to like and his other characters seemed far more interesting.
But I’m willing to go with him on this new journey, even with it’s apparent flaws. We all know he weaves a thrilling ending. It just so,etc,es takes him 3 or 4 books to get there.
Clearly Gregory Maguire knows how to build a world. But is it a world worth exploring this time? Continuing to follow Rain’s story is rewarding in the end, or, at least it promises to be before the last page leaves you waiting for fulfillment. I found the other storyline, following Lucikles and Leorix to be…frustrating and at times boring. I’m still not sure why Maguire had us following them when there was so little about them to like and his other characters seemed far more interesting.
But I’m willing to go with him on this new journey, even with it’s apparent flaws. We all know he weaves a thrilling ending. It just so,etc,es takes him 3 or 4 books to get there.
April 17, 2022
I guess I just didn't see the point of this novel. I loved the Wiked series. While book 3 A Lion Among Men was a little slow compared to the rest, I did feel like the whole series had a purpose to the story. This just felt unnecessary.
Further, while trudging through wondering why we're bothering, the fact that nearly nothing happened in the entire novel made it worse. There were battles are wolf attacks... off camera.
I'm guessing this is the start of a new series, I can't imagine I'll bother with the next book.
Further, while trudging through wondering why we're bothering, the fact that nearly nothing happened in the entire novel made it worse. There were battles are wolf attacks... off camera.
I'm guessing this is the start of a new series, I can't imagine I'll bother with the next book.
November 24, 2021
Maguire excels at describing fantasy worlds and I enjoy his quirky wit; but sometimes I feel his writing is hampered by excessive politics. I knowingly read this first book of a planned series, so was not surprised when it ended with the story unresolved. I will most likely read the rest and not remember most of the plot, as usual.
October 22, 2021
DNF. I just couldn't even speed-read it. This book was not for me. I couldn't find myself to care, like, emphasize, understand... any of the characters. Got to 50% and called it.
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