Empty as a Scarecrow

Heirs of Oz #2

by Kendra Moreno

Emerald City yearns for blood. . . Cinder had no idea what she was getting into when she fell into Oz, but the devilishly sexy Scarecrow was as unexpected as the glass shards in her feet. He’s dangerous, that much she knows, but despite his penchant for villainy, Crow is nothing compared to what she’s running from. Cinder is desperate to get away from the peril behind her, but prophesy breeds new violence. There is no escape. The threat to Oz grows around them and though Cinder is strong, she has her own ghosts to battle. She shouldn’t be worried about the heat in Crow’s eyes; she should be putting as much distance as possible between herself and the Enchanted Forest. If she’s not careful, those ghosts will come back to haunt her. With Oz the epicenter of the merging worlds and new monsters being released, will Cinder be strong enough to survive the breaking? Will she walk away with her heart and soul intact? It’s time for madness to come to Oz. . .
If you like Sarah J Maas, Gena Showalter, J.R. Ward, Laura Thalassa, or Jennifer L. Armentrout, you won’t be able to put down this highly addictive twisted fairy tale.

Reading

The Sons of Wonderland
Mad as a Hatter - B07FZ8NDBJ
Late as a Rabbit - B07MLTL7N4
Feral as a Cat - B07PDHSBLX
Cruel as a Queen - B07V4XXFYQ

The Daughters of Neverland
Vicious as a Darling - B081FTRT2J
Fierce as a Tiger Lily- B08949J276
Wicked as a Pixie - B08BTK9RT9
Monstrous as a Croc - B08FKHGDTW

The Heirs of Oz
Heartless as a Tin Man - B08MYC6TMC
Empty as a Scarecrow - B08YQTHP66
Cowardly as a Lion - B099P24C3V
Companion novel coming soon!

What Amazon reviewers are saying about Kendra’s other
★★★★★ ’I don't even know where to start because I am missing words to describe how much I loved this book. I've read a lot of gripping books, but this was by far one of the most addictive! For several hours, I could not focus on anything, the world disappeared and I was in Wonderland.’
★★★★★ ‘Unlike anything you've ever read’
★★★★★ ‘The story kept me hooked and I couldn't stop reading.’
★★★★★ ‘ This is one of the best series I have ever read and I hope for more. The author's imagination and talent are a thing of beauty. . .’
★★★★★ ‘Brilliant. Captivating. Absolutely addicting!’
★★★★★ ‘The plot is gripping, the world is beautifully constructed, the descriptions are vivid, and the characters wonderfully well developed.’
★★★★★ ‘Every book she writes is magic!!’
★★★★★ ‘I love everything about this story and I love this author so much. I know when I get her book that it’s going to be a fantastic read and she never disappoints. . .’
★★★★★ ‘Kendra has the power to make you love books you don't normally read or look twice at.’
★★★★★ ‘If you like strong, quick witted, heroic women & sweet, sexy & dangerous Norse gods this book is for you!’

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tale Retellings

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2021

About the author

Kendra Moreno is secretly a spy but when she’s not dealing in secrets and espionage, you can find her writing her latest adventure. She lives in Texas where the summer days will make you melt, and southern charm comes free with every meal. She’s a recovering Road Rager (kind of) and slowly overcoming her Star Wars addiction (nope!), and she definitely didn’t pass on her addiction to her son (she did). She has one hellhound named Mayhem who got tired of guarding the Gates of Hell and now guards her home against monsters. She’s a geek, a mother, a scuba diver, a tyrannosaurus rex, and a wordsmith who sometimes switches out her pen for a sword.

If you see Kendra on the streets, don’t worry: you can distract her with talks about Kylo Ren or Loki.
#LokiLives #BringBackBenSolo

To learn more about Kendra Moreno, you can visit her website, kendramorenoauthor.com, or joing her Facebook group, Kendra's World of Wonder.

Reviews

[Dayzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

something extraordinary!!!!

I can’t even!!! I don’t even know how to explain this! The author wickedly and uniquely keeps adding mind blown events with twists you won’t see coming!!! 😱🤯 IT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND!! It’s like nothing you ever seen done before in this unique world! You will LOVE IT!!!! Crow and Cinder will have you hook! Its an active story arc and must be read in order! Forget everything you know, just dive in and start reading this baby!!!

“Sometimes, good people must become villains to survive.” #Truth

[Andrea Ashwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

3’75⭐️

[quin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, before I get into it, I just gotta say that this review isn't going to be about the plot at all. I'll leave that up to the others.

This book, or rather the series so far, could have been an easy 5 stars for me but for several issues. I don't know if Ms. Kendra Moreno's style of writing has somehow devolved over the years or if I just notice it now.

Because apart from the understandable typos here and there that most authors have, especially self-published ones, my main issue though with the series is that there are A LOT of incorrect terms and/or grammar tenses being used. Like say, instead of using a verb...lo and behold there was a noun.

Now, I hate to be THAT person who complains about this sort of thing but it just ruins the experience for me. Instead of being immersed with the story, I find myself criticizing the vocabulary I read and judge whether it is appropriate for the narrative and the atmosphere.

Not only that but I gotta ask, did the book somehow not get edited and proofread before publishing? Don't get me wrong I love the story, or rather the potential of it. But the writing is just so messy for me--fluid and beautifully described at times but then turns inane and rambling and just simply bleh other times.

I'll still read the next book because I do love it, I would have quit reading the series long ago, starting from Sons of Wonderland, if I didn't. And I commend the author for the wonderful retellings of classic fairytales. It's only that, how the story is written is half the experience for me.

[Claudia Coenen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing again

So what can I say besides it's amazing and I feel like every installment is better than the one before. It's the truth but maybe a bit repetitive.

We learn about the mysterious Scarecrow in this book and his would be mate Cinder yes from the Cinderella story although her story had no happy ending and that is how she came to be at Oz, in his domain. She has secrets she wants to keep, and he wants to find them out. Because he's curious of course and nothing else .. uhuh ...

We see all our favorites from all the other books and we finally see the one she killed off (Still mad tho Kendra! 🤣) and now what's next ? Who is Feral ? And can I have the next one like right away??

500 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Marea Quijano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know where to begin with just how much I loved this book. Ms. Moreno has taken all that we know of OZ and re-imagined it in a beautiful and twisted way that captivated me in an unexpected way. Then, she merged not only the original characters that we love from Wonderland and Neverland, but brought in new characters as well (sorry, no spoilers).

Now Cinder, she is a kick butt, no holds bar kind of woman that not only fits in to the Oz world, but makes since with their group as well. Crow, he is dangerous, seductive, sexy, just a mystery that I couldn't wait to learn more of. The way that they complimented each other was

I finished this book in less than a day. There was action and adventure and more. This book left me wanting more. I can't wait to hear what happens next!

[Caitlin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohmyfuckinggod. this book was so fucking incredible. are you kidding meeee? i am so pleased with every single thing that just happened.

worlds finally colliding, asshole villians, the dramaaaa, an epic fight scene, great sex. literally what more could you want?

i was trying to take my time reading the entire series but there is no way. i didn't know how it was going to get better than wonderland, then neverland was so fucked up (in the best way.) and oz?! kendra, KENDRA, you outdid yourself with Crow. i have not read a book that had me pacing back and forth and needing to take my anxiety meds the way this one did.

10 out of 10. all the stars.
how will King match up to this? i'm stressed.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am seriously I love with this series. I started with Sons of Wonderland and have been obsessed with these series ever since. Kendra Moreno has blown my mind with how she came up with this storyline. You will absolutely love Crow and Cin in this book. I won’t give away any spoilers even though it’s so hard not to. I would definitely start from the Sons of Wonderland and work your way through. All the series kind of mold together so definitely need the back story from each of the other series first. I highly highly recommend this one. It’s so good. I can not wait to read the next one. I don’t want these series to end. Loved it!

[Dawntay Armonta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well she did it again. Not sure how Kendra can take someone who is unlovable , and make you love them anyways. When I started this journey didn't think I would like Crow, or bird boy if you listen to Cinder. Well I love him, think more should be like him. Get ready for this, sit down and buckle up. This is an amazing ride, awesome characters, great world, danger, action, adventure, and she brings the heat. Kendra take our fairy tales and put a very different spin on them, and I love it. Can't wait for the next one

[Gail Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved and devoured every single one of these books starting with Wonderland. I love how the worlds have intermingled and how we get perspectives from not only Oz folks but also Wonderland and Neverland. This book definitely took you for a spin and I’d say of all of the books set in this world/series, this one got me the most emotional. I have an idea of who might bring Lion to his knees and I can’t wait to see if I’m right!

[Lauryn Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another beautifully written book by Kendra Moreno. I have been reading this series since the beginning and it never ceases to amaze me how Kendra brings all of my favorite childhood Fairy tales to life in a new way. She has combined 2 completely different stories into this one book and made it her own. I can't wait to see where we go next in the journey but until then I highly recommend reading Cinder and Crow's story.

[Cary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ay Dios mio!!! This book gave me all the feels!! So many awesome scenes that I can not describe nor name because of spoilers!! As always, superb writing skills, great story, twists and turns that we really don't see coming and a love story that can melt your bones. Can´t wait to read the next!

[15Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5) I give it only 3.5 stars, even though I think this novel is great, because I didn't find it as surprisingly as the previous one, HOWEVER, it is also good...I just loved the characters and I think Crow is fabulous. And the think with the souls is absolutely beautiful ❤️

[Kaycee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It!

I completely devoured this book! Crow & Cin's story was sooooo good!! Kendra paints such vivid worlds that are all beautifully unique but still familiar that you feel like you are there

[Rachel Joi Maples · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg, love this spin off SO much!! ... things in Oz are not as they seem ... anxiously awaiting book 3!!

[Bella Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book and excellent series. I can't wait to read the last book. This author is one of my favorite.

[Veronica Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are SO good!

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting my year out strong with this one. I would have liked to give this one 4 stars but the grammatical errors wouldn't allow me to. I don't feel like I've had this problem in the past with Kendra Moreno but with this series I'm questioning who proofread these.

I knew from book 1 I was going to like Crow. The minute he was introduced and said to have a skull shape on his face from his vitiligo (great representation by the way, I never get to read characters with vitiligo) I knew he was going to the one I'd choose. I may seem like a bubbly pink princess but I do have a fascination with death and to learn that this man's realm in Oz is a cemetery, well I was a goner for sure. I literally photograph cemeteries as a side hobby. The scene where he took Cinder and they danced in the graveyard had me swooning.

This is an ongoing saga. If you don't read the Sons of Wonderland series and then the Daughters of Neverland series first, you will feel a little lost as I think there is a bigger plot as a whole going on that hasn't fully developed itself yet.

This book gives more insight to other worlds for us to see and introduces some classic fairytale characters such as Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the ugly stepsisters. I love the creativity of this ongoing saga. These dark retellings of classic fairytales twist the story you think you know into something different yet still keep motifs to the original. I love how certain characters are only recognizable in name while others have a lot of the same characteristics but yet have that undercurrent of danger underneath.

Overall, this book was what I hoped it would be and would have been rated higher if only it had been proofread better. Still recommend this one for those that like dark fairytale retellings and this ongoing saga.