Dark OZ
L**H
Perfect beginning to this gritty retelling
If you're a fan of reimagined classics and enjoy diving into darker narratives, "Dark Oz: A Gritty Retelling" is an absolute must-read. In this gripping rendition, the author skillfully transforms the beloved world of Oz into a gritty and intense journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.From the very first chapter, readers are thrust into a reality far removed from the whimsical Oz they may be familiar with. The story unfolds in a setting devoid of magic, grounded firmly in the harshness of reality. While this departure may initially raise eyebrows, it serves as the perfect backdrop for exploring the depths of the characters and the intricacies of their intertwined fates.The characters in "Dark Oz" are a revelation. Each one is meticulously crafted with layers of complexity that pay homage to their counterparts from the original tale while offering fresh and compelling twists. From Vincent aka Crowe, reminiscent of the Scarecrow but with a dark past that haunts him, to Dandilion aka Danny , echoing the Cowardly Lion but with his own demons to confront, and Niccola, aka Nick the Tinman with a heartrending backstory, every character feels rich and fully realized.The protagonist, Thea (Dorothy), shines as a resilient and determined young woman thrust into circumstances beyond her control. Despite the darkness that surrounds her, she refuses to be a passive observer in her own story, emerging as a formidable heroine who commands attention and respect.One of the most impressive aspects of "Dark Oz" is the author's ability to seamlessly weave familiar elements from the original story into this new narrative while imbuing them with fresh relevance and meaning. References to flying monkeys, wicked witches, and the enigmatic Wizard are cleverly integrated, serving to both ground the story in its roots and propel it forward into uncharted territory.However, it's important to note that "Dark Oz" tackles some heavy themes, particularly around sex trafficking, which may be triggering for some readers. The author's upfront approach in providing detailed content warnings and resources demonstrates a commendable sensitivity to reader well-being.The romance elements in the story are expertly handled, with relationships evolving at different paces and offering a satisfying mix of tension and intimacy. The dynamic between Thea and her companions adds depth to the narrative, keeping readers invested in their fates and eagerly anticipating future developments.In conclusion, "Dark Oz: A Gritty Retelling" is a triumph of reimagining, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved classic while staying true to its essence. With its compelling characters, intricate plot, and captivating twists, this book sets a high bar for any future adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz." If you're ready to embark on a dark and exhilarating journey through Oz like never before, don't miss out on this remarkable read
A**Y
Dark Oz by Geneva Monroe review
Okay, where to begin?This book was so great!It's definitely on the darker side with some smut thrown in! Just how I like it!Thea is so strong and has overcome so much that it's inspiring! I love how her boys are all so different, and they love her in their own ways!The ending was crazy and absolutely unexpected! * Those are the best*I am so excited for book two and to see what happens to my girl!Definitely check the trigger warnings before you read cause there are some darker elements starting with sex trafficking.I'll be eagerly awaiting book two! ♡♡
J**A
Love the dark retelling!
I don't usually read retellings of classic books. However, this one was dark and spicy and completely different than what I thought it was.*spoilers* Its is a mafia type dark romance.Thea is the FMC and she is so well written. She is on her own, independent, strong minded. Her aunt hates her for no real reason it seems. She ends up meeting 3 hot ass guys! Crowe is the first she meets and he just is amazed with her. He then introduced her to the other 2 danny and nick. They both don't care for her at first. They each have their personal reasons on helping her. Crowe is this well know bad guy but never towards Thea he WORSHIPS her, Nick is a quite Italian who doesn't like to show emotions at all, and Danny is a "tough guy" but really he is this big softie on the inside. Thea is a lucky, lucky woman in the romance department! If you are searching for your next read here it is! I promise you won't want to put it down!
P**N
Amazing!
Wow! I met this author at Dreaming Dirty in MD and was fascinated by the premise of the books and let me tell you! Geneva, you did not disappoint! Such a great retelling of the Wizard of Oz!
R**R
Holy Ozma Batman!
Geneva, by Oz you had me at Hello! I have always dreamed of this story told in this fashion and I love the characters and how they are portrayed and the possibilities for their development! There’s very good spice and the buildup left me wanting more! I can’t wait to dive in to the rest of the series! Bravo Geneva, bravo!
P**T
A bit too much smut but overall good
Now I love love love The Wizard of Oz, so I was so excited to read this. I really enjoyed it. It did have a bit too much smut for my taste, but I figured it was because there’s 3 guys in this one, which evens out some.Dorothy is called Thea in this. She is an orphan. Aunt Em is an evil woman who kidnaps and sells women and girls into human trafficking. Uncle Henry is not an uncle, but a henchman. The setting is sort of a modern, yet futuristic, dystopian like setting. The witches run gang like territories. They’re highly involved in the human trafficking part. One killed Thea’s parents. They left Thea a large sum of money. Em wants the money. The witch wants to be the one to take out Thea. Thea takes out the witch and now there’s a bounty on her. Gigi, which I’m assuming is Glenda, sends her to Crowe. Crowe is basically the Scarecrow. And he runs the Yellow Cab business with two other guys. It is a front business. The other guys are Danny, also known as Dandy or Dandelion aka the Cowardly Lion, and Nick, which you may know him as the Tin Man. The goons for the witches are called Flying Monkeys, but they’re just humans. And the Wizard, a hacker, goes by the actual name of The Wizard. You will also see other characters from the books. Or if you have not read the books, you’ll notice characters from the movie Return to Oz.This is an entertaining and twisted and dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz.
J**N
it was okay
I thought the retelling was a smart way to do it. I enjoyed the way the author made the tin man, scarecrow, and lion. The beginning really drew me in, but eventually I just started to get a little bored. I actually skipped 3 chapters at a time twice and picked up on what was going on just fine. I won’t be continuing the story but it was a decent dark retelling imo. I guess I just wish it was written in a way I couldn’t put down.I rated 3.5 but rounded up to 4 stars.
B**N
Retellings are my favorite! 😍
Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟Pepper: 🌶 🌶 🌶 🌶Tropes:Dark RetellingForced ProximityWhy ChooseMultiple POVMorally Grey CharactersCHECK TRIGGERS! ⚠️“The thoughts dancing in my head right now, Gorgeous, they’re downright devious.”The first 5 star read of 2024! I did not want to put this book down!I'm a sucker for a good retelling, and the fact that the wizard of Oz was my entire childhood, this was an automatic read for me! This put the most delicious twist on Oz I've ever read. It was incredible.I found every main character likable, and each had a tragic experience in their life. It just made you want to dive deeper into their individual stories!Danny, Nick, and Crowe are dark, twisted, and just downright delicious. I'm glad it is a why choose, because I honestly can't choose between these 3 men. I'm obsessed.Thea (Dorothy) had the most tragic upbringing I've ever read about, but she turns out to be such a badass throughout the story! The more she is put through, the stronger she becomes!Without giving much of the story away, I just have to say that you'll find yourself praying that Auntie Em gets what she deserves.This was the perfect twist on Oz, with a beautiful blend of great plot and delicious spice. I can't wait to see where the story takes us next!
L**H
Brilliant dark retelling
Incomplete but fabulous and not long to wait for the next two installments. Smutty, wizard of Oz Rh. Can not wait till 9th for next one.
H**Y
WOW
Oh this was FUN. I love retellings as a general rule, but this was particularly delicious. I loved how Ms Monroe worked in words specific to each character’s Oz identity - referring to Danny’s beard as a mane, for example. The writing was smart, funny and hot. It’s only day four of the new year and the next book is now one of my most anticipated books of the year. Pretty fantastic for a book I grabbed on a whim from Stuff Your Kindle day.
L**W
Loved this book
Okay so product wise it was fast and it arrived perfectly fine.OK so now what can I say about this book? It was absolutely wonderful a rated of five star. Four star for spice this is a great fantasy retelling for dark romance. So if you're looking for something super spicy that is a fantasy. And if you loved OZ as a little girl. This will be perfect for you now that you're a woman injoy it.
M**Y
This is my favourite retelling of the Wizard of Oz!
What an exceptional take on the story. I loved it all, it was funny, it was spicy, it was shocking, it was thrilling, It had me wanting to throw something, it was just filled with amazingness, I didn't want to put it down once I picked it up.I NEED the next book, February just cant come fast enough. If anyone hasn't read this book, I would definitely suggest reading it. I cannot get over how much I enjoyed this read.4.2/5 Stars4/5 Spice
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