A Lion Among Men

To begin, I think it only fair to inform individuals reading this review that you must read the first two installments of the series to fully appreciate this book. Cutting right to the heart of things, I found this book slow, boring and difficult to get through. A Lion Among Men strays almost entirely from the concept of the first two offerings, making it extremely difficult to follow in relation. There were times throughout reading that I found myself desperately trying to make connections that would make everything make sense. Unfortunately, that's an almost impossible task. To me, it seems as though Gregory Maguire (author) no longer has an emotional investment in the characters, previously so richly drawn. With few exceptions allowed for brief moments of brilliance, this book was a major disappointment.

For those looking for this tale to tie up loose ends, don't waste your time. Anyone thinking of using this book as an introduction to the series shouldn't. After labored reading, I think it's safe to hold this book responsible for the end of my love affair with Oz and it's inhabitants.