The Wicked Years
Reading Order.
Start The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire with "WICKED", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The Wicked Years is a series of revisionist dark fantasy novels that re-imagine L. Frank Baum's Land of Oz as a cynical, dystopian world aimed at mature audiences. The narrative follows protagonist Elphaba Thropp through her life, detailing her evolution into the infamous Wicked Witch of the West while exploring sociopolitical issues such as the discrimination of Animals.
Short Answer:
Start with "WICKED"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The provided Reddit comments do not contain any discussion, recommendations, or mentions of 'The Wicked Years' series or its author, Gregory Maguire. Therefore, no consensus or reading order advice can be extracted."
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At a Glance
- First Book:WICKED
- Latest Book:WICKED
- Timeline:2025 - 2025
Why This Order Is Confusing
Many reading lists for The Wicked Years conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for The Wicked Years. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "WICKED" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "The Wicked Years" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
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View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the The Wicked Years series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read The Wicked Years?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "WICKED" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Gregory Maguire intended.
Can I read The Wicked Years books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the The Wicked Years universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.