In the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz, a character who stands out for her cruelty and wickedness is the witch. Throughout the story, the cruel witch socks the characters with her menacing behavior and actions. She is a force to be reckoned with, creating fear and despair wherever she goes. From the first appearance of the witch, she showcases her evil nature by using her flying monkeys to capture Dorothy and her companions. Her menacing cackle and green skin further emphasize her wickedness. As the story progresses, the witch's cruelty intensifies.
People have found ways to live with the constant shifts in the way the world works. Cars, for example: regular gas-powered vehicles stop working when the magic is up, but clever mechanics have figured out other types of fuel and different ways to run an engine. Or else people resort to older modes of transport. Horses, mules, wagons. Feet.
I can t think of another series so consistent, so well written, so full of wit and action and drama that always manages to give me exactly what I m needing. Every so often a book comes along that I appreciate both as a reader great plot, great setting and worldbuilding, great characters but also as a writer and editor.
As the story progresses, the witch's cruelty intensifies. She taunts Dorothy and her friends, particularly focusing on Dorothy due to her possession of the ruby slippers. The witch does everything in her power to retrieve the slippers, as they hold great power and potential to fulfill her evil desires.
Review: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.
The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league—but she wouldn't have it any other way.
This special edition includes in-depth information about the world of Kate Daniels, with descriptions of its characters and factions. Explore Kate’s Atlanta like never before with answers to FAQ and a quiz to find your place there. And don’t miss the prequel story “A Questionable Client,” as well as scenes of events in Magic Bites from Curran’s point of view.
I n the interest of transparency … this is like the fourth time I’ve read this book ? I’ve lost count, so it might be more than that. Ilona Andrews ( a husband-and-wife writing duo ) were also the first (and only!) author I’ve gone to see specifically. I’ve certainly gone to different book conferences and such where many authors are, but I drove to a different state specifically for them in this case! I would show pictures, but that was several years ago and … let’s just say braces were involved.
Magic Bites follows Kate Daniels, for whom the series is named, a down-on-her-luck mercenary who supports herself by cleaning up “magical problems,” of whatever variety. She’s a very middle-of-the-road mercenary and tries very hard not to stand out too much, for reasons discovered in later books, but when her guardian is murdered, she can’t help but get involved with the case. But this mystery sends her in deep with the Changelings (especially their sexy Beast Lord, Curran) and with the People, necromancers of a kind who control the undead (vampires). It’s so hard to describe without spoiling the plot, so I’ll stop there ??
“You know anything about investigative work?”
“Sure. Annoy the people involved until the guilty party tries to make you go away.”
This is urban fantasy at it’s finest, and the world that Mr. and Ms. Andrews paint is amazing. Their world-building skills is absolutely unmatched – well, very similar in skills to another idol of mine, Nalini Singh – but I have also read this series several times, so I may be a bit bias ? I have heard in some reviews that it’s a bit hard to follow at first, but by the second book you have a perfect understanding, so just stick with it. Everything comes together in the end ??
In this world, Magic and Technology compete for time. When a magic wave hits, technology falters and stops. Cars won’t work, phones function occasionally, and spells and wards are up. When a tech wave hits, the magic falters and electricity is back up and running. It’s completely fascinating, and an entirely new concept as far as I know!
The Andrews’ has a true gift with characters, however. The ninja hardass female in urban fantasy can get a bit tired sometimes (not usually for me, but some people have to change it up occasionally, and I get it), and the flip-side is someone who’s constantly lying about the woes of their lives. Like, I get it, okay? But Kate is a step above all that. They make her absolutely shine and jump out of the page. She’s very sarcastic, practical, and completely kicks ass, yes, but she’s far from a whiner. Her practicality prevents her from moping too much, although she may be prone to a Boone’s Farm (or a few). Yet she’s not a stone-cold hardass. It’s very hard to explain, but Ilona Andrews has it covered with her characterization, believe me! Not to mention her kickass sword, Slayer. I need a sword like that ??
Then… there’s Curran ? He’s the Beast Lord and rules the Pack of over 300 shapeshifters in Atlanta. I’d forgotten how much of a slow burn this one was with Curran and Kate. The first book has little-to-no romance in it, just mystery and a few teases for the reader. But believe me, you’ll be wanting more, but you won’t be disappointed. Oh my gosh, it’s absolutely so much fun!! I don’t want to tell you too much about Curran because it’s just so much better to discover yourself, believe me! Curran is a Lion Shifter, and believe me, Kate has her fun with it.
“Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty…”
One of my favorite parts about the Kate Daniels series is the community of characters. It’s not just Kate&Curran – in fact, in this one, it barely is. There’s a full cast of characters of love and enjoy, and they make the book so much fun. I forgot how much I love Derek, the Shifter who shadows Kate for much of the book, and in this one, he’s kind of just a vulnerable little teenager trying to prove he’s a Strong Man. But knowing the series as long as I do, he develops a lot and has an amazing journey, and I can’t wait to grow with him again in my read-through.
The mystery, too, is what makes this book a standout. It was an honest-to-god paranormal investigation, where you don’t see in a lot of black-and-white paranormal worlds. I love them, don’t get me wrong, but a world as layered, intricate, and intense as this one will always offer a better story and mystery. When there are thousands of magic-types and millions of paranormal creatures, the investigation can get intense, as you’d imagine.
Honestly, this review was so hard for me to write. I love this series so much, but I struggle to describe why without making it sound dumb or under-whelming. This series is something that you need to experience, and once you read the first book, keep going. Because it gets so much better with each book as the community grows and the plot thickens. Read my review of book two: Magic Burns…
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team, Gordon and Ilona. They currently reside in Texas with their two children and numerous dogs and cats. The couple are the #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors of the Kate Daniels and Kate Daniels World novels as well as The Edge and Hidden Legacy series. They also write the Innkeeper Chronicles series, which they post as a free weekly serial. For a complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at www.ilona-andrews.com.
This relentless pursuit adds to the depth of her cruelty, as she is willing to harm others to achieve her goals. One of the most iconic acts of cruelty by the witch is when she sets the scarecrow on fire. This act not only showcases the witch's maliciousness but also highlights her determination to eliminate anything that stands in her way. Despite the scarecrow's pleas for help, the witch continues to burn him, showcasing her lack of compassion or mercy. In the end, it is the witch's cruel nature that leads to her downfall. Dorothy's courage and resourcefulness ultimately prevail, and she successfully defeats and kills the witch. This victory not only saves Dorothy and her friends but also liberates the inhabitants of Oz from the witch's reign of terror. The cruel witch in The Wizard of Oz serves as a powerful antagonist, instilling fear and tension throughout the story. Her actions and behavior highlight the lengths some individuals will go to for power and control. Ultimately, it is the triumphant defeat of the cruel witch that allows the story to end on a hopeful and victorious note..
Reviews for "The Cruel Witch Socks: Subverting Expectations in The Wizard of Oz"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars
I was really excited to watch "Cruel Witch Socks the Wizard of Oz" as a fan of the original movie, but I was ultimately disappointed. The storyline felt disjointed and lacked depth, often jumping from one scene to another without much explanation. The characters also felt underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, the costumes and set design were lackluster, making the whole production feel low-budget. Overall, I felt that this version of the Wizard of Oz was a poor attempt at recreating the magic of the original.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars
I have to say, I was completely underwhelmed by "Cruel Witch Socks the Wizard of Oz". The acting was subpar, with most of the cast delivering their lines with little emotion or conviction. The songs were forgettable and lacked the catchy melodies of the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack. The special effects were also amateurish, and the use of green screens was noticeable and distracting. I understand that this may have been a low-budget production, but that doesn't excuse the lack of effort put into creating a compelling and enjoyable adaptation of a beloved classic.
3. Jenny - 2/5 stars
As a long-time fan of the Wizard of Oz, I was excited to see a new interpretation of the story. However, "Cruel Witch Socks the Wizard of Oz" fell flat for me. The changes made to the plot felt forced and unnecessary, detracting from the charm and magic of the original story. The pacing was also off, with some scenes dragging on while others were rushed through. I was also disappointed by the lack of character development, making it difficult for me to care about their journeys and ultimate resolutions. Overall, this version of the Wizard of Oz missed the mark and failed to capture the essence of the original.