The Ruby Fortress (Kingdoms of Oz #1)

New favorite at home spa night bubble bath read. The sass of the main character, the steam of the romances, and the twist on a well beloved childhood favorite made this a story I could easily fall into. I started reading Carries writing with her Riftkeepers series. Getting to see the writer grow in their craft is exactly what I want to see when I stick with someone long term. Only warning is if you plan on reading this book- go ahead and buy the whole series. Im already diving into book 2!

Ok, first, my bona fides: I am a lifelong lover of the classic Oz tales, have the full 15 book set of them in hard cover at home, including a 1913 edition of Baums Little Wizard Stories of Oz. Theyre among the books in our never to be donated to the library collection. So Im no dilettante. Having said that, while I realize that there are those in the Oz loving community who cant stand the thought of new non-Baum Oz books, Im not one of them. I love anything set in Oz so long as it is well done. To me its a great homage to the original series. Carrie Whitethornes new Kingdoms Of Oz series falls into that category. Its first book, The Ruby Fortress, is a total blast. This is not, however, even remotely, the classic Oz books. Dont let your kids near this: its a sexy and exciting book (yes, there are indeed adult scenes here) with a pole-dancer lead, Ellana, who finds out her great-grandma Dot (you can call her Dorothy) was, wait for it, a powerful witch-killer. Ellana is now sucked into an Oz the two remaining witches are at war. Trust me, exciting times ensue. Trust me too that its great fun thanks to being superbly written, with a great plot and great cast of characters. Well worth the ride for those who love Oz and those who know nothing about it other than the movie. But for the fact that Im literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I cant do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. Im definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

I love the plot of this story! It was told well and ended well to go into a second book. I give only three stars because I felt it lacking a little in each of the scenes. The action could have been a little more powerful, the magic and powers could have been explained a little better. The passion was needed more intensity. The detail of the different villages and lifeforms within left something to my imagination instead of given to me. I know this doesn’t sound like one of my most positive reviews but I did enjoy the story. I liked that one of the main characters didn’t talk and communication came from touch. I feel the story has more to offer, more potential and would love to read a revised or updated version.

I love me some Wizard of Oz so when I saw this one was a remake I knew I was going to have to read it. I was not disappointed!! Whitethorne takes us on a fascinating adventure with Ellana who finds out she is a descendant of the original Dorothy when she is pretty much kidnapped and taken to Oz. Once she arrives no one really wants to tell her what is going on but she is not going to let that stop her. Full of intriguing characters with lots of surprises to really keep you on your toes even if you think you do know the story. I was hooked from the very first sentence and now I really need book two!! Total must read for Oz fans!! I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars.

Ellana Rose thought she was starting to settle in ok to her new life after Grandma Dot left her her house then a stranger turns up not one but twice and then all of a sudden those stories Grandma Dot read and made a book about are a lot more real. Seeing a though the original Dorothy is no loner around its up to Ella to sort out the mess that is currently Oz, you will wonder who to trust including the hawt guys who are meant to help her, who will you meet next and did her Grandma have something to do with why things are like they are now?

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