Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey through a twisted version of Oz? Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die series offers a dark twist on the classic “Wizard of Oz” tale, in which Dorothy has become a power-hungry tyrant.
This young adult fantasy series consists of four main novels, but there are nine prequel novellas, each telling the story of the events before the first book.
The story follows Amy Gumm, a Kansas girl swept into Oz by a tornado, much like Dorothy before her. Amy read books and watched movies, but she never knew Oz was real, and she never imagined it to be a land corrupted by Dorothy’s tyrannical rule!
Amy’s mission is drastically different from Dorothy’s original journey. Instead of befriending the inhabitants of Oz, Amy must join the Order of the Wicked to overthrow Dorothy’s corrupt regime.
If you’re a fan of The Wizard of Oz books, you must read Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die books in order. The series reimagines the classic world of Oz by turning it into a twisted nightmare, blending elements of horror, adventure, and romance and creating a unique reading experience for a modern audience!
All Dorothy Must Die Books in Order:
Main Books in Order:
Main Books + Prequel Novellas in Order:
In this series, Danielle Paige has written several novellas in addition to the main books, which serve as prequels to the main series. If you want to enjoy the complete story, here’s the chronological order to read all the books in the series!
- No Place Like Oz (2013) – Novella
- The Witch Must Burn (2014) – Novella
- The Wizard Returns (2015) – Novella
- Heart of Tin (2015) – Novella
- The Straw King (2015) – Novella
- Ruler of Beasts (2016) – Novella
- Order of the Wicked (2016) – Novella
- Dark Side of the Rainbow (2017) – Novella
- The Queen of Oz (2017) – Novella
- Dorothy Must Die (2014)
- The Wicked Will Rise (2015)
- Yellow Brick War (2016)
- The End of Oz (2017)
How to Read Danielle Paige’s Dorothy Must Die Series in Order?
1. No Place Like Oz (2013)
After returning to Kansas, Dorothy Gale realized that the dreary fields of Kansas don’t compare to the vibrant landscapes of Oz.
Although she’s happy to be reunited with Aunt Em, Dorothy misses her friends from the Yellow Brick Road. Most of all, Dorothy misses the fame and the adventure.
She’s just another prairie girl in Kansas, but in Oz, she was a hero. So Dorothy is willing to do anything to get back because there really is no place like Oz. But returning to the land she left comes at a price, and after Dorothy is through with it, Oz will never be the same.
2. The Witch Must Burn (2014)
There’s a new Wicked Witch in Oz—and her name is Dorothy, and she’s not the sweet little heroine of Oz anymore. She’s power-hungry and vicious and leaves a trail of destruction beneath her spike-heeled, magical shoes.
But behind the scenes, there’s someone else pulling the strings. Someone who doesn’t want fame or glory—just control.
3. The Wizard Returns (2015)
Before the vicious and power-hungry Dorothy Gale was in charge, Oz used to have a different ruler. Someone who also came from the Other Place and stole power for himself. They called him the Wizard!
The story goes that when a young Dorothy revealed the Wizard as a fraud, the man behind the curtain fled Oz in his hot air balloon. Now, he wakes in a field of poppies to find out that he had never left and has no memory of who—or where—he is.
As he undergoes a series of tests to uncover his memories, he finds that the very girl who threw him from the Emerald Palace is in control. And that Oz may be his destiny after all!
4. Heart of Tin (2015)
Everyone knows the Tin Woodman as Dorothy’s lovable sidekick, the tin man who longed for a real heart to beat inside his tin chest. This original novella tells what happened to the Tin Woodman after he got his wish.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wizard gave the Tin Woodman a heart, and all lived happily ever after—or so the story goes. But, the heart wants what the heart wants—and the Tin Woodman’s heart pines for Dorothy.
The gift that the Wizard once bestowed on him turns twisted with longing. And when Dorothy returns to Oz with her own dark agenda, the Tin Woodman will do whatever it takes to help her rise to power—and to make her his.
5. The Straw King (2015)
Once upon a time, the Scarecrow’s only wish was to have a brain, and this original novella follows the Scarecrow after he finally gets his wish.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow receives the gift of a brain from the Wizard and is appointed the new ruler of Oz. But the Scarecrow’s tale takes a crooked turn when his reign is threatened.
With faith in his newfound wisdom shaken, the Scarecrow will turn to anyone who can help—even if others have their own interests at heart.
6. Ruler of Beasts (2016)
When the Cowardly Lion set off for the Emerald City in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with Dorothy and the others, he sought courage above all else. But what happened after he got what he’s always wanted?
The Lion’s wish has finally come true—he is the courageous ruler of the forest and all of its beasts. But the Lion is bored—he misses the days of his adventures with Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, and the Scarecrow.
When Glinda the Good Witch shows up unexpectedly and tasks him with a mission back in the Emerald City, he jumps at the chance to do something exciting, even though he knows she’s not telling him the entire truth.
7. Order of the Wicked (2016)
Dorothy Gale’s armies killed Lanadel’s entire family, and she’s determined to seek revenge. She sets off to find the elusive, secretive group known as the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
They’re rumored to be training their own army to defeat Dorothy. But when she finds them, Lanadel soon learns that she’s seriously underprepared in terms of fighting skills and magical abilities, and she has to prove herself in order to join the Order and become one of them.
8. Dark Side of the Rainbow (2017)
Polychrome, Princess of the Rainbow, has a pretty cushy job. She spends her days surfing at Indigo Beach, playing with her pet unicorn, and occasionally checking in on the tourists vacationing at Rainbow Falls, where she is technically in charge.
When Dorothy arrives, Polly is less than thrilled. She’d much rather flirt with mysterious surfer Bright than play tour guide to a spoiled wannabe princess.
But Rainbow Falls won’t be paradise by the time Dorothy’s done with it. And Polly may have to leave her life of leisure behind to become the ruler her land needs.
9. The Queen of Oz (2017)
This original novella is the final installment in the series’ prequel arc. It reveals Ozma’s mysterious backstory and how she went from fairy princess to the rightful ruler of Oz.
Young Mombi was never the best witch in Oz. She wasn’t the most talented or the most powerful. But when the Wizard knocks on her door holding a baby girl who needs protection, Mombi agrees to take the job.
She casts one powerful, surprising spell—hiding the baby where no one would find her. Years later, a boy named Pete goes on a journey to the Emerald City, where he learns the truth about his true identity… and his role in Oz’s destiny.
10. Dorothy Must Die (2014)
I didn’t ask for any of this. I didn’t ask to be some kind of hero. But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?
Sure, I’ve read the books. I’ve seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little bluebirds. But I never expected Oz to look like this.
To be a place where Good Witches can’t be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There’s still a yellow brick road—but even that’s crumbling.
What happened? Dorothy.
They say she found a way to return to Oz. They say she seized power, and the power went to her head. And now, no one is safe.
My name is Amy Gumm—and I’m the other girl from Kansas. I’ve been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked. I’ve been trained to fight. And I have a mission!
11. The Wicked Will Rise (2015)
To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die!
But Dorothy still lives!
Now, the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally.
As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn’t wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?
12. Yellow Brick War (2016)
Once upon a time, there was a girl from Kansas named Dorothy. She ends up in Oz, where she becomes friends with the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. But the temptation of magic was too much for her. She let it change her. Her friends became twisted versions of their former selves.
The magical land of Oz is now a dark and menacing place!
My name is Amy Gumm. I got swept away by a tornado, too, and landed in Oz, where Good is Wicked, Wicked is Good, and the Wicked Witches clued me into my true calling: Assassin!
The only way to stop Dorothy from destroying Oz—and Kansas—is to kill her. And I’m the only one who can do it.
But I failed. Others died for my mistakes. Because of me, the portal between the worlds has been opened, and Kansas and Oz are both in danger.
13. The End of Oz (2017)
Dorothy is dead! I watched as the Emerald Palace crumbled, burying Dorothy under the rubble. And now that the rightful ruler, Ozma, has been restored to the throne!
Oz is finally free!
My name is Amy Gumm. When a tornado whisked me away to the magical land of Oz, I was given a mission: Dorothy must die. But it turns out girls from Kansas are harder to kill than we look.
Now, the Road of Yellow Brick is leading me away from Oz to the dark world of Ev, where I have a new, powerful enemy to deal with: the Nome King. And—surprise—he has a gingham-clad bride.
With my magical shoes and a shrinking group of allies, I have one final chance to fulfill my mission and save not only what’s left of Oz but Kansas, too!
Conclusion
The Dorothy Must Die series offers a unique twist on the classic Oz tale, telling a dark, reimagined version of L. Frank Baum’s beloved story!
Once a hero, Dorothy is now the villain you’ll love to hate. The young adult fantasy series combines elements of adventure, magic, and coming-of-age themes to tell a story that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
So make sure you follow our guide on how to read Dorothy Must Die books in order, and you’ll be able to fully appreciate the intricate world-building and character development Danielle Paige has crafted!
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