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Toto
Win a free print copy of this book!
12 days and 12:56:36
10 copies available
U.S. only
The true hero of The Wizard of Oz takes center stage in this brilliant, delightfully snarky reimagining from the author of The Library of the Unwritten.
I was mostly a Good Dog until they sold me out to animal control, okay?
But if it’s a choice between Oz, with its creepy little singing dudes, and being behind bars in gray old Kansas, I’ll choose the place where animals talk and run the show for now, thanks.
It’s not my fault that the kid is stuck here too, or that she stumbled into a tug-of-war over a pair of slippers that don’t even taste good. Now one witch in good eyeliner calls her pretty and we’re off on a quest? Teenagers.
I try to tell her she’s falling in with the wrong crowd when she befriends a freaking hedge wizard made of straw, that blue jay with revolutionary aspirations, and the walking tin can. Still, I’m not one to judge when there’s the small matter of a coup in the Forest Kingdom....
Look, something really stinks in Oz, and this Wizard guy and the witches positively reek of it. As usual, it’s going to be up to a sensible little dog to do a big dog’s job and get to the bottom of it.
And trust me: Little dogs can get away with anything.
I was mostly a Good Dog until they sold me out to animal control, okay?
But if it’s a choice between Oz, with its creepy little singing dudes, and being behind bars in gray old Kansas, I’ll choose the place where animals talk and run the show for now, thanks.
It’s not my fault that the kid is stuck here too, or that she stumbled into a tug-of-war over a pair of slippers that don’t even taste good. Now one witch in good eyeliner calls her pretty and we’re off on a quest? Teenagers.
I try to tell her she’s falling in with the wrong crowd when she befriends a freaking hedge wizard made of straw, that blue jay with revolutionary aspirations, and the walking tin can. Still, I’m not one to judge when there’s the small matter of a coup in the Forest Kingdom....
Look, something really stinks in Oz, and this Wizard guy and the witches positively reek of it. As usual, it’s going to be up to a sensible little dog to do a big dog’s job and get to the bottom of it.
And trust me: Little dogs can get away with anything.
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 12, 2024
About the author
A.J. Hackwith
10 books1,397 followersA. J. Hackwith is (almost) certainly not an ink witch in a hoodie. She's a queer writer of fantasy and science fiction living in the Pacific Northwest, and writes sci-fi romance as Ada Harper. She is a graduate of the Viable Paradise writer's workshop and her work appears in Uncanny Magazine and assorted anthologies. Summon A.J. at your own peril with an arcane circle of fountain pens and classic RPGs, or you can find her on Twitter and other dark corners of the Internet.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 16, 2024
Well, that was kind of fun. I mean, is it even possible to dislike a book that's narrated by a snarky terrier? I think not.
Honestly, though, I have to admit that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I thought I would. I'm a big fan of both anthropomorphic animals and snarky humor, so I really expected this to be a five-star read. And, well, it was amusing. But was it mind-blowingly awesome? Eh, not quite. Overall, it was probably a solid 3.75 stars for me.
So, what did I like?
Toto, obviously. He's feisty and witty and brave and totally the best good (bad?) boy ever. And the Wicked Witch of the West is absolutely delightful … in a wicked witch sort of way, of course.
I really enjoy the “found family” trope, and Toto certainly didn't disappoint there. All of the characters from the original Oz make an appearance, and Dorothy and Toto also make a few new friends this time around.
There's a revolution led by birds who call each other “comrade,” one of them being a bird named Crow who isn't actually a crow. Need I say more?
And, finally, this is a super imaginative and original retelling of The Wizard of Oz. It's enough like the original that you kind of have a general idea of what's going to happen, yet it veers off in its own direction often enough that you're constantly surprised. It's kind of the best of both worlds, I think?
So what did I not enjoy?
Well, I can't really say that I “didn't enjoy” any of it. It was a fun read. But I do feel as if the characters' relationships with each other were lacking a little. Not all of them, but (the Cowardly) Lion, for example, really didn't seem to develop a relationship with anyone. He was just kind of … there.
This book also can't quite decide whether it's a dark retelling of Oz or not. When Scarecrow is first introduced, I was all “ooh, heck yeah, creepy!” and then ... nothing ever really happens with it? The Tin Man, too, to a certain extent. And there are several other points where things briefly seem (awesomely) dark and disturbing, but then it just kind of peters out.
But, still, I can't complain too much. Toto is a light, enjoyable read narrated by a witty canine. It's not perfect, but it is a whole lot of fun.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is November 12, 2024.
Honestly, though, I have to admit that I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I thought I would. I'm a big fan of both anthropomorphic animals and snarky humor, so I really expected this to be a five-star read. And, well, it was amusing. But was it mind-blowingly awesome? Eh, not quite. Overall, it was probably a solid 3.75 stars for me.
So, what did I like?
Toto, obviously. He's feisty and witty and brave and totally the best good (bad?) boy ever. And the Wicked Witch of the West is absolutely delightful … in a wicked witch sort of way, of course.
I really enjoy the “found family” trope, and Toto certainly didn't disappoint there. All of the characters from the original Oz make an appearance, and Dorothy and Toto also make a few new friends this time around.
There's a revolution led by birds who call each other “comrade,” one of them being a bird named Crow who isn't actually a crow. Need I say more?
And, finally, this is a super imaginative and original retelling of The Wizard of Oz. It's enough like the original that you kind of have a general idea of what's going to happen, yet it veers off in its own direction often enough that you're constantly surprised. It's kind of the best of both worlds, I think?
So what did I not enjoy?
Well, I can't really say that I “didn't enjoy” any of it. It was a fun read. But I do feel as if the characters' relationships with each other were lacking a little. Not all of them, but (the Cowardly) Lion, for example, really didn't seem to develop a relationship with anyone. He was just kind of … there.
This book also can't quite decide whether it's a dark retelling of Oz or not. When Scarecrow is first introduced, I was all “ooh, heck yeah, creepy!” and then ... nothing ever really happens with it? The Tin Man, too, to a certain extent. And there are several other points where things briefly seem (awesomely) dark and disturbing, but then it just kind of peters out.
But, still, I can't complain too much. Toto is a light, enjoyable read narrated by a witty canine. It's not perfect, but it is a whole lot of fun.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is November 12, 2024.
July 29, 2024
Who knew Toto was such a Bad Dog!? This book was so fun and I loved the story from not only Toto’s perspective but one that’s been a bit updated. If you love Wizard of Oz, this is a must read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy.
June 21, 2024
I'm a big fan of different takes on the classics. This version of WoOZ did not disappoint. Just from watching the movie (85th anniversary of its release this year - 2024), it's obvious that Toto is a sassy, snarky, smart dog.
Enjoyed, pleased, and surprised by the interpretations done by the author, especially the nuance and blurring of the difference (or lack of difference) between good and evil (or pink and black).
Loved this eARC. Highly recommend when you can get your hands on it.
Enjoyed, pleased, and surprised by the interpretations done by the author, especially the nuance and blurring of the difference (or lack of difference) between good and evil (or pink and black).
Loved this eARC. Highly recommend when you can get your hands on it.
June 12, 2024
The Wizard of Oz as told by Toto is so much more interesting! Toto is a wee bit snarky, fiercely loyal and of course- the true hero of the tale. Loved this version!!
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinion is my own.
June 16, 2024
This really is a gem! As a Wizard of Oz superfan, I love a good retelling of this classic. Having the book told by Toto is brilliant and a fun take at looking at the story through Dorothy's pet's eyes. The running internal commentary was hilarious and I enjoyed the modern take and updates to the overall timeline.
August 1, 2024
I don't know what to do with this book. I think it is a interesting new take on a classic, and I will always love a snarky dog narrator/main character, but I really just wanted more from this than I got.
I liked the found family building and the parts of Wizard of Oz that were updated/added (Dorothy is a 21st century teen, we learn more about other kingdoms, and Emerald City and the Wicked Witch were captivating to me), but there were large sections that were almost word for word from the movie which kinda feels like a cop out. I love Toto and his decision to start being a "bad dog" but this was not consistent motivation through the book and felt a bit more like telling than showing as a narrative device for me. I also got frustrated that sometimes Toto understood human culture and other times didn't. The inconsistency really brought me out of the story. I also feel like almost all the side characters were just ... there, and could have been developed a bit more to really make this into its own story.
Maybe it's just me but when I pick up a retelling I really want there to be something new offered and I don't know that this delivered on what I expected. Generally its a fun read, but it just fell flat and was something I had read. Just meh which is fine, but nothing to really write home about.
I liked the found family building and the parts of Wizard of Oz that were updated/added (Dorothy is a 21st century teen, we learn more about other kingdoms, and Emerald City and the Wicked Witch were captivating to me), but there were large sections that were almost word for word from the movie which kinda feels like a cop out. I love Toto and his decision to start being a "bad dog" but this was not consistent motivation through the book and felt a bit more like telling than showing as a narrative device for me. I also got frustrated that sometimes Toto understood human culture and other times didn't. The inconsistency really brought me out of the story. I also feel like almost all the side characters were just ... there, and could have been developed a bit more to really make this into its own story.
Maybe it's just me but when I pick up a retelling I really want there to be something new offered and I don't know that this delivered on what I expected. Generally its a fun read, but it just fell flat and was something I had read. Just meh which is fine, but nothing to really write home about.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews