This book was a trippy fun ride to Oz and back. It takes the story from the movie and the books in really interesting way. As in Kansas is grey, but it also mentions the Winkies. I haven't read the books in years so I completely had forgotten who Gayelette was. I had to do a Wiki search and then was like, "Ohhh" There are a couple more moments like this. The book has its share of comedy. For instance, the scarecrow is a brain eating zombie who became a zombie to escape becoming a vampire. The Tin Man was a romantic until killing his love rendered him heartless. Also Dorothy has a crush on him. The stakes are high but the story is told with humor and warmth and not the grimdarknedgy that I felt bogged down the "Dorothy Must Die" series.