Review: Morganstern, Rowling  and Scarborough Meet Baum and Oz
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 9, 2013
I am praising this novel as a wonderful combination of elements from other fantasies. I am not condeming it as derivitive. This is a cross of the characters ofThe Princess Bride,Song of Sorceryand Harry Potter with the plot of the Wizard of Oz. Dak is a blend of Fezzik and Inigo. Aventure is a singing Westly a lot like Colin Songsmith. Laea is Hermione Granger studiousness with Ron Weasly's saracasm.  You can see Morganstern, Rowling and Scarborough in the light hearted narrative style too. Even the digressions into history remind one of the eponymous fictionalized Florinese master, Morganstern. As to Baum, well, the road is not yelloow brick, but the adventure begins with a group of misfits (and their pretty little dog too) meeting and traveling past a forest of obstacles to visit a wizard to ask how they can be normal. After being rebuffed by his butler, they gain entry and he sends them on a quest.  They think they are on their way to get a magical object from a wicked mage (to avoid spoilers, let us call it the witch's broomstick).  In the end they come "Home," more satisfied with who they are. I love this book, understanding it as the coming together of years of Aalberry reading into a newly synthesized work. I consider Wish appropriate to most children with violence but nothing graphic. Aalberry made a book that would be an ideal read aloud.