🩸 Horror Fiction

Wicked: Volume One in the Wicked Years

✍️ Gregory Maguire
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$19.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gothic retelling of familiar myths focusing on mood and psychological dread

This book serves as a mental-focused adaptation rather than an action-heavy tale. Maguire builds a story that questions old norms by looking at love and friendship in a grim light. It uses known myths to forge fresh yet familiar tales. As part of the Wicked Years line, it delivers a creeping sense of fear common in horror. The writing encourages deep thought instead of startling jumps, appealing to epic fantasy lovers. By twisting classic myths with a spooky vibe, it attracts fans who like complex retellings. It differs from simple adventure stories by concentrating on detailed fairy tale revisions.

Key Themes
gothic atmosphere fairy tale retellings romance and friendship
Literary Context

Gregory Maguire’s work sits within the genre of contemporary fantasy and modern horror fiction. It functions as a media tie-in that reimagines established myths. The paperback edition connects to the broader Wicked Years series, blending gothic atmosphere with complex narrative structures for American readers seeking atmospheric depth.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Anne Rice · H.P. Lovecraft · Poppy Z. Brite · Gothic ghost story anthologies
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 William Morrow & Company 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780063398344

📝 Description: Wicked: Volume One in the Wicked Years

Gregory Maguire offers a gloomy twist on well-known tales within his Wicked Years collection. The story moves away from typical heroics, mixing gothic vibes with modern fantasy traits. It weaves old legends into complex plots that question standard narrative rules. Themes of love and loyalty are explored while blurring the lines between old myths and new creations. This book asks readers to view familiar stories through a different lens. The softcover version provides a gradual buildup of tension suited for horror fans. It targets those who value mood and mental depth over fast-paced events. The plot favors thought-provoking moments over sudden scares, catering to epic fantasy enthusiasts. Maguire’s contribution acts as a companion piece that reinterprets classic myths with a spooky feel. This style works best for readers wanting atmospheric richness and psychological nuance. It might disappoint those seeking thrilling adventures or clear-cut moral lessons.

💎 Our verdict on Wicked: Volume One in the Wicked Years

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Gregory Maguire delivers a compelling, gloomy reimagining of familiar narratives within the gothic horror tradition. The book excels in building a creeping sense of fear through psychological depth rather than sudden scares. Its strength lies in weaving old legends into complex plots that challenge standard narrative rules. Readers who appreciate mood and mental focus will find the atmospheric richness deeply satisfying. However, those seeking thrilling adventures or clear-cut moral lessons may feel disconnected from the slow burn. It serves best as a companion piece for fans of dark fantasy and ghost stories who enjoy blurring the lines between myth and creation.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who prioritize atmospheric richness and psychological nuance over fast-paced action will find this book rewarding. It appeals to those interested in complex retellings of familiar myths, offering a grim exploration of love and friendship. Fans of dark fantasy and cosmic horror who enjoy questioning old norms through a spooky vibe will appreciate the mental focus. This title is ideal for epic fantasy enthusiasts seeking detailed revisions of fairy tales rather than simple adventures. Those who value mood-building and thought-provoking moments over startling jumps will gain the most from this gloomy twist on well-known tales.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Gregory Maguire delivers a compelling, gloomy reimagining of familiar narratives within the gothic horror tradition. The book excels in building a creeping sense of fear through psychological depth rather than sudden scares. Its strength lies in weaving old legends into complex plots that challenge standard narrative rules. Readers who appreciate mood and mental focus will find the atmospheric richness deeply satisfying. However, those seeking thrilling adventures or clear-cut moral lessons may feel disconnected from the slow burn. It serves best as a companion piece for fans of dark fantasy and ghost stories who enjoy blurring the lines between myth and creation.

📖 From the series “Wicked Years”

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$22.00
86
Read →
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$19.99
86
Read →
Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$34.00
86
Read →
Wicked Collector's Edition: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked Collector's Edition: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$40.00
86
Read →
Wicked [Movie Tie-In]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked [Movie Tie-In]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$19.99
86
Read →
Wicked [Movie Tie-In #2]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Gregory Maguire
Wicked [Movie Tie-In #2]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$19.99
81
Read →

✍️ More books by this author Gregory Maguire

Wicked [Movie Tie-In #2]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Gregory Maguire
Wicked [Movie Tie-In #2]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$19.99
81
Read →
Wicked [Movie Tie-In]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked [Movie Tie-In]: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$19.99
86
Read →
Wicked Collector's Edition: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked Collector's Edition: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$40.00
86
Read →
The Oracle of Maracoor
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
The Oracle of Maracoor
$18.99
86
Read →
The Oracle of Maracoor
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
The Oracle of Maracoor
$30.99
86
Read →
Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Gregory Maguire
Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$34.00
86
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher William Morrow & Company

Hairpin Bridge
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Taylor Adams
Hairpin Bridge
$9.99
86
Read →
A Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451 Stories
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Ray Bradbury
A Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451 Stories
$19.99
81
Read →
Disappearance at Devil's Rock
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Paul Tremblay
Disappearance at Devil's Rock
$49.99
86
Read →
Galloway's Gospel
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Sam Rebelein
Galloway's Gospel
$18.99
86
Read →
Mother May I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Joshilyn Jackson
Mother May I
$9.99
81
Read →
Eight Perfect Murders
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Peter Swanson
Eight Perfect Murders
$9.99
86
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Gregory Maguire
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
$19.99
86
Read →
The Oracle of Maracoor
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Gregory Maguire
The Oracle of Maracoor
$18.99
86
Read →
And Then There Were None
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.7
1
Agatha Christie
And Then There Were None
$10.99
88
Read →
Venco
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Cherie Dimaline
Venco
$19.99
86
Read →
Mr. Timothy (Perennial) (Perennial)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Louis Bayard
Mr. Timothy (Perennial) (Perennial)
$19.99
86
Read →
As the Wicked Watch: The First Jordan Manning Novel
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Tamron Hall
As the Wicked Watch: The First Jordan Manning Novel
$19.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist