If you loved the dark whimsy, morally ambiguous characters, and clever subversion of familiar tales in Gregory Maguire's Wicked, you're in for a treat! National Book Store has a great selection of books with strong female protagonists, classic retellings, and themes of friendship and defiance. Here are recommendations that delve into similar themes:
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Like Wicked, this novel is a retelling of the classic Cinderella tale but with a futuristic twist.
In a dystopian futuristic New Beijing, a gifted cyborg mechanic named Cinder navigates life as a second-class citizen under her cruel stepmother. Her world changes when she meets Prince Kai, pulling her into an interplanetary conflict and forcing her to confront the hidden truths of her past.
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Mountains of Glass by Scarlett St. Clair
St. Clair is known for retelling classic tales from the Grimm Brothers and Hans Christian Anderson. This novel tells a retelling of a classic story with a darker, more adult twist.
In the cursed village of Elk, Gesela's life is defined by a series of devastating curses. When she is chosen to break the latest curse by killing a toad, she discovers it is actually a cursed Elven prince. In a twist of fate, his vengeful brothers banish her to live with their "beast" of a seventh brother. Gesela is offered a deal: guess his true name in seven days for her freedom. However, the catch is that she must also learn to love him to break his curse as well.
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Vicious by V.E. Schwab
This highly popular series centers on individuals who gain superpowers through near-death experiences. It explores the blurred lines between hero and villain, and features compelling characters with complex motivations, making you question who to root for, much like Elphaba's journey in Wicked.
Get this book on www.nationalbookstore.com, Shopee, and Lazada.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Of course, if you loved Wicked, it's always a good idea to revisit the source material! See how Maguire twisted and expanded upon Baum's original vision, and appreciate the foundation upon which Elphaba's story was built.
Swept away from her Kansas home by a tornado, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves in the magical Land of Oz. To get back home, she must travel the yellow brick road to the Emerald City to ask the Great Oz for help. Along the way, she makes new friends—the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion—and faces a journey filled with friendship, magic, and danger.
Get this book on www.nationalbookstore.com.
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
This series offers a whimsical yet thought-provoking take on classic fairy tale archetypes. It explores what truly defines "good" and "evil," and features a friendship between two girls who find themselves on opposing sides, much like Elphaba and Glinda.
Best friends Sophie and Agatha are taken to the fabled "School for Good and Evil," where they expect to be placed in their seemingly rightful roles as a princess and a villain. However, their fortunes are reversed, with Sophie sent to the School for Evil and Agatha to the School for Good. This unexpected switch forces them to question their true identities and destinies.
Loved our picks? Run to National Book Store and get these reads for as low as ₱125. These are available in select branches nationwide today!
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