This one felt a bit more cobbled-together than those before it. By Baum's admission in the intro, he didn't expect to be writing more about Oz, but it does feel like be phoned this one in a bit. The plot is much simpler, and while the main characters are likable, the side characters are just kind of "there". In fact, there are times when nothing is really happening, but the group of characters present is repeatedly listed and briefly described. It really did feel to me like Baum went, "well, you wanted more Oz, so here you go, I guess," and then did the bare minimum. I'm hoping things pick up again in the 9 books ahead!