Dorothy Must Die Books in Order

How to Read the Dorothy Must Die Series

Danielle Paige's Dorothy Must Die series completely subverts L. Frank Baum's classic tale, transforming the beloved Land of Oz into a dark fantasy wasteland ruled by a magic-addicted, power-hungry Dorothy Gale. To save Oz, a new Kansas girl named Amy Gumm is swept in by a tornado and recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked with one clear directive: Dorothy must die.

Navigating this series can be tricky because Paige published nine companion novellas alongside the four core novels. Depending on how much backstory you want before diving into the main plot, there are three primary ways to tackle the reading order.

Option 1: The Core Novel Order (Recommended for First-Time Readers)

If you want to jump straight into Amy Gumm's story without getting bogged down by prequels, the best path is to read the four main novels in their original release order. This allows you to experience the main narrative arc seamlessly, with no interruption to the pacing.

1. Dorothy Must Die (2014)
2. The Wicked Will Rise (2015)
3. Yellow Brick War (2016)
4. The End of Oz (2017)

Option 2: The Chronological Order

For readers who want to understand exactly how Dorothy transformed from a sweet Kansas girl into a ruthless tyrant, and how the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion became her monstrous enforcers, you can read the series chronologically. In this order, you read all nine prequel novellas first before starting the first novel.

1. No Place Like Oz (Novella 0.1)
2. The Witch Must Burn (Novella 0.2)
3. The Wizard Returns (Novella 0.3)
4. Heart of Tin (Novella 0.4)
5. The Straw King (Novella 0.5)
6. Ruler of Beasts (Novella 0.6)
7. Order of the Wicked (Novella 0.7)
8. Dark Side of the Rainbow (Novella 0.8)
9. The Queen of Oz (Novella 0.9)
10. Dorothy Must Die (Book 1)
11. The Wicked Will Rise (Book 2)
12. Yellow Brick War (Book 3)
13. The End of Oz (Book 4)

Option 3: The Ultimate Hybrid Order (The Fan Favorite)

Many dedicated fans recommend a hybrid reading path. Reading the first book first establishes Amy's perspective, the stakes, and the mystery of this ruined Oz. Once you are hooked on the main conflict, reading the novellas provides rich context about how the classic characters fell from grace before you continue with the high-stakes sequels.

1. Dorothy Must Die (Book 1)
2. The Prequel Novellas 0.1 to 0.9 (Read via the collected volumes to understand the backstory of the villains and the Order)
3. The Wicked Will Rise (Book 2)
4. Yellow Brick War (Book 3)
5. The End of Oz (Book 4)

Understanding the Novellas and Collected Volumes

Tracking down nine individual digital novellas can be a chore. Fortunately, HarperCollins collected these stories into three convenient paperback volumes, making them much easier to read in physical print.

Dorothy Must Die: Stories, Vol. 1 (2015)

This first volume collects the first three prequels, which detail Dorothy's return to Oz and the initial corruption of the magical land.

• No Place Like Oz: Dorothy is back in Kansas, but she misses the magic of Oz. When she finds a way back, she realizes she will do anything to stay in power.
• The Witch Must Burn: Explores the fate of Jellia Jamb and how Dorothy begins executing anyone who opposes her rule, including the witches.
• The Wizard Returns: Follows the Wizard of Oz after his exile, showing how he attempts to return to the land he once ruled.

Dorothy Must Die: Stories, Vol. 2 (2016)

This volume focuses heavily on the dark transformations of Dorothy’s three iconic companions, showing how they lost their humanity to serve the tyrant Queen.

• Heart of Tin: The tragic story of how the Tin Woodman lost his heart—and his mind—under Dorothy's influence.
• The Straw King: The Scarecrow's descent from a wise protector into a mad scientist conducting horrifying magical experiments.
• Ruler of Beasts: The Cowardly Lion's transformation into a bloodthirsty, predatory beast who feeds on fear.

Dorothy Must Die: Stories, Vol. 3 (2017)

The final volume leads directly into the start of the first novel, detailing the rise of the rebellion and Dorothy's final consolidation of power.

• Order of the Wicked: The origins of the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, the underground alliance of witches and rebels trying to overthrow Dorothy.
• Dark Side of the Rainbow: Details the escalating cruelty of Dorothy's court as the resistance begins to form.
• The Queen of Oz: Tells the story of Oz immediately prior to Amy Gumm’s arrival, setting the stage for the rebellion’s final, desperate plan.

What to Know Before You Start

Danielle Paige’s Oz is not the whimsical world of L. Frank Baum’s original books or the classic 1939 movie. It is a dark fantasy series written for young adults, featuring mature themes, violence, and a gritty, dystopian atmosphere. The magic in this Oz acts like an addictive substance; the more Dorothy and her court consume, the more corrupted and ruined the land becomes. Expect plenty of action, moral ambiguity, and a fast-paced, cinematic style that reflects the author's background in television writing.

While the four main novels are a continuous story that must be read in order, the novellas are optional. You can read the main series without them and still fully understand Amy Gumm's journey. However, reading the novellas adds a tragic weight to the villains, transforming them from cartoonish monsters back into the complex, corrupted versions of the characters you once loved.