Literary Speed Dating: The Wicked Years Series
Keep in mind: Literary Speed Dating is merely an allegory. Through this, I offer you a book walkthrough and recommendation without spoilers.
eHarmony™ and Match.com™ are both reported for great success in the dating and marriage scene. The Tinder™ and Plenty of Fish™ routes are more one-night-stands, from what I understand, though I’ve heard of successful relationships, too. In either case, I preferred the traditional route in dating, and am glad I did. I found my husband in my apartment complex and our love story is a hopeless romantic kind of thing that I’d never give up in a million years. Score 1 for tradition!
One of the things I love about him is that he supports my book dating addiction. Expensive and time-consuming, he still gives up both because he knows how much I love it and is there 100%. I couldn’t imagine loving someone more supportive.
I’ve been involved with Literary Speed Dating (hosted by Barnes & Noble) since I was 13. It’s an all-ages event that connects available readers with books in need of attention. I had no intention of getting into something like that despite my friends’ insistence that I try Library Dating. But, when my mother was looking for something, I came across a beautiful cover and couldn’t help but check out her back blurb. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (by Gregory Maguire) was my first date and I still have feelings for her. However, she had no intention of anything long-term and our fling had to end. I still keep her nearby, though.
I met Wicked Series when I was about 15 or 16 years old. It was after I settled for friends with her stepsister Confessions. On our first date (book), I could see myself spending my life with her! She was so enthralling, and her conversation was so empathetic to those involved. She kept me contemplating segregation, prejudice, and activism. Not only that, she drew me in with hopeless talk of love and a brighter future for even “evil” ones. I knew it was the beginning of something beautiful.
On our second date, she introduced me to her son, Son of a Witch. A shy boy who was trying to figure out his roots through a distant mother. I felt bad for the boy but comforted that he had care and love to come. He would do great things, of course; he was just like his mother. I understood his mother’s distance. Her past left her unable to build a relationship with him, though she left her legacy. I appreciated them both and knew that I wanted to be involved in their lives. I just had to have that third date.
By the time we went on our third date, I found the Lion Among Men was not what I was expecting. She had changed. What was once gentle conversation from someone so smart and remarkable became a more obsessive political ranting. Suddenly, her characters became pawns in a scheme with an agenda. The magic in her eyes died, as well as in her son’s. I was disappointed; I should have known something that awesome couldn’t last.
We planned to get together for a fourth date Out of Oz. When I got there, though, I couldn’t stick with it and came up with an excuse to leave early. Though I do want to follow through and meet her again, I find myself deterred from ever picking her up. One day, I will finish the last.
There are no hard feelings between us, but Wicked has definitely made me wary of series. Really, I’m wary of all Maguire’s books because of her. Nevertheless, the other 3 books I read by him and my initial connection with Wicked leaves me open to try him again.
Overall, Wicked Series was a great young woman and maybe you’ll work better with her. Give her a shot.
What are your Wicked Years series experiences? Let us know below and on social media–including Goodreads. Don’t forget to sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter, too.
