Perez offers an alternate take on The Wizard of Oz in this fantasy novel.

The story opens as the Munchkins celebrate the death of Nessarose, the Wicked Witch of the East, after she’s been crushed by a falling house. To their great dismay, Nessa emerges unhurt, aside from some bruises and scratches, but missing her ruby slippers—and her memory. The Munchkins send Nessa down the treacherous Red Brick Road in search of her slippers. On that road, Nessa comes across a disturbing scene: “In the yard, a group of children played, or so it seemed at first glance. Their frozen forms stood motionless, hands raised mid-game, faces caught in an expression of joy.” Nessa learns that before her accident, she caused the magical devastation along the Red Brick Road in a fit of energy and excitement, and she sets off on a quest to repair the damage. After she meets a bilingual goat named Dr. Guillermo Cabro, the two decide to visit the Archives of Magic in the Emerald City to find a way to reverse what she’s done. They’ll need someone to translate the ancient texts, so Nessa’s sister, Elphaba (aka the Wicked Witch of the West), joins the journey. The three must sneak into the Wizard’s study to find the Book of Enchantment, which they hope will hold the key to both undoing Nessa’s crimes and exposing the Wizard for his misdeeds. Perez’s prose is wonderfully descriptive (“Abandoned houses…dotted the roadside, their windows dark and empty, like hollow eyes watching her journey”), though the dialogue can sometimes feel overly moralistic. The author manages to capture the essences of some well-known characters; Glinda is perfectly herself: “Oh, my dear, Nessa! I didn’t even see you there. Isn’t it just wonderful to see me?” While readers unfamiliar with this universe may find themselves out of their depth, fans of Wicked and The Wizard of Oz will appreciate this twist on Nessa’s story.

A vibrant and message-driven literary reimagining.

— KIRKUS Book Review

From the opening scene, I felt swept back into Oz. The tale begins as the Wicked Witch of the East is believed dead beneath Dorothy’s house, until a startling twist reveals she’s alive but memoryless. As Munchkin Land’s celebration falters, the author crafts a story both enchanting and suspenseful. The prose glides even as it marches, with wit that softens darker turns. Familiar characters gain new depth, and the world feels freshly lit. More than a retelling, this is a thoughtful reimagining of identity and redemption. I closed the book, grateful for such a charming escape and eager for what comes next.

— Evie Michelle

From the very first page of The Other Road, I was hooked. Carlos Perez takes a familiar world, Oz, and turns it into something fresh, haunting, and deeply introspective. This is not your childhood Wizard of Oz tale with bright yellow bricks and overt moral certainties; it’s darker, more ambiguous in all the right ways, and richly emotional.

What I loved most:

• Complexity of identity. The Wicked Witch of the East, Click here to read the entire review

— Bobby Fort

THIS BOOK!! The Other Road completely captivated me, and it was such an interesting retelling! Author Carlos Perez transforms Oz into something extraordinarily reimagined. This isn’t the fairytale we grew up with, but one that feels better and almost more human. The Wicked Witch of the East’s journey of rediscovery is powerful and deeply emotional. The writing balances moral complexity with compassion, and what it means to forgive, change, and to truly know yourself. The world-building is incredible, and Oz feels both familiar and new. Highly recommend this read!!

— Shay

A fun, quick read. Mixes old OZ that we know and love, with parts of "Wicked", and some new additions that add to the lore of OZ. A nice selection to add to my growing OZ collection.

—Sandor Molnar

What a great read! I loved that it’s about courage and transformation. I truly enjoyed the animal component and how it adds emotional and moral depth to the story. Carlos Pérez beautifully captures the struggle and beauty of choosing your own path. Highly recommend!

—LJD22

It was a great read. I really enjoyed it.

—Brett P

For those who grew up watching The Wizard of Oz or have seen Wicked, Dr. Perez’s book, The Other Road, is a refreshing new take on a time-worn concept. While evil still must be defeated, Wicked makes you realize that bad witches aren’t all bad. Perez’s book takes it one step further and takes us on the road to redemption and forgiveness in a series of (mis) adventures. Perez creates a bevy of endearing characters, each with its own quirks. They are well-drawn, very likable, and the entire book is well-written. As I read it, I kept seeing it in film version with a mix of both cartoons and real people, so visual are his characters. Well worth the read.

— JIM PARISE, Author of, I Was Healthy Until The Day I Wasn’t

From the opening scene, I felt swept back into Oz. The tale begins as the Wicked Witch of the East is believed dead beneath Dorothy’s house, until a startling twist reveals she’s alive but memoryless. As Munchkin Land’s celebration falters, the author crafts a story both enchanting and suspenseful. The prose glides even as it marches, with wit that softens darker turns. Familiar characters gain new depth, and the world feels freshly lit. More than a retelling, this is a thoughtful reimagining of identity and redemption. I closed the book, grateful for such a charming escape and eager for what comes next.

— Evie Michelle

From the very first page of The Other Road, I was hooked. Carlos Perez takes a familiar world, Oz, and turns it into something fresh, haunting, and deeply introspective. This is not your childhood Wizard of Oz tale with bright yellow bricks and overt moral certainties; it’s darker, more ambiguous in all the right ways, and richly emotional.

What I loved most:

• Complexity of identity. The Wicked Witch of the East, Click here to read the entire review

— Bobby Fort

THIS BOOK!! The Other Road completely captivated me, and it was such an interesting retelling! Author Carlos Perez transforms Oz into something extraordinarily reimagined. This isn’t the fairytale we grew up with, but one that feels better and almost more human. The Wicked Witch of the East’s journey of rediscovery is powerful and deeply emotional. The writing balances moral complexity with compassion, and what it means to forgive, change, and to truly know yourself. The world-building is incredible, and Oz feels both familiar and new. Highly recommend this read!!

— Shay

A fun, quick read. Mixes old OZ that we know and love, with parts of "Wicked", and some new additions that add to the lore of OZ. A nice selection to add to my growing OZ collection.

—Sandor Molnar

What a great read! I loved that it’s about courage and transformation. I truly enjoyed the animal component and how it adds emotional and moral depth to the story. Carlos Pérez beautifully captures the struggle and beauty of choosing your own path. Highly recommend!

—LJD22

It was a great read. I really enjoyed it.

—Brett P