With Wicked: Part Two coming soon to theaters, fans everywhere are getting ready to return to the world of Oz — full of magic, friendship, and the darkness that hides behind the legend.
If you’ve been craving more books like Wicked — stories of witches, power, destiny, and complicated heroines — you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find my personal selection of fantasy novels that capture the same enchanting, emotional, and slightly rebellious spirit of Wicked: Part One.
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
If you’re looking for books similar to Wicked that explore feminism, sisterhood, and magic, this historical fantasy is a must-read.
In 1893, witches no longer exist. Once, in the dark centuries before the burnings, they were real, but now, witchcraft has faded to charms and nursery rhymes. When the Eastwood sisters — James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna — join the suffragist movement in New Salem, they rediscover ancient words of power that could turn their political struggle into a witch’s revolution.
This beautifully written novel blends women’s rights, forgotten magic, and the fierce bond between sisters. If Elphaba’s fight against injustice moved you, you’ll find Juniper an her sisters just as unforgettable.
Why you’ll love it if you liked Wicked:
- Strong, complex women fighting oppression
- Themes of power, identity, and sisterhood
- A lyrical writing style filled with magic and emotion
Malice by Heather Walter
Looking for fantasy books like Wicked that flip fairy tales upside down? Malice is a dark and romantic retelling of Sleeping Beauty, told from the villain’s point of view.
In the kingdom of Briar, Alyce, the “Dark Grace,” is feared for her cursed magic. When she meets Princess Aurora, the two form an unexpected bond that defies everything their world believes about good and evil.
This lush, sapphic retelling challenges the idea of “true love’s kiss” and blurs the line between heroine and villain.
Why you’ll love it if you liked Wicked:
- A misunderstood “villain” protagonist
- A forbidden romance between two women in a patriarcal society;
- A dark, glamorous world where morality isn’t black and white.
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
If your favorite part of Wicked was the magical friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, then The School for Good and Evil will be right up your yellow-brick road.
Sophie dreams of becoming a fairy-tale princess at the School for Good, while her gloomy best friend Agatha seems destined for the School for Evil. But when their placements are switched, both girls are forced to question everything they know about good, evil, and friendship.
The first book is awesome, but the rest of the series is… well, a little disappointing. Still, the movie’s on Netflix… and it is a total must-watch for Wicked fans!
Why you’ll love it if you liked Wicked:
- A fun, fast-paced fantasy full of humor and heart
- Deep themes about friendship and identity
- Perfect for fans of magical schools and fairy-tale retellings
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
Two hundred years after Cinderella found her prince, the fairy tale has become a tool of oppression. Every girl in the kingdom must attend an annual ball where men choose their wives. Those not chosen disappear.
Sixteen-year-old Sophia dreams of escaping… and of loving her best friend, Erin. When she flees the ball and meets Constance, a descendant of Cinderella’s stepsisters, they uncover a shocking truth about the legend that shaped their world.
Why you’ll love it if you liked Wicked:
- Feminist retelling that reclaims a classic story
- LGBTQ+ representation
- A bold critique of patriarchy and fairy-tale perfection
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
If you loved Wicked for its darker take on Oz, this YA series is the next stop on your reading journey.
Amy Gumm, another girl from Kansas, gets swept into a twisted version of Oz… one where Dorothy has become a tyrant and the Wicked Witches might actually be in the right.
Amy joins the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, a rebel group determined to stop Dorothy’s reign and restore balance to the land.
I haven’t gotten around to reading this yet, but it’s a dark retelling of The Wizard of Oz, featuring an outsider heroine who has to fight to save the world… and the Wicked Witches are actually the real heroes of the story! I mean, do I even need to say more?
Why you’ll love it if you liked Wicked:
- A dark, subversive reimagining of Oz
- New heroines, familiar faces, and moral gray areas
- Fast-paced adventure with plenty of twists
Gutterwitch by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson (coming in 2027)
If you want to keep an eye out for upcoming fantasy books like Wicked, put Gutterwitch on your radar.
It follows Joan, a servant girl who wishes on a falling star to become the most powerful witch in the kingdom. Years later, she’s summoned to an elite academy of witchcraft, where she and a fae prince uncover a dangerous conspiracy that could plunge their world into war.
I was lucky enough to read an early ARC… and trust me, it captures the same atmosphere of rebellion, self-discovery, and complicated magic that Wicked fans will adore!
Why you’ll love it if you liked Wicked:
- A heroine rising from nothing to power
- Themes of destiny, magic, and forbidden love
- A dark romantasy tone with rich world-building
Final Thoughts: Finding More Books Like Wicked
Whether you were enchanted by Elphaba’s fight against injustice, her complicated bond with Glinda, or simply the haunting beauty of Oz, there’s a whole world of books like Wicked waiting to be explored.
From feminist witch tales to dark fairy-tale retellings, these novels prove that every “wicked” woman has a story worth hearing… and sometimes, being bad is just another way of being brave.
