West of Wicked - Nikki St. Crowe

 

Title: West of Wicked
Author: Nikki St. Crowe
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Romantasy, Retelling
Format: Audiobook (ARC/ALC)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4★)
Release Date: April 14, 2026

Synopsis
A dark reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy is pulled into a cursed land filled with danger, magic and morally gray characters; and where the villain might just get the girl.

---

My Thoughts

So… ahem I have to admit something.

One of the main reasons I requested this audiobook was because… cough cough Shane East was one of the narrators. And honestly? He could read the dictionary and I’d still be like 👀.

That said, trying to put my bias aside for a second…

If we’re talking about the story itself, I did feel like things were a bit rushed. And I don’t mean fast-paced in a good way, but more like we didn’t get enough depth. There’s a lot happening, a lot of action, but not enough time to really connect with the characters or fully explore the world.

I was especially hoping for more backstory and buildup. The concept is so good; a dark Oz retelling with morally gray characters, but it felt like it needed just a bit more development to really hit.

The chemistry between Dorothy and Rook worked so well, but I was definitely expecting more spice, especially considering how the story starts. It had the potential to lean deeper into that darker, more intense dynamic.

Now… the audiobook?

That’s where this really shines.

The full cast did an amazing job bringing the story to life, and it made the whole experience so much more engaging. The performances added emotion, tension and atmosphere that I think the story alone didn’t fully deliver.

Also… that scene with Dorothy, Rook and the knife? Yep, I am all in for book 2.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’d say the story itself sits closer to a 3★ for me, but the audiobook experience definitely elevated it.

If you enjoy dark retellings and immersive audiobooks with a full cast, this is still a fun one to try—and I’m definitely curious to see where the next installment goes.

ARC/ALC Disclaimer
I received an advance copy of this audiobook via NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.