Maguire brings fans back to his unique view of the land of Oz with his newest novel. This time, it is done through the eyes of the one better known as the Cowardly Lion. His name is actually called Brrr. He has actually been getting cameos throughout the earlier two books (Wicked and Son of a Witch. Elpheba saved him as a cub, and Brrr had his own run-ins with Lir, who might have been her son.

He has now been assigned by the new Emperor of Oz to go out and search for Lir and an important book of magic that was crucial to Elpheba's power. There are fears by those now in power that Lir will use this book (and the related powers) to take the throne from his uncle.

As a result, Brrr heads out into Oz and neighboring Munchkinland, two powers that are divided by a war between Munchkin revolutionaries and Emerald City soldiers. Brrr finds himself speaking with Yackle, a woman of great influence in the lives of Elpheba and the rest of the Thropp family. She holds the secrets that the lion really does hope to sort out. Through his searching and his discussions with her, he (and the readers) learn enough to find out what he needs and resolves a number of loose ends that were in the earlier books in the series.

Once again, Maguire fills his tale with no shortage of deep examinations of major issues such as strength in self-perception, power, religion, and warfare. This is done while not bogging down the story, which is the real talent found in Maguire's writing. It is definitely up to his usual standards.