This was the weakest book in the series by far. There was very little development or excitement. Much of the book felt as if it was a real strain for Maguire. It seems like he is trying to draw the series out but has a lack of material or things to say. This didn't advance the story line very much at all, or add alot of depth. It's not horrible by any means it just lacks the excitement of the first books. I'm hoping the series hasn't fizzled out and am going to assume this is just a transition type of book. In the end the book had very little to say, but the incorporation of the lion is a good idea. ( )

The third trip back to Gregory Maguire's reinterpretation of Oz. The cowardly lion named Brrarrives at the Mauntary where Sister Yackle has been interred. He has been charged with finding out more about Elphaba, the Wicked Witch, and Yackle's name has come up in her story a number if times as an Oracle. Civil war is fast approaching and Brr is working for the city, trying to get Yackle's tale before the soldiers arrive. He is also trying to find out the wereabouts of Liir, Elphaba's possible son.

While learning more about Yackle, we also find out Brr's story. Yackle will only give him information in exchange for some back from him. We travel back to when Brr was a young lion growing up in the jungle. He learns to talk and tries to join the human world with mixed success. As described in Wicked there were anti Animal laws passed so the Lion in the city becomes someone of an oddity. Cast adrift, he doesn't really fit in with Animals or humans and lands himself in a whole heap of trouble.

I know many people aren't too keen on this series past the first book, but I think they are excellent. There were some great insights into some of the main characters as well as an unexpected one. I am also really interested in the time dragon clock and I really liked the parts were it was involved. The final moments with Yackle were worth it all. ( )

"A Lion Among Men" is the third book in his series "The Wicked Years" that started with prize winning book, "Wicked." The first book, Wicked, told the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The second book, "Son of a Witch," told the story of Liir, Elphaba's son (we think). In this book we learn the story of the Cowardly Lion and the oracle Yackle.

I actually didn't like the story of the Cowardly Lion that much. I'm not sure if that's just because Maguire did a good job of portraying him as cowardly, or if it was something else, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as the last two. I did enjoy learning more about Yackle and her origins though!

Throughout the first two books Yackle is a mysterious character who hovers on the edges of the story. She shows up in some of the oddest places, and you always wonder why she's involved with the story. In this book we finally learn why!

From looking on-line, there are no more books written yet in this series. I'm curious to see where he's going to take the Oz story next, and I'm hoping I like book 4 better than I did book 3! ( )

The third (but not concluding?) book in the "Wicked Years" storyline, in which Brrr, the cowardly lion, tells his life story to the ancient maunt Yackle. We see Brrr's life before and after his adventures with Dorothy and companions, how he is repeatedly accused unjustly of collaboration and betrayal by all factions of Oz, and he is eventually conscripted by the Emperor to trace the whereabouts of Elphaba's book of magical spells, the Grimmerie. This leads him to the cloister of St. Glinda, where he and Yackle trade knowledge and taunts, and eventually both are led to the answers of most of their questions - what became of the Grimmerie, what became of Liir's half-sister Nor, and how will Yackle and Brrr find purpose in their chaotic lives? A good (possible) conclusion to the series, that leaves enough loose ends to justify another book. ( )

This is a weird book, and frustratingly magical, very emotional, deeply human, drenched in suffering and trauma. And overall, one of my favorite Gregory Maguire books so far. ( )