Ruler of Beasts

Danielle Paige delivers a dark and compelling reimagining of a beloved classic, perfect for fans of Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Beastly by Alex Flinn, and Wicked by Gregory Maguire.

When the Cowardly Lion set off for the Emerald City in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with Dorothy and the others, he sought courage above all else. This digital original novella is the sixth installment in the prequel arc to the edgy and thrilling New York Times bestsellers Dorothy Must Die and The Wicked Will Rise, and is the Lion's story after he got what he's always wanted.

The Lion's wish has finally come true—he is the courageous ruler of the forest and all of its beasts. But the Lion is bored—he misses the days of his adventures with Dorothy, the Tin Woodman, and the Scarecrow. When Glinda the Good Witch shows up unexpectedly and tasks him with a mission back in the Emerald City, he jumps at the chance to do something exciting, even though he knows she's not telling him the entire truth.

• Morally Grey Characters: Glinda the Good is not what she seems, and the courageous Lion discovers that power comes with a dark side he might just enjoy.
• Political Intrigue: A mission to the Emerald City plunges the Lion into a silent power struggle between a manipulative witch and the formidable new Queen of Oz.
• A Twisted Take on Oz: Explore the edgy, thrilling, and dangerous side of Oz, where getting what you want is only the beginning of your problems.
• An Oz Prequel Novella: The perfect entry point or next read for fans of the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series, revealing the untold story of the Cowardly Lion.