The death of elphaba thropp, the wicked witch of the west, brings about spectacular changes in this masterfully imaginative sequel to maguires 1995 blockbuster wicked—most notably, the startling possibility that elphaba had a son. Scattered among the ruins of great portions of emerald city, many residents have been skinned and bloodied, supposedly by the barbaric yunamatas. Travel caravan leader oatsie manglehand stumbles upon the body of an unknown young man, badly beaten but still alive. She presents him to the wise superior maunt, who recognizes the hurt boy as liir, rumored to be the dead witchs secreted son. A mute waif named candle revives him with her haunting, ethereal music and hidden affections. Meanwhile, maguire supplies alternating chapters of extensive, mesmerizing backstory of liirs boyhood, from the witchs watery demise, to the trek to the wizards castle with dorothy and company, his search for the imprisoned princess nor, and a long stint in the munchkinland army.