What I liked about this book was its
contemporary flavor with
traditional quality.
Maguire clearly planned the world it is set in, and didn't relie on
Baum's version of
Oz to make his story alive. I mean, hell, he developed a style of
poetry as part of this worldset, and gave it a role in the politics of the
plot, it wasn't just fluff (and if I had my copy nearby -which I don't- I could name that style of poetry).
I particularly appreciated the social commentary disguised in the debates about Animals (talking, thinking, educated, furry members of society) vs. animals (food stock and pets), and Animals vs People. The little voice in my head kept asking me, "What is race then? Why do we let it separate us so much? Is it what you are or what you do that makes you?"