I thought this story was interesting, but I was very distracted by the fact that it was a retelling of a story from Ozma of Oz, and that no one ever mentioned that is where the story came from! The little Easter Eggs hidden everywhere were a joy, from the jade statues (later in the book they travel to the land of the Nome King who turns people into jade), to the description of Dorothy as a dreamy farm hand who's aunt and uncle no longer need her and staring at the sky day dreaming of a tornado to take her away, and on and on. At the end I was left trying to figure out the repercussions to the rest of the story if Dorothy is left to go free. Would she not meet up with Ozma? If Dorothy and Billina the talking hen don't meet up with Ozma, then how would Billina rescue Ozma at the end?! Would they all be destined to remain ornaments forever??
This was the first Oz story given to me as a kid, and so has a soft spot in my heart. It was fun to revisit the world, and from a very creepy point of view too. These stories are full of minor characters who are who they are and do what they do with a very strong sense of inevitability, which was described in incredible detail from the maid's point of view.
I suggest anyone who wants to read more from this world read some of L. Frank Baum's other Oz stories, there are many of them, and each more interesting than the last. From the Shaggy Man with his Love Magnet, to Ozma herself, the bewitched princess, and on and on, they are delightful and highly original and very much worth a read!