After a number of disappointingly random or repetitive stories I find this is one of the stronger entries in the series. There is a solid reason for the characters to go on a journey -- trying to bring peace between warring peoples -- even if one wonders why the all-powerful Ozma took so long to become aware of this, and why when she gets there her magic turns out to be so useless. But never mind, if she really was all knowing and all powerful there would never be any Oz stories at all.