Status
Checked out
Due 10-10-2021
Call number
Collection
Publication
Macmillan Children's Books (2017), Edition: Main Market Ed., 464 pages
Description
In this prequel to Alice in Wonderland, Cath would rather open a bakery and marry for love than accept a proposal from the King of Hearts, especially after meeting the handsome and mysterious court jester.
User reviews
LibraryThing member senbei
ARC spoilerless review: As much as I adore Cress, I concede Heartless is wordsmith Marissa Meyer's best work. A swooning, spontaneous, jovial feat of dry punnery. You will not be disappointed.
LibraryThing member ewyatt
A prequel to Alice in Wonderland that explores the origin of the Queen of Hearts. The way a girl went from a privileged want to be baker to a heartless queen. Along the way, the main character is smitten by Jest, a court jester, and courted by the well-meaning but befuddled king.
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
The story of how a young girl became the Queen of Hearts in the world of Alice in Wonderland.
LibraryThing member Cherylk
If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland or fairy tales in general and with a twist, then, you will enjoy this book. What I most loved about this book is that it was not just a twist on a classic story but it stood alone as a different story. Yes, there were some of the same characters from the
Although, I must comment by saying that while I liked the romance sprouting between Catherine and Jest, I felt that Catherine could have been fine without any suitors. She is a strong, independent woman with a mind of her own. Therefore, this is the reason I liked her a lot. Yet, the romance between Catherine and Jest was sweet. At least, Jest offered some laughs. Unlike the King. He was spineless. The Jabberwock was a nice addition to making this story a little darker. This is a recommended read! I look forward to reading more books by this author.
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original. However, there were other new characters that kept this story refreshing. So, there was nothing to compare this story to the original. Well, I guess in all honesty you could say that this book is the "original". It was entertaining to read how the Queen of Hearts came to be the woman that was the most feared in all of Wonderland. Although, I must comment by saying that while I liked the romance sprouting between Catherine and Jest, I felt that Catherine could have been fine without any suitors. She is a strong, independent woman with a mind of her own. Therefore, this is the reason I liked her a lot. Yet, the romance between Catherine and Jest was sweet. At least, Jest offered some laughs. Unlike the King. He was spineless. The Jabberwock was a nice addition to making this story a little darker. This is a recommended read! I look forward to reading more books by this author.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
I really loved The Lunar Chronicles by Meyer and was very excited to see that she had released another novel. This was a well done prequel to Alice in Wonderland. The book is cleverly written.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. My only complaint would be that a
I am really a sucker for anything Alice in Wonderland, so the premise grabbed my attention right away. This is basically the story of how the Red Queen got to be the hateful head-chopping woman she is in the Alice in Wonderland books. There are very clever references to both Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass throughout the story.
This is not a super action-packed or edgy version of Alice in Wonderland (I liked A.G. Howard’s Splintered series better and also am enjoying Christina Henry’s Chronicles of Alice better). However it does have a very fairytale like feel to it with princes and magic and deadly deals to be made.
I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have because throughout the whole book you know it's going to end badly and I just kept hoping that it would end differently. There are so many times in the book where you want to grab the characters and shake them for the bad choices they make. All in all it was a good, yet somewhat frustrating, read for me.
Overall this was a well done prequel to the Alice in Wonderland story. There are very clever references to the original books throughout and I enjoyed the story overall. I did find it frustrating to read at times because of how stupid the characters were; but I understand that the Red Queen’s story is mostly a tragedy full of flawed characters….so I get it. I would recommend to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings or Alice in Wonderland.
If you enjoyed this book but are interested in a more edgy and action packed Alice in Wonderland expansion...I would recommend both A.G. Howard’s Splintered series and Christina Henry’s Chronicles of Alice (this one is very adult).
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. My only complaint would be that a
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couple of the voices were very shrill and hard to listen to; particularly Catherine’s mother and the White Rabbit. I would definitely recommend listening to this on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.I am really a sucker for anything Alice in Wonderland, so the premise grabbed my attention right away. This is basically the story of how the Red Queen got to be the hateful head-chopping woman she is in the Alice in Wonderland books. There are very clever references to both Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass throughout the story.
This is not a super action-packed or edgy version of Alice in Wonderland (I liked A.G. Howard’s Splintered series better and also am enjoying Christina Henry’s Chronicles of Alice better). However it does have a very fairytale like feel to it with princes and magic and deadly deals to be made.
I didn't enjoy it as much as I should have because throughout the whole book you know it's going to end badly and I just kept hoping that it would end differently. There are so many times in the book where you want to grab the characters and shake them for the bad choices they make. All in all it was a good, yet somewhat frustrating, read for me.
Overall this was a well done prequel to the Alice in Wonderland story. There are very clever references to the original books throughout and I enjoyed the story overall. I did find it frustrating to read at times because of how stupid the characters were; but I understand that the Red Queen’s story is mostly a tragedy full of flawed characters….so I get it. I would recommend to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings or Alice in Wonderland.
If you enjoyed this book but are interested in a more edgy and action packed Alice in Wonderland expansion...I would recommend both A.G. Howard’s Splintered series and Christina Henry’s Chronicles of Alice (this one is very adult).
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LibraryThing member LauraT81
I love anything that is Alice in Wonderland inspired and Heartless did not disappoint. It was such an interesting origin story and I loved to experience Wonderland through the eyes of Marissa Meyer. I just wish there would be more from her from this world, but I believe this is a standalone.
LibraryThing member nbmars
This is not so much a “retelling” of Alice in Wonderland as a “prequel” - more specifically, the story behind the Queen of Hearts.
It begins with 17-year-old Catherine Pinkerton, whose parents want her to accept a marriage proposal by the King of Hearts. But sweet and compassionate Catherine
In spite of the obstacles, however, Catherine, as her friend Cheshire the cat described her, “overflowed with whimsy and powdered sugar.” While she is scared of the future and of her own lack of backbone, she doesn’t stop baking, or dreaming.
Then Catherine meets the King’s new Joker, named Jest. He looks exactly like the handsome man she keeps seeing in her dreams, and the two have an instant chemistry. Maybe he can offer her a way out after all.
But there are troubles in Wonderland. A Jabberwock is on the loose; the King is more interested in courting Catherine than dealing with the danger; and Jest’s good friend Hatta is hostile to her. It also turns out Jest is not who he claimed to be. What will happen to Catherine and the Kingdom? Will the Jabberwock prevail? Will she be able to realize her dreams?
Evaluation: Most of the time this story is clever and funny and full of puns, fantastical images, and entertaining allusions to works by Lewis Carrol and Edgar Allan Poe. (“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, was first published in 1845, twenty years before Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.)
But it also has moments of heartbreaking tragedy. If you are willing to accept the latter in order to enjoy the former, this book has much to recommend it. I am quite glad I read it, but I am still sad….
It begins with 17-year-old Catherine Pinkerton, whose parents want her to accept a marriage proposal by the King of Hearts. But sweet and compassionate Catherine
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is repulsed by the King, and at any rate only wants to bake. She dreams of opening a bakery to be called “Sweets and Tarts: The Most Wondrous Bakery in All of Hearts” along with her maid Mary Ann. But alas, her parents would never approve, even if the King weren’t in the picture. They won’t even let her eat her delicious concoctions - her mother is obsessed with Catherine’s weight.In spite of the obstacles, however, Catherine, as her friend Cheshire the cat described her, “overflowed with whimsy and powdered sugar.” While she is scared of the future and of her own lack of backbone, she doesn’t stop baking, or dreaming.
Then Catherine meets the King’s new Joker, named Jest. He looks exactly like the handsome man she keeps seeing in her dreams, and the two have an instant chemistry. Maybe he can offer her a way out after all.
But there are troubles in Wonderland. A Jabberwock is on the loose; the King is more interested in courting Catherine than dealing with the danger; and Jest’s good friend Hatta is hostile to her. It also turns out Jest is not who he claimed to be. What will happen to Catherine and the Kingdom? Will the Jabberwock prevail? Will she be able to realize her dreams?
Evaluation: Most of the time this story is clever and funny and full of puns, fantastical images, and entertaining allusions to works by Lewis Carrol and Edgar Allan Poe. (“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, was first published in 1845, twenty years before Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.)
But it also has moments of heartbreaking tragedy. If you are willing to accept the latter in order to enjoy the former, this book has much to recommend it. I am quite glad I read it, but I am still sad….
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LibraryThing member ComposingComposer
2 1/2 stars
This book started off beautifully. I loved the food, and the characters, and the strangeness of the world. It went downhill from the time of the mockturtle. I found that I couldn't understand how Cath, sweet, irritating and indecisive as she was, could turn so far as to become the nasty
This book started off beautifully. I loved the food, and the characters, and the strangeness of the world. It went downhill from the time of the mockturtle. I found that I couldn't understand how Cath, sweet, irritating and indecisive as she was, could turn so far as to become the nasty
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Queen of Hearts. Not without the man she loved--Jest--betraying her, which he did not. While at the end she certainly did act like the Queen of Hearts, there was far too much of a gap between the two personalities, without seeing her character growth (shrinking) into that role. I still am a fan of Marissa Meyer, but this wasn't as good as I was hoping it would be. Show Less
LibraryThing member VavaViolet
Catherine is a gifted baker who dreams of opening her own shop someday. However, her domineering mother has other plans for her - to marry the King of Hearts. But one fateful night she meets Jest, a mysterious court joker, and soon Catherine finds herself falling for him. Amidst the fear of another
This is the first book by Marissa Meyer that I've read, and I enjoyed it immensely. This book is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with Catherine being the Queen of Hearts. Meyer gave the evil Queen of Hearts a compelling background story on why she is so vicious and well, heartless. Meyer's retelling is so effective that I found myself emphatizing with Catherine's character by the end of the book, I will never think of the Queen of Hearts the same way again. A truly yummy book with equal parts sweet, salty and bitter I devoured this like a blueberry cheesecake. I give this book 4.5 over 5 stars
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jabberwock attack, her parents expectations, the king's persistent courtship, and the mystery behind Jest's true motives, Catherine must make a choice: marry the king or runaway with the one she loves. But in a land ripe with magic and mayhem, anything can happen, and not always the way you want it to.This is the first book by Marissa Meyer that I've read, and I enjoyed it immensely. This book is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, with Catherine being the Queen of Hearts. Meyer gave the evil Queen of Hearts a compelling background story on why she is so vicious and well, heartless. Meyer's retelling is so effective that I found myself emphatizing with Catherine's character by the end of the book, I will never think of the Queen of Hearts the same way again. A truly yummy book with equal parts sweet, salty and bitter I devoured this like a blueberry cheesecake. I give this book 4.5 over 5 stars
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LibraryThing member acargile
If you read the Cinder novel and the subsequent series, you may enjoy this novel by the same author.
Catherine is a brilliant baker and dreams of opening a bakery with her maid, but real life interferes. Catherine prefers spending her days baking and feeding people, but she must attend parties
A new person has arrived at court--Jest, who is a joker. His ability to entertain through amazing tricks is outstanding. He zeroes in on Catherine and seems to give her more attention; she, too, zeroes in on him and finds him most interesting. They are drawn to each other, but there’s more going on than Catherine realizes. Jest isn’t as he appears and their fates are not of their choosing.
I’ll be honest; I could not get into this novel. I loved Cinder and all of those novels. This novel is Ms. Meyer’s take on Alice in Wonderland. I have never read or watched Alice in Wonderland, so my knowledge is woefully lacking. Perhaps I would have found this more interesting if I had more knowledge? I don’t know. I read the first 120 pages and then skimmed the rest. I think there was a bit of a twist in the later part of the story, but with my lack of knowledge, I could be wrong. If you read this novel and love it, please feel free to write a review and I’ll post it with this one.
Catherine is a brilliant baker and dreams of opening a bakery with her maid, but real life interferes. Catherine prefers spending her days baking and feeding people, but she must attend parties
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because she is the daughter of the upper class. The king finds her quite compelling and her treats scrumptious, so he wants her to be the queen. This title is the last thing Catherine has ever dreamed of and finds the king unattractive as a husband. Her parents, however, would love to have a daughter who is the queen.A new person has arrived at court--Jest, who is a joker. His ability to entertain through amazing tricks is outstanding. He zeroes in on Catherine and seems to give her more attention; she, too, zeroes in on him and finds him most interesting. They are drawn to each other, but there’s more going on than Catherine realizes. Jest isn’t as he appears and their fates are not of their choosing.
I’ll be honest; I could not get into this novel. I loved Cinder and all of those novels. This novel is Ms. Meyer’s take on Alice in Wonderland. I have never read or watched Alice in Wonderland, so my knowledge is woefully lacking. Perhaps I would have found this more interesting if I had more knowledge? I don’t know. I read the first 120 pages and then skimmed the rest. I think there was a bit of a twist in the later part of the story, but with my lack of knowledge, I could be wrong. If you read this novel and love it, please feel free to write a review and I’ll post it with this one.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
Marissa Meyer tackles Wonderland in this novel and manages to craft a story of the Queen of Hearts which is both refreshing and hard to put down. The heroine Catherine does not want to be the Queen of Hearts, she wants to open a bakery with her best friend and delight the kingdom of Hearts with her
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sweet treats. She most certainly does not want to marry the King of Hearts, especially after she meets the charismatic Jest, who she feels a strong attraction to. While I didn't really like how the story ended, I will admit that this is the best Alice in Wonderland retelling I've ever come across. Show Less
LibraryThing member leahlo89
As much as it pains me to say this, I ended up DNF. I went in looking for the same magic I got from The Lunar Chronicles and was left so disappointed. In the end, I think I just wasn't a good fit for this book. I can see why others will love it. The writing is good, the characters are witty, the
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Alice in Wonderland references and Edgar Allen Poe references are on point.. I think the book itself is good, which is why I'm not giving it a star rating. Show Less
LibraryThing member Calavari
Heartless am a sucker for a good "making of a villain" story. I normally copy over the back cover information from Amazon into a review, but this one can be well summed up by knowing that this is the making of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. The full back cover was a little overkill
I've been anticipating this novel since the first chapter preview in Stars Above. Yep, this is written by the same woman who gave us a science fiction reimagining of Cinderella set in a dystopian future. There was a chance that I would have too high expectations for this book to possibly live up to, but that did not turn out to be the case. It was just as wonderful and enchanting as I had hoped.
It also made me feel like a have to go back and watch Alice in Wonderland again. It had actually been long enough that I couldn't remember if some of the characters made it through to the other story, though others are certain and hallmarks of the movie/book, such as Cheshire, Mr. Caterpillar, and the Mad Hatter. I really enjoyed the Mad Hatter, or Hatta is he is called here.
Despite the fact that this is a prequel that lets you know up front which character it is developing, there were still some moments that made me question how we were going to get there. There was something about the way the odd things in Wonderland are normalized when seen through the eyes of a resident.
I enjoyed the story development and writing of this book almost as much as in the Lunar Chronicles but this is a set of characters that I was not nearly as attached to at the outset. Catherine was endearing and I felt for her along her journey and I daresay that I have felt the way that she has at different points of her story in my own life but didn't have quite the follow through available to me. It was probably for the best for me that I didn't.
Anywho, I fell in love with Jest a little. Their story moves a little fast but I get how good dreams can propel things. I even have a real life friend who dreamed about a man she met the next day and it definitely sped things up for them. She greeted him as if they knew each other because of the dream, which he found adorable, which is apparently a good conversation starter. Nevertheless, Jest is adorable. He would have to be right?
But the best part was that this is not a cut and dry love story that propels the protagonist into blah, blah, predictable predictable. Even though we know where one aspect of the story is headed, it doesn't distract from the fun of how it gets there nor that there is another plot going on that propels the story forward. Still, the romance isn't treated as an afterthought. This might sound a little confusing and I might be talking myself in circles, but Meyer is quite good at giving us some great romantic interests and love scenes while having an action plot going on at the same time and with equal pacing.
Anyone who loved the Lunar Chronicles is likely to enjoy this story as well, but they are certainly not the only audience that will enjoy it. I
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when I looked at it.I've been anticipating this novel since the first chapter preview in Stars Above. Yep, this is written by the same woman who gave us a science fiction reimagining of Cinderella set in a dystopian future. There was a chance that I would have too high expectations for this book to possibly live up to, but that did not turn out to be the case. It was just as wonderful and enchanting as I had hoped.
It also made me feel like a have to go back and watch Alice in Wonderland again. It had actually been long enough that I couldn't remember if some of the characters made it through to the other story, though others are certain and hallmarks of the movie/book, such as Cheshire, Mr. Caterpillar, and the Mad Hatter. I really enjoyed the Mad Hatter, or Hatta is he is called here.
Despite the fact that this is a prequel that lets you know up front which character it is developing, there were still some moments that made me question how we were going to get there. There was something about the way the odd things in Wonderland are normalized when seen through the eyes of a resident.
I enjoyed the story development and writing of this book almost as much as in the Lunar Chronicles but this is a set of characters that I was not nearly as attached to at the outset. Catherine was endearing and I felt for her along her journey and I daresay that I have felt the way that she has at different points of her story in my own life but didn't have quite the follow through available to me. It was probably for the best for me that I didn't.
Anywho, I fell in love with Jest a little. Their story moves a little fast but I get how good dreams can propel things. I even have a real life friend who dreamed about a man she met the next day and it definitely sped things up for them. She greeted him as if they knew each other because of the dream, which he found adorable, which is apparently a good conversation starter. Nevertheless, Jest is adorable. He would have to be right?
But the best part was that this is not a cut and dry love story that propels the protagonist into blah, blah, predictable predictable. Even though we know where one aspect of the story is headed, it doesn't distract from the fun of how it gets there nor that there is another plot going on that propels the story forward. Still, the romance isn't treated as an afterthought. This might sound a little confusing and I might be talking myself in circles, but Meyer is quite good at giving us some great romantic interests and love scenes while having an action plot going on at the same time and with equal pacing.
Anyone who loved the Lunar Chronicles is likely to enjoy this story as well, but they are certainly not the only audience that will enjoy it. I
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LibraryThing member leoithne
I've never read the original Alice in Wonderland story. I did watch one live action adaption and enjoyed it a lot as a kid, but that was as far as my interest went. I decided to try this out, because I've enjoyed Meyer's work before, and I love these prequels about villians.
I was not disappointed
I was not disappointed
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by this book at all. I absolutely loved it. I loved the characters, the romance... the way that I obviously knew the outcome but kept hoping and hoping things wouldn't go that way. I kept thinking, ''What if she isn't the one to become the Queen after all?''. Of course, I was crushed, but... it was the best route. Show Less
LibraryThing member anacskie
Wow!!! It was a thick book. But the ending is definitely amazing. It's definitely different from the Queen of Hearts in a Disney movie. Love it!
LibraryThing member anacskie
Wow!!! It was a thick book. But the ending is definitely amazing. It's definitely different from the Queen of Hearts in a Disney movie. Love it!
LibraryThing member benuathanasia
This is a pretty depressing prequel to Alice in Wonderland, chronicling the origins of the Red Queen. I'm sad that this isn't continued. I'd like to see Cath get a redemption story.
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
Narrated by Rebecca Soler. I finally figured out this is an origin story of the Queen of Hearts of "Alice in Wonderland." Which probably explains why I did not find Catherine (the Queen-to-be) at all sympathetic and her romance with Jest very self-absorbed. The story also felt quite prolonged in
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spots. Ehhh, yaaaaawwwn... Show Less
LibraryThing member ChelleBearss
From the author of the Lunar Chronicles this is a twisted adaptation using the characters from Alice in Wonderland. I really enjoyed this one!
LibraryThing member bookandsword
3.5/5 stars
I am a little bit at crossroads about this one . On one hand I really enjoyed reading about how the Queen of Hearts came to be a psychotic, mad and heartless thing she is. But on the other hand - this book felt like a dupe. I just wasn't a big fan of all this character borrowing. Taking
And not only the Wonderland was borrowed, but also the Raven's talk was all Allan Poe, and the most famous lullaby "twinkle, twinkle..." was borrowed too. The original content was amazing, there was just very, very little of it.
All the borrowing aside, I did enjoy this book. It was a very pleasant, prettily written, quick read. I fell in love with Meyer's style of writing - it was fluid and quite beautiful. Not to mention all of the yummy treats and deserts described in this book! I was hungry the whole time I was reading it.
The other reason why I enjoyed the book so much, was because I really felt for Cath - her fate was such a horrible one. And I am not only talking about her love interest, but her dreams, her friends and most of all her horrible, horrible parents. I actually blame them for most of the things that happened to her.
Also I enjoyed the romance - the subtlety of it was a refreshing breather after "Hey-I-just-met-you-let's-make-out" romance that is so often found in ya books.
I would recommend Heartless as a light quick read if you are in the mood for some pretty, but less than mediocre retelling. Although I am positive I am like the last person to read it, just make sure to have some pastries on hand while reading.
I am a little bit at crossroads about this one . On one hand I really enjoyed reading about how the Queen of Hearts came to be a psychotic, mad and heartless thing she is. But on the other hand - this book felt like a dupe. I just wasn't a big fan of all this character borrowing. Taking
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characters out of a beloved book and putting them into another one – to me it seems like cheating. If all authors star doing this we would just have bunch of famous characters running from book to book. Meyer’s writing style is impeccable, she should have written her own characters.And not only the Wonderland was borrowed, but also the Raven's talk was all Allan Poe, and the most famous lullaby "twinkle, twinkle..." was borrowed too. The original content was amazing, there was just very, very little of it.
All the borrowing aside, I did enjoy this book. It was a very pleasant, prettily written, quick read. I fell in love with Meyer's style of writing - it was fluid and quite beautiful. Not to mention all of the yummy treats and deserts described in this book! I was hungry the whole time I was reading it.
The other reason why I enjoyed the book so much, was because I really felt for Cath - her fate was such a horrible one. And I am not only talking about her love interest, but her dreams, her friends and most of all her horrible, horrible parents. I actually blame them for most of the things that happened to her.
Also I enjoyed the romance - the subtlety of it was a refreshing breather after "Hey-I-just-met-you-let's-make-out" romance that is so often found in ya books.
I would recommend Heartless as a light quick read if you are in the mood for some pretty, but less than mediocre retelling. Although I am positive I am like the last person to read it, just make sure to have some pastries on hand while reading.
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LibraryThing member KeriLynneD
I really enjoyed reading this back story of the Queen of Hearts. It was fun to read about the other characters from Alice in Wonderland as well. Even though I obviously knew it wouldn't be able to have a happy ending it still made me sad. At the beginning of the story Catherine is so happy, free
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spirited and optimistic and by the end she is just so defeated. Even though Alice in Wonderland has never been a favorite of mine I enjoyed this immensely! Show Less
LibraryThing member BrynDahlquis
This book made me very nervous.
At first I was real skeptical because the world was not clearly set up for me. For some reason the magical elements and the humanoid animals seemed really out of place in the beginning, even though those are obviously parts of the original Alice story anyway. I don't
Once I got past that, I started to get mildly concerned that the book was more based on the Disney movie than on the original book. But the more I thought about it, the more I was okay with it and it's not like it WASN'T the original Alice, so it worked out.
Then, when I was super into it at last, I started to get REALLY REALLY NERVOUS. There was like, a hundred pages left and I felt that it needed to either end right there or have a lot more pages left. I just couldn't see how it could resolve itself in only a hundred pages. I was terrified that it would be an unrealistic happy ending, but equally terrified of the tragic ending that really should be coming.
I won't give away the ending, but here's what I will say: it was good enough. It could've been done a lot better, in my personal opinion, but it was still satisfying. It doesn't make me think poorly of the whole book, and it was still a good ending that leaves me pretty exhausted and breathless (in a good way).
So yeah. Uh, good book. Would read again.
At first I was real skeptical because the world was not clearly set up for me. For some reason the magical elements and the humanoid animals seemed really out of place in the beginning, even though those are obviously parts of the original Alice story anyway. I don't
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know, it just took a while for it to start feeling normal.Once I got past that, I started to get mildly concerned that the book was more based on the Disney movie than on the original book. But the more I thought about it, the more I was okay with it and it's not like it WASN'T the original Alice, so it worked out.
Then, when I was super into it at last, I started to get REALLY REALLY NERVOUS. There was like, a hundred pages left and I felt that it needed to either end right there or have a lot more pages left. I just couldn't see how it could resolve itself in only a hundred pages. I was terrified that it would be an unrealistic happy ending, but equally terrified of the tragic ending that really should be coming.
I won't give away the ending, but here's what I will say: it was good enough. It could've been done a lot better, in my personal opinion, but it was still satisfying. It doesn't make me think poorly of the whole book, and it was still a good ending that leaves me pretty exhausted and breathless (in a good way).
So yeah. Uh, good book. Would read again.
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LibraryThing member deslivres5
I read this novel with trepidation: we all know how the Queen of Hearts turns out! But Marissa Meyer is one of my favs, so I gave it a go. Seeing how sweet Lady Catherine's evolution into the Queen of Hearts is portrayed by Meyer in this backstory was heart-breaking, but worth it. I enjoyed how
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other Wonderland characters (Hatter, Cheshire Cat, The Caterpillar, The Mock Turtle, The Jabberwocky, etc.) are woven into the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kayla.Krantz
Fantastic twist on Alice in Wonderland, Miss Meyer introduces us to a baker named Catherine. At least, that's all she wants to be. Desired by the King of Hearts and at the mercy of her mother, Catherine's future seems to be planned out for her. Except she has her own dreams and desires. When the
I really loved the depth of the characters and the constant action of this story. The pace never dulled and I was truly left stunned by the ending. Would recommend to all Alice in Wonderland fans!
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new court jester makes an appearance she realizes that her future is not set in stone. There are choices she still has to make...given she has the strength to make them.I really loved the depth of the characters and the constant action of this story. The pace never dulled and I was truly left stunned by the ending. Would recommend to all Alice in Wonderland fans!
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LibraryThing member nframke
Heartbreakingly devastating, a magnificent combination of unique storytelling and sprinkles of Wonderland world pieces.
Awards
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2018)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Intermediate — 2019)
Gateway Readers Award (Nominee — 2019)
Arkansas Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Honor — 2019)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2017)
Tome Society It List (2018)
Just One More Page Recommendation List (Young Adult — 2018)
Texas Lone Star Reading List (2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016-11-08
Physical description
5.12 inches
ISBN
1509814132 / 9781509814138