![Heartless by Marissa Meyer Heartless by Marissa Meyer](https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com//wp-content/uploads/2016/10/18584855.jpg)
by Marissa Meyer
Genres: Fantasy
Source: BEA
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
![One Star](https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2013/07/rating-1.png)
![One Star](https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2013/07/rating-1.png)
![One Star](https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2013/07/rating-1.png)
![One Star](https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/326/2013/07/rating-1.png)
Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.
Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.
At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.
Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.
I was ecstatic when I picked up a signed copy of Heartless by Marissa Meyer at BEA 2016. I love her Lunar Chronicles and have long been a fan of Alice in Wonderland penned by Lewis Caroll. Everyone loves to hate the antagonist the Queen of Hearts, who declared, “off with his head” at the slightest provocation.
Heartless is the story of young Catherine before she became the Queen of Hearts. Myer’s telling of her history was wonderfully detailed and pulled at my heartstrings. Brilliantly told, this is not a love story, nor does it offer a happy ending but it is the story of how a little girl became a feared Queen.
When we meet Catherine, she is baking lemon tarts. Catherine dreams of opening a bakery in Hearts with her maid. She has never known love and tries to both please her parents and realize her dreams and ambitions. At the black and white ball, she meets the Jester, and her heart begins to flutter, but the King is eying her to be his Queen. The tale that unfolds was indeed a trip down the rabbit hole.
I delighted in seeing characters from Alice in Wonderland. There was the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and Peter Pumpkin. I adored, the Jester’s companion a Raven who talked in rhyme. Meyer’s said he was inspired by Edger Allen Poe and I delighted in the somewhat familiar verse. The Jester was mysterious, charismatic and handsome. I could see how Catherine was attracted to him. The King was portrayed as a bit of a bumbling buffoon and had me rolling my eyes at his attempts to court Catherine.
As we learn about Cathrine, and the men in her life we engage in lawn crochet, attend teas and deal with her ambitious momma. All the while a mythological creature is attacking the people of Hearts and Catherine is determined to stop it. It was all splendidly done, and I found myself slipping into the world and connecting with these characters.
Magic, prophecies, and characters of the Kingdom all added interest and slowly pushed us towards the catalyst that would forever change Catherine.
Heartless was riveting and pulled me down the rabbit hole. For fans of Alice in Wonderland and Marissa Meyer, Heartless is a must read.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer was riveting and pulled me down the rabbit hole Click To Tweet
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Naomi Hop
I haven’t read Marissa Meyer yet, but I was intrigued by this one! I love that it’s a Alice in Wonderland spinoff… And the magical aspects… I need this one!
Terri M.
I just got my physical copy of this book yesterday. It is so beautiful. I can’t wait to read it.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy, it was a good one Terri
AngelErin
I’m happy this one was so wonderful for you. I can’t wait to get my hands on it myself. Love very your review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Erin, I hope you get a copy soon
Nereyda
I love her other series on audio, such a great narrator. I’m waiting to get a new credit so I can get this one on audio too!
Nereyda│ Nick & Nereyda’s Infinite Booklist
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you love it!!
Kristin
I am having such a hard time with this one and I’m not sure why. I know exactly what I’m getting into so it’s not THAT. I love Jest and Raven but I can’t “connect” to Catherine. She’s nice but kind of wishy washy, no backbone. I KNOW, I just need to keep reading. I’m right at the point where Jest is at Cath’s window and they’re going to a tea party. I’ll finish…. sometime…. soon….. I will… I’m so glad you liked this, though!!!
kimbacaffeinate
She grows one, I think it is her age.
Lorna
Honestly, I never was able to get through reading Alice in Wonderland. Of course, that was when I was very young and I know it’s not really a children’s book. The older I get, the more I want a HEA and I know this book can not be that. But I am glad that you loved it!
kimbacaffeinate
I think because I mix up my genres so much, I appreciated the change. Plus I am a fan of Alice in Wonderland.
Trish
I can’t believe how far down I had to scroll to add my comment! I love how many comments you get on your blog posts Kim! And yay, very happy you loved this. It’s on my Christmas list and I can’t wait to read it. I love retellings, but especially the way MM puts her own unique spin on them.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, my tech geek and I were just talking about that. He wants me to switch to Discus since I get so many comments. Oh, I hope Santa brings it for you! I love retellings too.
Trish
That’s interesting. I wonder why he thinks Discus is better. I find discus to be difficult to log in to on my devices. On the computer or laptop, it’s fine but not on my phone or ipad. But at least all my comments wouldn’t go to spam! Your site hates me! 🙁
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, and today your comment didn’t go to spam…lol He thinks it is better because everytime you come to my page all of these comments have to load. With Discus they are loaded from another source. I am fighting him on this.
ShootingStarsMag
I have to admit I’ve never read the original Alice in Wonderland books. HOWEVER, I am still very much excited about this one and I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I just love Marissa Meyer.
kimbacaffeinate
Well maybe this will inspire you to read the original 🙂
Laurie
This sounds fantastic! I’ll have to keep my eye out for a copy.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you grab it Laurie!
Amy
So glad you loved this! I’m dying to read it, it looks amazing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Amy, Meyer’s delivers!
Katherine
That’s awesome you were able to meet her and get a signed copy of this one! I’m always a little nervous when it’s a prequel about a character who starts out good and goes bad like in the case of the Queen of Hearts but I trust Marissa Meyer enough to definitely give this a chance.
kimbacaffeinate
She did an excellent job and honestly I will never look at the Queen quite the same again.
The Bibliophile Babe
I couldn’t get into the Lunar Chronicles, but this sounds so much more interesting! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am so sorry to hear that, hopefully you love this and it is standalone!
Stephanie Fairday's Blog
This sounds great! I love the color! I am so intrigued because the book I am wrapping up has some ties to Alice in Wonderland, so she has been on my mind a lot lately. I will have to check this out (once I am totally done with my book). Thanks for sharing. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I hope you get a chance to read it!
Stormi Johnson
I was not a big enough fan to wait in that chaotic line to get one…lol. Nor am I a huge Wonderland fan so I am not sure if I want to try it or not. I am glad it was a good one for you! 🙂 Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Stormi, yeah I loved her Lunar Chronicles series, so this was one of the first books I selected when I bought the signed book package
Heidi
I am so happy this one didn’t disappoint. I am so excited to see it as I love the author and I know she knocks it out of the park with world buildilng and creativity.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you love it Heidi.
Tyler H. Jolley
My immediate reaction after the blurb was, “Huh, it’s interesting but probably not for me.” Then as I read your review, I realized my initial assumption was wrong. I think you need to have them add you’re quote on the front! “Brilliantly told, this is not a love story, nor does it offer a happy ending but it is the story of how a little girl became a feared Queen.” <- Now THIS is my kind of book. I love a good backstory. This is just the type of book I need right now.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanka Tyler 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
*shakes weak fist at you*
Darn it! I already wanted this one and now I know I must have it. Yea, this is the kind of book I know I will adore and now I will have to really bug my library to get it. Yep, this one WILL be read by me. I also have to finish her other series as well. So much reading… so little time… *sigh* Good problem to have. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, true story! At least this is a standalone 🙂
sherry fundin
Great review. Hard to go wrong with Marissa. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Very true Sherry!
Mary Kirkland
Sounds like there’s a lot going on in this story.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, but she really focuses on the events leading up to her becoming Queen
Angela Adams
Great idea for a story. Alice has always been the main focus of “Wonderland.”. Learning how the queen got to be “the queen,” is rather interesting and creative. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
This author really adds twists and enhances stories she decides to retell or develop
Cyn
I’m glad you loved this! I really enjoyed all the delicious food and Alice in Wonderland characters. I really loved Meyer’s writing and despite the heartbreaking ending, I think that part really was powerful.
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
The ending was very powerful Cyn. I am so glad I read it.
Melliane
I saw different reviews about this one but I’m glad you had a nice time. I still need to finish her other series as I only did read Cinder.
kimbacaffeinate
I loved the Lunar Chronicles and hope you finish them!
Lampshade Reader
WOW! That sounds super interesting! I’ve always wondered about the Queen 😀 Thanks for sharing your review! ~Aleen
kimbacaffeinate
It was good to see Meyer’s take on the Queen’s backstory
Debbie Haupt
What a cool thing Kim that you got to meet a fave and get a signed copy. Glad you liked this one too. It sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Debbie, I enjoyed this one
Bookworm Brandee
So this can be read without having read The Lunar Chronicles?? I do want to read that series but since I *just* read Alice in Wonderland, I’m thinking this would be a fun read! It sounds like Meyer did a wonderful job with The Queen. 😉 I’m glad you have a good time with it, Kim, and that you made it *out* of the rabbit hole. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This is not part of the Lunar Chronicles. It is standalone new release
kindlemom1
I’m so behind on this series, I really do need to get caught up darn it. Some day. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Not part of a series. This is a standalone Ali.
Nick
I adore Marissa Meyer, but I have to say I’m uninterested in this one for now. Mostly because I have never liked anything to do with Wonderland, and also because I know how this will end. I am thrilled that you were able to enjoy it so much though, Kim. I know you don’t always love all the YA so it’s great to see you find some good ones.
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you Nick, I loved Alice in Wonderland as a child, so this was perfect for me.
Quinn's Book Nook
I love Marissa Meyer’s, but I’m nervous to read it. I’me very much into happy endings at the moment. So glad you enjoyed it, though.
kimbacaffeinate
It explains why the Queen acted the way she did, and I love that Meyer was able to make me feel for a character I loathed.
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
So this is one that I was on the fence about reading (since she turns into a bad guy eventually) but now I feel I must listen to it 🙂 Dang y’all! I seriously am glad I think I am done with my reading funk 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes,…I didn’t look to see who is narrating…I hope its awesome
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
Rebecca Solar who did the Lunar Chronicles. 🙂
Maureen Beatrice
I’m almost ashamed to say I’ve only read the first book in the Lunar Chronicles. I really really loved it off course. And I’ve been wanting to read the other books too, but everytime there gets another book in the way. But I’m so going to read them ASAP. Especially after reading your review of ‘Heartless’. It sounds like another great book.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh by all means read all of the Lunar books, Heartless is not tied to that series and is a standalone!
Berls
I loved this so much! I struggled to write a review that conveyed how great it was – reading yours I kept going, man I should have mentioned that, or yea! Why didn’t I write that! So great review – mine is coming Wednesday 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I felt the same way, like I couldn’t convey how brilliant it was.
Danielle Nolan
As a huge fan of fairytales and retellings, Wonderland is my favorite! I am so glad to see that not only the story but the characters work so well fo you. Fingers crossed, my copy will be here tomorrow
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you love it Danielle!
Di
Yay! I’m so glad you loved this one too! Heartbreaking in so many ways and a really fantastic read.
I love your review!
kimbacaffeinate
I love that she took a villain and made me feel compassion for her.
blodeuedd
But she goes bad, I do not like that 🙁
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, otherwise she wouldn;t be shouting off with their head!
Ailyn Koay
yes I cannot wait for my copy from the library! when is it coming ??
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Ailyn!