Heartless Book Review // A Beautiful Tragic Book About the Queen of Hearts

Title: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer

Rating: 4 stars

Blurb (GR): Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. 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 a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Pro’s 

• Cover – The cover is absolutley gorgeous. I know we’re not supposed to buy books based on their cover, but I dropped that rule years ago.
• Story – The sTORY JUST TOOK MY HEART, AND SQUASHED IT WITH  5 INCH HEELS!

Even though it did murder my heart, I admit that this book was soo good. I loved Catherine’s transition, and applaud Marrisa Meyer for coming up with such a beautiful storyline. The plot twist broke my heart, but the way it was played out was impressive.

• Setting/World-building – I didn’t really read the blurb, so I didn’t know it was a fantasy retelling, but I instantly recognized that this book took place in Wonderland. And I loved it. It was bizarre, and crafty, but it wasn’t perfect. However, I will get onto that later.
• Romance – Catherine, and Jest were such a good couple. I really enjoyed Jests’s laid-back, but protective attitude, and Catherine’s paranoia, but kindness. Too bad they were doomed.
• Ending – The ending was tragic, but I’m grateful for that. If  this was all happy-go-lucky stuff, I’m sure I would’ve given it 3 stars. I think the tragedy was the best part of the book, even though it broke my heart.

Problems 

• Setting/World building – Like I mentioned above, Marissa Meyers Wonderland wasn’t as wonderland-y as I thought/hoped it was. Even the Mad Hatter (Hatta) wasn’t mad enough. I wanted really kooky stuff happening, but everyone was really stupid, or evil, and it was a letdown. 

• Catherine – I HATED her. I don’t throw that word around often, so that’s how you know she was bad. I found her character really dumb, and not that intelligent. And if you read the book, you know exactly what I’m talking about. I didn’t find her predicament interesting, she was just running away from an unwanted marriage. Not that I don’t thing, forced marriages are a small matter (because they are), but I felt that she was overreacting.  I also thought she was a bit uppity, saying that she “was the best baker in Hearts”.
• Jester – He was a really fine character, but I did have fine expectations. I thought he was a bit obsessed with Catherine though, and then he dropped that wretched “your not like other girls” line at Cath, and I was like   I mean he was great, until he said that. #sorrynotsorry
• Chesire Cat – I LOVED HIM. This might be one of the few things that was totally Wonderland-ish. He was just perfect.
• Raven – Why are all the good characters in this book animals? Raven’s character was awesome, and I loved that he represented “justice”. He was such a complex character.

It was just Marissa Meyers way of writing. It wasn’t as mad, or flowing as I’d thought it would be. It wasn’t rocky though.

 

have you read Heartless? What did you think about it? If not are you planning to read it soon? Do you also hate it when guys say “your not like other girls”? Do you agree/disagree with me review? Was this review helpful?