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Heartless

Heartless - Marissa Meyer



Synopsis
Long before she became the terror of Wonderland, Catherine just wanted to follow her heart's desire--to open the best bakery in the Kingdom of Hearts. But the King is set on asking for her hand in marriage. Then she meets Jest, the King's new jester, and they are drawn together in a intense and secret relationship. Catherine is determined to set her own destiny and defy her parents, the king, and the people of the kingdom. But fate has other things in store.


Review
Catherine is a very relatable character: She wants to follow what makes her happy, even though it's a different plan than the one that her parents are pushing her to do. And then she falls in love for the first time with someone who makes her feel alive and adventurous... And someone she can never be with. We cheer for her as she fights to find her own way, even though we know that happiness is doomed.

And Jest, oh Jest. The mysterious and handsome boy that Catherine falls for. He is his own complicated character set on his own path. Both of their lives are thrown off-track when they meet.

Meyer also brings back some familiar characters: the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter (though he isn't mad yet), the Caterpillar, and mixes in a few characters from other stories and nursery rhymes.  She does an excellent job of keeping the cannon of Wonderland while adding her own spin to it and expanding the world.

The hard thing about reading a book like this is that you KNOW how it's going to end, but the author has made you so invested in the characters that you desperately wish that it will go the other way. It's especially hard when we see Catherine get to that pivotal choice and choose the one that will destroy her. To be honest, I felt that choice was a bit naïve of her character, especially as she was warned how her choice would affect others. But I guess that adds to the hurt and pain that she feels, knowing she made the wrong choice, and it was a stupid choice, and it ruined her life. That bitterness and regret only fuel the flame and she becomes the murderous Queen of Hearts.

This was a great example of a character descending into madness and darkness while still being sympathetic. Meyer carried it off well. Her writing style flowed and kept me engaged in the story. Even though the ending is known, the how and why of that eventual outcome, plus the reader's investment in the characters, move the plot forward and kept me turning pages.

Overall, a fun read with good characters and a nostalgic feel for Wonderland. I would recommend.


Rating
I give this book 4 stars.


Details
Genre: YA, Fantasy.
Language: None.
Sex: None, just some kissing.
Violence: Minimal and not graphic.
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