Heartless by Marissa Meyer: 4.5/5 ♥♥♥♥
Spoiler Free Section
Plot:
- We know this is a retelling of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, in the form of a prequel – what happened to create the Queen of Hearts. This in itself makes for a nerve-wracking reading experience because you know the outcome of her character, but knowing her as Cath you can’t help but hope for something better for her.
- The storyline played off the original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland a significant amount, making it enjoyable and recognizable while also maintaining it’s ground as a unique piece of writing.
- Catherine wanting to run a bakery was one of my favourite parts of the entire novel. She has such a passion for baking and for food, not for the court life that she is forced to participate in due to her parents status. I love that her maid is incorporated into Cath’s dream for the bakery, regardless of how improper it would be for her to take her as a partner.
- Her parents’ greed for power leads to them manipulating Cath to try to set her up with the King of Hearts (absolutely infuriating, will discuss more in Characters) and while attending one of his events she winds up meeting the charismatic and mysterious Jest who takes her on a whirlwind journey.
- Overall, a battle of wills between Cath and what she wants with her future, and what everyone else wants and thinks is best.
Characters:
- The King of Hearts: He is a simple man, one who does not speak as a ruler should nor act as a monarch is expected. He is easily offended and frightened, does not stand for his people as he should, and does not make a worthy match for Cath regardless of her parents trying to make the match happen. He is infuriatingly small minded, does not see things as they truly happen, and does not listen to those who need him to. He is a sad monarch.
- Catherine: Cath not holding back from her passion for baking even when it is deemed a menial servant’s task is refreshing. The way the flavours and smells are described makes your mouth water and the love and delicacy she describes them with really emphasizes that this is her true love. I love that she seems to have magic that she doesn’t fully tap into, her dreams of baking producing those fruits in real life was a whimsically wonderful element to add to the story. Cath’s personality is strong for what she loves, but she tries to respect her parents and the King of Hearts as she knows she is expected to. This mix allows for the plot to take some turns you don’t expect, as you never really know what choices she is going to make, yet not to a fault.
- Cath’s parents: Catherine’s mother is a frustratingly shallow woman, she clearly only cares for the power she can attain within the courts through Cath since her own marriage does not seem to satisfy her. Her father is a wonderful contrast to that of her mother, and although he has the moments in which he uses his power over Cath to go against her wishes he is still a relatable and lovable father figure for the most part.
- Jest: Oh my heart, Jest is a lovely and intriguing character, surrounded by mystery and shadow and an air of arrogance that suits him so well. He is the court jester for the King of Hearts, his magic and illusions captivating everyone in the court – especially Cath. There is a lovely moment when Jest comments on her snort when she laughs and we see the beginning of a very playful yet caring friendship.
A wonderful homage to Wonderland and Carrol’s story, Meyer does an incredible job of reimagining a classic and well-known villain and giving her a depth I didn’t know could exist in a character you hate.
The only downfalls, in my opinion, were that at times the intense descriptions got to be a tad much – it pulled me out of the story because I was trying so hard to get a clear mental image with so much happening. Regardless, a phenomenal read.
Spoiler Discussion:
Where to begin with this, let’s start with the pain.
- Peter and his wife were an interesting addition to the story line, how the pumpkins from his patch were not normal and they caused extreme mayhem for everyone, ultimately killing most of the characters who die. The entrapment by him of Mary-Ann leads Cath down the path she knows will result in the death of Jest, the Jabberwock killing the lion, it all leads back to Peter.
- The poor turtle, I felt so sad for the turtle when the Jabberwock was attacking and he couldn’t get away. Not only did the lion sacrifice himself and the turtle has to feel responsible for that loss, but he then proceeds to become the mock-turtle and nothing can go right for him.
- “One to be a murderer. One to be a Martyr. One to be a Monarch. One to go Mad.” Oh how this prophecy from the sisters in the treacle well broke my heart. You have hope for them all, hope that somehow this can be avoided even after Cath goes to Mary-Ann, but sadly it is not.
- When Jest was murdered I truly ugly-cried. He deserved so much better, he and Cath deserved to be happy together, but it made the most deliciously tragic reason for her to take on her role that we know her in as the malicious and ruthless.
- The loss of Jest is incredibly symbolic of many things: The loss of hope in Hearts, the loss of Catherine and all the good and happiness she stood for, and the incarnation of the iconic Queen of Hearts as we know her. Off with his head.
