★★★★ ½
Why is a raven like a writing-desk?
Catherine of Wonderland – the famed Evil Queen – but she was not always the maddeningly cruel creature who ruled the land with an iron fist.
Once…once the Evil Queen was a young girl with a pure heart, a bakery dream and far too many marriage proposals for her liking.
The easiest way to steal something, is for it to be given willingly.
Cath has always dreamed of opening her own bakery with her best friend, but her parents had different plans.
All they can see is different ways to set Cath up with the most eligible bachelor in all the lands – the King.
But…the King is not Cath’s type. He’s old, he’s silly, he’s bumbling, she could go on.
And then one day, the new court Joker arrives to town. Jest (the Joker) is unusual to the extreme and yet, there’s something about him that she cannot put her finger on.
Impossible is my specialty.
She’s drawn to the Joker (much to her mother’s horror).
But even her blossoming feelings must be put on hold once the true horrors of Wonderland are unleashed…
It is a dangerous thing to unbelieve something only because it frightens you.
So, reading the reviews for this one has made me realize that folks are VERY polarizing on it – it truly seems like a LOVE or HATE book.
Personally, I quite enjoyed it (which was quite a surprise)!
Going into Heartless, I thought I was NOT going to enjoy it all. I’m not the biggest fan of the original Alice in Wonderland tales.
I read them when I was older and ultimately felt more frustration than enjoyment when I read the books. So, I know the outline of what happens but I don’t remember the details.
I loved the way Marissa Meyer balanced the madness with the magic. I feel like with such a nonsensical world to begin with, that it is quite easy to just jump off the deep end.
Meyer did a fabulous job with reining in the the wildness while keeping a nod to the impossibility of Wonderland.
I also loved watching the characters from the original story weave in and out, with their updated interpretations.
So, personally, this book was a win for me…but if you are a hardcore fan of the originals, I can see how it might not be what you are hoping for.
Interested in this one from Marissa Meyer? Buy it here: Amazon
Miranda Reads 