Title: Heartless
Author: Marissa Meyer
First published November 8, 2016
480 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781250148186 (ISBN10: 1250148189)
Rating: 4.09
Overview
one of literature’s most classic villains. Heartless tells the story of Catherine, a young girl with dreams of opening her own bakery with her best friend.
However, her mother has other plans for her, hoping to see her daughter become the next queen of Wonderland. Despite being courted by the unmarried King of Hearts, Catherine’s heart belongs to someone else: the mysterious court joker, Jest.
As they embark on a secret courtship, Catherine is determined to choose her own fate and fall in love on her own terms. But in a world of magic and madness, fate has a way of interfering with even the strongest of wills.
In this captivating prequel, Marissa Meyer gives us a glimpse into the heart of the infamous Queen of Hearts.
About the Author
My home is situated in Tacoma, Washington, where I reside with my spouse and two lovely twin daughters. I am proudly represented by Jill Grinberg.
For additional information about me and my upcoming literary works, kindly visit my website at http://www.marissameyer.com.
Editoral Review
Heartless by Marissa Meyer is a masterfully crafted novel that explores the human heart and the difficult choices that people make. Meyer is a talented author who has created a unique blend of fantasy and fairy tale that captivates readers from start to finish.
Set in the world of Wonderland, Heartless follows the life of Catherine Pinkerton, a young lady who dreams of opening her own bakery. However, her parents have other plans for herthey want her to marry the King of Hearts and become the Queen of Wonderland.
Though she is initially hesitant, Catherine soon falls in love with Jest, the court jester, and begins to see her life in a new light. As the plot progresses, readers are introduced to a colorful cast of characters, including the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the White Rabbit.
The world of Wonderland is lovingly rendered, with meticulous attention paid to every detail, from the knickers worn by the courtiers to the smallest flowers in the garden. Meyer’s prose is lyrical and evocative, and she has a gift for creating characters that feel like real people.
Catherine is a complex, sympathetic figure, struggling to balance her own desires with the expectations of those around her. Jest, too, is a fascinating character, full of contradictions and hidden depths.
The pacing of the novel is perfect, with each scene building on the last until the tension reaches a fever pitch. Meyer captures the essence of a fairy tale while still managing to subvert our expectations and keep us on the edge of our seats.
One of the strengths of Heartless is its exploration of the role of women in society. Catherine chafes against the limitations placed on her by her gender, and the novel provides a powerful commentary on the ways in which women are frequently denied agency and a voice of their own.
However, there were a few flaws in the novel that detracted from the overall experience. The climax of the plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, and some of the secondary characters were thinly drawn, with little depth beyond their fairy tale personas.
Overall, though, Heartless is a stunning achievement that will leave readers breathless. It is a book that transcends its genre, and one that offers valuable insights into our own lives and the choices we make.
Meyer is a talent to watch, and Heartless is a novel that should not be missed.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars.