Heartless

I read this one is a day. It was such a fun, whimsical, nostalgic read and I tore through it. Set in a Victorian-esque world within the weird quirkiness of Wonderland, there were other fairy tale and nursery rhyme elements thrown in. I’ve never actually read the original Alice in Wonderland and was still able to enjoy all the references. Hatta (the mad hatter) was definitely my favorite character and I’d love to read an origin story for him! I also loved Jest and his witty humor and his sidekick, the randomly Poe-inspired raven. This trio was the best part of the story. Obviously, you know going into it that it won’t be a happy ending and it’s more about the journey to WHY, but that didn’t keep me from tears. It’s a book about the hope and hopelessness of our fate and whether the choices we make can ever really change it. Seeing all the characters come so close to escaping the fates they were trying to avoid, just to lose, was heartbreaking. No wonder “most everyone’s mad here” in Wonderland.

Me encantó, me saco de un bloqueo lector, es triste pero hermoso

⤿ Reading period: July 24- July 26, 2025⤿ Rating: ★★★★☆P.S (I don't know yet if I give it 3.75 or 4 stars.)Marissa Meyer demonstrates remarkable insight in her choice of narrative by retelling the story of the Queen of Hearts. This decision allows her to weave a tale that resonates with fans of The Lunar Chronicles while simultaneously establishing a distinct identity for Heartless. The darker, more somber tone of this novel sets it apart from its predecessor, infusing it with a depth of emotion that is both haunting and compelling. While I hold a deep affection for The Lunar Chronicles, it is this infusion of sorrow that captivated me and drew me into Catherine’s journey. The contrast between the two works highlights Meyer’s ability to explore different emotional landscapes, inviting readers to experience a story that is both familiar and refreshingly unique.I have a deep affection for her character, primarily due to her remarkable growth. Summer has always been courageous and resolute, but it was through her relationships with Rhett and her father, Kip, that she discovered vital truths about herself. The most significant realization was that she didn’t have to conform to others’ expectations; instead, she needed to pursue her own desires. This revelation led to her struggles, especially after losing her job, as she grappled with understanding what truly made her happy. Summer embodies altruism, often prioritizing the needs of her loved ones over her own. However, with Rhett’s influence, she learned the importance of self-care alongside caring for others, revealing her complex nature—strong yet fragile.The true strength of Heartless lies in the transformation of Catherine throughout the narrative. It is a complex evolution that defies simple categorization; while one might expect character development to imply a positive trajectory, Catherine’s journey is far more nuanced. She becomes increasingly resilient and assertive, yet this growth is accompanied by a profound internal struggle. Her character expands in ways that challenge the notion of progress, as she grapples with the duality of her existence. Catherine learns to assert herself even as she confronts the demands of a world that often compels her to retreat. This contradiction makes her a richly layered character, ensnared in her own choices and circumstances, ultimately revealing that the greatest conflict lies within herself.I absolutely adored Heartless! Regardless of what others might think, my enthusiasm for this book remains unwavering. One of the primary reasons for my affection is that it offers a fresh retelling of the Queen of Hearts’ story, rather than focusing on Alice. Marissa Meyer masterfully weaves in a plethora of characters and elements from the original tales, including the Cheshire Cat, Jack (the Knave of Hearts), the Caterpillar, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter, alongside her own imaginative creations. While I recognize that the Red Queen and the Queen of Hearts are distinct figures, the references to both the White Queen and Red Queen by Jest evoked nostalgic memories of the classic film. The narrative is rich with familiar faces from both the original story and the beloved Disney adaptation, yet it presents a uniquely crafted Wonderland that feels entirely new. Marissa’s interpretation diverges from the traditional focus on Alice, allowing her to create a vibrant and original world that perfectly complements the characters and storyline. Additionally, the introduction of other kingdoms added layers of intrigue, revealing aspects of Wonderland that I had never encountered before. I found the writing itself to be a delight; Marissa has consistently captivated me with her ability to transport readers into her imaginative realms. I often approach retellings with trepidation, fearing they might tarnish the original fairy tales, but with Marissa, I have complete confidence that I will be enchanted by her storytelling.Cath was definitely a character I enjoyed reading about. She was a simple and normal girl who wanted to live a life she wanted to live, to choose the path she wanted to choose, not the ones her parents wanted for her. She was good, understanding, lovely, adorable, and just cute! It’s a fantasy book, so I can’t relate to characters, but Cath was a character I was able to understand from the beginning until the end. She had her own dreams and sometimes just wanted to run away and escape the world she was living in because she felt controlled at times by the King and her parents. She couldn’t do everything she pleased or wanted to do, and she had to listen to everyone all the time and deal with it all. She didn’t have many friends. In fact, she didn’t have anyone to count on, not even Chesire. She couldn’t trust herself to tell anyone anything or meet anyone knew and feel like they would become friends because she’s never had the heart to do that. I sometimes felt bad for Cath and that is part of why I loved her character. She was just cute, that is all. She was also caring and nice but of course, the teenage girl must become the Queen of Hearts that orders to chop heads off and has everyone hating her.One of the aspects I adored about Cath was her fearless curiosity about the enigmatic court joker, Jest. He was simply delightful in every conceivable way, earning a spot on my list of fictional crushes alongside other characters who, unlike him, actually have girlfriends. While I wouldn’t label their connection as a typical boyfriend-girlfriend relationship since it developed later on, the evolution of their friendship into something more was undeniably charming. Cath’s humorous realization that she was falling for Jest, despite her initial resistance, added a lighthearted touch to the story. Although I usually dislike the trope of instant love, in this case, it felt refreshing and well-executed, which is rare for me. Thankfully, there was no love triangle to complicate matters, allowing their romance to flourish without unnecessary drama. From the moment Jest captivated the audience with his performance, I was enchanted by him. The conclusion of the story didn’t alter my feelings; I will always cherish Jest. While Cath may be heartless, my affection for Jest is unwavering. He brought joy and laughter into her life, transporting her to new emotional realms, and I loved witnessing that transformation. Jest, with his mysterious charm, had me giggling like a young fangirl, and I couldn’t get enough of his captivating presence. .My heart broke a little bit for her at the end when her parents asked her if marrying the king was truly what she wanted and she basically said, "If only you had asked that question earlier and we wouldn't have been in this situation.".