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gianni_books's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
The ending.... it still hunts me
paper_roses's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
2.0
'Heartless' was a compulsive read and I admit that I devoured the first half. However, I felt that the plot was rather repetitive and the characters felt underdeveloped and flat. I didn't once feel a connection between Jest or Cath. I can see that I am in the minority with that among reviewers but I didn't bat an eye at the unfortunate ending. There was just no chemistry.
I didn't warm to Cath at all, she was quite childish and selfish at times and though I had hoped that a relationship with Jest would mature her alongside the plot and themes raised, she seemed more to regress than mature.
I liked Jest as a character, and I think I would have preferred that the book was from his side rather than Cath's. The war in Chess and his friendships with the Raven and Hatta were far more compelling to me than anything Cath had to offer.
I enjoyed the setting, vibrancy and writing of the book but I felt that I was in a cycle of events. King holds an event, Cath hates the King, Cath enjoys Jest, and reset. I just wanted more depth from it with regard to both plot and emotion.
I didn't warm to Cath at all, she was quite childish and selfish at times and though I had hoped that a relationship with Jest would mature her alongside the plot and themes raised, she seemed more to regress than mature.
I liked Jest as a character, and I think I would have preferred that the book was from his side rather than Cath's. The war in Chess and his friendships with the Raven and Hatta were far more compelling to me than anything Cath had to offer.
I enjoyed the setting, vibrancy and writing of the book but I felt that I was in a cycle of events. King holds an event, Cath hates the King, Cath enjoys Jest, and reset. I just wanted more depth from it with regard to both plot and emotion.
nomsandrambles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
indyyy22's review against another edition
2.0
Y’all this was my bad.
I knew going into this book that there wasn’t a happy ending and yet I still expected everything to work itself out. Surprise surprise everything went to shit and I HATE when things go wrong in books sooooo yeah… nothing against the novel it just wasn’t for me.
I knew going into this book that there wasn’t a happy ending and yet I still expected everything to work itself out. Surprise surprise everything went to shit and I HATE when things go wrong in books sooooo yeah… nothing against the novel it just wasn’t for me.
booksandsugarquills's review against another edition
4.0
I didnt expect much in the beginning. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
Its quirkiness, the many odd characters and the details given to the thought of this story. I loved how the author described food as Cath's passion and how she imagined recipes up for baking. Jest also proved to be a surprisingly dreamy lead. I found the way it ended a little abrupt. But definitely loved this.
It made me want to pick up Alice in Wonderland again. Loved it!
Its quirkiness, the many odd characters and the details given to the thought of this story. I loved how the author described food as Cath's passion and how she imagined recipes up for baking. Jest also proved to be a surprisingly dreamy lead. I found the way it ended a little abrupt. But definitely loved this.
It made me want to pick up Alice in Wonderland again. Loved it!
rimi_g's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
a_chickletz's review against another edition
4.0
I read the afterword by the author where she said that she wanted Greggory Maguire to write a story about the origins of the Red Queen. Her publicist urged her to write it... and out popped this book.
This book was absolutely lovely. I'm not big on Alice in Wonderland/Wonderland lore, so maybe that's what made me also enjoy the book so much? Though, perhaps if you are a Wonderland fan, you'd also enjoy this book? I don't know, it was just really, really good.
I absolutely loved how she handled each of the characters in the book, gave them a unique voice. That is something I enjoyed about her Lunar Chronicles - when writing for all the different characters, she gave them voices that truly made them original. Though we are used to the characters in Wonderland, she made each of them shine too! I was so tickled with glee when Cheshire showed up each time. I struggled in agony with Catherine and her pre-decided fate, and I was wooed by her original character, Jest.
The reason I'm marking this book down a star is that the final act came off rather weak. I can't tell what I would do differently, maybe embelished it a bit more? It just felt off. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't on par with the rest of the book.
Still, if you love fairy-tales, loved her previous work, then you need to read this book. :)
This book was absolutely lovely. I'm not big on Alice in Wonderland/Wonderland lore, so maybe that's what made me also enjoy the book so much? Though, perhaps if you are a Wonderland fan, you'd also enjoy this book? I don't know, it was just really, really good.
I absolutely loved how she handled each of the characters in the book, gave them a unique voice. That is something I enjoyed about her Lunar Chronicles - when writing for all the different characters, she gave them voices that truly made them original. Though we are used to the characters in Wonderland, she made each of them shine too! I was so tickled with glee when Cheshire showed up each time. I struggled in agony with Catherine and her pre-decided fate, and I was wooed by her original character, Jest.
The reason I'm marking this book down a star is that the final act came off rather weak. I can't tell what I would do differently, maybe embelished it a bit more? It just felt off. While it wasn't bad, it wasn't on par with the rest of the book.
Still, if you love fairy-tales, loved her previous work, then you need to read this book. :)
lyraggs's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
Esta historia es ligera y entretenida, es el primer libro que me leo de Marissa Meyer y me ha dejado con ganas de leer más de sus retelling en especial por se mantuvo fiel con la personalidad culminante de nuestra emblemática Reina de Corazones.
Ame el final y la manera en como la dulce protagonista se va transformando poco a poco en la reina que conocemos hoy en día; el sentido y la ironía de porque lleva el nombre de Reina de "Corazones" y esa frase que tanto amamos: "CORTENLE LA CABEZA".
Esta historia es ligera y entretenida, es el primer libro que me leo de Marissa Meyer y me ha dejado con ganas de leer más de sus retelling en especial por se mantuvo fiel con la personalidad culminante de nuestra emblemática Reina de Corazones.
Ame el final y la manera en como la dulce protagonista se va transformando poco a poco en la reina que conocemos hoy en día; el sentido y la ironía de porque lleva el nombre de Reina de "Corazones" y esa frase que tanto amamos: "CORTENLE LA CABEZA".
meagan_young's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. Fantastic! (Awesome on audio!) I loved it so much.
The ending gave me chills. It is hard to read the backstory of a villain when they start so pure and wonderful and you love them, and then they change into who they become later. But this was done perfectly. Catherine’s descent was not forced at all, you follow her all the way down and by the end you feel heartbroken and heartless right with her. This is one I will definitely be recommending!!
The ending gave me chills. It is hard to read the backstory of a villain when they start so pure and wonderful and you love them, and then they change into who they become later. But this was done perfectly. Catherine’s descent was not forced at all, you follow her all the way down and by the end you feel heartbroken and heartless right with her. This is one I will definitely be recommending!!