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writer_egreene's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition
3.5
"The easiest way to steal something, is for it to be given willingly."
I think that this book was a bit slow to start off with, and the Alive in Wonderland world took me a bit of time to get used to, because I haven't watched the movie since I was a kid. Once I got into it, I read it pretty fast and that ending was devastating. The things that happened in this book were things that I was not expecting at all. The relationship that built between Jest and Cath was a bit insta lovey but I didn't mind it as much. All in all, it was a good read that was a bit slow paced to start with, and a bit boring, but once you get into it, you're into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
fangulaura's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Violence, Grief, and Murder
the_castle_library'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
5.0
I am obsessed!! I had originally skipped over checking it out from the library because I thought it was a retelling of Snow White and I had just finished "Mirror, Mirror: A Twisted Tale", so I was looking for something different, which led me to "Gilded". It wasn't until I was in love with "Gilded" and started researching Marissa Meyer that I found out this is the Queen of Hearts backstory and needed to get my hand on it as soon as possible! ♥️🃏👑🐦⬛🎩
My rating for romance is 💖💖💖
My rating for romance is 💖💖💖
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
spiderdrac's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
3.75
Slow start, felt rushed but the ending was nice. I got a little confused on some aspects towards the middle. It felt like they were throwing things at the reader and moving on to the next thing quickly. I wish the book was longer to better develop the world or the relationship between Cath and Jest and bit more and understand the universe they live in. Caths ending was amazing ngl, we love to see a badass women get revenge--i just wish there was more murder. Overall a solid book, but I wouldn't want to read it again nor would I recommend buying it, rent from a library or friend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
terranaught's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It felt like a love letter to Alice in Wonderland. If you're looking for a complex read, this isn't it. It's INCREDIBLY predictable. But it's set in Wonderland and therefore had the fairytale vibes I haven't really had since OUABH, and end up being both cozy and tragic at the same time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexism
niki258devil_angel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? N/A
5.0
One of the best works I have ever read. The author did an amazing job with the characters and the plot. I have laught, fallen in love and cried. It's a book than shows you that villains aren't born, they're made... And when you think you have figured out the rest of the story, the next chapter will proof you wrong. I hope that everybody has as great time reading it as I did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, and Murder
berta_vagner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
chelle22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
snowwhitehatesapples's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
Before she was the ruthless Queen of Hearts, Catherine was a sheltered, young noblewoman who dreamed of opening her own bakery with her best friend, a maid who has always been by her side. She dreamed of marrying for love, not for duty.
But, reality is never as dreamed.
As the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove, Catherine can never open her bakery without her father’s support or unless she removes herself from her family. She can never marry for love either, because the greatest match for her is none other than the King of Hearts, a simple-minded but happy little old man. Nevertheless, Catherine is determined to turn her dreams into reality. She finds ways to open her bakery, lets her heart love a man she shouldn’t and goodness, the forbidden romance is so sweet, so swoon-worthy — even I, who can’t read YA romance without cringing, found myself being swept along with Catherine.
Jest is one of the better (if not the best) fictional love interests out there. His many strong pros include being dashing, brave, kind, attentive, understanding and fun. The only con I can think of? Loving Catherine through a fool’s rose-tinted glasses.
As much as I understand Catherine’s characterisation and actions, I can’t help being frustrated by her naivety, her spinelessness and her stubbornness too. She’s the epitome of the fine line between heroic and foolish. She’s constantly saved by others (mostly Jest) and can’t really stand up for herself. She’s so, so exasperating to read because, at the same time, I can’t fault her as she’s merely the result of her upbringing and surroundings.
Hence why I find it a shame that everyone has to suffer the consequences of Catherine’s many choices, be it as the sweet young noblewoman or as the ruthless Queen of Hearts. (Though, the path she chose is arguably, preordained by fate.)
Characters aside, I adore the way Meyer brought Wonderland to life. The imagery is gorgeous, plus the overall execution had just the right amount of Alice in Wonderland-ness to it. It’s not as zany as the original tale but that’s fine. It’s a story inspired by the classic, after all.
Everything considered, Heartless>/i> has the right balance of whimsical, historical fantasy, forbidden romance and prophecy . Whether you’re a fan of the original Alice in Wonderland or not, as long as those three aspects tickle your fancy, this is a book you’ll want to read!
Before she was the ruthless Queen of Hearts, Catherine was a sheltered, young noblewoman who dreamed of opening her own bakery with her best friend, a maid who has always been by her side. She dreamed of marrying for love, not for duty.
But, reality is never as dreamed.
As the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove, Catherine can never open her bakery without her father’s support or unless she removes herself from her family. She can never marry for love either, because the greatest match for her is none other than the King of Hearts, a simple-minded but happy little old man. Nevertheless, Catherine is determined to turn her dreams into reality. She finds ways to open her bakery, lets her heart love a man she shouldn’t and goodness, the forbidden romance is so sweet, so swoon-worthy — even I, who can’t read YA romance without cringing, found myself being swept along with Catherine.
Jest is one of the better (if not the best) fictional love interests out there. His many strong pros include being dashing, brave, kind, attentive, understanding and fun. The only con I can think of? Loving Catherine through a fool’s rose-tinted glasses.
As much as I understand Catherine’s characterisation and actions, I can’t help being frustrated by her naivety, her spinelessness and her stubbornness too. She’s the epitome of the fine line between heroic and foolish. She’s constantly saved by others (mostly Jest) and can’t really stand up for herself. She’s so, so exasperating to read because, at the same time, I can’t fault her as she’s merely the result of her upbringing and surroundings.
Hence why I find it a shame that everyone has to suffer the consequences of Catherine’s many choices, be it as the sweet young noblewoman or as the ruthless Queen of Hearts. (Though, the path she chose is arguably, preordained by fate.)
Characters aside, I adore the way Meyer brought Wonderland to life. The imagery is gorgeous, plus the overall execution had just the right amount of Alice in Wonderland-ness to it. It’s not as zany as the original tale but that’s fine. It’s a story inspired by the classic, after all.
Everything considered, Heartless>/i> has the right balance of whimsical, historical fantasy, forbidden romance and prophecy . Whether you’re a fan of the original Alice in Wonderland or not, as long as those three aspects tickle your fancy, this is a book you’ll want to read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Misogyny