5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED!

s. · May 30, 2025

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I LOVED all the riddles and word play! Also each character was so beautiful crafted! I can’t even! Ugh so magically sad.

5.0 out of 5 stars Read the Authors Note

A.C. · May 2, 2025

The Authors note was so key to appreciating this beautiful backstory of the Queen of Hearts. I love her writing how it really is a passport to somewhere that smells delicious.

4.0 out of 5 stars Grande Beginning; Rushed Climactic Ending

S.T. · December 6, 2016

A wonderous if not heartbreaking tale of the Queen of Hearts path to wrathful tyranny. It opens to describe a Lady of noble birth who's greatest dream is to utilize her talented baking skills to attempt the unheard of (at least for one of her status)--open a bakery! Unfortunately, for her, her parents have different ideas, and instead--knowing of the whimsical and simple-minded King of Hearts affection for her and her confections--have plotted her ascent to the throne. A path Catherine is blindsided by, so wrapped in her own dreams is she; both literally and figuratively. On the very night she realizes she is to be proposed to, she meets the gaze of the newly arrived and enigmatic court jester--the aptly named Jest. And his eyes are intimately familair, for they are the same that she dreamt of the night before. Caught between her dreams, her desires, and the weighty expectations of others, Catherine struggles to make a decision. In the end, however, ...her fate is set.If you're reading this for a happy ending, look elsewhere folks. It's not here. Afterall, this is the story of how the wretched Queen of Hearts came to be, not an alternative ending. On that note, let's talk characters. Jest is obviously a favorite, being so mysterious and alluring...and yet, he is not fulfilling...not because he as a character falls flat...but because at a certain point in the book, information is just thrown at you. It's not presented as a furthering of character enhancement, but simple fact and in the end there is still so much that you don't know about Jest and where he comes from. The same can be said for Hatta or the would-be soon Mad Hatter. Both are well designed characters who you desperately want to know more about...but never really do. There is much to be explored in their characterization and their history with the land they come from. But, it is never touched, instead, you're given just enough detail to comprehend the story, but not enough to feel it is whole. And then there is of course, the main character...Firstly, let me just start off by saying, Catherine is immensely frustrating. I've looked at the reviews of other readers and found that many just can't relate to her. And that is understandable, because Catherine is the type of person that many people misunderstand. For me and probably others like myself, she is relatable. The main character, Catherine, Lady Pinkerton of Rock Turtle Cove...is sadly and unfortunately a people pleaser. She's got talent and grand dreams that she so desperately desires...but never so much as to upset the ones who place so much expectation on her. To onlookers, Catherine is a silly girl, born to a high position, but wanting a dream outside of it. Because she states one thing, but acts outside of it, she comes off as a wishy-washy, fickle, flake. But, the truth is...she is simply torn. Torn between her heart--it's own desires and the need to keep those around her happy. In the end, Catherine never manages to pursue her own desires until fueled with her own anger. If you were to ask my opinion, I'd say Catherine is a character with deep seated anger issues--ones that no one noticed not even she, herself. A seething rage that started small, probably with the chastizing of her unlady like love of being in the kitchen and has just silently been built upon as she tries to keep everyone happy; bottling her own misery and slapping on an agreeable facade all for the sake of peace. All the while letting annoyance and anger quietly simmer beneath several layers of complacency and escapism via the one thing that gives her joy; the dream of being a successful bakery owner. Of course, when she suffers the loss of her dream and the lover that represented so much more for her than passion, but, a way out of the weight of expectations and even more so, freedom of choice...it's hardly a wonder she lost her head. (Bad pun intended.) People always think that the signs of a break should be loud and noticeable, but they're subtle...with only the most astute being able to see the inevitable. Much like a natural disaster, the early signs are always there...but no one heeds them until lightning strikes. Catherine's moments of rage seem to be the only times where she is capable of being truly decisive and direct and that is a sign in itself. Like most breaking points, her own starts off with misery and hysterics, until in the end she embraces her rage and allows it to consume her. And thus the beginning of the Queen of Hearts.Overall, I did very much like this story...however, I feel that in the onset of the 3rd quarter of the book it suddenly began to feel rushed and that definitely ruined a lot of the connection to the characters--especially Jest and Hatta. The story picks up its pace rushing to the end, all the while dropping details like scattered bread crumbs in various directions. I feel that this book would have benefited from not only being made into a duology, but also if Catherine and her crew *SPOILER* had actually made it to Chess. We already knew that she would end up being the Queen of Hearts despite her intentions, but I think it would have been fascinating and a more fulfilling tale if she'd actually gotten there and had to return for some reason or other. I had actually read this with the assumption that this would be a series...so when I got closer to the end and realized this was it...I was a bit pained. I can only hope that Ms. Meyers will write a companion book that will expound on the world that is Chess.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent New Novel From Marissa Meyer

A.C. · March 12, 2017

“One to be a murderer. One to be a Martyr. One to be a Monarch. One to go Mad.”Let me just start by saying: read this NOW ! You won't regret it, even if you aren't the biggest fan of Alice in Wonderland. Marissa Meyer crafts an ingenious, fantastic story that takes you on a whirlwind adventure. You honestly never want to stop reading!! This was the first book I have read by Ms. Meye, but it certainly won't be my last. I have been meaning to check out her other novels, but Heartless is giving me the push I need to jump right into those others stories. There is a lot to love about this story, but warning...it'll make you pretty hungry for some baked goods while reading.While I can't compare to previous books she has written, Marissa Meyer has achieved an excellently balanced story that is full of action, forbidden love, and that wonderfully weird essence of Wonderland. The beauty in this story is that you really don't need to enjoy the original story. You might say that's odd because why would you want to read a story set in the world of Alice when you dislike the original story? Well, let's put it this way...do you like strong characters, a unique plot, and a love for the slightly weird/nonsensical things in life? Then you're going to enjoy this novel! Obviously, there are ties to Wonderland and you never truly forget the setting while reading, but it is an incredibly original idea that just makes you lose yourself in the story.“But hoping," he said, "is how the impossible can be possible after all.”Catherine, our MC and resident baker, just wants to open her own bakery and live out her dreams. But that's a no go when she has to be the future bride to the King of Hearts. The one thing I loved about Cath is her characterization throughout the story. Ms. Meyer did an excellent job at this and made the book be fueled by Cath's anger and frustration at not being able to love who she wants to AND not being able to achieve her dreams. Her frustration is palpable, and the pages are filled to the brim with tension. I loved watching Cath descend into that fierce and ferocious woman we know as the Queen of Hearts, and honestly, I would entirely believe that this is her backstory.“The easiest way to steal something, is for it to be given willingly.”We have the requisite love interest...and boy did I fall for him! Every time he left, I was desperate for more scenes of him and Cath together. There was a interesting twist that I definitely didn't see coming with his character and his companion, and that just made the story even better for me. Some favorites are still in the story as well: the Cheshire Cat, the Jabberwock, the Mad Hatter, etc. It's important to note that every character has a very special role to play.I would highly recommend checking out this novel if you have the chance because it is not one to miss! I was a little hesitant going in because stories that incorporate Alice in Wonderland can be pretty hit or miss for me, but Marissa Meyer did a phenomenal job and really won me over within a couple pages of her magnificent storytelling. With riddles, excitement, and treats that will leave your mouth watering, this book has it all and is a definite must read of 2017! And in the spirit of a Wonderlandian novel, I'll leave you with this:“Why is a raven like a writing-desk?”Happy reading :)

Marissa Meyers Wunderland ist brilliant!

P. · February 9, 2020

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } „It is a dangerous thing to unbelive something only because it frightens you.“ […] „But hoping," he said, „is how the impossible can be possible after all.“Zum Cover: Absolut passend zur Geschichte und zur Atmosphäre in diesem Buch, gerade gegen Ende sind die Farben und Kontraste von Rot und Schwarz super gut gewählt. Generell harmonieren sie aber auch sehr gut zusammen. Auch die Krone über dem Titel „Heartless“, wobei das „t“ als Schwert getarnt ist, finde ich äußerst toll arrangiert. Insgesamt: Große Coverliebe!Zum Inhalt: Catherine mag eines der begehrtesten Mädchen im Wunderland und eine Favoritin des unverheirateten Herzkönigs sein, aber ihre Interessen liegen woanders. Als talentierte Bäckerin will sie nur eines, mit ihrer besten Freundin ein Geschäft eröffnen. Ihrer Mutter zufolge ist ein solches Ziel für eine junge Frau, die die nächste Königin sein könnte, undenkbar.Dann trifft Cath auf Jest, den gutaussehenden und mysteriösen Joker am Hof des Herzkönigs. Zum ersten Mal spürt sie die Anziehungskraft. Sie und Jest laufen Gefahr, den König zu beleidigen und ihre Eltern wütend zu machen, und gehen eine intensive, geheime Beziehung ein. Cath ist entschlossen, ihr eigenes Schicksal zu definieren und sich zu ihren Bedingungen zu verlieben. Aber in einem Land voller Magie, Wahnsinn und Monster hat das Schicksal andere Pläne.„Es ist gefährlich, etwas nicht zu glauben, nur weil es dich erschreckt.“ […] „Aber Hoffnung“, sagte er, „ist, wie das Unmögliche doch möglich sein kann.“Meine Meinung: Marissa Meyer weiß, wie man Geschichten besonders macht. Mit einer außergewöhnlichen Protagonistin, die ein außergewöhnlich alttägliches, fast schon „normales“ Talent besitzt. Cath ist in diesem Fall die Tochter aus gutem Hause mit einem Traum, der, so findet ihre Mutter, unter ihrer Würde liegt. Sie will Bäckerin bzw. Konditorin werden, weil sie das backen von Kuchen und Desserts liebt. Und was habe ich in diesem Buch nicht manchmal Hunger auf Süßes bekommen! Nebenbei bemerkt, ist Jest, der Gegenpart zu Cath, ein ebenso toller Charakter, mit dem man sehr gerne seine Zeit verbringt. Da kann man wirklich verstehen, weshalb Cath sich so schwer tut, ihr Herz an einen anderen zu verschenken, wenn es da doch Jest gibt.Auch die Anspielungen an die Originalgeschichte von Alice im Wunderland, mit der weißen und roten Königin, der Grinsekatze, die absolut genial auch in diesem Buch ist, dem verrückten Hutmacher und seiner Teeparty mit seinem Nicht-Geburtstagsfeiertag und dem Jabberworky. Allesamt geben dieser Geschichte Sinn, aber dennoch gewinnt Caths Geschichte mit Eigenständigkeit, vor allem auch durch den super atmosphärischen wie flüssig lesbaren Schreibstil. Ich habe das Buch zwar auf Englisch genossen, weil es bisher noch nicht übersetzt wurde, doch finde ich, dass die Sprache, die Marissa Meyer für ihre Bücher wählt, nicht anstrengend ist. Sie ist zwar auch nicht unanspruchsvoll und ich würde empfehlen, dass man „Heartless“ nicht als sein erstes, englisches Buch liest, sondern erst einmal Erfahrung sammelt. Wenn man dies hat, ist „Heartless“ aber ein voller Genuss und ein Buch, das die Geschichte einer Anti-Heldin erzählt, die anders ausgeht als man es erwartet.Fazit: Ich liebe Marissa Meyer, ich liebe ihren Schreibstil und ich bin verrückt nach ihren Büchern. Vielleicht sehen das manche anders, aber für mich ist sie meine „Queen of Reader-Hearts“ . Sie schafft es einen mit vollkommen simplen, jedoch außergewöhnlichen Ideen zu überzeugen und dafür bewundere ich diese Frau. So haben mich ihre Welt und ihre Charaktere in „Heartless“ zu Hundertprozent oder auch zu 5 Sternen überzeugt.

perfetto

C.A. · May 21, 2025

Ottimo prodotto, molto valido.Ottimo venditore.

Magnificent wordplay

J. · July 8, 2019

This book took everything I loved about Alice and gave me more to love. The characters are so vivid and the story had me captivated from the beginning. For a slow and reluctant reader, Heartless is a great gateway back into finding ones passion for reading. It's easy to read, digest and love.

Book Review: Heartless

R.S. · January 14, 2018

Heartless is the story of a princess with very simple needs and a head full of simpler dreams.Heartless is the story of an ordinary girl who possesses an extraordinary power to bring back things from her dreams.Heartless is the story of a girl who only wanted to bake and to fall in love with her prince charming.Catherine is a young girl, who loves to bake and is very good at it. Her sweets are loved by all who have had the privilege to try them and the demand for her hand baked delights only seems to rise like a sweet dough left aside. All she wants is to open a bakery and live her dream. She has the full support of her maid and best friend, Mary Ann in this little venture and they both have decided to be business partners. All has been decided; Cath would do all the baking and Mary Ann would handle the accounts.But there’s a slight problem here.Cath’s mother would never approve of her only daughter going into the men’s world of business, especially with a humble servant like Mary Ann as her partner. And that’s not all. There is a bigger part of the story where she falls in love but her lover is not approved by her family as he is an ordinary court joker, Jest.Oh Jest!He isn’t as ordinary as he pretends to be. His entry into the king’s court brings a dark entity to the court. And all this happens on the same day when the king decides to propose Catherine to be his wife;on the same day when Cath’s prospect of opening a bakery in town was crushed by her parents;on the same day when Cath and Jest fall in love.I can rave about this book for as long as the person I am raving to doesn’t hit me with the same book and make me unconscious. Heartless was my second best read of 2017; the first place is undoubtedly taken by The Harry Potter series♥.Merissa Meyer managed to hold me right from the first sentence of the book and didn’t let me escape, till the last words were read. Her writing flows and you wouldn’t notice the pages go by so effortlessly. I didn’t know how I was reading so fast and yet grasping each and every emotion the book had to offer me. It made me smile, and at times, I even howled with laughter( my mother had to hit me to make it stop); it made me cry and I could feel my soul being crushed by what I was reading(but I tell you even that couldn’t make me stop reading this mind boggling book); it made me hopeful that magic was possible and it could be found anywhere, in anything.P_20171220_103939 P_20171220_104227The plot is well written and well woven too i’d say as it takes some reference from the original Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carol. I loved the characters and actually they were the best part of the book for me. The author worked very well with the character development of each of them, irrespective of how often they were to appear in the story. I had most fun reading the banters between Cath and Cheshire, the disappearing cat. Cheshire was one of the best characters for me, portraying all the traits we can imagine a magical cat could handle. She often made remarks like,” It is a dangerous thing to UNBELIEVE something, only because it frightens you.”” I would offer you one, but i don’t want to.”” Fascinating isn’t it, how often heroic and foolish turn out to be one and the same.”These remarks are not even a justifying proof of Cheshire’s wit and sarcastic tongue.The relationships shown in this book have been nurtured like babies and treated delicately so that the reader feels like home when he reads about them. There is no instant love crap and the reason for why people are attached to each other are mentioned everywhere. Friendships in this book are to die for and very ideal i would say. Merissa Meyer builds relations like a pro and I don’t think anyone can replace or dominate over my feelings for her writing after this book; this absolutely amazing, delightfully gorgeous book.There’s so much more to it when you read it in the passage with all the other characters dancing around in your head, waiting for their part to be played. This book is going to be the one of my favourite books of all times. And I highly recommend you read it as soon as possible (what i mean is read it right NOW).This book had been on my shelf for months before I started reading it and I regret it so much that why hadn’t I read it before.It’s a flawless masterpiece.Here, I’ll leave you with some magical lines from the book.Enjoy guys.“Her eyes snapped open. A blush climbing up her neck. She’d been dreaming about the joker.AGAIN.”“I see nothing all the time”“To be alright implies an impossible phase. We hope for mostly right on the best of our days.”“To be alright implies an impossible phase. We hope for mostly right on the best of our days.”“Jest walked like falling snowflakes.”“Attraction is a subjective thing, but charisma is universal.”“Are you a doctor?No, I am a joker and that’s even better.”“She couldn’t stand the idea of crushing her friend’s dreams, not when she was still so new to dreaming.”“We’re desperate enough.”P_20171220_104419_HDRHope you liked this review.Thanks for reading.

Delivered on time and packed well

S. · December 3, 2024