YOUth Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer  

Have you ever wondered what the Queen of Hearts' story is and how she became so heartless?   

Marissa Meyer’s novel, Heartless, is a twisted prequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The story follows Catherine, a young noblewoman and inspiring baker who wishes to pursue her passion for opening a bakery. Unfortunately, Catherine’s parents are firmly against the idea of opening a bakery and instead insist that she marry the King. Just as Katherine is about to accept what seems to be the only path for her, a devious jester appears before her, opening up new opportunities to explore. Katherine is torn between her duty and responsibility to marry the King, pursue her dreams as a baker, or to follow her curiosity and explore the connection blooming between her and Jest.

The story takes many dark turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Some characters have gone mad, while others are not mad enough.  Some parts of the story left me frustrated—especially some of Katherine’s decisions—but I believe that is what a well-written story will do. I became so immersed in the story that every decision the characters made felt personal, making me deeply invested in the outcome. Overall, Heartless was a wonderful, yet tragic read, filled with unexpected twists and emotional moments, and I really enjoyed it.

Written by Marissa C.