Heartless

Meyer, Marissa. Heartless. 2016. 453p. ISBN 1250044650. Available at FIC MEY on the library shelves.

Many books have attempted to explain the Queen of Hearts’ horrible personality in Alice in Wonderland, but none come close to the story of Catherine. As the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Turtle Cove, she is expected to marry someone from her social class and produce children. But her dreams are of opening a bakery with her best friend, who also happens to be her maid, Mary Ann.

Unfortunately, Catherine’s parents have a different plan for her. They want her married to the King of Hearts, a silly short man who is more interested in entertainment than in governing. Catherine is presented at Court and fears that the King will announce their engagement when she meets Jest, the new Court Jester. Enigmatic and charismatic, and the boys of many of her dreams, Jest quickly steals her heart. Her disappearing cat, Chesire, mars the party and prevents the King from making his announcement. Catherine runs into the garden and stumbles upon Jest.

The party is interrupted when the Jabberwock attacks the Palace. Catherine escapes and returns home, but her parents still expect her union with the King. As their courtship begins, Catherine can’t help but think of Jest. She gets the chance to attend Hatter’s Tea Party, and suddenly her relationship with Jest transforms into a secret courtship.

But Jest is on a mission for the White Queen of Chess, and he may have ulterior motives in gaining the heart of the future Queen of Wonderland. With the Jabberwock roaming the land, magical characters infuriatingly putting their noses where they shouldn’t, with murky riddles and with her plans falling apart, Catherine has a choice to make, but will she be able to escape her fate?

Though the ending is predictable, watching Catherine struggle to escape the bounds and propriety of her social background is worth the read and provides the best explanation for the Queen’s ruthlessness. If you’re not willing to suffer the Queen’s declaration of “off with your head,” then you might want to read this book.