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tasharobinson's review against another edition
4.0
I have had so little use for Disney's live-action adaptations of its animated classics, and not much more use for prequels like Maleficent, which often don't add a lot to the story, especially since they're all headed for foregone conclusions. But something about the idea of a Cruella de Vil backstory did actually interest me, maybe because it has so much potential — Cruella isn't an evil witch or god or animal, she's an actual person who had to come from somewhere. So I requested the arc of Hello, Cruel Heart, which seems to be a prequel to the prequel movie Cruella, coming out in spring 2021.
It's a brisk but enjoyable read. The setting alone is a winner: 1960s Swinging London, amid the rise of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, with the British Invasion going on over in America, and an energetic youth culture taking over fashion and culture in England. Estella is an orphaned London teenager who lives in an abandoned building that was never remodeled after the Blitz, and she steals to survive alongside her friends Jasper and Horace. (If there's anything that bothers me about this prequel, it's the idea that these three all used to be equals, friends, and roommates, given that by the time of 101 Dalmatians, the two men are so clearly from a different class, and Jasper at least is a sharp, savvy kid who grows up to be such a lummox.) "Cruella" is more of a voice in her head, the least charitable and angriest part of herself, who leads her to constantly question herself and to doubt other people.
But Estella is a brilliant savant about design and fashion, and she makes her own clothes, which leads her to an accidental run-in with London's trust-fund kids. One of my favorite parts of the book was the culture shock she experiences when she realizes how the idle rich live, and how much they take for granted, compared to how she and her friends get by. The setting is sketched pretty simply compared to what it would be in a book aimed more at an adult audience, but it's still pretty evocative, feeding a fantasy of luxury while making it clear what the cost of that luxury is for the shallow, spoiled people enjoying it — and making it clear how appealing it is to something who comes from nothing.
The ending is inevitable, not just because this is a prequel, but because there's barely any other way for a story like this to go, as a poor girl falls in among the rich and learns that her fantasies aren't all they're cracked up to be. But the getting there is entertaining, whether it's focusing on the details of Estrella's latest fashion project, or the design of her posh new friends' favorite café, or the convoluted process involved in accessing her bombed-out home.
The one place that isn't really detailed enough at all is the passage where Estrella loses her mother, which is so vague that it must be leaving room either for a sequel that follows up on what happened there, or for the movie, which seems to deal with the same people involved in what happened there. Regardless, I'd read an actual series about the adventures of Estrella in London if it came to that — she's a decently compelling character all on her own, even without a classic-film tie-in ahead of her.
It's a brisk but enjoyable read. The setting alone is a winner: 1960s Swinging London, amid the rise of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, with the British Invasion going on over in America, and an energetic youth culture taking over fashion and culture in England. Estella is an orphaned London teenager who lives in an abandoned building that was never remodeled after the Blitz, and she steals to survive alongside her friends Jasper and Horace. (If there's anything that bothers me about this prequel, it's the idea that these three all used to be equals, friends, and roommates, given that by the time of 101 Dalmatians, the two men are so clearly from a different class, and Jasper at least is a sharp, savvy kid who grows up to be such a lummox.) "Cruella" is more of a voice in her head, the least charitable and angriest part of herself, who leads her to constantly question herself and to doubt other people.
But Estella is a brilliant savant about design and fashion, and she makes her own clothes, which leads her to an accidental run-in with London's trust-fund kids. One of my favorite parts of the book was the culture shock she experiences when she realizes how the idle rich live, and how much they take for granted, compared to how she and her friends get by. The setting is sketched pretty simply compared to what it would be in a book aimed more at an adult audience, but it's still pretty evocative, feeding a fantasy of luxury while making it clear what the cost of that luxury is for the shallow, spoiled people enjoying it — and making it clear how appealing it is to something who comes from nothing.
The ending is inevitable, not just because this is a prequel, but because there's barely any other way for a story like this to go, as a poor girl falls in among the rich and learns that her fantasies aren't all they're cracked up to be. But the getting there is entertaining, whether it's focusing on the details of Estrella's latest fashion project, or the design of her posh new friends' favorite café, or the convoluted process involved in accessing her bombed-out home.
The one place that isn't really detailed enough at all is the passage where Estrella loses her mother, which is so vague that it must be leaving room either for a sequel that follows up on what happened there, or for the movie, which seems to deal with the same people involved in what happened there. Regardless, I'd read an actual series about the adventures of Estrella in London if it came to that — she's a decently compelling character all on her own, even without a classic-film tie-in ahead of her.
lookingforamandaa's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I requested this because it’s a book by Maureen Johnson and I usually love Johnson’s books. Plus, Cruella? Sign me up.
I didn’t end up liking this as much as I thought I was going to. Cruella is actually named Estella. Her mom dies and she ends up all alone in London. She meets two boys that become her family. They survive by stealing. They steal food and money or whatever else they need to survive. I liked the relationship between these three. But I think we could have gotten more from it. I feel like I still know nothing about these two boys that are like brothers to Estella. I don’t know their history. I did like Estella’s backstory. Definitely enough to turn me into a villain.
I also just liked Estella, even when she was kind of being a jerk. She’s sixteen in this book and definitely still a bit naive. I saw the ending coming almost as soon as she made friends with Magda and Richard. Estella is swept up by the wealthy London scene and starts making clothes for everyone. And the whole time I was left thinking: why is she not asking anyone to pay for these clothes she’s hand making?
Overall, I had a tough time with this book. The ending felt rushed. I would have liked to see what her plans for her next steps were after reconciling with her brothers. I also had a hard time because of the eARC. There were weird images that I assume are going to be chapter designs that chopped up and even moved some paragraphs. It was manageable, but annoying enough to affect my reading experience. I will say that I think Johnson did a good job with the writing and the setting. She was consistent with the language used by the characters and while telling the story. London sounds like a blast during this period of time.
I didn’t end up liking this as much as I thought I was going to. Cruella is actually named Estella. Her mom dies and she ends up all alone in London. She meets two boys that become her family. They survive by stealing. They steal food and money or whatever else they need to survive. I liked the relationship between these three. But I think we could have gotten more from it. I feel like I still know nothing about these two boys that are like brothers to Estella. I don’t know their history. I did like Estella’s backstory. Definitely enough to turn me into a villain.
I also just liked Estella, even when she was kind of being a jerk. She’s sixteen in this book and definitely still a bit naive. I saw the ending coming almost as soon as she made friends with Magda and Richard. Estella is swept up by the wealthy London scene and starts making clothes for everyone. And the whole time I was left thinking: why is she not asking anyone to pay for these clothes she’s hand making?
Overall, I had a tough time with this book. The ending felt rushed. I would have liked to see what her plans for her next steps were after reconciling with her brothers. I also had a hard time because of the eARC. There were weird images that I assume are going to be chapter designs that chopped up and even moved some paragraphs. It was manageable, but annoying enough to affect my reading experience. I will say that I think Johnson did a good job with the writing and the setting. She was consistent with the language used by the characters and while telling the story. London sounds like a blast during this period of time.
lostinafairytale's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars, I literally read it in a day so it's definitely entertaining!
Full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbrl9ln372A
Full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbrl9ln372A
marenkae's review against another edition
4.0
idk what to say! i loved the new cruella movie, loved this book, love maureen johnson so much.
nora4's review against another edition
5.0
Ich bin ein ziemlich Disneyfan, kenne aber den Film “101 Dalmatiner“ zugegebenermassen nicht. Da überwiegt dann meine Katzenperson doch mehr. Ich habe zwar grob im Kopf, um was es geht, aber gerade eine Figur wie Cruella ist mir doch eher unbekannt. Aus Neugier zum Buch, habe ich zwar immerhin den neuen Film “Cruella“ angesehen.
Manche würden das wohl eher als Nachteil sehen, ich empfand es als interessant, nun gleich ziemlich schnell hintereinander zwei relativ unterschiedliche Bilder von ihr zu bekommen. Natürlich war mir auch klar, dass es ein anderes Bild von ihr geben muss, da das Buch dann doch an ein wesentlich jüngeres Publikum ausgerichtet ist, als der Film. Ich weiss nicht, welches der Bilder nun mehr der Figur aus dem Originalfilm entspricht, war aber dennoch begeistert.
Ich mag die Idee, obwohl Cruella ja eigentlich von einem Leben als Designer träumt, dann doch auch abgewendet ist von dieser Welt der Reichen. Sie ist zwar extravagant, aber eben auf ihre eigene Weise. Sie braucht keine reiche Designerin zu sein, sondern eben eine, die stiehlt und sich eben somit auf ihre ganz eigene Weise ihr Luxusleben erschafft. Ich mag dieses Bild davon und es passt auch eindeutig mehr zu einer jüngeren Person. Im Film, in welchem die Entscheidungen manchmal ganz anders verlaufen, ist sie ja auch wesentlich älter. Der Charakteraufbau war aber auf jeden Fall klar gelungen.
Auch sonst war das Buch klasse: Erst einmal lässt sich das Buch wirklich rasend schnell durchlesen. Ich habe es innert kürzester Zeit beendet, auch weil der Schreibstil wirklich sehr locker war. Somit ist es auch perfekt geeignet für Zwischendurch.
Die Geschichte selbst war jetzt nicht wirklich vollgepackt mit Wendungen und eher noch vorhersehbar, aber gerade auch weil man so schnell durchkommt, bleibt man doch an sie gefesselt und ich denke für die jüngeren Leser ist sie noch immer perfekt gestaltet.
Im Gesamten ist es aber ein wirklich tolles Buch, dass wohl vorallem durch den Aufbau der Figur überzeugen kann. Mir hat das Buch auf jeden Fall gut gefallen, vielleicht auch weil mir Cruella noch eher unbekannt ist. Deshalb gebe ich dem Buch auch fünf Sterne.
Manche würden das wohl eher als Nachteil sehen, ich empfand es als interessant, nun gleich ziemlich schnell hintereinander zwei relativ unterschiedliche Bilder von ihr zu bekommen. Natürlich war mir auch klar, dass es ein anderes Bild von ihr geben muss, da das Buch dann doch an ein wesentlich jüngeres Publikum ausgerichtet ist, als der Film. Ich weiss nicht, welches der Bilder nun mehr der Figur aus dem Originalfilm entspricht, war aber dennoch begeistert.
Ich mag die Idee, obwohl Cruella ja eigentlich von einem Leben als Designer träumt, dann doch auch abgewendet ist von dieser Welt der Reichen. Sie ist zwar extravagant, aber eben auf ihre eigene Weise. Sie braucht keine reiche Designerin zu sein, sondern eben eine, die stiehlt und sich eben somit auf ihre ganz eigene Weise ihr Luxusleben erschafft. Ich mag dieses Bild davon und es passt auch eindeutig mehr zu einer jüngeren Person. Im Film, in welchem die Entscheidungen manchmal ganz anders verlaufen, ist sie ja auch wesentlich älter. Der Charakteraufbau war aber auf jeden Fall klar gelungen.
Auch sonst war das Buch klasse: Erst einmal lässt sich das Buch wirklich rasend schnell durchlesen. Ich habe es innert kürzester Zeit beendet, auch weil der Schreibstil wirklich sehr locker war. Somit ist es auch perfekt geeignet für Zwischendurch.
Die Geschichte selbst war jetzt nicht wirklich vollgepackt mit Wendungen und eher noch vorhersehbar, aber gerade auch weil man so schnell durchkommt, bleibt man doch an sie gefesselt und ich denke für die jüngeren Leser ist sie noch immer perfekt gestaltet.
Im Gesamten ist es aber ein wirklich tolles Buch, dass wohl vorallem durch den Aufbau der Figur überzeugen kann. Mir hat das Buch auf jeden Fall gut gefallen, vielleicht auch weil mir Cruella noch eher unbekannt ist. Deshalb gebe ich dem Buch auch fünf Sterne.
fionak's review against another edition
4.0
Cute story, great pacing, decent sense of place if slightly lacking in Britishisms.
julianna_clare's review against another edition
4.0
This was much better than I expected! I originally just picked it up because I’m a Disney simp and also because of the new movie that recently came out. Turned out to be an easy read and it’s set in a fun little time period to get swept up into.
emmy29's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
trin_ney18's review
4.0
3.5/5 Stars
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for sending this book my way. This in no way influences my thoughts or opinions.
Such a fun story, looking into the youth of Cruella and seeing her origins. It'll be even more interesting to see how this ties in with the movie coming out in May.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this. It was super quick and a solid story all around. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes villain origin stories. Or if you like stories set in the not-so-distant past.
I will say it was predictable all the way through and that's why I didn't enjoy the story 100%. But I think if you're able to look past that and just enjoy the story as it unfolds then you'll definitely have a good time reading this.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for sending this book my way. This in no way influences my thoughts or opinions.
Such a fun story, looking into the youth of Cruella and seeing her origins. It'll be even more interesting to see how this ties in with the movie coming out in May.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this. It was super quick and a solid story all around. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes villain origin stories. Or if you like stories set in the not-so-distant past.
I will say it was predictable all the way through and that's why I didn't enjoy the story 100%. But I think if you're able to look past that and just enjoy the story as it unfolds then you'll definitely have a good time reading this.
jdalton's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Netgalley and Disney Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.
The trailer for Cruella came out last week, so watching that and reading Hello Cruel Heart really got me even more excited for the movie.
During the London summer of 1967, Hello Cruel Heart follows Estella as she goes from stealing wallets of tourists at Harrods to stealing the heart of the rich young bourgeoisie of the city with her natural sense of fashion.
It felt strange rooting for someone to succeed that we know will become DeVil and kidnap 101 puppies just to make a fur coat.
Will Estella let Cruella to the surface? Read this book to find out and prepare yourself for when Cruella comes out this spring!
The trailer for Cruella came out last week, so watching that and reading Hello Cruel Heart really got me even more excited for the movie.
During the London summer of 1967, Hello Cruel Heart follows Estella as she goes from stealing wallets of tourists at Harrods to stealing the heart of the rich young bourgeoisie of the city with her natural sense of fashion.
It felt strange rooting for someone to succeed that we know will become DeVil and kidnap 101 puppies just to make a fur coat.
Will Estella let Cruella to the surface? Read this book to find out and prepare yourself for when Cruella comes out this spring!