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evilbooklaugh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An emotional ride that delivers familiar stories in a twisted and bittersweet package. The ending was a shock to my system - I haven't read a book by Meyer in ages. I wasn't prepared, but maybe that's why it was so impossible and magical.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Murder, and Animal cruelty
moondaisyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lisabisa01's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
mariamshakaib's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
5.0
crosswarrior7's review against another edition
3.0
❧ Despite being the daughter of a Marquess, Catherine Pinkerton dreams of opening the greatest bakery in Wonderland, but when the king shows a special interest in her, things go awry. Her parents expect nothing more than for her to be the next queen. Cath does her best to steer clear of such a fate, but it grows harder when seeing the king means a glimpse of the mysterious court jester at his side. As she and Jest become more entwined and enamored with each other, Cath will discover more possibilities for her future. But with the legendary jabberwocky on the loose and other unfamiliar magic loose in the land, things aren’t quite that simple. Cath may find her happily ever after, or she may lose her heart trying to achieve it.
❧ Okay, so, I went into this book already know what kind of book it would be. And all in all... I was a tad disappointed?
Hear me out. The Wonderland world was absolutely fantastic. It was thriving and alive and I absolutely NEED Meyer to return to this world and give us Alice falling into this and seeing these familiar faces and maybe helping them achieve happiness after their tragedy. Or at least just let us see them again years later because ugh. I loved this world and its characters. It was alive and wonderful and just weird. I haven’t actually read or watched Alice in Wonderland, but this book made me want to.
I also really want to explore more of this Chest Kingdom! It sounds really complex and interesting, and I would love to see more plot unfold with it! Ugh, Meyer, please, come back to this world, I am begging you over here!!!
❧ Okay, if I adored this world so much, then why am I disappointed? Well, it honestly comes down to Cath. Her character was fun, and I like that she wasn’t super strong willed and easily disobeying everyone left and right because, like, that's not something easy, and it’s actually annoying how many books make it seem like it is.
But her from the beginning vs her at the end just... didn’t feel earned. There was a lot of time to sprinkle in hints of how much bitterness anchored in her heart, especially since everything around her gave her great reason to be bitter and angry, but there just wasn’t enough hints. Wasn’t enough tease. And it seems to be because if she was, then there wouldn’t be justification for her having such a pure heart that the plot called for or that Jest wouldn’t be as smitten. And overall, the compelling arc that I was looking forward to just... it fell flat.
Bitterness can do a lot to a person, as can grief, and Cath had reason to feel lots of both, but I just... I wanted more. And there were so many scenes that gave potential to show more, but it felt like there was too much fear to commit or like there was just no way to make the plot or romance work by committing, and because of that, the arc just didn’t work instead. Which is unfortunate when the selling point of this book is that it’s the origin of the Queen of Hearts going from a good girl with dreams to a bitter woman shedding blood.
On top of this, the event that causes her big change is so quick and confusingly done and just... Oddly written? I knew it was coming, so I understood, but at the same time, I was confused. So just so much of the transition of Cath had me disappointed. Which really sucks because I loved the book so much.
Some of the bakery stuff could have possibly be cut since its real purpose should have served as seeds to that bitterness, which it didn’t really do, so the plot felt longer than it needed to be without payoff. I was glad she had her own inspirations, but it wasn’t utilized as it could have been, so instead, it just made the book feel drawn out.
❧ All of this said, though, I really did love the book. Like, seriously. Jest? Hatta? Have you met these two men? They’re wonderful! Not just as love interests (considering one wasn’t), but just as characters. I would love prequels and sequels, either long or short, just to see more of these characters outside of the Heartless timeline. Again, petition for another book for Alice please T^T
Also, Cheshire? Such a pressure kitty. And he loves treats. He needs all the scritches.
Side note. I love that the king wasn’t made to be a scum. He was just a bumbling fool. He didn’t have to be sleazy and gross to be not great. His flaws were different, which was nice, and also more fitting to the world. Which, again, gives Cath more reason to have bitterness building up and gaaaah.
I genuinely hate that Cath’s arc didn’t land and that the bakery stuff took up a bit more room than it needed to, because I think this would have been a very strong 4 ½ stars, maybe even five. I adored the wonder of Wonderland and the fantastic characters of the world. But when the core concept of the plot falls so flat, it really drags the entire experience down, hence why it only gets 3. I still love you, Marissa Meyer, and beg you to return to this world T^T
❧ Okay, so, I went into this book already know what kind of book it would be. And all in all... I was a tad disappointed?
Hear me out. The Wonderland world was absolutely fantastic. It was thriving and alive and I absolutely NEED Meyer to return to this world and give us Alice falling into this and seeing these familiar faces and maybe helping them achieve happiness after their tragedy. Or at least just let us see them again years later because ugh. I loved this world and its characters. It was alive and wonderful and just weird. I haven’t actually read or watched Alice in Wonderland, but this book made me want to.
I also really want to explore more of this Chest Kingdom! It sounds really complex and interesting, and I would love to see more plot unfold with it! Ugh, Meyer, please, come back to this world, I am begging you over here!!!
❧ Okay, if I adored this world so much, then why am I disappointed? Well, it honestly comes down to Cath. Her character was fun, and I like that she wasn’t super strong willed and easily disobeying everyone left and right because, like, that's not something easy, and it’s actually annoying how many books make it seem like it is.
But her from the beginning vs her at the end just... didn’t feel earned. There was a lot of time to sprinkle in hints of how much bitterness anchored in her heart, especially since everything around her gave her great reason to be bitter and angry, but there just wasn’t enough hints. Wasn’t enough tease. And it seems to be because if she was, then there wouldn’t be justification for her having such a pure heart that the plot called for or that Jest wouldn’t be as smitten. And overall, the compelling arc that I was looking forward to just... it fell flat.
Bitterness can do a lot to a person, as can grief, and Cath had reason to feel lots of both, but I just... I wanted more. And there were so many scenes that gave potential to show more, but it felt like there was too much fear to commit or like there was just no way to make the plot or romance work by committing, and because of that, the arc just didn’t work instead. Which is unfortunate when the selling point of this book is that it’s the origin of the Queen of Hearts going from a good girl with dreams to a bitter woman shedding blood.
On top of this, the event that causes her big change is so quick and confusingly done and just... Oddly written? I knew it was coming, so I understood, but at the same time, I was confused. So just so much of the transition of Cath had me disappointed. Which really sucks because I loved the book so much.
Some of the bakery stuff could have possibly be cut since its real purpose should have served as seeds to that bitterness, which it didn’t really do, so the plot felt longer than it needed to be without payoff. I was glad she had her own inspirations, but it wasn’t utilized as it could have been, so instead, it just made the book feel drawn out.
❧ All of this said, though, I really did love the book. Like, seriously. Jest? Hatta? Have you met these two men? They’re wonderful! Not just as love interests (considering one wasn’t), but just as characters. I would love prequels and sequels, either long or short, just to see more of these characters outside of the Heartless timeline. Again, petition for another book for Alice please T^T
Also, Cheshire? Such a pressure kitty. And he loves treats. He needs all the scritches.
Side note. I love that the king wasn’t made to be a scum. He was just a bumbling fool. He didn’t have to be sleazy and gross to be not great. His flaws were different, which was nice, and also more fitting to the world. Which, again, gives Cath more reason to have bitterness building up and gaaaah.
I genuinely hate that Cath’s arc didn’t land and that the bakery stuff took up a bit more room than it needed to, because I think this would have been a very strong 4 ½ stars, maybe even five. I adored the wonder of Wonderland and the fantastic characters of the world. But when the core concept of the plot falls so flat, it really drags the entire experience down, hence why it only gets 3. I still love you, Marissa Meyer, and beg you to return to this world T^T
thereticentseer's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at around 25% of the book (if I'm remembering it right). Everything about it so far just felt too... whimsy and didn't pull me in as much as I wanted to. I was loving Catherine's interactions with Jest and all, but the plot was going a little too slow :( I wanted to love this book but somehow I couldn't
nobat11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bettinaf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
kecho's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Rounded Up
Enjoyed the story but felt a little drawn out in the beginning and rushed at the end. It DID succeed in making me sad for Cath and Jest. I also definitely did enjoy this more than I expected.
Enjoyed the story but felt a little drawn out in the beginning and rushed at the end. It DID succeed in making me sad for Cath and Jest. I also definitely did enjoy this more than I expected.