A review by elaichipod
Heartless by Marissa Meyer

adventurous emotional sad medium-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

3.75

In a world filled with YA fantasy, Heartless definitely takes the cake for being one of the more tragic stories. I, unfortunately, knew that this book was going to be a non-HEA, but reading it happen in real time was strangely satisfying. With each major plot event, you could just tell that Catherine was losing faith in her dreams, goals, peers, and ultimately, herself. Jest was the best thing that happened to her in the book and

the fact that he was decapitated in front of her eyes completely sealed the deal on her new persona

; she was never going to be the girl she was in the first couple chapters. Honestly, I really enjoyed her rage and vengeance in the last couple chapters. I genuinely thought she was going to make sure that the Duke and Margaret could not be happy, but it made sense since her heart was removed after she allowed for their marriage. My biggest complaint about this book was that it was a very slow for the first 40% of the book. A majority of that portion was the author setting up for all the events conspiring in the last half, but it slightly reduced my will to pick up the book. Overall, I thought it was a very unique story of a woman scorned and how she changed when her dreams were crushed at every turn.

 Catherine, I don’t want your heart to belong to anyone but me.

If I am not to have happiness, let me at least have a purpose. Let me give you the heart of a queen.

I am not empty. I am full to the brim with murder and revenge. I am overflowing and I do not think you wish for me to overflow onto you.