Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Stand Alone
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 449
Rating: 2
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Young Adult, Retelling
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Review

This really didn't work for me. I did enjoy and appreciate the nonsense and how much Ms. Meyer was willing to embrace that. Word play is what I love about Wonderland and not all authors use it, but she did.

But I couldn't get past the characters and plot. Cath especially was so selfish. If I was supposed to care about her that failed. The romance between her and Jest often felt forced. And she was very Bella Swan-like when they were pulled apart. A bunch of the plot was super predictable. The ultimate end reminded me a bit of the Red Queen in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and I was more invested in her story.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Heartless by Gail Carriger

Series: Parasol Protectorate Book #4

Format: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 374

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library

Genre: Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Romance

Publisher: Orbit

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

 

Review

It took me awhile to get into this one. I think it was half the book and half that I wasn’t in the mood for this kind of book.

Alexia is still great. I actually think the pregnancy makes her even funnier. And this one was really easy to picture in my head. Basically, the whole thing is Alexia getting herself into crazy situations while waddling around super pregnant. Sometimes I would get a little angry about how she didn’t stop to think about the baby.

There was some information revealed especially about Alexia’s father. Other characters also got more development. But some things didn’t really make sense to me-especially the big reveal around the mystery of this book. I hope that makes sense. I’m trying to explain my thoughts without spoiling anything.

The biggest disappointment was the lack of Ivy and Floote. Ivy basically had one scene-it was a great one, but still only one scene. She’s a great friend for Alexia along with being funny. Floote was around and was amazing, but I want more.

I really don’t know where this series is going or how it will wrap up. I am a little worried that I won’t get enough resolution. But I’m sure I will enjoy the last book because I do love this world, the characters, and Alexia’s general awesomeness.

Thanks for reading!