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Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
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Synopsis
Long before she was the terror of Wonderland—the infamous Queen of Hearts—she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love. Long before she was the terror of Wonderland, she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love. Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen. Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. 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 an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans. In her first stand-alone teen novel, the New York Times-bestselling author dazzles us with a prequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Is Heartless appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A tragic fairy tale prequel featuring a secret romance between a baker's daughter and a court joker. Contains moderate fantasy violence, peril, and heartbreak; suitable for mature middle grade and up.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death, heartbreak, and parental pressure (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens will love this whimsical but tragic romance about how the Queen of Hearts became the villain we know, with courtship, magic, and a doomed love story.