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TL;DR: Long before she became the Queen of Hearts, Catherine Pinkerton was a young noblewoman in Wonderland who loved baking and dreamed of opening a bakery with her best friend. Her parents want her to marry the silly King of Hearts. Then she meets Jest, the new court joker, and falls in love. A dark, tragic path leads Cath toward the cruel queen she will become.
Table of Contents
Heartless at a Glance
| Author | Marissa Meyer |
| First published | 2016 |
| Type | Fantasy |
| Best for | readers who want a dark, romantic origin story for a famous villain |
Heartless is a fantasy novel by Marissa Meyer, published in 2016. It is a prequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, imagining the life of the Queen of Hearts before she turned cruel. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes death, violence, monsters and heartbreak.
Main Characters
- Catherine Pinkerton: A young noblewoman who loves to bake.
- Jest: A mysterious court joker.
- The King of Hearts: A kind but foolish king.
- Mary Ann: Cath's maid and best friend.
- Hatta: A hatmaker who later becomes the Mad Hatter.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The baker
In the kingdom of Hearts, Cath bakes wonderful tarts and dreams of opening a bakery with Mary Ann. Her mother wants her to marry the King, who loves her lemon tarts. Cath dreads a life as queen. At a royal ball, the King plans to propose, but Cath runs away.
Jest
During the ball, Cath meets Jest, the new court joker, who has magic tricks and a charming smile. They are drawn to each other. Cath begins secretly meeting Jest, who seems to have secrets of his own. She also meets Hatta, a hatmaker who throws wild tea parties.
The Jabberwock
A monster, the Jabberwock, begins attacking the kingdom. People die, and the King is too weak to stop it. Jest and Cath work together, and Cath learns more about Jest's origins in the neighboring land of Chess. She learns of a prophecy and a dangerous plan connected to Jest and his home.
Choices
Cath must choose between duty to her family and love for Jest. She plans to run away with Jest and open her bakery. Meanwhile, a powerful queen from Chess and other dark forces are moving against them. Strange signs foretell tragedy.
Heartless
On the night she plans to escape, a series of tragedies destroys Cath's hopes. Jest is killed, and Cath is left broken and furious. Her heart turns hard as stone. She agrees to marry the King, becoming the Queen of Hearts. Her rage and grief begin to shape her into the cruel queen who cries, “Off with their heads!”
5 Key Takeaways
- Grief can harden a heart.
- Dreams can be crushed by duty.
- Love can be both joyful and tragic.
- Villains often have sad stories.
- Choices shape destiny.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Small acts of rebellion can become big decisions.
- We should listen to warning signs.
- Understanding a villain makes them more human.
Who Should Read Heartless?
Read Heartless if you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, villain origin stories and bittersweet romance. It suits teens and adults.
About Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer (born 1984) is an American author best known for The Lunar Chronicles, a science fiction series that retells fairy tales, beginning with Cinder. She also wrote the Renegades trilogy and the Gilded duology. Before writing, she worked as a book editor. Heartless was her first standalone novel.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Heartless:
- Was Cath doomed to become the Queen of Hearts?
- How does grief change her?
- How does the book connect to Alice in Wonderland?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Heartless is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Heartless, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is funny and charming at first, then heartbreaking.
Check price of Heartless on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer: a cyborg Cinderella retelling
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll: the original Wonderland story
- Wicked by Gregory Maguire: the origin of another famous villain
Related: 15 Books Like Heartless You’ll Love · Cinder by Marissa Meyer: Summary and Key Takeaways
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heartless about?
The story of how the Queen of Hearts became cruel.
Who wrote it?
Marissa Meyer, in 2016.
Who is Catherine?
A young noblewoman who loves baking.
Who is Jest?
A mysterious court joker Cath loves.
Is it a prequel?
Yes, to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
Does it have a happy ending?
No, it is tragic.
Who is Hatta?
A hatmaker who becomes the Mad Hatter.
What age is it for?
Teens and adults.
How long is it?
About 450 pages.
Is it a standalone?
Yes.
Is there romance?
Yes, between Cath and Jest.
Is it dark?
It starts light but becomes very dark.
Do I need to know Alice in Wonderland?
No, but readers who know it will enjoy the many references.
Is Heartless worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a dark, romantic origin story for a famous villain. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.