Queen of Hearts

urbangirlreview - My biggest issue with the book was that I had a hard time engaging in the story and I struggled to finish it. I probably would have stopped if it wasn't an ARC. I did like the idea of the of the backstory of the Queen of Hearts. How she become the evil Queen of Hearts, but to be the book dragged on never really picking up. I was hoping this book would be like Splintered (by A.G. Howard) but nope it wasn't anything like it. Pros: Does have some interesting takes on traditional Wonderland characters. Such as her brother is the Mad Hatter and is actually crazy. Not romanced focus (per say) it's more on becoming queen of Wonderland, her daddy issues, and jealously of new found sister. Cons: Could have done more, been more creative, been more wacky (it's Wonderland for Pete's sake). Especially since it is written from the villains side there is potential there for a good story. Note: that cover is so cute using the queen of hearts card. *Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for the opportunity to read and review this book.

February 29, 2016
Oakes (Wendy Darling) gives the Queen of Hearts an origin story in this deliciously dark tale, first in a series and originally self-published in 2014. Dinah, princess of Wonderland and the future queen, is eager for the day that she will reign—ideally beside the boy she loves, Wardley Ghane—even if her cruel father seems to barely tolerate her existence. When the king reveals the existence of a previously unknown daughter, Dinah is devastated and realizes that winning her father’s approval will be harder than ever. After receiving a mysterious message, Dinah and Wardley travel to the treacherous Black Towers; soon after, a shocking turn of events during Execution Day forces Dinah to flee for her life. Fans of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will enjoy the twists Oakes gives to familiar characters, including Dinah’s rabbitlike guardian, Harris; her father’s creepy adviser, Cheshire; her mentally ill brother, Charles, who feverishly creates beautiful hats; and the Heart Cards, her father’s security detail. Heart-stopping action makes the pages fly, and Dinah’s struggle to stay true to herself amid impossible expectations resonates. Ages 13–up. Agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency.