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Hearth and Bard Tales #3
Heartless Hette
When Princess Hette refuses a sorcerer's proposal, he retaliates by stealing her heart—literally.
Desperate to resist his influence, Hette makes herself emotionless, stifling all feelings until she can find her heart and win it back. Only Konrad, the despised Court Fool, knows where to find the sorcerer, and he has his own curse to battle.
Riddles and magic plague their path, including a memory stealing witch, an unbeatable knight, and a magic book that would as soon drown them as lead them to their destination. Yet, if Hette can't find the sorcerer in time, her heart will be the least of her losses.
"Heartless Hette reads like an old favorite, a fairytale both familiar and unknown. M. L. Farb spins out stories within stories and cleverly ties them all together by the end. Her vivid imagery and well-drawn characters are sure to capture even a clockwork heart." — Joanna Ruth Meyer, author of Into the Heartless Wood
Desperate to resist his influence, Hette makes herself emotionless, stifling all feelings until she can find her heart and win it back. Only Konrad, the despised Court Fool, knows where to find the sorcerer, and he has his own curse to battle.
Riddles and magic plague their path, including a memory stealing witch, an unbeatable knight, and a magic book that would as soon drown them as lead them to their destination. Yet, if Hette can't find the sorcerer in time, her heart will be the least of her losses.
"Heartless Hette reads like an old favorite, a fairytale both familiar and unknown. M. L. Farb spins out stories within stories and cleverly ties them all together by the end. Her vivid imagery and well-drawn characters are sure to capture even a clockwork heart." — Joanna Ruth Meyer, author of Into the Heartless Wood
ebook
Published October 18, 2021
5 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Farb
11 books47 followersML Farb is the Whitney Award Finalist and SPFBO Semi-Finalist author of noblebright fantasy and retellings of less known fairytales.
To learn more about her adventures and her favorite books see: https://mlfarbauthor.com/home-2/about...
WHAT READERS SAY
“The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes!” – H.S.J. Williams, author of Moonscript
“Farb has created story line, character development, humor, plot twists, incredible prose, and deep truths that are all phenomenal.” – Petey (Goodreads)
“I love JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and now ML Farb.” – John (Goodreads)
“This could be one of my all time favorite series, right up there with Harry Potter and the Hunger Games!“ – Mari (Audible)
“It is an exquisite tale of hope and redemption.“ – Onlinebookclub review
“It can be difficult to find a story that can boast exciting adventure, true love, clever riddles, exceptional and believable character arc, as well as a complete lack of rudeness or depravity. “
– Melanie (Goodreads)
To learn more about her adventures and her favorite books see: https://mlfarbauthor.com/home-2/about...
WHAT READERS SAY
“The writing style is smart and engaging. Brave young men, vivacious heroine. Vibrant world, exciting stakes!” – H.S.J. Williams, author of Moonscript
“Farb has created story line, character development, humor, plot twists, incredible prose, and deep truths that are all phenomenal.” – Petey (Goodreads)
“I love JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis, Lloyd Alexander, and now ML Farb.” – John (Goodreads)
“This could be one of my all time favorite series, right up there with Harry Potter and the Hunger Games!“ – Mari (Audible)
“It is an exquisite tale of hope and redemption.“ – Onlinebookclub review
“It can be difficult to find a story that can boast exciting adventure, true love, clever riddles, exceptional and believable character arc, as well as a complete lack of rudeness or depravity. “
– Melanie (Goodreads)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 14, 2023
All the charm of a classic Disney movie. Well written, with intriguing magic and characters.
October 15, 2021
I received a copy of Heartless Hette in exchange for an honest review. See my full review on https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
Lovingly threaded with pieces of eight different fairytales and legends, with nods to German history, lore, and court culture throughout, M.L. Farb's Heartless Hette is not your average entry into the annals of retold stories.
Helmed by a protagonist who knows her own mind and stays true to it throughout, with a delightful supporting cast that includes a talking toad, an insubordinate maid, and a court fool complete with a bell-laden cap, Heartless Hette follows this unlikely quartet in their quest for (what else?) a heart. Along the way they tangle with naiads, puzzle through an inordinate number of riddles, and keep the promises they make to each other, and those they meet.
Lush in details, rich in characterization, and written with (forgive me) heart, Heartless Hette is far more than just another rewritten fairytale. This is many fairytales woven into an epic quest, one that will test Farb’s characters and delight readers for generations to come.
Lovingly threaded with pieces of eight different fairytales and legends, with nods to German history, lore, and court culture throughout, M.L. Farb's Heartless Hette is not your average entry into the annals of retold stories.
Helmed by a protagonist who knows her own mind and stays true to it throughout, with a delightful supporting cast that includes a talking toad, an insubordinate maid, and a court fool complete with a bell-laden cap, Heartless Hette follows this unlikely quartet in their quest for (what else?) a heart. Along the way they tangle with naiads, puzzle through an inordinate number of riddles, and keep the promises they make to each other, and those they meet.
Lush in details, rich in characterization, and written with (forgive me) heart, Heartless Hette is far more than just another rewritten fairytale. This is many fairytales woven into an epic quest, one that will test Farb’s characters and delight readers for generations to come.
October 17, 2021
Heartless Hette is a reimagining of a classic fairy tale, and immerses the reader in a beautiful, dangerous world of magic and lore. The characters come to life in a way that made me love (and hate some) them at the same time. Either way, each evoked strong emotions and made me want to binge my way through the story to see how they fare.
Hette, the main character, undergoes an amazing personal journey, and becomes so real I felt as though she were a friend, not just a character. The Fool was my favorite character from the moment he was introduced. He's funny, quirky, and somehow wise, all at the same time.
If you think fairy tales are just for kids, think again. Heartless Hette is so well written and infectious, any adult with a kid inside will love it.
Hette, the main character, undergoes an amazing personal journey, and becomes so real I felt as though she were a friend, not just a character. The Fool was my favorite character from the moment he was introduced. He's funny, quirky, and somehow wise, all at the same time.
If you think fairy tales are just for kids, think again. Heartless Hette is so well written and infectious, any adult with a kid inside will love it.
October 20, 2021
I am not going to say this is not going to be a long review. I hope it isn’t, but I’m not very good at keeping reviews succinct, especially when I am enthusiastic. And I can tell you now, I loved this novel/fairy tale retelling. But I am decided not to make it heavy. I love fairy tales, and if you want to read about them from an academic or more analytical perspective, there are many books you could check. Among my favourites, I recommend Bruno Bettelheim’s The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy tales and, although it is a work on comparative mythology, Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, because the quest motif features not only in mythology but also in fairy tales, and it is central to this story. But my review is just going to tell you why I had such a great time reading this novel.
The author explains where the idea for this story came from at the end of the book, and it was a combination of the dream of one of her sons and her own inspiration of combining it with a classic fairy tale, ‘The Princess Who Never Laughed’ (not one I’m very familiar with, although I think I might have read it once, a long time ago). There are multiple references to other fairy tales, mythological and magical beings, and objects throughout the story, and also true facts, inventions, and knowledge, and the author’s research shines through, although always at the service of the story and its many adventures. I do recommend reading all the back matter of the book, because the author explains the meaning of the names of the characters; she shares some of her research (who knew CPR was so old?); and also includes some reflections about the story, which she calls “food for thought”, that would make great starting points for endless discussions at book clubs.
Retellings of all kinds of stories are all the rage, and retellings of fairy tales are quite popular as well. By choosing one of the, perhaps, not so mainstream fairy tales, Farb gives herself plenty of room for manoeuvre, and she makes a great use of it. I love the characters. Hette is a favourite of mine, perhaps because we have much in common. No, I’m not a princess, and no, I don’t have a long queue of men knocking at my door, but her love of knowledge, her no-nonsense attitude, her determination to lead her own life, despite conventions, and her decision not to marry (precisely because she wants to be in charge of her future and her kingdom) spoke to me. She is not perfect, though. She is also rigid, lacks a sense of humour, is determined to not let her emotions rule her, and can appear cold and uncaring, but she is honest to a fault, and she discovers many things about herself and others by the end of the story. I also loved the other characters who accompany her in her quest: Konrad, the Fool (fools are always interesting, and he is one of the best); Demuth, a maid who is much more than that; Peter, a talking toad who is also more than a toad (of course). They all teach Hette the importance of friendship, help her learn to look beyond appearances, jobs, and titles, and to appreciate different types of knowledges and points of view.
There are many other wonderful beings and characters scattered throughout the books: sorcerers, witches, magical owls that love riddles, knights gone mad, Nereids, a wolf-man (not a werewolf as such, at least not your standard one), a Kobold (a German house spirit, a pretty naughty one in this case), and many more, but one of the things I most enjoyed in the story is how most of the characters are not cardboard cut-outs and simply good or bad, without nuances. Even the bad characters have depth and are not just “bad” but have their reasons and sometimes have survived pretty extreme experiences that go some way to help us understand the kind of beings they are now. We also come across all kind of magical objects and places (rivers of fire, mountains of ice, stone horses, books and sextants with their own ideas, mechanical hearts...), and of course, secrets, curses, and plenty of stories as well. In fact, the main story is framed by another one, as John, a new steward working at a rural estate, is forced to attend a performance by a bard, a female bard, even though he thinks it’s a waste of time and nobody should be allowed to attend before all the “important work” is finished. By the end of the story, it seems John has plenty of food for thought of his own.
Apart from the wonderful characters, as you’ll probably have guessed from my comments about the other characters and magical objects, the quest Hette and her friends embark on sees them through many adventures, and anybody with a bit of imagination and a willingness to join these motley crew is likely to enjoy the wild ride, full of scary moments, puzzling events, riddles galore, difficult decisions, sacrifices, heartache, revelations, laughs, and plenty of moments that will make one think and wonder. In my opinion, this story is suitable for most ages (apart from perhaps very little children, although parents will be the best judges of that), and although there are scary moments, and the characters are put to the test, both physically and mentally (the challenges do take a toll on their health and their spirit as well) and suffer injuries and even violence, this is not out of keeping with the genre, or extreme and gore, and I think most older children would enjoy it.
The writing is beautifully descriptive, rich, and fluid; the pace of events is fast (and at some point we get an added ticking clock, so things accelerate even more), and the imagery is vivid and should capture most readers’ sense of wonder and imagination. You can check a sample if you want to make sure you’d enjoy the writing, but here go a few snippets:
“A promise is but the stomach’s wind after dinner, all stink and no substance.”
“Yes, many things are foolish to those who only see things in categories. But life doesn’t sort out so neatly.”
“Seeing paradoxes and allowing that something may be two things at once is one key to wisdom.”
“Who but fools can tell the truth to the great one? Priests are too timid and ministers too selfish.”
I’m sure you already guessed that, but in case you needed me to tell you, the story ends happily, and there is the promise of a short story with more adventures for the main characters coming up soon.
In summary, this is a delightful fairy tale for all ages, that works wonderful even if you don’t know anything about the original story, full of heart, inspiring, funny, and packed with wonderful characters, all kinds of scary and challenging adventures, and a perfect ending. Recommended to all of those who are young at heart and love a story full of imagination, romance, and, especially, magic.
The author explains where the idea for this story came from at the end of the book, and it was a combination of the dream of one of her sons and her own inspiration of combining it with a classic fairy tale, ‘The Princess Who Never Laughed’ (not one I’m very familiar with, although I think I might have read it once, a long time ago). There are multiple references to other fairy tales, mythological and magical beings, and objects throughout the story, and also true facts, inventions, and knowledge, and the author’s research shines through, although always at the service of the story and its many adventures. I do recommend reading all the back matter of the book, because the author explains the meaning of the names of the characters; she shares some of her research (who knew CPR was so old?); and also includes some reflections about the story, which she calls “food for thought”, that would make great starting points for endless discussions at book clubs.
Retellings of all kinds of stories are all the rage, and retellings of fairy tales are quite popular as well. By choosing one of the, perhaps, not so mainstream fairy tales, Farb gives herself plenty of room for manoeuvre, and she makes a great use of it. I love the characters. Hette is a favourite of mine, perhaps because we have much in common. No, I’m not a princess, and no, I don’t have a long queue of men knocking at my door, but her love of knowledge, her no-nonsense attitude, her determination to lead her own life, despite conventions, and her decision not to marry (precisely because she wants to be in charge of her future and her kingdom) spoke to me. She is not perfect, though. She is also rigid, lacks a sense of humour, is determined to not let her emotions rule her, and can appear cold and uncaring, but she is honest to a fault, and she discovers many things about herself and others by the end of the story. I also loved the other characters who accompany her in her quest: Konrad, the Fool (fools are always interesting, and he is one of the best); Demuth, a maid who is much more than that; Peter, a talking toad who is also more than a toad (of course). They all teach Hette the importance of friendship, help her learn to look beyond appearances, jobs, and titles, and to appreciate different types of knowledges and points of view.
There are many other wonderful beings and characters scattered throughout the books: sorcerers, witches, magical owls that love riddles, knights gone mad, Nereids, a wolf-man (not a werewolf as such, at least not your standard one), a Kobold (a German house spirit, a pretty naughty one in this case), and many more, but one of the things I most enjoyed in the story is how most of the characters are not cardboard cut-outs and simply good or bad, without nuances. Even the bad characters have depth and are not just “bad” but have their reasons and sometimes have survived pretty extreme experiences that go some way to help us understand the kind of beings they are now. We also come across all kind of magical objects and places (rivers of fire, mountains of ice, stone horses, books and sextants with their own ideas, mechanical hearts...), and of course, secrets, curses, and plenty of stories as well. In fact, the main story is framed by another one, as John, a new steward working at a rural estate, is forced to attend a performance by a bard, a female bard, even though he thinks it’s a waste of time and nobody should be allowed to attend before all the “important work” is finished. By the end of the story, it seems John has plenty of food for thought of his own.
Apart from the wonderful characters, as you’ll probably have guessed from my comments about the other characters and magical objects, the quest Hette and her friends embark on sees them through many adventures, and anybody with a bit of imagination and a willingness to join these motley crew is likely to enjoy the wild ride, full of scary moments, puzzling events, riddles galore, difficult decisions, sacrifices, heartache, revelations, laughs, and plenty of moments that will make one think and wonder. In my opinion, this story is suitable for most ages (apart from perhaps very little children, although parents will be the best judges of that), and although there are scary moments, and the characters are put to the test, both physically and mentally (the challenges do take a toll on their health and their spirit as well) and suffer injuries and even violence, this is not out of keeping with the genre, or extreme and gore, and I think most older children would enjoy it.
The writing is beautifully descriptive, rich, and fluid; the pace of events is fast (and at some point we get an added ticking clock, so things accelerate even more), and the imagery is vivid and should capture most readers’ sense of wonder and imagination. You can check a sample if you want to make sure you’d enjoy the writing, but here go a few snippets:
“A promise is but the stomach’s wind after dinner, all stink and no substance.”
“Yes, many things are foolish to those who only see things in categories. But life doesn’t sort out so neatly.”
“Seeing paradoxes and allowing that something may be two things at once is one key to wisdom.”
“Who but fools can tell the truth to the great one? Priests are too timid and ministers too selfish.”
I’m sure you already guessed that, but in case you needed me to tell you, the story ends happily, and there is the promise of a short story with more adventures for the main characters coming up soon.
In summary, this is a delightful fairy tale for all ages, that works wonderful even if you don’t know anything about the original story, full of heart, inspiring, funny, and packed with wonderful characters, all kinds of scary and challenging adventures, and a perfect ending. Recommended to all of those who are young at heart and love a story full of imagination, romance, and, especially, magic.
November 6, 2021
What would life become if our emotions put us under the control of another? Would we fight off our emotions to keep control of our freedoms? Would we be free at all?
These are questions Princess Hette must have considered when an evil sorcerer replaced her heart with a clockwork heart.
However, with no intention of giving up her right to the throne due to marriage, a clockwork heart is the least of Hette’s concerns, until she realizes that every strong emotion she feels causes her to desperately desire the sorcerer who swears she will accept his marriage proposal.
Hette, accompanied on her quest by the court’s fool and a maid, soon finds herself facing several trials of wit as she seeks to take her heart back.
Heartless Hette has quickly become a favorite of mine. Within its pages, Farb has spun a story with a quest, heroes, heroines, and evil-doers. Hidden fairy tale characters await recognition, while new characters tout depth and dimension. Filled with wit, readers discover fun riddles and intelligent methods used by–well, at least one fool.
I thoroughly enjoyed Heartless Hette, which is appropriate for all ages, and even has many hidden lessons children and adults can learn: humility, equity, forgiveness, and more.
These are questions Princess Hette must have considered when an evil sorcerer replaced her heart with a clockwork heart.
However, with no intention of giving up her right to the throne due to marriage, a clockwork heart is the least of Hette’s concerns, until she realizes that every strong emotion she feels causes her to desperately desire the sorcerer who swears she will accept his marriage proposal.
Hette, accompanied on her quest by the court’s fool and a maid, soon finds herself facing several trials of wit as she seeks to take her heart back.
Heartless Hette has quickly become a favorite of mine. Within its pages, Farb has spun a story with a quest, heroes, heroines, and evil-doers. Hidden fairy tale characters await recognition, while new characters tout depth and dimension. Filled with wit, readers discover fun riddles and intelligent methods used by–well, at least one fool.
I thoroughly enjoyed Heartless Hette, which is appropriate for all ages, and even has many hidden lessons children and adults can learn: humility, equity, forgiveness, and more.
October 3, 2021
Awwww I am in love with the series. They are all connected in a way, but you can read them separately or in any order you want.
Here we are in Germania where Princess Hette refuses a sorcerer's proposal of marriage. In revenge, he casts a curse. He steals her heart. Desperate to resist his influence, Hette makes herself emotionless and stifles any feeling until she can find get her heart back. The Court Fool is the only one who knows where to find the sorcerer and he has his own curse to battle, so they team up. Riddles and magic plague their path, but if Hette can't find the sorcerer in time not only will she remain heartless, she may lose more.
This was so good. It started off a little slow for me, but then I was hooked and finished reading this in a couple of sittings.
I had no idea what was going to happen or how this team was going to break these curses. I was on the edge of my seat. Especially when we find out the Fools curse and everything he has at stake (won't spoil it!).
Awwww I loved watching Hette grow and find the meaning of love. She had always been heartless in a way even before the curse. She hated love and didn't feel like love was important for her personally or for her future role as queen. She had a great personal journey and it made me happy to see her fall in love with a certain someone and make great friends. It was nice to see her grow and learn and survive these perils. I loved it.
Loved, loved her little team! They were all so different but so similar. An unlikely group of friends that is for sure. I especially adored Konard our Fool. He was my favorite character methinks.
OOooOOOoooOOOOO that ending got me! I was literally holding my breath. I was so worried.
In the end, this was my favorite of the three books so far. I really enjoyed our heroes and their journey. Such a good read to start off October. It's a must-read. 5 stars for sure.
Here we are in Germania where Princess Hette refuses a sorcerer's proposal of marriage. In revenge, he casts a curse. He steals her heart. Desperate to resist his influence, Hette makes herself emotionless and stifles any feeling until she can find get her heart back. The Court Fool is the only one who knows where to find the sorcerer and he has his own curse to battle, so they team up. Riddles and magic plague their path, but if Hette can't find the sorcerer in time not only will she remain heartless, she may lose more.
This was so good. It started off a little slow for me, but then I was hooked and finished reading this in a couple of sittings.
I had no idea what was going to happen or how this team was going to break these curses. I was on the edge of my seat. Especially when we find out the Fools curse and everything he has at stake (won't spoil it!).
Awwww I loved watching Hette grow and find the meaning of love. She had always been heartless in a way even before the curse. She hated love and didn't feel like love was important for her personally or for her future role as queen. She had a great personal journey and it made me happy to see her fall in love with a certain someone and make great friends. It was nice to see her grow and learn and survive these perils. I loved it.
Loved, loved her little team! They were all so different but so similar. An unlikely group of friends that is for sure. I especially adored Konard our Fool. He was my favorite character methinks.
OOooOOOoooOOOOO that ending got me! I was literally holding my breath. I was so worried.
In the end, this was my favorite of the three books so far. I really enjoyed our heroes and their journey. Such a good read to start off October. It's a must-read. 5 stars for sure.
August 1, 2022
****This review does not reflect the opinions of Before We Go Blog's SPFBO 8 team, these thoughts are my own opinion only**
4/5 stars. This is classic fairytale fantasy and I really enjoyed it. I think there were all the classic elements of a fairytale without it just being a damsel in distress story. The characters were amazing and Hette had such a growth arc even through a relatively short page count (320 pages). It was compulsively readable and I binged through 50% in a single day, no problem. I even forgot that we started in a Princess Bride fashion and this is a story within a story (within a story at times) and coming out of it at the end just doubled the feeling of finishing a really good story.
4/5 stars. This is classic fairytale fantasy and I really enjoyed it. I think there were all the classic elements of a fairytale without it just being a damsel in distress story. The characters were amazing and Hette had such a growth arc even through a relatively short page count (320 pages). It was compulsively readable and I binged through 50% in a single day, no problem. I even forgot that we started in a Princess Bride fashion and this is a story within a story (within a story at times) and coming out of it at the end just doubled the feeling of finishing a really good story.
September 17, 2021
(I was given this book by ML Farb to read as an ARC)
I loved this book. A charming tale of a heartless princess going on a quest to restore her heart. I loved the touches of German history that felt woven in. I was completely swept away by this story, and had a hard time stepping away from it, when other things in life (like work) needed to be done instead.
Some hopefully not too spoilery favorite bits:
1.The witch scene. I cried. Seeing how Hette had grown to sacrifice as she did for the witch was beautiful and tragic and I wish for her sake there could have been a different price that had been paid.
2.Basically everything with Peter the toad. I love amphibians myself, (I used to work as a freshwater aquarist and the majority of the animals I cared for were frogs and toads) and it was fun to see them represented in this book, especially in the way that it played with the story of the princess and the frog. Also I loved that he loved earthworms more than flies, that’s very accurate to the frogs and toads that I used to work with.
3.Hette’s transformation from calling everyone by a title to using their names, I loved that it started with a reprimand that she should use names, but then she reached a point where she wanted to use name’s over titles, and how she recognized that people are more than a single title.
4.Hette thinking she knows how emotions work, but learning that she didn’t really know anything about any of it, especially as it relates to friendship.
5.Bladed courage.
6.Avenger of the Schmetterling XD
7.The bonus materials at the end: inspirations for the story, discussion questions, the German roots for the names in the story etc.
8.That there exists a novelette (Gift) that I can go read and get more of Hette and Konrad’s story.
I loved this book. A charming tale of a heartless princess going on a quest to restore her heart. I loved the touches of German history that felt woven in. I was completely swept away by this story, and had a hard time stepping away from it, when other things in life (like work) needed to be done instead.
Some hopefully not too spoilery favorite bits:
1.The witch scene. I cried. Seeing how Hette had grown to sacrifice as she did for the witch was beautiful and tragic and I wish for her sake there could have been a different price that had been paid.
2.Basically everything with Peter the toad. I love amphibians myself, (I used to work as a freshwater aquarist and the majority of the animals I cared for were frogs and toads) and it was fun to see them represented in this book, especially in the way that it played with the story of the princess and the frog. Also I loved that he loved earthworms more than flies, that’s very accurate to the frogs and toads that I used to work with.
3.Hette’s transformation from calling everyone by a title to using their names, I loved that it started with a reprimand that she should use names, but then she reached a point where she wanted to use name’s over titles, and how she recognized that people are more than a single title.
4.Hette thinking she knows how emotions work, but learning that she didn’t really know anything about any of it, especially as it relates to friendship.
5.Bladed courage.
6.Avenger of the Schmetterling XD
7.The bonus materials at the end: inspirations for the story, discussion questions, the German roots for the names in the story etc.
8.That there exists a novelette (Gift) that I can go read and get more of Hette and Konrad’s story.
October 2, 2021
Heartless Hette
Hearth and Bard Tales #3
By M.L. Farb
Princess Hette is expected to marry someone who is titled and able to rule her kingdom. Well, Princess Hette is so not going to trade the life she has under her father for one under a husband. One suitor is different from the others - he offers Hette his heart but instead, he steals hers. With a spell compelling her to fall under the sorcerer's influence, Hette has no choice but to seek out her heart.
With the court fool and a village healer as her companions, Hette sets out to find her stolen heart. There are countless perils that are between them and Hette's heart. And their greatest challenge is that time is against them.
What I liked most was seeing how Hette changed as they pressed forward. She became more human, seeing people for who they were rather than what they did. These weren't easy lessons for her to learn and along the way she just may discover the power of laughter and friends.
This is the third book in the Hearth and Bard Tales. Now each story can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title. The storyteller who opens and closes each book is what ties the books together. There are several fairytale elements at play throughout the book that are well presented. I really love reading these books they are excellent reading and I highly recommend them all. Each is so different it would be hard to pick a favorite. I loved Konrad, who as the Court Fool was so invaluable, Demuth who was Hette's maid had a heart of gold, and then Peter a spell-bound frog - without them, Hette and the story would have been sadly lacking so much depth.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion all thoughts expressed are my own.
Hearth and Bard Tales #3
By M.L. Farb
Princess Hette is expected to marry someone who is titled and able to rule her kingdom. Well, Princess Hette is so not going to trade the life she has under her father for one under a husband. One suitor is different from the others - he offers Hette his heart but instead, he steals hers. With a spell compelling her to fall under the sorcerer's influence, Hette has no choice but to seek out her heart.
With the court fool and a village healer as her companions, Hette sets out to find her stolen heart. There are countless perils that are between them and Hette's heart. And their greatest challenge is that time is against them.
What I liked most was seeing how Hette changed as they pressed forward. She became more human, seeing people for who they were rather than what they did. These weren't easy lessons for her to learn and along the way she just may discover the power of laughter and friends.
This is the third book in the Hearth and Bard Tales. Now each story can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title. The storyteller who opens and closes each book is what ties the books together. There are several fairytale elements at play throughout the book that are well presented. I really love reading these books they are excellent reading and I highly recommend them all. Each is so different it would be hard to pick a favorite. I loved Konrad, who as the Court Fool was so invaluable, Demuth who was Hette's maid had a heart of gold, and then Peter a spell-bound frog - without them, Hette and the story would have been sadly lacking so much depth.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion all thoughts expressed are my own.
November 11, 2021
Once upon a time, a beautiful princess prized logic and reason above all. Her father bid her marry, become queen and produce an heir. But no suitor could match her formidable mind. So a sorcerer disguised himself as a prince. He set out to woo the princess. She rejects him. The sorcerer steals her heart. Literally. Right out of her chest. In its place is a mechanical “clockwork heart” designed to bend Princess Hette's will to his.
“Love only hurts… Alone hurts less.”
So an unlikely trio sets out on an epic quest to not only find and restore Hette’s lost heart, but to also find the true meaning of friendship. Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Caring, courage, and kindness.
Can they survive the hazardous road ahead, where one false move will be their last? Will Hette be able to focus on facts and logic and immutable truths long enough to push the sorcerer’s emotional manipulations aside? Can Hette, the court ‘Fool,” Konrad, and her maid Demuth, counter dark magic with some of their own? What about Peter the toad? And who was the mysterious Georg VI, and what happened to him? Why does he haunt Hette’s dreams?
There are also witches and sorcerers. Loyalty and betrayal. Curses. Spells. Magic. “Heart-bound slaves.” Courage and wit. A talking book. Riddles and brain teasers. A gentle love story rimming with awakenings and adventure as not only Hette’s heart but an entire kingdom hangs in the balance.
Also, a knowledge of sextants and astronomy that comes in handy. So does an understanding that logic and reason alone do not a great ruler make.
“Friends and happiness are dangerous. They end.”
Heartless Hette is a feast for the senses. Robust prose propels a clever narrative wrapped in rich word tapestries of dense forest, wood smoke, harrowing escapes, precarious rivers, stinking bogs and lilting lullabies. Bird song. Oven-fresh bread. Clip-clopping hooves. And cold so biting it’ll have you reaching for another blanket. (I’ll probably never see owls quite the same after reading this book.)
Indeed, Heartless Hette isn’t your average fairytale. It’s smarter than that. By about a mile and a half. A delightful read!
“It’s not wrong to let a friend help carry your burdens.”
Heartless Hette offers young adult readers and up a fresh take on an ancient genre. Keep an eye on this one. It may be destined to become a modern-day fairytale-ish classic.
“Love only hurts… Alone hurts less.”
So an unlikely trio sets out on an epic quest to not only find and restore Hette’s lost heart, but to also find the true meaning of friendship. Love. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Caring, courage, and kindness.
Can they survive the hazardous road ahead, where one false move will be their last? Will Hette be able to focus on facts and logic and immutable truths long enough to push the sorcerer’s emotional manipulations aside? Can Hette, the court ‘Fool,” Konrad, and her maid Demuth, counter dark magic with some of their own? What about Peter the toad? And who was the mysterious Georg VI, and what happened to him? Why does he haunt Hette’s dreams?
There are also witches and sorcerers. Loyalty and betrayal. Curses. Spells. Magic. “Heart-bound slaves.” Courage and wit. A talking book. Riddles and brain teasers. A gentle love story rimming with awakenings and adventure as not only Hette’s heart but an entire kingdom hangs in the balance.
Also, a knowledge of sextants and astronomy that comes in handy. So does an understanding that logic and reason alone do not a great ruler make.
“Friends and happiness are dangerous. They end.”
Heartless Hette is a feast for the senses. Robust prose propels a clever narrative wrapped in rich word tapestries of dense forest, wood smoke, harrowing escapes, precarious rivers, stinking bogs and lilting lullabies. Bird song. Oven-fresh bread. Clip-clopping hooves. And cold so biting it’ll have you reaching for another blanket. (I’ll probably never see owls quite the same after reading this book.)
Indeed, Heartless Hette isn’t your average fairytale. It’s smarter than that. By about a mile and a half. A delightful read!
“It’s not wrong to let a friend help carry your burdens.”
Heartless Hette offers young adult readers and up a fresh take on an ancient genre. Keep an eye on this one. It may be destined to become a modern-day fairytale-ish classic.
October 4, 2021
I am not overly familiar with the Princess Who Doesn't Laugh fairytale. But I read the synopsis of this story and it sounded intriguing so I figured why not. However, Mrs. Farb blew me out of the water with her unique storytelling. There is so much hidden goodness and questions that could easily be pulled from and pondered throughout the story. But it is also engaging enough that if you didn't feel like thinking too hard you can still enjoy the adventurous tale.
Hette is a Princess to her core and feels that station keenly, but when her heart is stolen she is forced on a quest with a court fool (who may be more than he appears) and a gentle healer as her maid. At first, she only sees her companions for the positions they fill, but as the story progresses she learns people are so much more than just their work or position. And the greatest gift may be found in friendship, love, and a beating heart. There is a sweet romance in the story that slowly grows to a HEA end. And the side characters definitely deserve an A plus!!
You can tell there was so much research and thought put into this retelling. Though it is different from any YA fantasy I have read before I will definitely be reading more from Mrs. Farb in the future. The story truly captured me and I am eager to reread it and find out what I may have missed the first time through.
Content Rating: PG
I did receive an ARC copy for a review but all opinions shared here in are my own!
Hette is a Princess to her core and feels that station keenly, but when her heart is stolen she is forced on a quest with a court fool (who may be more than he appears) and a gentle healer as her maid. At first, she only sees her companions for the positions they fill, but as the story progresses she learns people are so much more than just their work or position. And the greatest gift may be found in friendship, love, and a beating heart. There is a sweet romance in the story that slowly grows to a HEA end. And the side characters definitely deserve an A plus!!
You can tell there was so much research and thought put into this retelling. Though it is different from any YA fantasy I have read before I will definitely be reading more from Mrs. Farb in the future. The story truly captured me and I am eager to reread it and find out what I may have missed the first time through.
Content Rating: PG
I did receive an ARC copy for a review but all opinions shared here in are my own!
October 3, 2021
Having fallen in love with the previous three books I've read from this author, I confess I was a little nervous when I started this newest story. The POV character, Hette, didn't seem like someone with whom I'd want to spend several hours while going on an adventure. And the situation seemed like the setup for a gothic horror story. BUT I am glad I kept reading, because Hette's journey was more than a fantastic physical quest; it was a JOY watching her learn life lessons from unexpected people (and fantasy creatures). While Farb drew from fairy tale lore and set the story in a fictional Germania (which I also love, having German heritage) this is an original story, NOT a retold fairy tale. The supporting characters are fully present and add so much depth to the story; the setting is so realistic, you can feel the grit and mud and cold and unbearable heat; and the tension becomes unbearable in places, it's so well-plotted. I LOVE the riddles, too! That part reminded me of Bilbo Baggins and Gollum, but only superficially, because Farb makes everything fresh and new. The ending is very satisfying, in unexpected ways! Highly recommended for all ages.
November 4, 2021
I received a free advance copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've enjoyed all of Ms Farb's work, and Heartless Hette was no exception. The story was unique, the characters realistic. I especially enjoy how unique this and the other books in the series are. No formulaic "I-know-the-ending-within-5-chapters" here.
Princess Hette's character development is done flawlessly. She starts out as a well-meaning but sheltered princess, one who is truly a product of her upbringing, but as she travels with the commoners, she allows her view of the world to be changed. I also really liked Konrad, the Fool. The author does a great job of making her characters people you can root for, people you actually care about as they go through difficult challenges.
The story did drag in places, hence the 4 stars instead of 5, but still held my attention as I rooted for these characters. I couldn't put the book down until I knew how they were going to make it!
I've enjoyed all of Ms Farb's work, and Heartless Hette was no exception. The story was unique, the characters realistic. I especially enjoy how unique this and the other books in the series are. No formulaic "I-know-the-ending-within-5-chapters" here.
Princess Hette's character development is done flawlessly. She starts out as a well-meaning but sheltered princess, one who is truly a product of her upbringing, but as she travels with the commoners, she allows her view of the world to be changed. I also really liked Konrad, the Fool. The author does a great job of making her characters people you can root for, people you actually care about as they go through difficult challenges.
The story did drag in places, hence the 4 stars instead of 5, but still held my attention as I rooted for these characters. I couldn't put the book down until I knew how they were going to make it!
September 2, 2021
This might be my favourite of the three current Hearth and Bard books. I loved the story and the character growth and the formed friendships. (Also the unexpected twist of Princess and the Frog thrown in there.)
This is a page-turning read. It is clean (romantically and language-wise) and acceptable for teens in my opinion- and I’m pretty picky about what I would have kids read. Being fairy tale and folk story based, it does have magic in it and mentions sorcerers, witches, fairies, and the like. There is some violence, but I wouldn’t classify it as gory or frightening.
I give it five stars. : )
Don’t forget to read the Research Notes at the end. There are some name pronunciations as well as a lot of cool info. Honestly, I didn’t realise so much research went into a fictional book. Reading that made me appreciate Farb’s work all the more.
This is a page-turning read. It is clean (romantically and language-wise) and acceptable for teens in my opinion- and I’m pretty picky about what I would have kids read. Being fairy tale and folk story based, it does have magic in it and mentions sorcerers, witches, fairies, and the like. There is some violence, but I wouldn’t classify it as gory or frightening.
I give it five stars. : )
Don’t forget to read the Research Notes at the end. There are some name pronunciations as well as a lot of cool info. Honestly, I didn’t realise so much research went into a fictional book. Reading that made me appreciate Farb’s work all the more.
September 23, 2021
My teenage daughter was recently expressing her frustration that so many books are either trite and silly or not clean or uplifting. It can be difficult to find a story that can boast exciting adventure, true love, clever riddles, exceptional and believable character arc, as well as a complete lack of rudeness or depravity. Heartless Hette is one such tale. I can recommend it not only to my daughter but any reader or listener from two to one hundred and two. It would be a great read-aloud tale and has many themes that make for good discussion.
Hette is a clever but loveless princess who must retrieve her heart from an evil sorcerer. With the help of the court fool, a soft-spoken medicine woman maid and an unlikely toad hero, Hette sets out on an adventure that will restore not only her heart but her faith in the power of true love.
Hette is a clever but loveless princess who must retrieve her heart from an evil sorcerer. With the help of the court fool, a soft-spoken medicine woman maid and an unlikely toad hero, Hette sets out on an adventure that will restore not only her heart but her faith in the power of true love.
October 7, 2021
Heartless Hette is take on a classic but largely unknown tale and remakes it into a wonderful fantasy story. Princess Hette is a an overly serious princess who is keenly conscious of her station. She is her father's only heir, but desires to rule alone despite her power hungry suitors. She is courted by a sorcerer, who literally steals her heart and replaces it with a clockwork one. What ensues is a quest o regain her heart with the court fool and a sprightly maid as her unlikely companions, both of whom are more than what meets the eye. This is a beautiful tale, that is well written and well researched. ML Harb is incredibly talented at re-imagining these classic stories and making them so much more than the original. 5/5 stars.
I did receive an ARC copy for a review but all opinions shared here in are my own!
I did receive an ARC copy for a review but all opinions shared here in are my own!
October 1, 2021
M. L. Farb has written another excellent and intriguing tale
Princess Hette has had a difficult life and tries not to show emotion. Konrad, the Court Fool, influences the Court through his wit and laughter. Princess Hette has no friends and is tricked by a Sorcerer. Konrad is loving and kind and is loved by almost everyone. In order to break some curses, they embark on a dangerous journey, full of twists and turns, and making new friends along the way. I loved the riddles! This book has two parts, so basically there are two journeys, each one fraught with dangers and challenges and riddles. Wonderful world building and magical rule making!
I received an ARC copy from the author and am pleased to leave an honest review.
Princess Hette has had a difficult life and tries not to show emotion. Konrad, the Court Fool, influences the Court through his wit and laughter. Princess Hette has no friends and is tricked by a Sorcerer. Konrad is loving and kind and is loved by almost everyone. In order to break some curses, they embark on a dangerous journey, full of twists and turns, and making new friends along the way. I loved the riddles! This book has two parts, so basically there are two journeys, each one fraught with dangers and challenges and riddles. Wonderful world building and magical rule making!
I received an ARC copy from the author and am pleased to leave an honest review.
September 8, 2021
This was a satisfying book to read. Normally I read sci-fi, fantasy, and clean Regency romance, but I enjoyed Farb's Fourth Sister enough to give this a try.
It didn't disappoint.
This seemed like a theme-driven book to me, so bring your mental floss if you decide to read it, but the plot has substance enough to stand on its own as an enjoyable story, and more than one of the plot twists caught me off guard. The romance was sweet without being cloying, and I enjoyed the exploration of the overarching theme that was woven throughout the book instead of rolling my eyes every time it came up.
Final judgement: worth the sleep I lost reading it. Definitely recommend.
It didn't disappoint.
This seemed like a theme-driven book to me, so bring your mental floss if you decide to read it, but the plot has substance enough to stand on its own as an enjoyable story, and more than one of the plot twists caught me off guard. The romance was sweet without being cloying, and I enjoyed the exploration of the overarching theme that was woven throughout the book instead of rolling my eyes every time it came up.
Final judgement: worth the sleep I lost reading it. Definitely recommend.
October 2, 2021
This is my second book by ML Farb but it won't be my last! I adore fairy-tale retellings so I was so excited to read this book and I was not disappointed.
I loved the "heartless" princess, though as a sci-fi fan would know not having an organic heart doesn't mean you don't have feelings, which is actually something shown in this book as well.
The quest (another element I love) was a fabulous journey and the book had wonderful twists and heart (no pun intended)to satisfy me!
I've only read the second book in this series but I will definitely go back and read the first! (Which also proves you don't need to read this series in order.)
**I received an ARC of Heartless Hette in exchange for an honest review.**
I loved the "heartless" princess, though as a sci-fi fan would know not having an organic heart doesn't mean you don't have feelings, which is actually something shown in this book as well.
The quest (another element I love) was a fabulous journey and the book had wonderful twists and heart (no pun intended)to satisfy me!
I've only read the second book in this series but I will definitely go back and read the first! (Which also proves you don't need to read this series in order.)
**I received an ARC of Heartless Hette in exchange for an honest review.**
October 1, 2021
A princess, a fool, and a stolen heart. A sorcerer has stolen Hette's heart, and she has no choice but to use the aid of a fool, a healer, and a toad to retrieve it. This is a beautiful story full of wit and wisdom, that carries the reader along as smoothly as the gears turn in Hette's clockwork heart. This amazing story proves that immutable truths are necessary, magic is often illogical, and friends are vital.
October 7, 2021
HEARTLESS HETTE is a retelling of The Princess Who Never Laughed, though there are many nods to other fairytales. This was a fun read since I had never read that fairytale before! It also employed many classic quest tropes such as riddles, tasks, witches who have a price on everything they give you, etc. and an adventuring party with many fun characters. Actually many spooky stops along the way,l to reclaim the princess’s stolen heart from the sorcerer, a nice way to kick off October!
October 7, 2021
A combination fairy tale and adventure, this book will keep you reading breathlessly to see what will happen next! Best of all, Hette changes from a cold, uncaring princess to one who can love and be loved.
I received a copy of this book from the author, but my review is voluntary. I enjoyed it immensely!
I received a copy of this book from the author, but my review is voluntary. I enjoyed it immensely!
October 20, 2021
This book is worth every minute you spend reading. I typically read religious, self help, romance, and poetry, but I was pleasantly surprised! It is everything a fairytale should be. It includes a princess, magic, adventure, danger, riddles, animals, love, friendship, and so much more. The author thought of every detail. I cannot wait to read more from this author! She is incredibly imaginative and talented.
What a fun book to read! I highly recommend it.
What a fun book to read! I highly recommend it.
October 7, 2021
If you like simple stories this is not the book for you. There are so many twists and turns and surprises it really keeps you guessing great characters, and very imaginative story. And the riddles, if are a riddle lover, you will love this book.
October 3, 2022
Unexpectedly wonderful!
This is the third book I've read by m.l. farb and each one gets better and better! Strong fairy/ethical tales that keep adults on the edge of their seats. I am a reformed skeptic after reading these stories. They are incredible and well worth your time.
This is the third book I've read by m.l. farb and each one gets better and better! Strong fairy/ethical tales that keep adults on the edge of their seats. I am a reformed skeptic after reading these stories. They are incredible and well worth your time.
October 3, 2021
A fun, fast paced adventure with a sweet romance full of twists and turns. I love fairytale retellings, and this one was unique and very well written. The characters are strong and loveable and the world intriguing and fascinating. A definite must read!
October 7, 2021
Konrad's my Fav. I loved this book.
October 9, 2021
Well, that was beautiful! Really lovely story with friendship, understanding, and growth.
November 2, 2025
Very good I love the fresh take on fairy tales
All three of these books can be read independently
All three of these books can be read independently
Read
December 5, 2021
I received an ARC of Heartless Hette and this review represents my honest opinion.
Each time I begin a new story by M.L. Farb, I am delighted by her wit and style. This particular story is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland or Jim Henson's Labyrinth; an ever-changing path, peculiar magic, and clever riddles abound!
Our heroine, Princess Hette, appears upon first impression to be a cold, unfeeling individual. Her staunch, serious nature paired with the cheerful humour of Konrad, the Court Fool, is the beginning of a perfect recipe. Simply add a dash of sharp-tongued candour in the form of Demuth, our "Lady's Maid", with a pinch of a generous and kind-natured toad named Peter, and there we have it!
Heartless Hette will immerse you in a world which feels alive with magic and spirit - following the growth of Hette's character is an absolute pleasure! Find among the pages a winding, weaving, wonderful story of the search for a missing heart, which leads to a friendship forged, a villain defeated, and a love found.
Each time I begin a new story by M.L. Farb, I am delighted by her wit and style. This particular story is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland or Jim Henson's Labyrinth; an ever-changing path, peculiar magic, and clever riddles abound!
Our heroine, Princess Hette, appears upon first impression to be a cold, unfeeling individual. Her staunch, serious nature paired with the cheerful humour of Konrad, the Court Fool, is the beginning of a perfect recipe. Simply add a dash of sharp-tongued candour in the form of Demuth, our "Lady's Maid", with a pinch of a generous and kind-natured toad named Peter, and there we have it!
Heartless Hette will immerse you in a world which feels alive with magic and spirit - following the growth of Hette's character is an absolute pleasure! Find among the pages a winding, weaving, wonderful story of the search for a missing heart, which leads to a friendship forged, a villain defeated, and a love found.
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