Buddy Reads discussion

Say your thoughts :)

No spoiler tags required.

I'm on chapter 53 and I can't believe the book's almost over. I flew through the book, thanks to the cute romance ( though I would've been happier if there was more if it). But I feel like towards the end the story is just being rushed up especially jest's death. I would've wanted it to be explained in detail and not just something that happened at the drop of a hat. Also his death made absolutely no sense to me. I mean, WHY DID HE HAVE TO DIE?! WHAT DID HE DO TO DESERVE THAT?! But I kinda enjoyed the fact that the king was just sooo uncomfortable when Cath accepted his proposal. I'm sure he felt the same way Cath did when he first proposer her.

I definitely would've wanted the ending to be slightly different but all the more it's a good book! I'm glad I got to read it

I agree. It really sucked that Jest had to die. I really liked him. But...I was also kinda expecting it because Catherine is so sweet and has a good heart and I kept thinking, “something incredibly horrible has to happen to make her into what we know today as the mean, evil, Queen of Hearts.” It made sense to me that it was Peter during the rage over losing his wife. Jest was staying away from Death/Crow in order to not make the vision come true not realizing it was Peter who would behead him. So very heart breaking but I can’t say I didn’t see it coming. :(

The ending seriously broke me. Like, I knew what had to happen, but a part of me was still hoping Cath and Jest lived happily ever after. Unrealistic dreams, I know.

This was the perfect ending for me. I loved it, especially the part with Jest's friend becoming the executor for Cath

chapter 45
I wanted to tell her not to go through that door but yes, she was her friend.

Chapter 47
No, no, no, no! I read it 3 times to make sure. No!

Chapter 54
I’m not so sure what I feel!

This was a cruel read. Honestly. I am disappointed by the end. How well it could’ve been! It was just too gruesome. Too dark.

So okay, I wrote those two lines about 3 hours ago and I was so disappointed and angry and then those 3 hours happened which couldn’t have been worse for me and I now completely understand. Almost glad for it. (view spoiler)[I do think that Jest died too quickly though. I saw all the hints and knew it must happen, all of it but I clung on to my arrogant optimism and I was so displeased with the end. But I loved it. (hide spoiler)] I loved the book so much. The feels were so intense. I was giddy throughout most of it and angry and mad for the rest of it. I didn’t cry though. I was too furious for that but my heart tightened and I couldn’t stop relating her to me. So much is similar to my life-though no fantasies here.

This was my first book from Merissa Meyer. I finished this in one sitting and I couldn’t blink my eyes while reading either. It was that good. I loved her writing style and I can’t wait to read Cinder and Renegades though I hope they don’t leave me as wretched as this one did.

The world building was good though I felt like I wanted more of it-lots of details about the magical world which I know were difficult to fit in a single book. I wouldn’t have minded it being a duology.

(view spoiler)[The world shatters you piece by piece until you feel nothing. No love, no compassion, and you are numb to the pain and loss. And when you are truly heartless, the world comes to tell you so. I am utterly drowning in this feeling right now and it’s not only because of the book. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, I would recommend it but only to those who want to feel it all and then fall and shatter to pieces.

Wow. Great update/review thing Aqsa

And this was my first Marissa Meyer book too! I've got Cinder on a shelf waiting to be read though, I can't wait to start :)

I really loved the ending with Jest dying. I think it was 100% necessary in order for Cath to become the evil Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. But why did Cath have to go through the door...

I also enjoyed how the Hatter ended up being in love with Jest. It was so sweet. I was sad to see him turn mad :(

Darce wrote: "And this was my first Marissa Meyer book too! I've got Cinder on a shelf waiting to be read though, I can't wait to start :)"

Me too! I hope we can read Cinder in the group. It will be great!

Darce wrote: "Wow. Great update/review thing Aqsa"

Thanks :)

Darce wrote: "I really loved the ending with Jest dying. I think it was 100% necessary in order for Cath to become the evil Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. But why did Cath have to go through the door......"

I didn't think about that. I thought this was after the time of Alice. But I dont know I have never read the books. I thought the war in chess was the main one.

I was so sad and I think I wanted the prophecies not to come true but alas!
I think it was justified though. I hated the title then and I just wanted Jest back! I couldn't stop thinking about him.

Aqsa wrote: "Darce wrote: "And this was my first Marissa Meyer book too! I've got Cinder on a shelf waiting to be read though, I can't wait to start :)"

Me too! I hope we can read Cinder in the group. It will ..."

Yes absolutely! I'd love to do that :)

Aqsa wrote: "Darce wrote: "I really loved the ending with Jest dying. I think it was 100% necessary in order for Cath to become the evil Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. But why did Cath have to go throu..."

Heartless is a prequel to Alice in Wonderland, it's the backstory to how Cath becomes the evil Queen of Hearts, so I figured Cath had to lose her heart and become a monarch somehow :(. Still, it would have been great if the prophecies hadn't come true

Someone should nominate it!

Darce wrote: "Aqsa wrote: "Darce wrote: "I really loved the ending with Jest dying. I think it was 100% necessary in order for Cath to become the evil Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. But why did Cath hav..."

I had no idea! So she'll die ?? This so sad. I can't seem to get over the ending.

Yeah I know, it is really sad :(. And the Hatter turns mad at the end of this and becomes the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland and everything, so this is the backstory for a lot of characters in Alice in Wonderland

It's even worse! But I want Jest back!

I know, we all do! Goodbye Jest 😭

😟