4 Stars for this Alice in Wonderland retelling focused on the Queen of Hearts

Everyone hates the Queen of Hearts, right! She's so evil! I mean really - "Off with their heads!" Who has such a morbid catch phrase? Well, Heartless takes the Queen of Hearts & completely changes everything you think you know about her. I enjoyed seeing the Queen of Hearts in such a different light.

Here's the deal with this story - it's not really about The Queen of Hearts. It's about Catherine - the Queen of Hearts BEFORE she becomes the Queen of Hearts we know. It builds slowly. It's about the circumstances that lead to her transformation. I think it was well done. You get to know Catherine and see her, putting aside your preconceived notions of the Queen. That's important to the story.

I was surprised that I actually liked Catherine. She was GOOD! What?! I felt compassion for her. She was so in love, so happy & open. The build-up and transformation of Catherine to the Queen of Hearts was very well done. You know it's coming - we all know the end result. BUT, getting there was quite satisfying. The BIG turning point moment for Catherine - it was absolutely gut wrenching! You can't help but think - Oh, I get it! That's why she's so heartless! We are made to genuinely feel sorry for her!!! It's perfect that the end of Catherine in Heartless is the beginning of the Red Queen we all know & love (to hate)!