Why did I not read the synopsis before picking up this book? I don't know. I had to check multiple times that this book was a standalone because my heart couldn't bear the thoughts of something bad happening to any of the characters. Until... 
 "Off with his head." 
 My heart can't take this much pain. 
 Alice in Wonderland has never been a favorite of mine. In fact, I have never read it yet I know the basics from Cheshire to Hattta to Alice. As much as I would like to pretend that the last 50 pages of this book never happened, Heartless follows the classic tale quite closely, obviously, since it's a prequel. 
 I was expecting of an adaptation like The Lunar Chronicles, just in the sense that there was more originality and not so many pieces taken from Alice. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable, enchanting and whimsical. 
 Murderer, Martyr, Monarch, Mad.