Didn't realize you really have to read the other books first, that should be indicated somewhere on the book. "part of a series" without a number doesn't do much. The book itself was fine, but nothing special

After the awful Gaston book last year, I was very reluctant to jump back into this series. But when I found out this book would be about the Queen of Hearts I became mildly excited. I was very curious to get more of a background about her character and why she's so addicted to offing peoples' heads. I can say I was at least entertained.

We are introduced to the Queen when she wakes up in the middle of the hedge maze around her castle. She has no idea where she is, who she is, or how she got there. She immediately meets the White Rabbit and, as he is the only thing that is logical in the setting, the two become quick friends. The two decide that she must be the queen and set off to meet her subjects. What follows is her interactions with many of the famous Wonderland characters that we know through Alice. Each of these interactions begins to anger her more and more as she doesn't do well with their illogical, nonsensical way of speaking/living. As a reader, you can see how this begins taking a toll on her.

What was interesting about this one is that there was no one event that turned her into a villain. She really is just a victim of her circumstances that slowly eat away at her and begin to drive her mad. I'm not sure how this fits into the larger plot of the upcoming war, but I was excited at the prospect of Chernabog being the next villain in the series. I might have to stick around for that one next year. At this point, I would only recommend this book to people who have been reading this series up to this point. This was far better than Gaston's book and I thought it was a decent entry in the series.

Thanks to @netgalley for a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good reading level for my students. This book frequently refers back to the events of previous books in the series, and I kept feeling lost. I think this is a series where you really need to have been reading from the beginning. That said, it's another fun and thoughtful take on just how those Disney villains became "villainous."

In Heartbroken, Serena Valentino delivers a haunting and lyrical reimagining of the Queen of Hearts, pulling back the curtain on a character too often painted in one dimension. This isn’t the Wonderland we know from Alice’s tale—at least, not entirely. It’s stranger, sadder, and far more personal.

Valentino crafts a story rooted in sorrow and transformation, inviting readers to see the Queen not as a villain but as a wounded soul trying to impose order on a world that defies logic.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the Queen’s unexpected bond with the little white rabbit. Their friendship adds a surprising tenderness to the narrative, offering moments of heart amid the chaos. Valentino’s writing is both poetic and eerie, perfectly suited to a story about a woman clinging to control as her world unravels.

Heartbroken is a thought-provoking character study wrapped in a dreamlike fairytale—ideal for readers who enjoy fractured retellings and nuanced villains.

Ultimately, this is a story about the cost of heartbreak, the weight of anger, and the desperate search for meaning in a senseless world.

I don’t think this series is for me anymore. I found myself feeling bored and uninterested for the most part. I think I just personally outgrew it. It was interesting to see the Queen of hearts’s point of view, especially with learning why she is the way she is. I did not expect the white rabbit to be friends with the Queen. There is not much I can say in this review since I breezed through it.

I feel like readers who still like this series might enjoy this but I can’t say that I would recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, Random House Children’s, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

Serena Valentino peers into the hearts of villains like no other author can and makes them sympathetic and lovable in their own ways. The Queen of Hearts is herein shown to be not only some anger raving lunatic who wildly chops off heads without course or cause, but rather at one point a curious and clever young woman, transplanted into Wonderland at its creation and given the unenviable task of governing it’s often wacky and never dignified subjects with the exclusion of the White Rabbit, her only ally, who seeks to find her a better place where her temper can be tamed. Unfortunately he has to contend with the Duchess, the White Queen, and the King of Hearts himself who is ever a nuisance. Time is not o the White Rabbits side and every mishap pushes the Queen closer to a grim tea party the overthrew Wonderlanders will never forget. Meanwhile Circe is caught up in unwanted battles of her own and must seek out the help of her mothers and their guidance in dealing with the Many Kingdoms and Wonderland. It’s a marvelous and gut wrenching tale that shows you the Queen was not so unlike Alice once upon a time. Beautiful writing, full of regret and hope.

I am just absolutely obsessed with this series. I love getting to see familiar stories from the perspective of the "villain" and get some insight into why they developed the way they did. The plot about the sisters that connects all the books helps the stories to all feel more higher-stakes as well.

I love the concept and idea of always sharing the villain troph's POV. Thank you Serena Valentino for delivering the emotions, perspective, and building empathy for The Queen of Hearts herself. Like her other books, this 12th book was just as wonderful diving into the layers and paying attention to the Alice and Wonderland story with some cute and new additions. If you love fairytale retellings, I believe that you'll love this too!!

Thank you Random House Children's Books, NetGalley, and Serena Valentino for this ARC.

The saga of the Villains series not only continues but intensifies with its twelfth installment, Heartbroken. This gripping volume masterfully sets the stage for what could either be the epic, shattering conclusion of a grand narrative, or merely the turbulent prelude to entirely new, unforeseen adventures.

At its core, the Queen of Hearts finds herself adrift, navigating the shattered fragments of countless shattered realms. Teetering on the precipice of utter despair and encroaching madness, her very perception of Wonderland's chaotic reality begins to unravel. The author's vivid portrayal of her profound grief is palpable, immersing the reader deeply within the disorienting, bewildering chapters set in this fractured land.

In this maelstrom of psychological turmoil, her sole tether to reality, her unwavering anchor of sanity, remains her loyal friend, the White Rabbit, whose steadfast presence becomes a vital lifeline as the Queen's mind frays with every unfolding page.

Yet, personal torment is but a whisper against the storm gathering on the horizon of the Many Kingdoms. Circe, Primrose, Hazel, and even the enigmatic Odd Sisters are forced to confront the imminent, cataclysmic onset of war. However, this grand conflict is merely the grim overture to a far greater horror. A more ancient and formidable malevolence is stirring, poised to break free from its timeless slumber.

Heartbroken promises not just a continuation, but an escalation of stakes.

Serena Valentino’s Villains series is the perfect invitation to explore the hidden backstories of Disney’s most iconic antagonists—the characters we love to hate. In book twelve, Heartbroken, we get the chance to find out more about the past of the Queen of Hearts and the events that led her to become the angry, beheading monarch set on shouting “Off with her head!”, who goes after Alice.

When I requested Heartbroken, I overlooked a small but important detail, this is part of a connected series. While maybe the first three books can be read as standalone, this one absolutely cannot. I was kinda disappointed because the synopsis doesn’t mention that you need background knowledge from earlier books to fully grasp the subplot and supporting characters.

Unlike the first three books, which I remember vividly for the way they added emotional depth and complexity to the villains, Heartbroken didn’t capture me the same way. We don't really understand what makes the Queen of Hearts’ descent into darkness until the very end, and by then, it wraps up far too quickly. The exploration of Wonderland’s chaos is intriguing, but this book feels more like the backstory of the White Rabbit than of the Queen herself. Ironically, I found myself empathizing far more with him, and now I’m even more curious to see what happens to his character in the next installments.

One thing I did love was getting a happier ending for some characters from book one. It was really sweet to see the queen who once didn’t love herself finally find happiness.

If you want a series that feels like classic Disney but shows the deeper stories and emotions behind the villains, this is a great choice. Just make sure to read the earlier books first so you can really understand where Heartbroken fits in.

**Book Review: *Heartbroken* by Serena Valentino**

*I received an ARC of *Heartbroken* from NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books in exchange As a longtime fan of Serena Valentino’s *Villains* series, I was thrilled to dive into *Heartbroken*, the latest installment exploring the tragic backstory of the Queen of Hearts. Valentino’s signature blend of dark fantasy and Disney lore shines once again, delivering a whimsical yet emotionally rich retelling that fans of *Alice in Wonderland* and the broader *Villains* series will adore.

This book picks up with the Queen of Hearts lost in Wonderland, stripped of her memories and unsure of her identity. Teaming up with the White Rabbit, she journeys through the fantastical realm, encountering familiar faces while slowly uncovering the truth about herself. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Odd Sisters weave in and out of the narrative, furthering the overarching series mythology that has been building; especially since *Fire and Fate* (the Hades-centric installment).

One of the strengths of Valentino’s work is how she deepens classic Disney tales, adding layers of tragedy and intrigue that make rewatching the original films even more rewarding. *Heartbroken* is no exception, offering a fresh perspective on the Queen of Hearts that balances her infamous fury with genuine pathos. The whimsical setting of Wonderland provides a vibrant backdrop, and longtime readers will appreciate the subtle connections to past books.

While the story stands on its own, I’d recommend catching up on the series for full context, as many plot threads tie back to previous entries. That said, Valentino’s writing remains accessible and engaging, making this a delightful read whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer drawn in by the *Alice in Wonderland* theme.

With its creative twists, emotional depth, and enchanting prose, *Heartbroken* earns a solid **4/5 stars** from me. I already have theories about where the series is headed next, and I can’t wait to see what Valentino has in store!

**ARC provided by NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books in exchange for an honest review.**

Heartbroken, the 12th installment in Serena Valentino’s Villains series, offers a clever and imaginative twist on Alice in Wonderland, diving into the backstory of the Queen of Hearts and shedding light on why she’s so furiously misunderstood. As a longtime fan of the series, I found this book just as captivating as the others. Valentino once again delivers a richly layered tale that reimagines a classic character in a new and emotionally resonant way. Fans of Wonderland will especially enjoy seeing familiar faces through this darker, more introspective lens. The “little white rabbit” completely stole my heart, adding a tender touch to the story’s intensity. A solid 4-star read. Fun, thought-provoking, and full of heart.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Children's Books | Random House/Disney for the ARC.