Queen of Hearts

The first novel in Colleen Oakes’s epic, imaginative and twisted series, perfect for fans of Dorothy Must Die and Heartless, tackles the origin of one of the most infamous villains—the Queen of Hearts.

This is not the story of the Wonderland we know. Alice has not fallen down a rabbit hole. This is a Wonderland where beneath each smile lies a secret, each tart comes with a demand, and only prisoners tell the truth.

Dinah is the princess who will one day reign over Wonderland. She has not yet seen the dark depths of her kingdom; she longs only for her father’s approval and a future with the boy she loves. But when a betrayal breaks her heart and threatens her throne, she is launched into Wonderland’s dangerous political game. Dinah must stay one step ahead of her cunning enemies or she’ll lose not just the crown but her head.

Don’t miss Blood of Wonderland, the must-read sequel to Dinah’s story!

ONLY QUEENS WITH HEARTS CAN BLEED.

This is not the story of the Wonderland we know. Alice has not fallen down a rabbit hole. This is a Wonderland where beneath each smile lies a secret, each tart comes with a demand, and only prisoners tell the truth.

Dinah is the princess who will one day reign over Wonderland. She has not yet seen the dark depths of her kingdom; she longs only for her father’s approval and a future with the boy she loves. But when a betrayal breaks her heart and threatens her throne, she is launched into Wonderland’s dangerous political game. Dinah must stay one step ahead of her cunning enemies or she’ll lose not just the crown but her head.

Fans of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will enjoy the twists Oakes gives to familiar characters. Heart-stopping action makes the pages fly, and Dinah’s struggle to stay true to herself amid impossible expectations resonates. - Publishers Weekly

This latest in fairy tales retold makes the classic villain less villainous by showing her tenderhearted backstory. - Booklist

Every good villain deserves an origin story, and Oakes offers a fascinating glimpse into the mad queen’s complex and heartbreaking past. The novel offers some wonderful reinventions of Carroll’s classic, and fans of Alice’s more sinister elements will appreciate Oakes’ macabre touches. - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Oakes continues to weave literary magic as she pulls you down the rabbit hole into a Wonderland like you’ve never read before.” - NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Chanda Hahn