Explore the real-world places that appear in Heartless by Marissa Meyer. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Heart Palace (Rhustos Castle), Rock Turtle Cove, Hatta's Hat Shop, Cath and Mary Ann's Bakery, Chess Kingdom Court and 7 more.
Royal seat of the King and Queen of Hearts
King of Hearts courts Catherine Pinkerton at the palace, and she attends the grand ball where he is to propose. He instead lets her hope while the court watches. Catherine also meets Jest, the new court joker, who captivates her.
The palace has been ruled by the line of Hearts for generations. Its gardens and halls are famed for lavish entertainments and rigid etiquette.
The palace represents the social expectations pressing on Cath. Her dream of independence clashes with the crown's plans for her.
Pinkerton family estate at the coast
Cath lives here with her parents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Rock Turtle Cove, who press her to accept the king's proposal. She bakes in secret and argues with them over her future. Her maid Mary Ann stays loyal to her throughout.
The Marquess's title is a long-held noble holding. The estate overlooks the shoreline, nestled beside the Sea of Tears.
It embodies the family duty Cath is trapped in. Leaving it marks her first steps toward choosing her own life.
Millinery shop of Hatta, the Joker's friend
Hatta, Cath's friend and fellow outsider, runs the hat shop in Hearts. Cath and Mary Ann visit it for tea and companionship. Hatta's odd riddles sometimes hint at his own secrets.
Hatta's craft is famous for hats stitched with mischief. He moves between Wonderland's courts as a trusted whimsical figure.
His shop gives Cath a place of acceptance and fun. It encourages her to dream beyond the palace.
Bakery planned by Cath in the town
Cath dreams of opening her own bakery with Mary Ann. She bakes lemon tarts and cakes in the village while hiding her plans from her parents. The shop becomes her symbol of independence and ambition.
Bakeries thrive in Hearts, where sweets are a mark of status. Cath's lemon tarts are rumored among the best.
The bakery captures Cath's desire for self-determination. It is what she must give up as the story moves toward tragedy.
Rival chess realm bordering Hearts
The strange Chess court sits beyond the border and is a place of intrigue. Jest slips between Hearts and the Chess realm, where his own secrets lie. Cath learns more about Jest's hidden origins and the Chess court's schemes.
The chessmen rule through strict rules and rank. Border tensions with Hearts are long standing.
It reveals Jest's true loyalties and the hidden politics shaping Cath's fate.
Dark forest home of the Jabberwock
A Jabberwock terrorizes the kingdom from the wood, killing and terrifying villagers. Cath and Jest venture near its edges while investigating the monster. The beast's threat looms over Hearts and drives the plot's darker turns.
Legends tell the Jabberwock is a monster of old who devours hearts. Travelers avoid the wood after dusk.
The monster stands as the story's darkest threat. It foreshadows Cath's descent into the Queen of Hearts.
Retreat of the mysterious joker
Jest meets Cath secretly in quiet corners away from the court. Their romance deepens through stolen moments and shared dreams. Jest's true identity and his mission eventually come to light.
The joker's hideouts are scattered among the woods and fields. Some say he is half myth.
It is the heart of their love story. Its secrets drive Cath's heartbreak and transformation.
Royal field for the king's games
The court gathers to play croquet and watch social drama unfold. Cath is observed by nobles as the king's favor shifts. The grounds highlight the pressure on her.
Croquet is a beloved royal pastime of the Hearts monarchy. Flamingo mallets are traditional.
It shows how public the court's judgement is. Cath's every move there is scrutinized.
Home of the Caterpillar, an oracle
Cath visits the Caterpillar seeking guidance about her future and the Jabberwock. He gives cryptic counsel that leaves her uneasy. His words about fate echo through the rest of her journey.
The Caterpillar is an ancient seer whose smoke shows glimpses of destiny. Few dare to visit him.
His prophecy steers Cath toward her fate. It frames the story's tragic inevitability.
Murky wetlands in the south
Cath's pursuit of her destiny and the Jabberwock draws her toward distant wild lands. The marshes are home to odd creatures and lost travelers. Her mood grows harder as her heart is tested.
The marsh is said to swallow those who lose their way. Mock turtles are the least dangerous creatures within.
It is a place of loss and hardening. It mirrors Cath's emotional descent.
Mountain barrier near the Chess realm
Travelers cross these peaks between the two kingdoms. Jest's journeys and the king's border patrols pass here. The mountains form a natural wall against the Chess court.
The peaks resemble squares of a board when snow lines the cliffs. Legends say giants once played upon them.
They separate Cath's world from Jest's hidden past. They emphasize the divide between duty and desire.
Village terrorized by the Jabberwock
Villagers live in fear of attacks as the Jabberwock's rampage spreads. Cath and Jest see the consequences firsthand. The devastation convinces them the monster is real and personal.
The village has stood for centuries at the edge of the wood. Its people left offerings of lanterns to ward off monsters.
It shows the cost of the monster's violence. It deepens Cath's sense of loss and anger.
More by Marissa Meyer: All Marissa Meyer books