Long before there was a Queen of Hearts, there was a girl, who dreamt of a better Wonderland.

Mother thinks I would make a better Queen of Wonderland than my cousin Celia. After all, if not for some outdated rules declaring that a male heir takes precedence over a female one, it would be my mother on the throne instead of my uncle.

Celia is naive, self-absorbed and egocentric. She ruined my relationship with the one man I ever truly loved, and I have my doubts she would make a good Queen, but sometimes she's not that bad. Sometimes, we're almost friends.

Now the White Prince, Caspian, has come to visit our court, bound to be betrothed to my cousin, Mother has charged me with the task of winning him over. Make him forget all about my golden-haired cousin and instead have him marry me. But Prince Caspian and his younger brother, mysterious and daring Malachi, bring news that could upset Mother's plans: a dark force is turning the citizens of Wonderland into playing cards, and the army of cards is invading our lands.

I wouldn't be a good Queen-to-be if I didn't try to save Wonderland from this threat. I have to figure out who all the pieces on the chessboard are and what role they play.

But maybe, like the Cheshire Cat said, I'm playing a game of chess while I should be playing cards...