Customer Reviews

Heart's Blood

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm a big fan of Juliet Marillier; counting this one I've now read eight of her books. Quality-wise, I'd say Heart's Blood is nearly on par with the Sevenwaters books (generally regarded as her best), although it's certainly different.

The story is part fairy-tale-retelling, with some obvious "Beauty and the Beast" parallels--although it has little in common with the Disney movie; on the most basic level, the male lead isn't giant and furry, and there are no talking candelabra--and I've seen the author call it part ghost story as well. I hesitate to agree: I don't do horror at all, and still loved this book. There are a lot of undead characters wandering around, but it's still squarely in the realm of fantasy rather than horror. This book also has a stronger mystery component than I've seen from this author before; most of the "secrets" revealed early on are quite obvious, but some actual surprises are held back until the end. And of course there's the romance element--to my mind, Marillier can't go wrong writing romance, so that was good as always.

Heart's Blood is set in 12th century Ireland, and I got more of a feel for the actual, historical place than I have in previous books from this author; while a good portion of the action of the book takes place in the uncanny fortress of Whistling Tor, we also get to see some of the regular, outside world through the eyes of a middle-class girl. The characters are in the same mold as Marillier's characters usually are: strong, independent (perhaps anachronistically so, but I'm not complaining) heroine; hero who's her dream man but needs her help working through personal issues.... but there are plot-related reasons for all of this, so it didn't feel to me like a mere recycling of a formula. There's a crowd of interesting secondary characters and a couple of strong subplots.

Speaking of the plot, it felt more intense than many of the other books I've read from this author. (Helps to have a mysterious, malevolent force lurking about I suppose...) Still, readers should know that while the beginning is interesting and the last 150 pages kept me up far later than I'd planned, it does sag in the middle, where the characters don't do much, the heroine gives a lot of speeches on the importance of hope and people exchange many wordy declarations of devotion, loyalty, etc. So my advice is... don't give up hope! The plot regains its pace and more than makes up for the lag. And the last 50-100 pages are pretty spectacular, with several climactic moments.

Overall, let's just say I'm no longer miffed about Marillier putting off the next Sevenwaters book to write this one. I'm glad to have added it to my collection and would recommend to anyone who likes a good, dark historical-fantasy-romance.

I love Juliet Marillier and when I read the the excerpt for 'Heart's Blood', I couldn't wait to read it! It is rare for me to write a review, but I feel a need to write one and will try to do the book justice.

If you've read the excerpt (or if you haven't - you should!), the reader gets a sense of the atmosphere of the book. Even though it is based in Ireland (like the Sevenwaters books) there is an air of mystery while reading. Right from the start the heroine, Caitrin, encounters two men while walking to the nearest village. But before she enters the village, the greeting is not welcoming and notices the men are no longer with her. She is hesitantly allowed in and while staying at the inn, they tell her tales of Whistling Tor: the whispering voices, the massive dog, and the chieftain who is under a curse and no one from the village stays at his keep for long because of fear. But Caitrin cares not for these tales, for she is running away from something more realistic and frightening that ghost stories. She has ran away from home and is need to find a safe place to stay and employment - Caitrin is a craftswoman, a scribe, taught by her father. She overhears the next morning that the chieftain is looking for a scribe and she grabs her chance. They are surprised she would want to work they and warn against it. Through her eyes we see her introduction to Whistling Tor, its inhabitants and its mystery.

Juliet Marillier is a master of creating (or recreating) world's that one can practically smell the dusty library, damp walls, and homey kitchen. I was constantly wondering about the mystery behind the curse and how it would be broken. If you are used to the extensive lore and history from the Sevenwaters books, you will find 'Heart's Blood' lighter. Though that does not mean that one is not swept in. And also, lighter does not mean light on subject matter for it does talk of dark moments. She also has a talent for creating characters that you grow to love and don't want to see go. I loved the characters and didn't want the book to finish (yet also wanted it to know how it would all be resolved!).

That is not to say the book is without fault. It did take some getting used to the strangeness in the beginning. I was actually annoyed with the mirrors at times, but got used to the strangeness. Also, just as one reviewer stated, there are a few wordy speeches of hope and love, and a few scenes lagged. I do wish there had been more interaction and dialogue between the two protagonists, as well as more scenes between all those of Whistling Tor. Some of the mysteries were not surprising, but it was still enjoyable reading the revelations. The ending seemed kind of rushed,though I will admit I was surprised by one aspect of the ending.

'Heart's Blood' was number one on my "Upcoming Books" list and I was definitely Not disappointed! It reminded me of 'Daughter of the Forest' in being innovativeness, without depressing me in the heroines trails. I can read it over and over again and feel what I love to read in a book. It is a story of overcoming fears, discovering oneself, devotion, loyalty, and above all - love.

As soon as I heard that Juliet Marillier had written her own version of Beauty and the Beast I knew I had to read it. I admit I've had this one checked out from the library for quite awhile waiting for the right mood before I began. I think Marillier has a very unique way of writing; she is able to create a lot of atmosphere in her novels. She does go into a lot of detail and spends a lot of time on world building and character development. I think that is why I have to be in the right mood before reading one of her books.

While the book certainly reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, it also reminded me a lot of Jane Eyre. There are a lot of similarities to both stories, yet Marillier truly created a unique story that I think stood on its own. While the plot was somewhat similar to Jane Eyre, Marillier really creates her own magic and unusual characters. Caitrin was a unique heroine. I liked her, for the most part. I was of course sad by the physical abuse she suffered by her aunt and cousin, but she found the courage within herself to leave and find a better life. At times though, she seemed almost too hopeful, when something went wrong she would feel bad, but then quickly be hopeful and positive again. Which I guess isn't a bad thing; at times I would have liked a little more anger or something. Anyway, as for Anluan. I did like him, I understand why he was negative and hard on himself. I liked to see the growth that he went through and the changes he made. To be honest though, I didn't feel that much chemistry between the two. At times it felt more like good friends then romance. It seemed like the two were falling in love, but neither really showed it to the other. But, in the end I was happy with how everything turned out and felt they were right for each other. I admit I did a little self editing where his description was involved (I mean bright red hair and snow white skin...yikes!).

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I wouldn't say it was my favorite Marillier book, but I still enjoyed it.


Content Warning: Caitrin has suffered emotional and physical abuse from her aunt and cousin and there is sexual content.

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Heart's Blood is a gripping tale which captivated my attention from page 1. There is so much about this novel that will please any reader. This enchanting tale is full of magic, romance, and mystery. Based on the legends of Beauty and the Beast, the tale follows Caitrin, a female scribe, as she attempts to find her place in the world away from all the sorrow and demons from her past. And what she stumbles into is something purely out of a fairy tale.

To say that I loved this novel is probably an understatement. It had everything that I was looking for, and more. Marillier has this way about her writing that just absorbs the reader into the tale. The world that she has created is magnificently described. I felt like I knew every rock and trail that Caitrin had followed. In addition, the characters are so 3 dimensional and complex that you cannot help but to care about these people and what happens to them. I really felt like these people were my friends too. But what I think I loved the most was the pacing of the novel. Marillier took her time to piece every bit of this enchanting novel together. The reader is not rushed, nor bored, due to the way the novel unfolds. The reader gets time to really absorb and reflex on all the complexities that Marillier has provided.

All in all, Heart's Blood is a heartwarming tale that highlights the enduring and healing powers of love. While this is my first Marillier read, but I can guarantee you that it will not be my last. I am anxiously awaiting more of this series, and cannot wait to see what Marillier has in store for her readers next.

First of all, I'm a huge fan of Juliet Marillier, but I must confess that I was a bit underwhelmed by "Heart's Blood." All of the elements that caused me to fall in love with her work are there: lots of period detail, interesting settings, a romance that has to overcome the obstacles; still, somehow it fell flat. Maybe it's because it had more of a feel of a gothic romance than her traditional Irish fairy tales, or maybe it's because I had the cause of all the malevolent eerieness and unexplained deaths figured out within 10 pages of the introduction of the character responsible. Somehow, I didn't connect with Caitrin and Anluan like I have her other characters. I expect to have to read with a box of Kleenex next to me, but I was left feeling a bit like I didn't care whether the hero and heroine got together or not. What I enjoyed most was the most unusual cast of supporting (ghostly) characters who seemed far more lively and real than Caitrin and Anluan. Whereas I wanted to read more about some of her other heros/heroines (Faolan from "The Well of Shades" is my favorite character of hers hands down, and I mourned that book when it was over), these two made no real impact on me.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. Actually, I read it in 2 sittings, and stayed up late both nights to finish it! After all, if you're a fan, Juliet Marillier at less than her best is better than none at all. But if you're new to JM's fiction, I suggest reading in the order they were published: starting with the Sevenwaters books. Once you're in love with her particular brand of storytelling, you'd probably read her grocery list and be glad for the opportunity, but "Heart's Blood" is not the ideal introduction to this very talented author.

Another very satisfying book by Juliet Marillier. Her prose is always a pleasure to read and her stories captivating. What makes me an enduring fan of her work is the care and complexity she brings to her characters. Like all her other books the characters of Heart's Blood have a psychological and emotional realism that puts Marillier well ahead of the in the fantasy genre.

There must be something in the water in New Zealand for I have read a number of New Zealand fantasy writers of late who have this knack for crafting believable and more importantly memorable tales that connect with the human condition, Russell Kirkpatrick, Husk, and Phillip Henderson's Druid's Bane: Book One of The Arkaelyon Chronicles (Volume 1) among them.

Juliet Marillier is an established first class writer. Five stars from me.

If your a fan of her other books, you'll love this one, putting it up there near the top with the sevenwaters trilogy.
although I must say that this one is much darker than any of her previous books, the plot being entirely unexpected as it unfolds almost until the last few pages. I really enjoyed this one, it pulls you in almost instantly and you won't want to stop until it's finished.
I highly recommend picking this one up.

Sometimes a book comes along just when you need it. _Heart's Blood_ was like that for me. Between Juliet Marillier's compelling tale-spinning and an underlying message about love and courage that I really needed to hear, it's pretty safe to say I was moved deeply by this novel.

At its core, _Heart's Blood_ is a Beauty and the Beast story. Marillier mixes the classic fairy tale with some of the conventions of Gothic romance, sets it all in the medieval-Ireland setting she's so good at portraying, and the result is the kind of book that's perfect for curling up on a cool night with a cup of hot cider. (And a box of Kleenex, but I'll get to that part later.)

On the run from a domineering aunt and an abusive fiancé, Caitrin stumbles across the village of Whistling Tor and its mysterious, haunted fortress. Caitrin, unusually for a woman of her time, has been trained in the arts of a scribe, and her skills land her a position working for Whistling Tor's reclusive chieftain. Caitrin and the chieftain, Anluan, find themselves drawn to each other despite their baggage. But an ancestral curse, and Caitrin's and Anluan's own fears, threaten to tear them apart and destroy Whistling Tor. Caitrin wants to inspire Anluan to become the leader she knows he can be. Can she accomplish this, though, when she's afraid to face her own "ghosts"?

Not everyone is going to love _Heart's Blood_ quite as much as I do. The story unfolds at a slow, contemplative pace, creeping in like fog rather than exploding like fireworks. This is necessary, because the romance between Anluan and Caitrin wouldn't work if it didn't have time to build, but not everyone will like it. There's also a certain predictability to the plot, which is one of the side effects of retelling fairy tales, and possibly one of the side effects of writing Gothic romance. Though the two books are very different, my experience with Heart's Blood was much like my experience with Robin McKinley's Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast. Don't read this one for shocking plot twists. Marillier isn't reinventing the wheel; she's polishing up an old wheel until it shines. (How's that for mangling a metaphor?)

But for readers willing to fall under a familiar but timeless spell, _Heart's Blood_ is rewarding. I'm reminded of the beginning of The Princess Bride: "Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles..." Caitrin and Anluan's journey is moving and sometimes agonizing, and yes, I made use of a lot of Kleenex toward the end. (Hey, Ms. Marillier, stop making me cry! It's hard to read when your vision gets all swimmy. Daughter of the Forest (The Sevenwaters Trilogy, Book 1) did the same thing to me.)

I strongly recommend _Heart's Blood_ to anyone who loves Beauty and the Beast, Gothic romance, romantic fantasy, and heroines who are strong without being combat monsters. (She's a medieval businesswoman -- how awesome is that?)

I was initially drawn to this book because of its Beauty and the Beast motif and because the review I read described it as a historical romance with fantasy elements thrown in. And while the author did achieve a palpable sense of time and space through her attention to historical detail, the fantasy elements in the book just did not do it for me and is the reason that it took me more than a month to finish this book.

Trained by her deceased father as a scribe - an unusual occupation for a woman in her time - 18-year-old Caitrin was trying to escape marriage to her brutal cousin when she came upon the town and castle of Whistling Tor. Despite well-wishing villagers' warnings that there's something unnatural going on at the castle and that she would be better off steering clear of that place, Caitrin was able to obtain a position transcribing documents containing family history for the castle's chieftain, Anluan. As Caitrin delves deeper into Anluan's family history, it soon became apparent that the castle and its inhabitants suffer from a curse that has plagued them for generations. It is also through her work that Caitrin came to know Anluan as more than the crippled recluse that the villagers make him out to be. Will Caitrin be able to find a way to lift the century-old curse, thereby freeing the inhabitants of the castle, most of whom she has come to regard as her own family?

Overall, I thought the author did a good job of merging history with the fantasy elements of the story. The story takes place against the backdrop of the Norman invasion of Ireland; and it is through the Norman's attempts to take control of Whistling Tor that the story is propelled forward. The story is populated with likable characters - an irreverent monk, a stalwart stewart that has served Anluan faithfully through thick and thin - so that it's not hard for the readers to care about what ultimately happens to them. Seeing how Caitrin interacts with them and eventually find a place for herself among this close-knit group is the highlight of the book. Equally compelling is Caitrin's attempts to draw Anluan out of the shell he's retreated to over the years, so that he can finally find the courage to become the leader that the villagers of Whistling Tor so desperately need.

What did not work for me is the fantasy element of the book, which is essentially one long, drawn-out ghost story. As soon as it became clear that the weird goings-on at the castle is due to a curse placed upon the family, Caitrin became convinced that the secret to lifting the curse lies in the scrolls and scrolls of documents that reside within the castle's library. So, for the next 100 pages or so, the readers are treated to Caitrin's adventures in the library as she tries to go through the documents as fast as she can. Not only does this bog down the story, as practically nothing happens for about 100 pages, but the fact that the secret of the curse can be found through an activity as simple and mundane as "reading" seems to trivialize everything that the story is about. If Caitrin succeeds in finding that secret among the documents, does that mean all the suffering that has gone on for years could have been easily avoided only if there's someone else at the castle that can read? To me, this subplot regarding Caitrin's attempt to lift the curse seems riddle with holes. Also, since the story is told solely from Caitrin's point-of-view, we are not privy to the thoughts and view-point of any other character in the book, which I thought made the book a lot less interesting. Her character seems to be defined by her occupation - namely, her ability to read - since such a skill is so rare for a woman in her time. Beyond that, I found her character to be pretty boring.

So all in all, while I found the story to be competently put together, a less-than-interesting heroine and a fantasy subplot riddled with holes made this book a chore to wade through.

I picked up this book while shopping before a vacation. I had never heard of the author and was not expecting much. Heart's Blood completely captivated me from the first chapter. I turned irritable when the family tried to separate me from the book. I cried tears along with Caitrin, the heroine. I felt emotionally connected to the "host" who inhabit Whistling Tor. In other words, I could not put this book down.

We've now returned from vacation and I've ordered the entire Sevenwaters set of novels and can't wait to get back to the worlds created by this exceptional author. I absolutely enjoyed how she worked in some of the elements of ancient Ireland into her storyline. I felt that she was truly creative and an original voice. I highly recommend this book.