Being a huge fan of Juliet Marillier's Sevenwaters books, I was super hyped to explore some of her other works. This is the first of her novels outside of Sevenwaters that I've read, and no, I'm not disappointed. 
 Anyone who's read Marillier before will know that she deals in historical fantasy, with the Sevenwaters series based in 10th century Ireland. She also includes a healthy smattering of come hither eyes and the kind of romantic storyline that makes you want to shake her characters by the shoulders until they realise they are perfect for one another. In Heart's Blood, she doesn't disappoint on either count. 
 The story is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. Set in ancient Ireland, we follow Caitrin, a young woman running away from home who stumbles upon Whistling Tor, a mysterious place said to be cursed by malevolent spirits. There, she meets Anluan, the Chieftain of the place and Beast to Caitrin's Beauty. The Beauty and the Beast basis here is a little changed - Anluan doesn't force Caitrin to stay on the hill - rather, Caitrin takes it upon herself, working as a scribe in his library. Marillier's heroines are always strong yet feminine, and Caitrin's determination to work in the mysterious castle is a refreshing change from the usually unhealthy forced residence of Beauty. Caitrin herself is a good heroine; she is determined, kind and compassionate, and has her own personal demons to be exorcised. Anluan has similar problems to solve, but I felt that his character, though good, was developed less than Caitrin's. 
 Plot-wise, Heart's Blood is pretty good. The Beauty and the Beast story is mixed up well enough to not just be another retelling, and there are a lot of complications along the way. One negative is that the antagonist is too obvious, though a couple of sympathetic moments arise towards the end. Secondary characters are interesting and fun - I would happily read more about a couple of them in particular. The main reason I've dropped a star for Heart's Blood is that overall, it was a less balanced and poignant story than other novels by Marillier, and Caitrin and Anluan themselves aren't quite at the level of awesome held by some of her other characters.