Juliet Marillier: Heart's blood

Juliet Marillierin fantasiaromaani on Kaunotar ja hirviö -sadun uudelleenkerronta, siinä määrin että tarinan lopputulema on melkoisen selvä jo teoksen ensimmäisiltä sivuilta alkaen: Heart's blood (Tor, 2009; ISBN 978-0-230-01791-7).



Marillier on kuitenkin siinä määrin taitava kirjoittaja, että huolimatta tarinaan piilotettujen salaisuuksien ilmiselvyydestä romaani houkuttaa lukemaan. Teos sopii mainiosti luettavaksi väsähtäneemmässäkin mielentilassa.

Whistling Tor is a place of secrets and mystery. Surrounded by a wooded hill, and unknown presences, the crumbling fortress is owned by a chieftain whose name is spoken throughout the district in tones of revulsion and bitterness. A curse lies over Anluan's family and his people; those woods hold a perilous force whose every whisper threatens doom.

For young scribe Caitrin it is a safe haven. This place where nobody else is prepared to go seems exactly what she needs, for Caitrin is fleeing her own demons. As Caitrin comes to know Anluan and his home in more depth she realizes that it is only through her love and determination that the curse can be broken and Anluan and his people set free.