Product Description

In the ancient Oriental lands of the Otori, amidst a time of violent war, famine and treacherous alliances, the fate of the young lovers Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede hangs in the balance . . .

Takeo, heir to the great Otori clan, has pledged his life to the secret Tribe. His supernatural skills of virtual invisibility and acute hearing make him their most deadly assassin. But he must deny the solemn oath of vengeance he made, his adopted birthright of wealth, land and power – and his love for Kaede. If he does not devote himself entirely to the brutal ways of the Tribe, they will kill him. Whichever path he choose, it will lead to hardship and sacrifice in the bitter winter of the high mountains, and test him to the limits of his being.

Kaede, heiress to vast lands, is now the valuable pawn of ruthless warlords. She must use her intelligence, beauty and cunning to assert her place in a world of all-powerful men – who must never suspect the dangerous secret she hides.

‘The beauty, savagery and strangeness of Hearn’s gripping tale is heightened by her exquisite, crystalline prose. The second instalment in the Tales of the Otori is, astonishingly, even better than Across the Nightingale Floor’ Independent on Sunday

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #32993 in Books
• Published on: 2004-04-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

About the Author

Lian Hearn studied modern languages at Oxford University and worked as a film critic and arts editor in London before settling in Australia. A lifelong interest in Japan led to the study of the Japanese language, many trips to Japan, and culminated in the writing of the 'Tales of the Otori' series.

Customer Reviews

Amazing, Brilliant, the best
I got the first book out of the library and I was in tears at the end of it. This book is even better and at some points it has you hanging onto every word. It is impossible not to get caught up in Lian Hearn's imaginary world. You almost feel that it is real and the feelings that the characters have become your own. However, this story is just about Takeo and Kaede it also adresses many issues about religion, class, and the roles of men and women. I think that it is really good that Kaede is trying to make it as a woman in a world of men. I can't wait to get the next book. I would recommend this book to everyone as it can appeal to everyone. I'd like to thank Lian Hearn for such a great book.

Stunning
Having seen a copy of this novel at WH Smith, I decided to take a look at the back, and glad I am indeed! Having purchased a copy, it was only then that I realised that it was the second in a series.

However, I did not let that deter me, and this is where the beauty of this tale lies - all relevant information is supplied, making it an enjoyable read nonetheless. I sat down to read it and was finished that same night, simply because of the beautiful language used throughout. The language isn't the only thing to note though, the plot itself is intricate (I look forward to the third book), and the original ideas keep one hooked to every word. The atmosphere in the novel is as authentic as I can imagine it to be.

Having never heard of Hearn before, I'm glad to have made the purchase and am now a fan!

Beautiful
I first picked the second book up by impulse one lunchtime in town. It was the front cover that first attracted me.

The first, was beautiful, esquisite and compulsive and the second was no different. There is a calmness in the writing style but you are still on he edge of your seat. When I finished reading this book, like the first, I fell back into the sofa and was completely taken away by what I had read.

The second is the story of Taeko and Kaede, you see the characters growing and you feel the magic expanding gently some more. It is a book well worth reading.