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Tales of the Otori #3
Kuu hele valgus
"Kuu hele valgus", lummav Otori lugude kolmas osa, viib meid kujuteldavasse keskaegsesse Jaapanisse, mille silmipimestavalt kaunil maastikul leiavad aset julmad võimumängud ja kirglikud armastuslood. Triloogia viimases osas leiab saaga müstilise ja vägivaldse lõpplahenduse. Kevade lähenedes asuvad Takeo ja Kaede sõjaretkele, et perekonnavaldused tagasi vallutada. Kui nende võit näib juba kindel olevat, lahutatakse armastajad taas ning Takeo peab oma saatusele vastu astudes kogu vapruse kokku võtma.
Raamatu autor Lian Hearn õppis Oxforfi ülikoolis tänapäeva keeli ning töötas filmikriitiku ja kultuuritoimetajana Londonis. Praegu leab ta Austraalias. Tema pikaajaline huvi Jaapani vastu tõi kaasa jaapani keele õpingud ja mitmed sõidud Jaapanisse ning viis lõpuks käesoleva raamatu kirjutamiseni.
Samas sarjas on varem ilmunud "Üle ööbikupõranda" ja "Rohuvoodi asemeks".
Raamatu autor Lian Hearn õppis Oxforfi ülikoolis tänapäeva keeli ning töötas filmikriitiku ja kultuuritoimetajana Londonis. Praegu leab ta Austraalias. Tema pikaajaline huvi Jaapani vastu tõi kaasa jaapani keele õpingud ja mitmed sõidud Jaapanisse ning viis lõpuks käesoleva raamatu kirjutamiseni.
Samas sarjas on varem ilmunud "Üle ööbikupõranda" ja "Rohuvoodi asemeks".
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2004
331 people are currently reading
5798 people want to read
About the author
Lian Hearn
56 books1,827 followersLian Hearn's beloved Tales of the Otori series, set in an imagined feudal Japan, has sold more than four million copies worldwide and has been translated into nearly forty languages. It is comprised of five volumes: ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR, GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW, BRILLIANCE OF THE MOON, THE HARSH CRY OF THE HERON and HEAVEN'S NET IS WIDE. The series was followed by two standalone novels, BLOSSOMS AND SHADOWS and THE STORYTELLER AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, also set in Japan.
Hearn's forthcoming series: The Tale of Shikanoko will be published by FSG in 4 volumes in 2016. Book 1 will be EMPEROR OF EIGHT ISLANDS out in late-April 2016, followed by book 2: AUTUMN PRINCESS, DRAGON CHILD (June), book 3: LORD OF THE DARKWOOD (August), and the final book (#4) THE TENGU'S GAME OF GO (late-Sept. 2016).
Lian has made many trips to Japan and has studied Japanese. She read Modern Languages at Oxford and worked as an editor and film critic in England before immigrating to Australia.
Hearn's forthcoming series: The Tale of Shikanoko will be published by FSG in 4 volumes in 2016. Book 1 will be EMPEROR OF EIGHT ISLANDS out in late-April 2016, followed by book 2: AUTUMN PRINCESS, DRAGON CHILD (June), book 3: LORD OF THE DARKWOOD (August), and the final book (#4) THE TENGU'S GAME OF GO (late-Sept. 2016).
Lian has made many trips to Japan and has studied Japanese. She read Modern Languages at Oxford and worked as an editor and film critic in England before immigrating to Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 604 reviews
January 10, 2019
The third book in this cycle of the Otori picks up where the second ended seamlessly, continuing the ongoing romance... and subsequent tragedies (yes, plural) that befall them.
Mostly Kaede, I think. She and all women have it the hardest in these books.
But that's kinda the point. Feudal Shogunate-ish as this is, with a sprinkling of fantasy clan magic makes it feel more like ninja action than anything else. But unlike Naruto, this doesn't have that many happy moments to balance out the dark and sad.
Let's hear it for realism!
This is a tragedy. We know it is a romantic tragedy. So why is it so hard to keep going with this?
Perhaps because I've gotten to love these characters.
I kinda loved to see a lot of these other people die. Bunch of thugs. The politics is only barely better than the outright bloodshed. Are all men this evil? Or is it just how I feel after reading this book?
Anyway. A delightful read, if difficult and disturbing. The author does have a way with words.
Mostly Kaede, I think. She and all women have it the hardest in these books.
But that's kinda the point. Feudal Shogunate-ish as this is, with a sprinkling of fantasy clan magic makes it feel more like ninja action than anything else. But unlike Naruto, this doesn't have that many happy moments to balance out the dark and sad.
Let's hear it for realism!
This is a tragedy. We know it is a romantic tragedy. So why is it so hard to keep going with this?
Perhaps because I've gotten to love these characters.
I kinda loved to see a lot of these other people die. Bunch of thugs. The politics is only barely better than the outright bloodshed. Are all men this evil? Or is it just how I feel after reading this book?
Anyway. A delightful read, if difficult and disturbing. The author does have a way with words.
February 5, 2017
A great series about ancient Japan with its samurais and their conduct codes, ninja-like fighters, Christians' persecutions; it has political scheming, interesting turnabouts, intriguing liaisons between characters, sword fights, love, treachery, friendship.
The characters are well-developed, complex, with inner turmoil and weaknesses.
The characters are well-developed, complex, with inner turmoil and weaknesses.
“You should never despise people because they haven’t had your opportunities.”
January 11, 2019
This third installment picks up right after Takeo's and Kaede's wedding. The Otori uncles are sending threats and it's clear that to have any position amongst the warring clans, indeed any chance to stay alive, Takeo and Kaede must first gain men and power themselves so after defeating the Otori army, they travel to Kaede's domain to reclaim it (after the death of Lady Maruyama, some men took over despite the law being different in that region).
Meanwhile, Takeo is still hunted by the Tribe as well (and boy, weren't there some "nice" developments there?!) and he has therefore no other option than to use Shigeru's records and hunt them.
Following part of the prophecy, he also tries to gain an advantage by sea so he and Kaede split up, with terrible consequences when Kaede is reckless enough to go to her homeland.
And then there is still Lord Arai and he's still very furious - now with both Takeo and Kaede.
We get a lot of battles therefore, just like the prohecy foretold, and a lot of bloodshed.
Fujiwara is still alive, Arai is still alive, the Tribe is still plotting, ... thankfully, there are some good people in this, though, too. Like an old friend of Takeo's from book 1 for example.
Nevertheless, the death toll in this one was brutal.
I only realized how much I liked , for example, when his head was presented to Takeo, making me cry. He was one of the hardest hitting losses here apart from .
As a complete opposite, .
The most torturing part was . Sure, it's obvious that there will be some sort of rescue attempt but from the overall tone of the books, I wasn't sure whatever plan was set in motion would work and in time. Just think of the plot in book 1 and how that ended! Not to mention how disgusting and appalling was. The only consolation, for me (and, I'm sure, Kaede) was that . But that this despicable excuse for a human being actually caused the death of made me furious beyond description.
As was to be expected, the amount of betrayal didn't let up in this third book either. . *sighs*
This book also marks the first time, that we learn of this fictional feudal Japan getting in contact with the rest of the world - namely through the firearms invented after some run-ins with "white barbarians". Isn't it interesting how any given side always calls the other "barbaric" or "savage"?
The ending, at least, was very satisfying what with .
One detail I always love and which the author continued through all the books so far is how she incorporates the title of the next volume in the text of the current one. I only figured this out now (maybe because the German translation didn't have it, I'd have to go back and check) but find it a pretty feature.
And I have to once again state how much I like the narration of the audiobooks. Not only are the narrators very good with the pronunciation, it's also nice to have a male and female narrator since the chapters are from Takeo's and Kaede's point of view.
August 10, 2009
Having purchased all five books on the strength of the first, I am at a crossroads. This book delivered the lyrical, descriptive language that I found so enchanting in Book 1, and it also provided some plot twists that kept me on my toes. Where I felt it faltered was in the resolution of the story; which seemed to get wrapped up in what seemed like 15-20 pages or so. The denouement was even less palatable, with a fell of "and 20 years later...."
***SPOILER ALERT: The pivotal role that the pirates and their lone musket play in the plot felt quickly inserted and somewhat deus ex machina to me SPOILER ENDS***
Lastly, I felt that Hearn's language failed me in two ways; her descriptions of the earthquakes that so strongly impact the characters and plot, and her descriptions of battle / fighting. Both left me struggling to visualize what was happening.
Having read the first 3, I'll read the remaining 2 books, but with greater reservation. YMMV
***SPOILER ALERT: The pivotal role that the pirates and their lone musket play in the plot felt quickly inserted and somewhat deus ex machina to me SPOILER ENDS***
Lastly, I felt that Hearn's language failed me in two ways; her descriptions of the earthquakes that so strongly impact the characters and plot, and her descriptions of battle / fighting. Both left me struggling to visualize what was happening.
Having read the first 3, I'll read the remaining 2 books, but with greater reservation. YMMV
January 25, 2016
Very interesting and nice story!!!!
August 22, 2025
It seems almost sacrilegious to say it, considering the success the Otori books have had, but I have to: for me this was the weakest of the original trilogy.
This is because it is chiefly the tale of Takeo's road through adversity to ultimate triumph. Heroic, super-powered, almost immortal Takeo – he can only be killed by his own son. Even though Takeo carries within him the pacifist and egalitarian teachings of his mother's people, the Hidden (Christians under another name), he has learnt by hard experience to suppress them into a desire for justice. This means that, even in Takeo, the ethics of the warrior class, bushido, is allowed dominance. It makes for an exciting adventure, if you're keen on sword-wielding battle and bloodshed, but does little for character and moral motivation.
The warlords and their warriors dominate. The powerful and thereby corrupted Lord Arai, who seeks to trick Takeo and becomes the only person in the trilogy to die of a gunshot wound; the sexually depraved and corrupted Lord Fujiwara, who in this story is turned from the interesting and debauched character of Grass for His Pillow into a melodramatic villain, drooling in anticipation of his own cruelty and crudity; the loyal and dependable Kondo, ready to strike down a superior to protect Kaede and then to blindly surrender his life for failing to maintain correct social behaviour.
Through this domination the women sink into the background. Poor Kaede spends most of her time as Fujiwara's wife-cum-prisoner, always ready to say how she wishes she could have been born male and participate as an equal yet, in this story, being given little chance to do anything about it. And even poorer Shizuka is relegated to a bit part, worrying about her role in the Tribe – it is only near the end that her true fighting spirit re-emerges and then only briefly.
The big earthquake that gets rid of Lord Fujiwara and Lord Arai's army is fortunate for Takeo. The author painted herself into a corner with Fujiwara. Because of his Imperial status he could not be killed by conventional means in battle: an Otori lord would face the wrath of the Emperor in such circumstances; and he could not be dispatched by Kikuta means – the Empire would fall on the Tribe with such ferocity that it would be destroyed. So, let nature take its course – quite literally. As for Arai – well there it was Takeo who put himself into a corner by failing to see Arai's duplicity. You can't surrender twice to a ferocious warlord and expect a long and happy life. Then along came the earth-shaker which somehow seemed able to differentiate between Arai's men and Takeo's.
I hope volume four picks up the pace again and we don't get bogged down in more samurai mayhem.
This is because it is chiefly the tale of Takeo's road through adversity to ultimate triumph. Heroic, super-powered, almost immortal Takeo – he can only be killed by his own son. Even though Takeo carries within him the pacifist and egalitarian teachings of his mother's people, the Hidden (Christians under another name), he has learnt by hard experience to suppress them into a desire for justice. This means that, even in Takeo, the ethics of the warrior class, bushido, is allowed dominance. It makes for an exciting adventure, if you're keen on sword-wielding battle and bloodshed, but does little for character and moral motivation.
The warlords and their warriors dominate. The powerful and thereby corrupted Lord Arai, who seeks to trick Takeo and becomes the only person in the trilogy to die of a gunshot wound; the sexually depraved and corrupted Lord Fujiwara, who in this story is turned from the interesting and debauched character of Grass for His Pillow into a melodramatic villain, drooling in anticipation of his own cruelty and crudity; the loyal and dependable Kondo, ready to strike down a superior to protect Kaede and then to blindly surrender his life for failing to maintain correct social behaviour.
Through this domination the women sink into the background. Poor Kaede spends most of her time as Fujiwara's wife-cum-prisoner, always ready to say how she wishes she could have been born male and participate as an equal yet, in this story, being given little chance to do anything about it. And even poorer Shizuka is relegated to a bit part, worrying about her role in the Tribe – it is only near the end that her true fighting spirit re-emerges and then only briefly.
The big earthquake that gets rid of Lord Fujiwara and Lord Arai's army is fortunate for Takeo. The author painted herself into a corner with Fujiwara. Because of his Imperial status he could not be killed by conventional means in battle: an Otori lord would face the wrath of the Emperor in such circumstances; and he could not be dispatched by Kikuta means – the Empire would fall on the Tribe with such ferocity that it would be destroyed. So, let nature take its course – quite literally. As for Arai – well there it was Takeo who put himself into a corner by failing to see Arai's duplicity. You can't surrender twice to a ferocious warlord and expect a long and happy life. Then along came the earth-shaker which somehow seemed able to differentiate between Arai's men and Takeo's.
I hope volume four picks up the pace again and we don't get bogged down in more samurai mayhem.
series-abandonadas
March 26, 2021No voy a completar la serie. No me acuerdo de prácticamente nada y lo que si recuerdo no me da ganas de leerlo.
January 28, 2019
Up until the middle of the third book, the plot was an almost uneventful build up towards the final showdown. All that was going on was Takeo traveling around for gathering various factions to his side. He was also winning in skirmishes by using field tactics, which don’t really count as intelligent since his enemies were idiots who were falling for the most obvious traps.
Characterization took a nosedive at this point, since the enemy warlords turned into one dimensional madmen who love to kill and torture peasants for fun, while the noble samurai faction has no problem in accepting pirates and exiles to their army, even if that makes them look dishonorable. For people who are gutting themselves when they lose their honor, this made no sense.
In the second half things get more interesting, since the evil Arai also gets smart. He uses Kaede’s relatives as bait to capture her, and then uses her as bait to capture Takeo. This is the darkest moment for the protagonist, since he needs to compromise, execute his own allies, and hand over his armies as means to stay alive. This right here could have been the point where we get a cool story about having to work for your worst enemy and perhaps slowly learn how to destroy him from within his own hierarchy.
And then everything goes to hell because the author had no idea what to do with her own story and threw in a Deus Ex Machina to wrap up everything in a hurry. Remember how Takeo is destined to win in the end, no matter what, because of a prophesy? Well, guess what, an earthquake strikes out of nowhere which magically fixes everything.
The enemy army gets devastated, while leaving Takeo’s army unaffected. The traitors get stranded and commit suicide. The evil feudal lord’s house is set on fire with him burning alive, and Kaede conveniently escaping in the chaos. Even the dozens of women and children Takeo had captured by the enemy ranks and was forced to execute as traitors, were conveniently killed by falling debris. He didn’t even need to do a horrible act and face the consequences of his actions; the earthquake resolved everything for him.
This is exactly why destiny is a terrible plot device that everybody uses for lazy resolutions and can only ruin an otherwise interesting plot. Whatever the characters are doing does not matter because the ending is predetermined and needs to happen no matter how stupid the method is going to be.
Anyways, we get a forced happy ending with Takeo wiping out the evil warlords and uniting the land, as the prophesy foretold. But wait, that’s not the ending because there is a fourth book were the other part of the prophesy needs to be fulfilled as well. You know, the one where his own son is the one who kills him. Let me spare you the disappointment by telling you it’s not worth it at all.
Characterization took a nosedive at this point, since the enemy warlords turned into one dimensional madmen who love to kill and torture peasants for fun, while the noble samurai faction has no problem in accepting pirates and exiles to their army, even if that makes them look dishonorable. For people who are gutting themselves when they lose their honor, this made no sense.
In the second half things get more interesting, since the evil Arai also gets smart. He uses Kaede’s relatives as bait to capture her, and then uses her as bait to capture Takeo. This is the darkest moment for the protagonist, since he needs to compromise, execute his own allies, and hand over his armies as means to stay alive. This right here could have been the point where we get a cool story about having to work for your worst enemy and perhaps slowly learn how to destroy him from within his own hierarchy.
And then everything goes to hell because the author had no idea what to do with her own story and threw in a Deus Ex Machina to wrap up everything in a hurry. Remember how Takeo is destined to win in the end, no matter what, because of a prophesy? Well, guess what, an earthquake strikes out of nowhere which magically fixes everything.
The enemy army gets devastated, while leaving Takeo’s army unaffected. The traitors get stranded and commit suicide. The evil feudal lord’s house is set on fire with him burning alive, and Kaede conveniently escaping in the chaos. Even the dozens of women and children Takeo had captured by the enemy ranks and was forced to execute as traitors, were conveniently killed by falling debris. He didn’t even need to do a horrible act and face the consequences of his actions; the earthquake resolved everything for him.
This is exactly why destiny is a terrible plot device that everybody uses for lazy resolutions and can only ruin an otherwise interesting plot. Whatever the characters are doing does not matter because the ending is predetermined and needs to happen no matter how stupid the method is going to be.
Anyways, we get a forced happy ending with Takeo wiping out the evil warlords and uniting the land, as the prophesy foretold. But wait, that’s not the ending because there is a fourth book were the other part of the prophesy needs to be fulfilled as well. You know, the one where his own son is the one who kills him. Let me spare you the disappointment by telling you it’s not worth it at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2007
The stories take place in a fantasy world based on ancient Japan. The stories follow a boy, Takeo, as he is thrust into a warrior-based society after his family is slaughtered. It also follows the tale of Kaede, a beautiful, but cursed girl who becomes the love and passion of Takeo's life.
The stories are derivative of many boy-hero books, you'll see hints of Lord of the Rings, and even Star Wars if you look carefully enough. While the book relies heavily on this style, it doesn't take away from the fact it remains a good and delicious adventure of a read.
The story ends up being not as predictable as it seems on the surface. Just when you think you know what's about to happen, things will pop up to throw you for a loop and keep the books in your hands. Be warned, these are impossible books to put down. The prose is light and breezy, but the story is heavy. There are things that happen in these books that will rattle around in your head for days.
I only had a few complaints about the books. Many times the symbolism was extremely easy to pick up on. I also found several of the passages, mostly dealing with the sexual encounters of the characters to be unnecessary or just painful to read. Then again, I've rarely found a prose description of sex to be anything other than forced and awkward sounding. This book, unfortunately, was no exception.
But barring those minor complaints, these books were *good* Go out and read them.
The stories are derivative of many boy-hero books, you'll see hints of Lord of the Rings, and even Star Wars if you look carefully enough. While the book relies heavily on this style, it doesn't take away from the fact it remains a good and delicious adventure of a read.
The story ends up being not as predictable as it seems on the surface. Just when you think you know what's about to happen, things will pop up to throw you for a loop and keep the books in your hands. Be warned, these are impossible books to put down. The prose is light and breezy, but the story is heavy. There are things that happen in these books that will rattle around in your head for days.
I only had a few complaints about the books. Many times the symbolism was extremely easy to pick up on. I also found several of the passages, mostly dealing with the sexual encounters of the characters to be unnecessary or just painful to read. Then again, I've rarely found a prose description of sex to be anything other than forced and awkward sounding. This book, unfortunately, was no exception.
But barring those minor complaints, these books were *good* Go out and read them.
June 28, 2019
The third volume in the trilogy starts where the second left off. Kaede and Takeo are now married in defiance of the norms of their culture and without the permission of Arai the powerful warlord who now controls a great part of the country. Takeo needs to fulfil his destiny as described to him by the holy woman in book 2, and to avenge his adopted father and uncle Shigeru. Kaede needs to travel to the domain she inherited from Shigeru's deceased lover and assert her claim, especially as the inheritance through the female line, operating only in that domain, is being challenged on all sides.
They arrive and start to organise the area but are aware that they are threatened by a number of different forces, including Arai and the Otori uncles who usurped his title to his domain. Takeo begins to build alliances with some unlikely groups, meeting resistence even from his close friend when this means treating the outcast Hidden (among whom Takeo was raised) as human beings. To nearly everyone else they are despised at best and at worst viewed as contaminations and subhumans to be exterminated.
In the course of negotiating with some old friends who have now turned pirate due to the oppression of the uncles, he learns of foreign barbarians (who sound European from the description, despite this being a fantasy based upon Japan rather than historical) and the firearms they use which would overcome the swords and bows of his own people. This eventually has a major role to play. However, his absence results in Kaede falling into terrible danger.
I did not enjoy this volume as much as the previous two unfortunately. A lot of it does consist of fighting from Takeo's viewpoint. As before, the sections where Kaede is the main character are in the third person which is a bit distancing, and despite her strength of character, which we saw in book 1 when she was often facing some pretty hopeless situations, in this she is reduced to powerlessness. The gender politics, based on the real position of women in Japan (and elsewhere) at this period means that, even before this happens, men defer to her husband all the time and do not take her seriously in any authoritative role despite this being historically the position in the domain she inherits. And her fighting skills, so prominent in book 1, are no use to her.
The body count in this series continues to be high with various characters being killed off, though some off stage, and there is a particularly sad fate for some of the horses.
I felt the ending relied on some lucky last minute rescues by minor characters rather than the lead characters being able to solve their own difficulties. And I was a bit thrown by the inclusion of an afterword set about fifteen years afterwards. So I found the situation in which they were left at the end of the actual story rather skated over. For all these reasons I am awarding this volume 3 stars.
They arrive and start to organise the area but are aware that they are threatened by a number of different forces, including Arai and the Otori uncles who usurped his title to his domain. Takeo begins to build alliances with some unlikely groups, meeting resistence even from his close friend when this means treating the outcast Hidden (among whom Takeo was raised) as human beings. To nearly everyone else they are despised at best and at worst viewed as contaminations and subhumans to be exterminated.
In the course of negotiating with some old friends who have now turned pirate due to the oppression of the uncles, he learns of foreign barbarians (who sound European from the description, despite this being a fantasy based upon Japan rather than historical) and the firearms they use which would overcome the swords and bows of his own people. This eventually has a major role to play. However, his absence results in Kaede falling into terrible danger.
I did not enjoy this volume as much as the previous two unfortunately. A lot of it does consist of fighting from Takeo's viewpoint. As before, the sections where Kaede is the main character are in the third person which is a bit distancing, and despite her strength of character, which we saw in book 1 when she was often facing some pretty hopeless situations, in this she is reduced to powerlessness. The gender politics, based on the real position of women in Japan (and elsewhere) at this period means that, even before this happens, men defer to her husband all the time and do not take her seriously in any authoritative role despite this being historically the position in the domain she inherits. And her fighting skills, so prominent in book 1, are no use to her.
The body count in this series continues to be high with various characters being killed off, though some off stage, and there is a particularly sad fate for some of the horses.
I felt the ending relied on some lucky last minute rescues by minor characters rather than the lead characters being able to solve their own difficulties. And I was a bit thrown by the inclusion of an afterword set about fifteen years afterwards. So I found the situation in which they were left at the end of the actual story rather skated over. For all these reasons I am awarding this volume 3 stars.
January 24, 2012
Words cannot describe how disappointed I am with this book. The series started off so good, but then it all went downhill from there. It's like the Hunger Games trilogy, only this time, there's a fourth book.
Unfortunately, if the book continues the pattern, it'll get 1 and 1/2 stars.
Anyway, onto the review/rant.
So, Takeo is getting his army ready to kill the Otori lords and Arai, and he knows he'll be able to do it because only his son can kill him. Luckily, his child with Kaede is dead. Unluckily, he had sex with Yuki and she had a son.
Oops.
So he got his army together, and they fought a battle or two, and then he goes to make an alliance with the pirates.
While he's gone, Kaede goes to visit her sisters. Unfortunately, Lord Fujiwara (spell-check needed) abducted them.
It's a good thing he's gay, right?
Anyway, she goes with a couple of men to take them back, but then her men are killed and she's abducted, and then forced to marry the Lord.
So, she's back to hating her life, and Takeo comes back and finds her gone. Then he learns that the Lord abducted her, so he goes to Arai and tries to get her back. Arai says no.
So, in order to simply get out of there alive, Takeo has to make an alliance with Arai to take the Otori city of Hagi.
Let me just make a quick note: Up until now, the book has been okay.
Then the story promptly falls to shit.
Seriously, after this point, I couldn't care less what happened. It was all so boring. There was something about a big battle, and then a tidal wave, and then an earthquake near Kaede's place, and then some poison (that part in particular reminded me of Katniss's morphine addiction... See any other similarities?) Anyway, it turns out that Takeo ends up on top.
The end.
Oh, and did I mention that Kaede somehow escapes the Lord with the help of Shizuka and the physician Shizuka is having an affair with?
Then Takeo enters THE CAVES THAT ARE SACRED TO WOMEN. Talk about disrespect.
Then he gets her back, the bond together over their scars.
The (real) end.
What's even stupider is that the author left nothing to make a sequel out of, but look what he does. He makes ANOTHER sequel.
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to read it. Who knows? Maybe it'll actually be a good book (like the first one).
See ya in book 4!
Final rating: 2 and 1/2 (only because of the semi-good beginning).
Unfortunately, if the book continues the pattern, it'll get 1 and 1/2 stars.
Anyway, onto the review/rant.
So, Takeo is getting his army ready to kill the Otori lords and Arai, and he knows he'll be able to do it because only his son can kill him. Luckily, his child with Kaede is dead. Unluckily, he had sex with Yuki and she had a son.
Oops.
So he got his army together, and they fought a battle or two, and then he goes to make an alliance with the pirates.
While he's gone, Kaede goes to visit her sisters. Unfortunately, Lord Fujiwara (spell-check needed) abducted them.
It's a good thing he's gay, right?
Anyway, she goes with a couple of men to take them back, but then her men are killed and she's abducted, and then forced to marry the Lord.
So, she's back to hating her life, and Takeo comes back and finds her gone. Then he learns that the Lord abducted her, so he goes to Arai and tries to get her back. Arai says no.
So, in order to simply get out of there alive, Takeo has to make an alliance with Arai to take the Otori city of Hagi.
Let me just make a quick note: Up until now, the book has been okay.
Then the story promptly falls to shit.
Seriously, after this point, I couldn't care less what happened. It was all so boring. There was something about a big battle, and then a tidal wave, and then an earthquake near Kaede's place, and then some poison (that part in particular reminded me of Katniss's morphine addiction... See any other similarities?) Anyway, it turns out that Takeo ends up on top.
The end.
Oh, and did I mention that Kaede somehow escapes the Lord with the help of Shizuka and the physician Shizuka is having an affair with?
Then Takeo enters THE CAVES THAT ARE SACRED TO WOMEN. Talk about disrespect.
Then he gets her back, the bond together over their scars.
The (real) end.
What's even stupider is that the author left nothing to make a sequel out of, but look what he does. He makes ANOTHER sequel.
Unfortunately, I'm going to have to read it. Who knows? Maybe it'll actually be a good book (like the first one).
See ya in book 4!
Final rating: 2 and 1/2 (only because of the semi-good beginning).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2018
The deus ex machinas are getting really annoying. Every single one of the books follows the same pattern of slowly building interesting storylines with lots of tension between the characters and then a quick, neat resolution of every single one of them within 10 pages by a miraculous event or series of events. Too convenient and it cheapens all the suffering and character development that took place beforehand.
So why the two stars? Because I liked the storylines and the characters, with the exception of the main character. And while the beginning was, as always, slow and boring, the build-up was pretty good.
The fights are incredibly badly written though. Huge armies are supposed to clash together here and there is almost no description of any fighting at all. The fighting begins and ends in the next sentence, which is pretty lame, given how central it is to the plot. The same is true of the ninja fights.
Also, the ramblings on peace, and religion and such are pretty annoying. I get that she is trying to give the main character some depth but he is one of the most badly written characters I have ever read. Every single other character has more depth and personality than him. He basically stumbles his way through everything, pushed along by the plot into every decision that is necessary for its progression, decisions that are so contradictory and out-of-character that he is not left with much character to speak of. He is stupid or smart as the plot demands, kind and innocent like a baby or ruthless killer as the plot demands, madly in love or completely unconcerned with his wife or recklessly bold and cowardly and defeatist. Unbelievably annoying.
So why the two stars? Because I liked the storylines and the characters, with the exception of the main character. And while the beginning was, as always, slow and boring, the build-up was pretty good.
The fights are incredibly badly written though. Huge armies are supposed to clash together here and there is almost no description of any fighting at all. The fighting begins and ends in the next sentence, which is pretty lame, given how central it is to the plot. The same is true of the ninja fights.
Also, the ramblings on peace, and religion and such are pretty annoying. I get that she is trying to give the main character some depth but he is one of the most badly written characters I have ever read. Every single other character has more depth and personality than him. He basically stumbles his way through everything, pushed along by the plot into every decision that is necessary for its progression, decisions that are so contradictory and out-of-character that he is not left with much character to speak of. He is stupid or smart as the plot demands, kind and innocent like a baby or ruthless killer as the plot demands, madly in love or completely unconcerned with his wife or recklessly bold and cowardly and defeatist. Unbelievably annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2017
Worse than the second book, still keeps the epic adventure feeling while reading it. However, the quiet and slow pace of the second book that allows for one to feel the oriental scenery, is totally lost on this one. Action follows action, and all the necessary description (that was very well accomplished on the second book), is left aside, leaving the reader with much difficulty to feel all the fights, feelings, changes and even understand properly plot twists.
Still, it is very easy to read and very entertaining.
Still, it is very easy to read and very entertaining.
October 25, 2019
I’ve been reading and skimming sections of this between other books and finally finished it this morning. I don’t know why I had such a hard time reading this volume when I loved the first two. The story was cool, and I enjoyed reading it when I did, but I just never had the desire to pick it up. I have the other two books in the series (a sequel and prequel I believe), and I will definitely read them but it’ll be a while before I do so.
Kaede is probably my favorite character, and she had a lot happen to her in this book and I can relate because the last seven months have been some mess for me too sis. All the other characters are really well crafted, but she always stands out to me. Maybe because I can relate to her growing stronger and fighting for her self throughout the course of the trilogy. I dunno for sure. But she is really really fun to read about.
Overall I would definitely recommend this trilogy (although the ending will make some people upset I think because they may not find it satisfying), I would say don’t marathon them because I think you’d get burned out on them quickly.
Kaede is probably my favorite character, and she had a lot happen to her in this book and I can relate because the last seven months have been some mess for me too sis. All the other characters are really well crafted, but she always stands out to me. Maybe because I can relate to her growing stronger and fighting for her self throughout the course of the trilogy. I dunno for sure. But she is really really fun to read about.
Overall I would definitely recommend this trilogy (although the ending will make some people upset I think because they may not find it satisfying), I would say don’t marathon them because I think you’d get burned out on them quickly.
September 1, 2024
wooooah hey hey hey that was some good writing brother I see what you did there with the nightingale floor x tribe final battle scene, way to tie it all together you’re a slick slick player Mr. Hearn but you did in fact cook with this one.
but why did you make kaede both lame AND stupid in this one. that was unnecessary.
xoxo taku and jiro xoxo
it takes me two years to get over each book and I guess the next books will be narrated by… not takeo?? in which case I will not care. womp womp looks like my otori journey ends here.
but why did you make kaede both lame AND stupid in this one. that was unnecessary.
xoxo taku and jiro xoxo
it takes me two years to get over each book and I guess the next books will be narrated by… not takeo?? in which case I will not care. womp womp looks like my otori journey ends here.
June 19, 2024
I adore this series so much. Lian Hearn's writing continues to be delicate, tender and beautiful, without ever falling into the trap of purple prose. It's clear and crisp, much like its characters, who all stand out very sharply in personality. The two audio narrators do the novels great justice, too. I look forward to reading more of her work!
July 8, 2025
360 páginas de puro conflicto y estrés para que todo se solucione en las últimas 4 🤨
August 2, 2014
This is a trilogy that has been sat on my shelves for years. I read Across the Nightingale Floor when I was a teenager, I can’t remember when I read it first but I then bought the sequel Grass For His Pillow straight after and I never finished it. Then, much much later, I found the third and final book in a charity shop and bought Brilliance of the Moon. Again I tried to reread the series but never finished. I made it my mission this year to do it. I was not putting it off again. So I decided to marathon it. No excuses.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the series. In fact, it was the opposite – I loved this series. I think why I never finished it the first time round was how many characters there were. Every time I picked up the next book it was like trying to reremember everything. It is definitely a trilogy to marathon.
The story focuses on Takeo, an orphan boy from a remote village in a fictional world with similarities to Feudal Japan. He is adopted by Lord Otori from the Warrior Class. He is taken from his quiet life into a world of intrigue. But Takeo’s past is not as it seems, he has unique gifts, gifts that make him a desired assassin. When Takeo is claimed by the mysterious Tribe, he has to chose between the families who have a hold on him. From the other perspective we have Kaede, a young girl, a hostage of a warrior lord. She is sent to be married, but Kaede too is hiding secrets. Desiring her is deadly. When Takeo and Kaede meet, there already twisted fates collide.
It’s hard to describe a trilogy without any spoilers. Each new book brings with it new challenges and each is a fresh new story. It sits well as a series. The tension is pumped up with each new installment.
Taeko and Kaede are great protagonists in their own right. They both raise issues in society still relevant today – gender, religion, class. It is done in a way that doesn’t feel preachy and it develops with each book.
It is sometimes a tragic story and it’s beautifully lyrical and has that air of a Japanese painting. It is elegant and indulgent in a good way. There is a great sense of place to the story and the world building is rich and detailed.
This was worth the wait. I’m glad I finally finished it.
It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the series. In fact, it was the opposite – I loved this series. I think why I never finished it the first time round was how many characters there were. Every time I picked up the next book it was like trying to reremember everything. It is definitely a trilogy to marathon.
The story focuses on Takeo, an orphan boy from a remote village in a fictional world with similarities to Feudal Japan. He is adopted by Lord Otori from the Warrior Class. He is taken from his quiet life into a world of intrigue. But Takeo’s past is not as it seems, he has unique gifts, gifts that make him a desired assassin. When Takeo is claimed by the mysterious Tribe, he has to chose between the families who have a hold on him. From the other perspective we have Kaede, a young girl, a hostage of a warrior lord. She is sent to be married, but Kaede too is hiding secrets. Desiring her is deadly. When Takeo and Kaede meet, there already twisted fates collide.
It’s hard to describe a trilogy without any spoilers. Each new book brings with it new challenges and each is a fresh new story. It sits well as a series. The tension is pumped up with each new installment.
Taeko and Kaede are great protagonists in their own right. They both raise issues in society still relevant today – gender, religion, class. It is done in a way that doesn’t feel preachy and it develops with each book.
It is sometimes a tragic story and it’s beautifully lyrical and has that air of a Japanese painting. It is elegant and indulgent in a good way. There is a great sense of place to the story and the world building is rich and detailed.
This was worth the wait. I’m glad I finally finished it.
August 14, 2008
The conclusion of the _Tales of the Otori_ Trilogy was ultimately disappointing. After an intriguing but not particularly noteworthy start in _Across the Nightingale Floor_ I started in on the second book, _Grass for his Pillow_ after reading the first chapter and discovering that it developed Kaede in intriguing and unexpected ways.
However, in _Brilliance of the Moon_ the changes Kaede makes in her life, attempting to empower herself basically disappear once she marries Takeo. Although they are supposed to be peers, Takeo never defers to her.
A complaint I had earlier in the book came back to me; why is there a male voice while the female voice is silent? The chapters with Takeo are told from his perspective, while Kaede's story is told by a third person narrator. In the second book, _Grass for his Pillow_, she finally tells her story to Fujiwara in exchange for his help, but he only agrees if she promises to never tell anyone else, ensuring in this way that her tale would be his own private "treasure". He possesses her history; she does not.
Finally, Fujiwara attempts to possess Kaede herself, capturing and holding her as a helpless prisoner. Kaede submits to the traditional female role. She does not attempt to free herself and must rely on a man to save her in the end. I found this to be a giant step backwards for her character and, although the book makes the argument that things are now going to be different in the Three Countries and that equality would now exist, I found the underlying message of this incident suggested just the opposite.
However, in _Brilliance of the Moon_ the changes Kaede makes in her life, attempting to empower herself basically disappear once she marries Takeo. Although they are supposed to be peers, Takeo never defers to her.
A complaint I had earlier in the book came back to me; why is there a male voice while the female voice is silent? The chapters with Takeo are told from his perspective, while Kaede's story is told by a third person narrator. In the second book, _Grass for his Pillow_, she finally tells her story to Fujiwara in exchange for his help, but he only agrees if she promises to never tell anyone else, ensuring in this way that her tale would be his own private "treasure". He possesses her history; she does not.
Finally, Fujiwara attempts to possess Kaede herself, capturing and holding her as a helpless prisoner. Kaede submits to the traditional female role. She does not attempt to free herself and must rely on a man to save her in the end. I found this to be a giant step backwards for her character and, although the book makes the argument that things are now going to be different in the Three Countries and that equality would now exist, I found the underlying message of this incident suggested just the opposite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2018
An amazing trilogy!
If 'Tales of the Otori' is a compelling epic story, it's also (first and foremost) a poignant love story. The 3 books are well written; the description of the feudal Japanese society, its rules and organization are clear and impressive;... and the love story is intoxicating. The result is a gripping page turner.
If the status of women is deeply frustrating and hurts, if the ghastly cruelty that characterized social relations is terrifying and repulsive, the purity of the main characters' feelings, their inner beauty, the candid and irrepressible attraction they feel for each other transcend darkness.
'Tales of the Otori' is a must read and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
If 'Tales of the Otori' is a compelling epic story, it's also (first and foremost) a poignant love story. The 3 books are well written; the description of the feudal Japanese society, its rules and organization are clear and impressive;... and the love story is intoxicating. The result is a gripping page turner.
If the status of women is deeply frustrating and hurts, if the ghastly cruelty that characterized social relations is terrifying and repulsive, the purity of the main characters' feelings, their inner beauty, the candid and irrepressible attraction they feel for each other transcend darkness.
'Tales of the Otori' is a must read and I wholeheartedly recommend it!
July 28, 2019
3,75
La narración es igual que en los anteriores libros, muy ágil, haciendo que sucedan muchas cosas y estés pendiente de pasar la página para ver qué va a ocurrir a continuación. Pero, en este libro, encuentro que algunos eventos suceden a un ritmo demasiado rápido, pasados por encima, y me hubiera gustado más profundidad. Me parece que pasa demasiado rápido, hubiera sido mejor detenerse en algunos puntos, incluso una situación al final me pareció poco profunda para el suceso que es, demasiado precipitado todo. Pero, a pesar de eso, me ha gustado mucho el conjunto y lo que ocurre.
¡la reseña completa en el blog!
https://tintaliteratura.blogspot.com/...
La narración es igual que en los anteriores libros, muy ágil, haciendo que sucedan muchas cosas y estés pendiente de pasar la página para ver qué va a ocurrir a continuación. Pero, en este libro, encuentro que algunos eventos suceden a un ritmo demasiado rápido, pasados por encima, y me hubiera gustado más profundidad. Me parece que pasa demasiado rápido, hubiera sido mejor detenerse en algunos puntos, incluso una situación al final me pareció poco profunda para el suceso que es, demasiado precipitado todo. Pero, a pesar de eso, me ha gustado mucho el conjunto y lo que ocurre.
¡la reseña completa en el blog!
https://tintaliteratura.blogspot.com/...
January 26, 2013
The last book in the "Tales of the Otori" but not really the end of the story so maybe they'll be another... I enjoyed reading these. They take place in a medieval Japan. A boy, Takeo, is rescued by Lord Otori who will become his adopted father. The story centers around Takeo, the love of his life, Kaede, the Tribe, and the feudal wars of the time.
There is a prequel to these called, "Heaven's Net is Wide". I'm starting it now but I wish I would have read it first.
There is a prequel to these called, "Heaven's Net is Wide". I'm starting it now but I wish I would have read it first.
March 6, 2014
A strong third book.
April 29, 2016
Quite impressive both in terms of plot and regarding style. Recommended.
September 25, 2015
This one was way better than
Grass for His Pillow
, but still, I found the ending of it a little bit rushed. But fans of the previous parts of the series shoud definitely read it.
October 28, 2015
"As pessoas se apegam a suas crenças como se pudessem ser salvas por elas, no entanto, além de todos os ensinamentos, há um lugar de verdade em que é tudo um só."
May 7, 2024
OK so this was blood soaked bad boy brilliance! I loved it, I read it in an absolute frenzy, just couldnt put it down. Full of war, destruction and death... "5 battles to fight. 4 to win, one to lose"
It seems this has not impressed a lot of readers who preferred the slow pace of the first two books but for me this made it all worth while, what a finale! I could easily end it as a trilogy right here but there's more isn't there... the prophecy is not complete "death by the hands of your own son"
It seems this has not impressed a lot of readers who preferred the slow pace of the first two books but for me this made it all worth while, what a finale! I could easily end it as a trilogy right here but there's more isn't there... the prophecy is not complete "death by the hands of your own son"
March 13, 2024
DNF at page 150
Literally so boring omg I could not care less about any of the characters or the plot. Waaaay too many named characters for no good reason, and you're telling me I'm supposed to agree with all this warfare... in the name of revenge?? Claiming inheritance?? Who has that much energy and time??
Takeo has basically no personality left and is therefore not growing or learning anything at all as he goes through the story. The same goes for Kaede. I think the only person who actually undergoes change is Makoto, and that's only because he gets increasingly salty about being the extramarital affair in Takeo's life.
I also think 2/3 of the page count is all the boring in-between scenes we never needed to see, e.g. meals, baths, toilet trips, horse-riding, etc.. I also did not need to see every single conversation through from hello to goodbye!!
Pointless. Don't read it.
Literally so boring omg I could not care less about any of the characters or the plot. Waaaay too many named characters for no good reason, and you're telling me I'm supposed to agree with all this warfare... in the name of revenge?? Claiming inheritance?? Who has that much energy and time??
Takeo has basically no personality left and is therefore not growing or learning anything at all as he goes through the story. The same goes for Kaede. I think the only person who actually undergoes change is Makoto, and that's only because he gets increasingly salty about being the extramarital affair in Takeo's life.
I also think 2/3 of the page count is all the boring in-between scenes we never needed to see, e.g. meals, baths, toilet trips, horse-riding, etc.. I also did not need to see every single conversation through from hello to goodbye!!
Pointless. Don't read it.
January 14, 2026
Audio
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