Brilliance of the Moon: Brilliance of the Moon: Tales of the Otori, Book Three

This is the third book in a trilogy that begins with ACROSS A NIGHTINGALE FLOOR and continues with GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW. Lian Hearn brings her story of the star-crossed lovers Lord Takeo Otori and Lady Kaede Shirakawa to a rich satisfying conclusion as sudden as it is shocking. In the previous book, the two defy convention to marry without the permission of their overlord who had promised Kaede to a rich and decadent gentleman, Lord Fujiware. In this book, Takeo's struggle to free himself from the shadowy Tribe of ninja assassins who are half his heritage turns on the secret records gathered by his foster father, Lord Shigeru Otori. Takeo must fend off the assassins and somehow stay alive to enact his revenge on his Otori uncles who schemed to kill Shigeru. His marriage to Kaede has given him the resources of her estates, but he must fight to reclaim her heritage as well as his own. Before Takeo can secure his position, the lovers reap in full the consequences of their imprudence. Kaede discovers that Lord Fujiware has taken her younger sisters hostage. She rides to demand their release and is taken captive. Now Takeo must face all his own dangers without Kaede at his side; she is added to Lord Fujiware's collection like an exquisite bauble and must fight her own battle against despair. In most fantasy novels, the epic battle to win all is the final dramatic denouement. In the first pages of this unusual fantasy, Hearn gives us a single combat, a daring escape, and a losing battle that becomes the hinge of fate for her young warrior. Intrigue, treachery and the ultimate betrayal as the betrayers are themselves betrayed make for an intoxicating brew. Although she gives the reader fair warning, the end is sudden, final and astounding. I can't say more without spoiling the fun, but readers who pursue the whole course of this violent and romantic trilogy will find that true love achieves the victory.

"Brilliance of the Moon" was brilliant. I got "Across the Nightingale Floor" for Christmas a few years ago, and I thought it was good, but not outstanding. But, a month or so ago, I decided I needed to see how the story of Takeo and Kaede finished out, so I went and got the rest of the trilogy. I could not put down either "Grass for his Pillow" or "Brilliance of the Moon". The language of the book is gorgeous. The style in which it is written is so vivid, and it's definitely one of those books that, while reading it, you can picture exactly how the movie version would turn out. I get really sucked in to dramatic, angsty stuff, and if you are the same, then this book, especially the ending, will blow you away. I also read all three books under the impression that they were written by a man, and at no point in the course of reading did I suspect otherwise. To find out later that Lian Hearn is a woman was a big surprise, but simply makes me appreciate her writing more. She was able to completely overlay her voice and Takeo's (the narrator) in a manner so perfect that you'd swear Takeo wrote the book himself. The one small problem I had with the book (and the other two) was that the vast cast of minor characters was very difficult to keep straight. For someone not especially well versed in Japanese names and customs, I had occasional difficulty remembering who the smaller players were. But it was only a minor flaw detracting very little from, what, overall, is one of the best books I have ever read.

After reading the two previous books in this trilogy, I have found that this is one of my favourites, with it being full of excitement, tension and has many ways to please your needs as a reader. Being unable to leave the book for under five minutes, I was often reading late into the night and early in the morning, regardless of the time. The story continues after Lord Otori Takeo's marriage to his lover, Lady Shirakawa Kaede, and he now endeavours to have his adoptive fathers domain returned to him after finding that he is legally an Otori as well as being adopted by Lord Otori himself. His wife, also attempting to inherit the country of Maruyama as the original Lady of this domain had promised. However they are hindered by warlords, angered by Takeo's and Kaede's marriage, and by Takeo being of the tribe he is unwilling to return to them and is often attacked in their desperate attempt to erase their shame of being disobeyed yet again as his father had done. But Takeo is driven on wondering if he is ever likely to be caught off guard, yet the words of the blind fortune tellers prophecy still allow him to continue onward in his constant struggle and plight to return to his true home. He is certain that with Kaede, his friends and allies by his side he likes to think himself almost unstoppable. Be prepared to read of love, revenge, triumph, fear and betrayal as well as many other emotions as you view the final exhilarating part of The Tales of The Otori. Review By Steph Brown.

Wow!!, wow!!, I have just finished reading Brilliance of the Moon and I was totally blown away.Like the other two novels in the Tales of the Otori trilogy this novel was an absolute pleasure to read. I have enjoyed many novels over my twenty years of reading but none have ever capitivated me like this trilogy. I normally read crime, modern mystery or espionage novels but I was drawn to the first of the triolgy Across the Nightingale Floor (ATNF), I must admit by the most beautiful book cover I have ever seen. As a sidenote the book covers for the Australian editions would make a great piece of artwork on any wall. Once I read ATNF I was hooked, I didn't want it to end but once it ended I was impatiently awaiting the next instalment. I must admit that I have had a fascination for Japan and feudal Japan for a long time ( I recently visited Japan and loved it and imangined many scenes from the novels as I travelled around particullarly at the beautiful and amazing Himeji Castle)and Hearn beautifully captured the country (although a ficitional version of it) and its people. Hearn has a way with words, that can only be described as art, its like admiring the most beautiful artwork you have ever seen. That may sound like an unusual description but those who have immersed themselves in this story will understand what I mean and hopefully to thosewho have yet to read it they will understand soon. I can not speak highly enough of these novels and sadly I think all I have to say and all others have to say will never adequately describe the experience of reading these novels.As another sidenote I read that Across the Nightingale Floor is to be made into a movie, I have some hesitation about this because it surely can not live up to the book, but if anyone involved in the film is reading this you NEED to cast Ken Watanabe (The real star of the Last Samurai) perhaps as either Lord Otori Shigeru or Lord Arai.So if you haven't read them yet, do yourself a favour, go to the bookshop and buy the trilogy right now, then find a quite comfortable place, open up the novel and have an adventure of a lifetime.So Lian Hearn (I wish we knew your real name and wish you had an email address so you may get a fan's praise.) take a bow .... Now hurry up and write your next novel.thank youJustin

Fans of the Tales of the Otori won't be disappointed in Lian Hearn's final installment. Grass for His Pillow ended with Takeo repeating the prophecy: "Five battles lay ahead of us, four to win and one to lose." Brilliance of the Moon will unwind the truth behind this prophecy, even as there are mysteries that will remain (thus the suggestion that there might be another book). Questions about Takeo's past will be resolved, and so will be matters of loyalty. The battles are remiscent of those in the 'Lord of the Rings', but the scope in exclusive: again, the focus will be on the two main characters, Takeo and Kaede, and the love between them. We see the culmination of Kaede's struggle against the prejudices against her gender, although there are harsh obstacles that she will meet. While she is heir to both Shirakawa and Maruyama domains, she has to fight for her inheritance. Meanwhile, Takeo wages a desperate attempt to unite his strikingly different backgrounds: the skills and cunning of the Tribe, the 'Christian' way of the Hidden, and the noble blood and realms of the Otori. Even from 'Grass for His Pillow', it is evident that Lord Fujiwara, Lord Arai, and the Kikuta clan will figure in the battles to come. The action in Across the Nightingale Floor and Grass for His Pillow will pale in comparison. Finally, we see how the little details in 'Across' and 'Grass' will affect the outcome of events in 'Brilliance'. I suggest that you read the two books again before reading 'Brilliance' for fuller appreciation and enjoyment. I won't give spoilers to the many who anticipate this book. just read it and witness the 'Brilliance of the Moon' - the brilliance of Lian Hearn who has enchanted me with her tale.