Grass for His Pillow

I could not praise a book or a series more highly that The Tales of the Otori. Lian Hearn has written something that will stay on my top shelf until the end of my days. Grass for His Pillow (Book 2) starts out, where Across the Nightingale Floor left off, with Takeo under the control of the Tribe, a group of families with special traits, after he avenges Lord Shigeru's death. The Kikuta, Takeo's family in the Tribe, teach Takeo how to master his skills, but their actions and orders never sit well with him. Finally, the Kikuta force Takeo to make a decision between his opposing loyalties, causing his split with the Kikuta and the beginning of his real journey. Meanwhile, Kaede continues her fight to retain power in a male dominated world. She forms an alliance with Lord Arai after he takes over the Three Countries from Lord Iida. Although, Lord Arai wants her to marry, but she refuses until she can recover from her loss of Lord Shigeru, whom she was supposed to marry in book one. She returns home to Shirakawa to find it in disrepair. Her sisters, Hana and Ai, are struggling to eat and live respectably, all while Kaede's father is losing his mind. Both Takeo and Kaede long for each other throughout Grass for His Pillow, but they never seem to follow through on those feelings because of their opposing responsibilities to their families. The ending was wonderful and has me eagerly anticipating the third installment. To all reading this critique, READ THIS SERIES!

Rating System:1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten2 star = poor; a total waste of time3 star = good; worth the effort4 star = very good; what writing should be5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with othersSTORY: From back cover: "Takeo has now been claimed by the Tribe; held by them against his will, he is condemned to work as an assassin. Meanwhile, Shirakawa Kaede must try to unify the domain she has inherited, while fighting off would-be suitors and hoping that Takeo will return to her."MY FEEDBACK:1) You don't really need to read the first book to understand this story because the author does enough reflection and backstory to get a reader up to speed. BUT...it is so much better if you do read Across the Nightingale Floor first.2) The characters of Takeo and Kaede are explored more and we as readers continue our bond and love for them. Kaede plays a much larger role in this book than the first.3) This second/middle book doesn't seem to suffer from middle-book syndrome but continues with the same strength as the first. The first book resolved enough without having to read this book, but this book definitely sets the stage for interesting events to happen in the 3rd book.Very little is resolved in this book. This book was truly the rising action of the series making you feel that the climax is just around the corner and me as a reader anxious to get there.4) The same actors come back to this book to do the voices in this unabridged representation of the book. The acting is very well done and enjoyable throughout.OVERALL: Fantastic continuation. I can't wait till the end of the trilogy!

I thought this suffered a little from "middle of the trilogy" syndrome. Dramatic events occurred in the first book, along with the introduction of many interesting characters. Here we seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern while everyone catches his breath and waits for the finale. Part of it was due to the overall intended atmosphere of the book. It is winter and everything slows to a halt--with only plans being made for when the snow clears and major campaigns can now be fought. Part is due to the mysterious Tribe--Takeo is amongst them, but only interacts with a few lower-members, whose relationships with him don't change much. And surprisingly little is revealed about them--save that what we have guessed or learned from the first book. I wanted a bit more of a climatic arc to be had with that part of the story, but it was not to be. However, the world remains beautifully, even sublimely rendered. And there is that subtle tension that underlies the events, which pulls the reader along. I greatly enjoyed the first book and am content with this, the second book, and wait eagerly for the conclusion to this compelling tale.

I bought the first book (Across the Nightingale Floor) and absolutely loved it! I couldn't put it down. So I was eagerly awaiting the second part of the series and I wasn't disappointed in the least. Although it may not have as many tense and exciting moments as the first, I felt this book puts the reader more into the psyche of the two main characters. The reader can relate to all the mixed emotions that Takeo and Kaede experience. Takeo builds up his Kikuta skills and finally escapes from the Tribe's grip on him and sets out to find Kaede and claim his place as an Otori Lord. Kaede returns home to Shirakawa and finds it almost in ruins and with her father living in shame. She begins to rebuild and makes some beneficial acquaintances along the way. But is she getting herself in too deep? Now Takeo and Kaede take more control of their fates, going against all the rules of their "class" and all the advice given them by the ones they trust the most. But in a land of assassins and so-called allies, secrets and lies, powerful warlords and lowly outcasts, can Takeo and Kaede really trust anyone? Grass For His Pillow is a great buildup to the finale of the three part series, "Brilliance of the Moon." A great read!

Following his killing of the malevolent Lord Lida, Takeo feels ambivalent towards the Tribe who saved his life, but killed his adopted father even while he struggles to learn how to master his extraordinary powers. Takeo decides to learn more about the enigmatic Tribe of assassins in lieu of accepting his deceased adopted father's crown. However, Takeo quickly realizes the way of the Tribe is not for him because being a hitman goes against his nature, but one does not just retire from the Tribe so he must find a way to leave.Princess Kaede waits for her beloved Takeo to return to her, but does so in her homeland of Maruyama. She learns that her father has lost much of his power and land. Knowing that war is imminent anyway to fill the Lida void, Kaede plans to restore her family to its previous level of strength.The second Tales of the Otori fantasy is an exciting novel that has a middle feel to it so that the audience will be better suited starting with the prequel. Still, Takeo is a fabulous individual struggling with powers and finding a place in a sword and sorcery society that seems on the brink of destruction. Kaede takes more center stage this time while she waits for her beloved to return to her, she does not sit idly on the sidelines, but instead assertively takes charge of the family restoration. In spite of the "book two trilogy syndrome", GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW is a solid tale that the audience will appreciate as the viaduct to what looks like will be a tremendous climax.Harriet Klausner