Helpful Score: 7
This epic draws inspiration from historic feudal Japan. Firearms technology is soon arriving and Christian ideals are taking hold and both will greatly alter the ancient samurai order. Dances a line between young adult fantasy and historical fiction.
This series in not about lots of sword fights, battles, and gore. Lian Hearn, the pseudonym, I believe, for Japanese scholar and young adult author (Gillian Rubenstein) focuses more on character development and political intrigue. Hearn creates a well textured historical culture that appeals to someone like myself who enjoys clever intrigue and a level of mystery.
Highly recommended for anybody who enjoys a carefully crafted story, fantasy or otherwise, by a well studied author. The cross genre appeal of historic fiction makes it a good read for the occasional fantasy reader.
This series in not about lots of sword fights, battles, and gore. Lian Hearn, the pseudonym, I believe, for Japanese scholar and young adult author (Gillian Rubenstein) focuses more on character development and political intrigue. Hearn creates a well textured historical culture that appeals to someone like myself who enjoys clever intrigue and a level of mystery.
Highly recommended for anybody who enjoys a carefully crafted story, fantasy or otherwise, by a well studied author. The cross genre appeal of historic fiction makes it a good read for the occasional fantasy reader.
Peter D. reviewed Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One) on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This is a first in the Otori trilory, set in ancient Japan. It is a most extraordinary novel...the passion and rapture of this story is so compelling that it's almost worth delaying your holiday for. A must read.
Denise H. (Lazeeladee) -
Helpful Score: 2
From Amazon.com:
The debut novel of Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series, Across the Nightingale Floor, is set in a feudal Japan on the edge of the imagination. The tale begins with young Takeo, a member of a subversive and persecuted religious group, who returns home to find his village in flames. He is saved, not by coincidence, by the swords of Lord Otori Shigeru and thrust into a world of warlords, feuding clans, and political scheming. As Lord Otori's ward, he discovers he is a member by birth of the shadowy "Tribe," a mysterious group of assassins with supernatural abilities.
Hearn sets his tale in an imaginary realm that is and isn't feudal Japan. This device serves the author well as he is able to play with familiar archetypes--samurai, Shogun, and ninja--without falling prey to the pitfalls of history. The novel fills a unique niche that is at once period piece and fantasy novel. Hearn unfolds the tale of Takeo and the conflicting forces around him in a deliberate manner that leads to a satisfying conclusion and sets the stage for the rest of the series.
The debut novel of Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series, Across the Nightingale Floor, is set in a feudal Japan on the edge of the imagination. The tale begins with young Takeo, a member of a subversive and persecuted religious group, who returns home to find his village in flames. He is saved, not by coincidence, by the swords of Lord Otori Shigeru and thrust into a world of warlords, feuding clans, and political scheming. As Lord Otori's ward, he discovers he is a member by birth of the shadowy "Tribe," a mysterious group of assassins with supernatural abilities.
Hearn sets his tale in an imaginary realm that is and isn't feudal Japan. This device serves the author well as he is able to play with familiar archetypes--samurai, Shogun, and ninja--without falling prey to the pitfalls of history. The novel fills a unique niche that is at once period piece and fantasy novel. Hearn unfolds the tale of Takeo and the conflicting forces around him in a deliberate manner that leads to a satisfying conclusion and sets the stage for the rest of the series.
Linda M. (quilty45) reviewed Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book One) on + 100 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I have been looking for this book for some time and had it on my wish list. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I did. I highly recommend it, even if you don't ordinarily like fantasy or feudal novels.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is very entertaining and draws you into Japan of long ago and the characters that make a country what it is. The story is great,a true love in the midst of country-wide war,the characters are believable from the beginning. I could not put it down,before I finished this I ordered book two of the trilogy.
