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Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Set in a brutal and breathtaking feudal Japan, this lyrical and moving prequel to Hearn's Tales of the Otori and also the fifth and final entry in this epic chronicle of ruthless warlords and ill-fated love (after 2006's The Harsh Cry of the Heron), focuses on the early life of Otori Shigeru, the young heir to the Otori clan. Raised in a strictly hierarchical society that reveres loyalty and honor, the adolescent Shigeru witnesses firsthand how treachery and duplicity play an integral role in the deaths of thousands of Otori warriors, the bloody annihilation of his family and, inevitably, his complete and utter degradation. As a dispossessed heir, Shigeru finds strength and retributive inspiration in the teachings of his former mentor, warrior-monk Matsuda Shingen, and in his illicit relationship with the resourceful Lady Maruyama, whose life has also been devastated by the Tohan. Equal parts historical fiction, high fantasy and revelatory Taoist fable, the now complete Tales of the Otori is a saga to be treasured. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
What to do when a trilogy comes to its natural conclusion? Write a prequel, of course. That is exactly what Hearn, author of the popular Tales of the Otori series, has done. For fans who have wondered about Lord Shigeru's formative years, this is the book that fills in all the gaps. Here we meet Shigeru as a young warrior and learn all about the various treacheries that forced him into exile. Besieged by political enemies from rival kingdoms and even more nefarious enemies from within his own family, Shigeru suffers a mighty defeat at the battle of Yaeghara. Still, those who have read the other books in the cycle know that the mystically gifted Shigeru rises triumphant from the ashes in order to train Takeo, the Tribes' last, best hope. Hearn conducts another magical mystery tour through medieval Japan that will appeal to both fans of the genre and the series. Flanagan, Margaret
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exciting, damatic tale set in ancient Japan,
By
This review is from: Heaven's Net is Wide (Paperback)
I first stumbled upon Lian Hearn's The Otori Tales some 3 years ago, and was thrilled when I discovered that more Otori tales were being published. This book is the prequel to the dramatic, uplifting story of the Otori clan; their struggles, achievements and riveting battles by their fearless leader. It's a wonderful story- will not disappoint even for those who might be skeptical of reading a tale set in ancient times.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic,
By
This review is from: Heaven's Net is Wide (Paperback)
This was the first book that I've read of the series, but I liked it best. It can be a little hard to get started because there are so many characters involved, but once you get started, it all comes together. One thing that stands out in this book is the authors ability to describe every detail. I felt like I was the main character of the book, and could see and hear everything as if it was me. I've never spent so much time reading before. After I finished this book, I went out and bought the rest of the series. If you like Japanese culture/history, then these books are perfect.
5.0 out of 5 stars
`Be careful who you trust.',
By J. Cameron-Smith "Expect the Unexpected" (ACT, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Heaven's Net is Wide (Paperback)
Heaven's Net is Wide is a prequel to the Tales of the Otori trilogy. I read the books of the trilogy as they were published, and have now reread them, together with The Harsh Cry of the Heron (the last book).All five books in the Tales of the Otori are historical fantasy, and take place in the Three Countries. It's a medieval setting, and borrows from both Japanese history and mythology. The Three Countries have a feudal society, with clans governing fiefdoms and a caste structure including peasants, farmers, merchants and warriors. There is also a secret organisation known as the Tribe: assassins, spies and warriors who possess various superhuman abilities but must be trained in mastering their use. The events in Heaven's Net is Wide take place about seventeen years before the trilogy, and follows the life of Otori Shigeru, the heir to the Otori Clan, from the age of twelve until his meeting with Tomasu at the beginning of `Across the Nightingale Floor.' I enjoyed this: getting to know Shigeru as he grew from childhood to adulthood and watching his plans unfold. Shigeru grows to adulthood against the backdrop of a threatening war between the Otori and Tohan clans, and the wider story also includes information about the politics of the Tribe and the rising influence of a group known as the Hidden. It's a great introduction to the world of the Otori, and added immensely to my (re)enjoyment of the other books in the series. Otori Shigeru was my favourite character from `Across the Nightingale Floor' and the expanded version of his story provides welcome detail of his life. Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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