The Harsh Cry of the Heron: The Last Tale of the Otori [Paperback]

Alls I can say is that if you liked the first three books in the Tales Of The Otori... leave it there. Let that be the end, and that is what Lian Hearn should have done also.

While I have absolutly no qualms with her writing style, which is quick and easy to follow, not complicated with an absurd amount of details and subplots as some other fantasy writers are prone to do; the path she leads her characters down is engaging and exciting... until the last three or four chapters.

I am simply amazed at how thouroughly the author "drops the ball." If you liked the characters in the previous books don't read this... she makes you hate them. Everything in the last couple of chapters is hurried and unfulfilling. Main characters make extreme and unrealistic decisions, all just to help rush to the overly dramatic sense of tragedy in the end.

I can tell that the author was trying to create a compeling, tragic tale, but fails misserably, probably due to deadlines and print dates. All the loose ends and sub-storylines are basically summed up in a brief retelling in the end, the author couldn't even take the time to finish them properly. The end of one of the main plots that continues thoughout the entire series, the death of the MAIN hero IS SUMMED UP IN THE END!!! I was so mad. I had looked forward to this book ever since I heard it was to be written, since I liked the other books so well, but was extremely dissapointed. I gave two stars because the author's writing style is still enjoyable, but I personally will probably never read another of her books if this is how she chooses to end a series...

-T

The Three Countries have experienced sixteen years of peace and prosperity under the rule of Otori Takeo and his wife, Kaede. Merchants are flourishing, farmers are reaping good harvests, people are free to worship as they please, and there is an all-around air of content. But under the surface, political machinations are at play. In addition to the threat he has always faced from the Kikuta Tribe family, Takeo must also watch for betrayal from the Arai. And now the sudden arrival of foreigners brining new goods and a new religion, combined with the rise of a powerful new warlord sanctioned by the Emperor, threaten to ruin all that Takeo has strove for.

I greatly enjoyed the first three Otori novels, but I enjoyed "The Harsh Cry of the Heron" even more. It is more mature, the tone is darker, and there are deeper plots and subplots at play. Takeo is older, wiser, and at the same time more careful and careless. It is fascinating to see the changes in his character, but at the same time realize that, in many ways, he is still the same Takeo of the prior books. The same cannot be said of Kaede. While she does display some of the strength and intelligence readers are used to from her, she also uncharacteristically seems to fall prey to superstitions and petty desires and jealousies. This was one of the reasons I did not give the book a full five stars. Of all the characters in "Heron", I have to admit that Kaede was the one that disappointed me the most.

Many of the other characters readers knew are also back: Shizuka, Dr. Ishida, Gemba, Hiroshi, Taku, Zenko, Hana, Akio. The most important new characters are probably Takeo's children: Shigeko (Takeo's eldest daughter and heir), Maya and Miki (twins), and Hisao (who was raised by Akio). Because so much of the novel was spread over so many different characters, there was never a large focus on any one particular person. Despite this, Hearn did a good job of introducing us to these new people and giving readers a firm impression of their beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, and desires.

The plot was tightly woven, intricate in detail, and things unraveled in a very believable and natural progression. The choices that many of the characters make are reasonable and understandable. Plot twists abound, and unlike many of the other novels I've read, I could not predict them or see them coming. Some were pleasant surprises, others not-so-pleasant, but I was kept on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would come next. The main complaint I had, and another reason this did not rate five stars, was that the ending felt very rushed. After such an elaborate build-up, the explosive culmination of events in "Heron" took up all of around 25 pages. It was simply narrated, in more of a "this is how it happened" rather than in a "this is it happening" manner. It was disappointing, especially considering the tragic nature of the ending.

Despite this, as I said, the book was highly enjoyable. Hearn's writing is still poetic and lyrical, the descriptions elaborative, thoughtful, and inspiring. As before, it was very easy to get caught up in the world that Hearn created, to love, hate, root for and cry for its characters. While I am saddened to know this is the last tale we'll get of the Otori, I'm looking forward to the prequel.

Incredible writing and compelling character development picks up years in the future of the Otori clan. But what is worse than a generally bad novel is an excellent one that ends poorly. The conclusion is unexpected and not in rhythm with the book. Chapter upon chapter of moving the plot along with the development of the characters is abruptly brought to an end over the course of 2-3 chapters. What makes it even more unsatisfying is the third person description of the fates of characters that we have come to know and love in their own words. You can almost hear Ms. Hearn's phone ring and the publisher letting her know that the novel has met it's publishing deadline and she has to conclude what has taken her so long to write.

Reflecting on previous comments. Yes it may be appropriate for the harsh code of the Japanese warrior but it tries too hard to be Shakesperian or profound literature. I just wanted an enjoyable read that was consistent with the first three books.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 56 reviews  3.3 out of 5 stars