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Tales of the Otori #3 part 2
Brilliance of the Moon, Episode 2: Scars of Victory
When Kaede arrives at Shirakawa, she, along with her sisters, are taken prisoner at Lord Fujiwara's house, while Takeo must battle two armies when the forces of nature conspire to do him harm. Reprint.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2006
About the author
Lian Hearn
57 books1,838 followersLian Hearn's beloved Tales of the Otori series, set in an imagined feudal Japan, has sold more than four million copies worldwide and has been translated into nearly forty languages. It is comprised of five volumes: ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR, GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW, BRILLIANCE OF THE MOON, THE HARSH CRY OF THE HERON and HEAVEN'S NET IS WIDE. The series was followed by two standalone novels, BLOSSOMS AND SHADOWS and THE STORYTELLER AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS, also set in Japan.
Hearn's forthcoming series: The Tale of Shikanoko will be published by FSG in 4 volumes in 2016. Book 1 will be EMPEROR OF EIGHT ISLANDS out in late-April 2016, followed by book 2: AUTUMN PRINCESS, DRAGON CHILD (June), book 3: LORD OF THE DARKWOOD (August), and the final book (#4) THE TENGU'S GAME OF GO (late-Sept. 2016).
Lian has made many trips to Japan and has studied Japanese. She read Modern Languages at Oxford and worked as an editor and film critic in England before immigrating to Australia.
Hearn's forthcoming series: The Tale of Shikanoko will be published by FSG in 4 volumes in 2016. Book 1 will be EMPEROR OF EIGHT ISLANDS out in late-April 2016, followed by book 2: AUTUMN PRINCESS, DRAGON CHILD (June), book 3: LORD OF THE DARKWOOD (August), and the final book (#4) THE TENGU'S GAME OF GO (late-Sept. 2016).
Lian has made many trips to Japan and has studied Japanese. She read Modern Languages at Oxford and worked as an editor and film critic in England before immigrating to Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 27, 2019
I’ll be honest I skipped over most of this book because I read the whole series in one go, and really only wanted to find out what happened between Takeo and Kaede. So it might be worth more than 3 stars but I was so tired of the battle scenes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2017
After over 1000 pages, the Tales of the Otori comes to a close as Takeo finally fulfills his destiny and exacts his revenge on those who started his journey at the very beginning of the series. As befits the saga, his journey is filled with sacrifice, betrayals, and honor, and it all comes together in Scars of Victory. As the title suggests, Takeo is likely to win, but at what cost?
For the series to be that long, I'm surprised that the story feels less epic than other fantasy stories. One part of it is that the series isn't a traditional fantasy, but the main part is due to the story being more personal than other epics. A Song of Ice and Fire is a sprawling epic with a large number of characters, but Tales of the Otori is about Takeo and Kaede. Other characters and events play into the story, too, but by centralizing her focus, Hearn gives intimacy to the story, bringing the reader closer to her characters than the events that drive their stories.
It feels like little happens in the series, but Hearn's style of writing belies how much actually takes place over the span of its 1300 pages. I believe I've mentioned her gentle style in each of the reviews preceding this one, but it's true: Her narrative lulls you into a false sense of peace. I love that style.
It's hard to think of who I'd recommend read these books. They don't follow the traditional epic fantasy structure, despite being a part of that genre, and they aren't strictly historical novels, either. I guess I'd recommend them to anyone who finds their summaries intriguing, and would suggest starting with the first one and seeing if you take to it. I'm not sure what I expected from it, overall, but I was surprised I liked it as much as I did.
For the series to be that long, I'm surprised that the story feels less epic than other fantasy stories. One part of it is that the series isn't a traditional fantasy, but the main part is due to the story being more personal than other epics. A Song of Ice and Fire is a sprawling epic with a large number of characters, but Tales of the Otori is about Takeo and Kaede. Other characters and events play into the story, too, but by centralizing her focus, Hearn gives intimacy to the story, bringing the reader closer to her characters than the events that drive their stories.
It feels like little happens in the series, but Hearn's style of writing belies how much actually takes place over the span of its 1300 pages. I believe I've mentioned her gentle style in each of the reviews preceding this one, but it's true: Her narrative lulls you into a false sense of peace. I love that style.
It's hard to think of who I'd recommend read these books. They don't follow the traditional epic fantasy structure, despite being a part of that genre, and they aren't strictly historical novels, either. I guess I'd recommend them to anyone who finds their summaries intriguing, and would suggest starting with the first one and seeing if you take to it. I'm not sure what I expected from it, overall, but I was surprised I liked it as much as I did.
July 18, 2024
So the trilogy has concluded. I loved 'across the nightingale floor' - I'm not sure these further bks have captured my interest quite as well. But certainly interesting and nice to read something a little different.
April 13, 2011
I looked on this book with both anticipation and dread since it was the end of the series. I was not dissappointed in either emotion as I read through it cover to cover.
Hearn's story and plot had truelly captured me and as the ending came I was flabbergasted that I was still getting surprised at the events. Hearn still managed to put some twists and turns in the tale to keep me on my feet and reading without any way to stop. When a book is a page-turner that's a sign that something in the authors style was done write, but when a whole series of books are page turners that to me is a sign of true mastery of writing strategies and techniques. I followed the series and finished it in a matter of weeks and not once was I ever bored or unmotivated to continue.
With this last book I enjoyed seeing how everything came together, the battles, the two main characters, the end and realization of the prophecy. It all ended smoothly and is a testament to both Hearn's skills and good writing. I learned quite a lot from the book about ending a strong series.
Hearn's story and plot had truelly captured me and as the ending came I was flabbergasted that I was still getting surprised at the events. Hearn still managed to put some twists and turns in the tale to keep me on my feet and reading without any way to stop. When a book is a page-turner that's a sign that something in the authors style was done write, but when a whole series of books are page turners that to me is a sign of true mastery of writing strategies and techniques. I followed the series and finished it in a matter of weeks and not once was I ever bored or unmotivated to continue.
With this last book I enjoyed seeing how everything came together, the battles, the two main characters, the end and realization of the prophecy. It all ended smoothly and is a testament to both Hearn's skills and good writing. I learned quite a lot from the book about ending a strong series.
November 12, 2012
So the main show down happens between various characters and while I really like the series as a whole I thought the ending was blah. Mostly it felt a little too "deus ex machina" for me. Or a chapter would end before resolution and then it would be explained later in the next chapter. Still worth my time though.
February 19, 2008
"3rd volume of Takoe Otori sees him victorious in uniting the country while taking revenge on his evil uncles in Hagi. But much goes not as planned in his rivalry with Arai, and this book is as good as the first."
August 31, 2007
yah lumayan
udh lumayan ga keren lagi
udh lumayan ga keren lagi
September 24, 2007
:D cant help myself to stop from reading this serial :P
January 8, 2008
pretty interesting end to the series
May 3, 2010
A nice story... Although it doesn't give you the "kick" that I always look for in this kind of stories.
July 15, 2011
A strong concluding novel in this trilogy. It was a satisfying end to what had been a most enjoyable journey. I'd travel again with this author.
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August 9, 2011Loved the whole series.
September 20, 2015
LOVED it!
August 2, 2011
It's a very good book but i enjoyed the previous ones better.
April 27, 2013
this series really made you want to read more...it was awesome!
October 21, 2014
Great.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews