Grass for His Pillow by Lian Hearn
September 20th 2006 02:19
Grass For His Pillow is the second novel of Lian Hearn's eminently likeable fantasy series, Tales of Otori.
The villain Iida has been killed in the first novel and so has Otori Shigeru, our hero Takeo's protector. There is a new player called Arai around who has taken advantage of the situation to build his own kingdom.
Takeo was made to pledge his life to the tribe, a secret gang of thieves and assassins and he is taken to their secret stronghold to be trained in the Tribe's killing ways. But as a child Takeo was brought up among the Hidden, a non-violent group loosely based on Japanese Christians, and his soul rebels at the thought of killing as a way of life. The way the Tribe treated his adoptive brother does not help matters either.
On the other side, Kaede has gone to her paternal home Maruyama. She is shocked to find the whole region in disrepair and close to ruin and strives to make it functional again. But, the domain is surrounded by lords whose interests are suspect and she has to tread in dangerous waters.
Though initially Takeo and Kaede decide to stay apart, they cannot stop their passion for each other and the rush into an ill-advised marriage which runs her afoul of powerful lords and alienates him from the Tribe. Takeo is helped by a good Samaritan called Jo-An, who is one of the Hidden. He takes Takeo to a wise woman who prophesizes about the battles Takeo has yet to wage.
As in Across the Nightingale's Floor, the first novel in the series, the action is fast-paced and the scenery lush. And just like its predecessor, the climax in this book too is a huge letdown. Nevertheless, for sheer entertainment there is nothing to beat this series.
The villain Iida has been killed in the first novel and so has Otori Shigeru, our hero Takeo's protector. There is a new player called Arai around who has taken advantage of the situation to build his own kingdom.
Takeo was made to pledge his life to the tribe, a secret gang of thieves and assassins and he is taken to their secret stronghold to be trained in the Tribe's killing ways. But as a child Takeo was brought up among the Hidden, a non-violent group loosely based on Japanese Christians, and his soul rebels at the thought of killing as a way of life. The way the Tribe treated his adoptive brother does not help matters either.
Grass on His Pillow by Lian Hearn
On the other side, Kaede has gone to her paternal home Maruyama. She is shocked to find the whole region in disrepair and close to ruin and strives to make it functional again. But, the domain is surrounded by lords whose interests are suspect and she has to tread in dangerous waters.
Though initially Takeo and Kaede decide to stay apart, they cannot stop their passion for each other and the rush into an ill-advised marriage which runs her afoul of powerful lords and alienates him from the Tribe. Takeo is helped by a good Samaritan called Jo-An, who is one of the Hidden. He takes Takeo to a wise woman who prophesizes about the battles Takeo has yet to wage.
As in Across the Nightingale's Floor, the first novel in the series, the action is fast-paced and the scenery lush. And just like its predecessor, the climax in this book too is a huge letdown. Nevertheless, for sheer entertainment there is nothing to beat this series.
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