Brilliance of the Moon (Tales of the Otori, Book 3) [Hardcover]

Lian Hearn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 17, 2004 | Series: Tales of the Otori, Book 3

Otori Takeo and the beautiful Kaede are now married. But the inescapable forces of destiny that have bound their lives from birth make their happiness an impossible dream. Takeo, still only seventeen, must raise an army to reclaim his Otori lands, and fulfil the prophecy of the blind sage: 'Peace comes at the price of bloodshed. Four battles to win and one to lose'. And he can never be free from the invisible assassins of the secret Tribe who have vowed to kill him. "Brilliance of the Moon" is the most gripping book in the series that has captured the imaginations of readers young and old around the world. A rich and complex cast of characters are swept up in a breathtaking story of warfare and sacrifice, violent death, treacherous plots, the unstoppable natural forces of typhoon and earthquake, and the unconquerable desire of two young lovers to be together, against all odds. Lian Hearn's ancient and magical Oriental world is compelling and unforgettable. This is stunning, timeless storytelling that will endure for many generations of readers to come.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Lian Hearn's third installment in the Tales of the Otori series Brilliance of the Moon brings a mystical and violent conclusion to the saga of Takeo Otori as he fulfills his destiny to reclaim the Otori lands. At the climax of Grass for his Pillow, Takeo's passion for his beloved Kaede was finally realized with their secret and forbidden wedding. As spring approaches, Takeo and Kaede prepare for war and embark on a campaign to reclaim their respective realms. But just when victory seems certain, Hearn characteristically uproots her characters with unseen treachery and the two lovers are again separated. Takeo must summon courage from his conflicted heritage as he marches towards his destiny. The fates of other Otori characters are also determined in a succinct and magical finale.

This third chapter in the Otori saga lives up its predecessors. Hearn's mythical ancient Japan is again brought to storybook life. Although the novel's climax comes suddenly and almost unexpectedly, the afterword hints at another tale to be told by the heirs of Kaede and Takeo's legendary rise. --Jeremy Pugh --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Set in an imaginary medieval Japan, the pseudonymous Hearn's third elegant installment in her epic fantasy (after 2002's Across the Nightingale Floor and 2003's Grass for His Pillow) is a fragrant blend of romance and martial-arts action. Her warrior hero, Takeo Otori, feels destined to fulfill the potent prophecy of a holy woman: "Your lands will stretch from sea to sea, but peace comes at the price of bloodshed. Five battles will buy you peace, four to win and one to lose." Intrigue, heartaches and battles ensue as Takeo, of mixed blood and conflicting loyalties (to the pseudo-Christian Hidden, the noble Otori clan and the dangerous, supernaturally gifted Tribe), seeks to unite the Three Countries. Desperately in love with Kaede Shirakawa, whom he secretly wed at the end of Grass for His Pillow, Takeo must now assist her in reclaiming her lands of Maruyama while balancing his own need to avenge the deaths of his blood father and his adoptive father, Lord Shigeru. The fates of such characters as Kaede's lover, Dr. Ishida, and her nemesis, Lord Fujiwara, who's determined to possess her, provide some cool aftershocks, while the afterword adds another—that a book four may follow. FYI: Hearn is the pseudonym of Australian children's book author Gillian Rubinstein.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan (September 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1405041358
• ISBN-13: 978-1405041355
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,156,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Started off so well...., November 14, 2005

By 

G. P. Kaduma (Windhoek, Namibia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brilliance of the Moon (Tales of the Otori, Book 3) (Hardcover)

The first book of this trilogy is the best. So rich in detail. Well defined characters. Such a good pace. It made me scour every bookshop I knew looking for the second and third books. When I found them, I got a distinct feeling that something or someone was rushing Ms. Hearn to finish the series...or she got bored with Japan....whatever the reason is it is to the detriment of the plot. You know when an unimaginative/bored person is telling a story? There's a lot of "and then...and then and then...". Hope you get my drift.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably crass ending., May 31, 2006

By 

Buzzed "BZ" (SC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliance of the Moon (Tales of the Otori, Book 3) (Hardcover)

After blazing through the first two volumes, and halfway into the conclusion, my reading, and enjoyment of the series came to screeching halt.

Somewhere between the first page and 200 of the finale, Takeo and Kaede had became bumbling, inept and whining caracatures of themselves. WHAT happened to the strength and insight of the caracters I had learned to love? Their simpering and laughable "decisions" are a gross insult to the series...

Damn, and I was SO enjoying it too!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a masterful finale!, June 6, 2004

By 

'jon (Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brilliance of the Moon (Tales of the Otori, Book 3) (Hardcover)

Fans of the Tales of the Otori won't be disappointed in Lian Hearn's final installment. Grass for His Pillow ended with Takeo repeating the prophecy: "Five battles lay ahead of us, four to win and one to lose." Brilliance of the Moon will unwind the truth behind this prophecy, even as there are mysteries that will remain (thus the suggestion that there might be another book). Questions about Takeo's past will be resolved, and so will be matters of loyalty. The battles are remiscent of those in the 'Lord of the Rings', but the scope in exclusive: again, the focus will be on the two main characters, Takeo and Kaede, and the love between them. We see the culmination of Kaede's struggle against the prejudices against her gender, although there are harsh obstacles that she will meet. While she is heir to both Shirakawa and Maruyama domains, she has to fight for her inheritance. Meanwhile, Takeo wages a desperate attempt to unite his strikingly different backgrounds: the skills and cunning of the Tribe, the 'Christian' way of the Hidden, and the noble blood and realms of the Otori. Even from 'Grass for His Pillow', it is evident that Lord Fujiwara, Lord Arai, and the Kikuta clan will figure in the battles to come. The action in Across the Nightingale Floor and Grass for His Pillow will pale in comparison. Finally, we see how the little details in 'Across' and 'Grass' will affect the outcome of events in 'Brilliance'. I suggest that you read the two books again before reading 'Brilliance' for fuller appreciation and enjoyment.

I won't give spoilers to the many who anticipate this book. just read it and witness the 'Brilliance of the Moon' - the brilliance of Lian Hearn who has enchanted me with her tale.