Brilliance of the Moon Tales of the Otori Book III by Lian Hearn.

In the land of the Three Kingdoms, the erstwhile lovers Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede, first met in Across the Nightingale Floor are married and determined to extend their control over their own lands and destinies. Takeo’s adopted Uncles, eager to retain their hold on Otori power, send their armies to ambush him, the rightful heir.

He escapes with the help of some unusual friends, the outcasts, the untouchables (Eta) who build him a temporary bridge. They, like him, belong to the Hidden, a persecuted religious sect reminiscent of Christianity.

But his own Otori are not the only foes; the Tribe members of Murayama attempt to return him to Tribe control, or kill him. Using his father’s secret intelligence about Tribe identities and hideouts (which we learned about in the second volume, Grass For His Pillow) he rounds up every member and executes all the adults, making his intentions clear; he will not be interfered with.

Meanwhile, his lady love Kaede is equally busy. Returning home, despite objections, she discovers that she has been betrayed at almost every turn; her sisters have been delivered into the hands of Lord Fujiwara, and her own hostages sent home. She conceals the all important Tribe Reports in the shrine and goes to demand her sisters’ release. Instead, the effete Fujiwara takes her prisoner, declares her marriage invalid, and marries her himself. Not that he entertains any passion for her; the marriage is not even consummated. No, she is beautiful, and therefore, he collects her.

Treated like chattel, yet again, Kaede despairs, but plots and plans constantly.

Takeo marches to rescue her, and encounters two armies; Fujiwara’s and Lord Aria’s. Takeo submits to Aria’s and persuades him to throw in with them. Together, they enlist the aid of the local pirates (Wako) to circumvent the land bound army, and thus out flank them. It is interesting how, when cut off from the normal sources of power, Takeo and Kaede find new and unexpected allies. Eta, wako and super ninja powers make for an interesting hand of cards to play.

Full of reversals and treachery, brilliant strategy and timely delays, this novel delivers an intense action packed ride. More plot driven, the great Go game of armies plays out across the board of the Three Kingdoms.

Lian Hearn brings these intricate maneuvers to shimmering life with a writing style that is amazing in its control and grace. Graphically violent, it is also ethereally beautiful, much like the feudal Japan upon which it was modeled.

Tales of the Otori deals in epic themes, and of course, that means it has all been done before. But rarely has it been done so well. The author mixes in a healthy dollop of the mythical and you end up with something that is somewhere between the Book of Five Rings and Lord of the Ring.

Less character development occurred here, as the action took the reins firmly in hand, and our heroes wage war with the world; battle, political, guerilla, and psychological. She handles the literary sword with the grace of a haiku.

This novel does not stand on it’s own as well as the others; too much refers to the complex web of political alliances and betrayals that have gone before.

Over all, the Tale of the Otori makes for a fascinating read, and a definite departure from everyday fare. I highly recommend them.

Tales of the Otori

Across the Nightingale Floor
Grass For His Pillow
Brilliance of the Moon

Check out my reviews of all things Japanese:

My Neighbor Totoro
Across the Nightingale Floor
Grass For His Pillow
Brilliance of the Moon
Onmyoji II
Onmyoji
The Hidden Fortress
Hellboy: Storm of Swords
Vexille
Sanjuro
The Hidden Blade
Yaji & Kita: Midnight Pilgrims
Princess Mononoke
Spirited Away
Gay Tales of the Samurai
Howl's Moving Castle
Ghost Dog
Memoirs of a Geisha (Book)
Memoirs of Geisha (Movie)
The Last Samurai
The Sword that Cut the Burning Grass
Taboo
Forbidden Colors

Recommended: Yes