Set in a fantastical medieval Japan, the concluding volume of The Tale of Shikanoko weaves a rich tapestry of adventure, intrigue, and complex characters. Lian Hearn, renowned for her masterful storytelling, continues to explore themes of honor, power, and destiny. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn deeper into a world filled with mythical elements and the struggles of its inhabitants, promising a captivating and immersive reading experience.
Lian Hearn Book order
Lian Hearn captivates readers with her imaginative tales set in a fictional feudal Japan. Her narratives are deeply rooted in the rich culture and history of the country, employing an evocative and atmospheric writing style. Hearn has earned acclaim for her compelling storytelling and meticulously crafted settings that transport audiences worldwide. Her mastery of narrative and profound understanding of the Japanese milieu establish her as a distinctive author whose works offer a memorable reading experience.







- 2024
- 2024
Set in a harsh medieval landscape, orphan warriors navigate a treacherous world where survival is a constant battle. This latest installment in Lian Hearn's acclaimed OTORI series delves into themes of resilience and the struggle for identity amidst chaos. Readers can expect a gripping narrative filled with rich character development and the intricacies of loyalty and betrayal as these young warriors confront their fates.
- 2024
Set against a backdrop of deep-seated conflict, this installment of the OTORI series follows a new generation grappling with the enduring enmity that has shaped their world. As tensions rise and destinies intertwine, characters must navigate loyalty, betrayal, and the weight of their heritage. The story promises a gripping conclusion filled with intense emotion and high stakes, culminating in a thrilling climax that ties together the threads of a beloved saga.
- 2016
The second and final instalment of The Tale of Shikanoko: a bold epic of a fantastical medieval Japan from the creator of the global phenomenon Tales of the Otori, Lian Hearn, whose books have sold over four million copies worldwide.
- 2016
The Tengu's Game of Go
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
An epic four-volume adventure in mythical medieval Japan: a world of warriors and assassins, demons and spiritsIn The Tengu’s Game of Go, the final book of Lian Hearn's epic Tale of Shikanoko--all of which will be published in 2016--the rightful emperor is lost; illness and murder give rise to suspicions and make enemies of allies. Unrest rules the country. Only Shika can end the madness by returning the Lotus Throne to its rightful ruler.As destiny weaves its rich tapestry, a compelling drama plays out against a background of wild forests, elegant castles, hidden temples, and savage battlefields. This is the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's imagination, where animal spirits clash with warriors and children navigate a landscape as serene as it is deadly.The Tale of Shikanoko, Book 1: Emperor of the Eight Islands (April 2016)The Tale of Shikanoko, Book 2: Autumn Princess, Dragon Child (June 2016)The Tale of Shikanoko, Book 3: Lord of the Darkwood (August 2016)The Tale of Shikanoko, Book 4: The Tengu's Game of Go (September 2016)
- 2016
Emperor of the Eight Islands
- 448 pages
- 16 hours of reading
An ambitious warlord leaves his nephew for dead and seizes his lands. A stubborn father forces his younger son to surrender his wife to his older brother. A mysterious woman seeks five fathers for her children. A powerful priest meddles in the succession to the Lotus Throne. These are the threads of an intricate tapestry in which the laws of destiny play out against a backdrop of wild forest, elegant court, and savage battlefield. Set in a mythical medieval Japan inhabited by warriors and assassins, ghosts and guardian spirits, Emperor of the Eight Islands by Lian Hearn is a brilliantly imagined novel, full of drama and intrigue - the beginning of an enthralling, epic adventure: The Tale of Shikanoko.
- 2016
The first instalment in a magnificent epic by the creator of the global phenomenon Tales of the Otori, Lian Hearn, whose books have sold over four million copies worldwide.
- 2012
Blossoms and Shadows
- 527 pages
- 19 hours of reading
An historical novel about a young woman living through the most fascinating period of Japanese history.
- 2007
Heaven's Net is Wide
- 560 pages
- 20 hours of reading
Lord Shigeru, heir to the Otori clan, faces hostility from the shrewdly ambitious Iida family in the East and base treachery at home from his uncles. His noble education and training as a warrior have prepared him for leadership and combat, but fate and Shigeru's youthful determination bring the Three Countries to war, and he must endure terrible and tragic defeat at thebattle of Yaegahara... and its brutal consequences. Heaven's Net is Wide is the first and last Tale, which both closes the circle and introduces new readers to the strange and beautiful world of the Otori. It is an epic historical fantasy of revenge and betrayal, honour and loyalty, beauty and passion and the overwhelming power of love.
- 2006
This fourth installment in the epic Tales of the Otori signals the conclusion of Hearnss beloved series, described by the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" as "part "Shogun," part "Lord of the Rings," and entirely enchanting."