Analyse : Roman historique. Roman psychologique (formation).
Tales of the Otori Series
Journey into a world of feudal Japan where politics, magic, and destiny intertwine. This saga follows the rise and fall of powerful clans and individuals battling for power, honor, and survival. Uncover the secrets of hidden traditions and supernatural abilities shaping the fates of people and the land itself. These captivating tales of intrigue and emotion will draw you into a vortex of historical events.






Recommended Reading Order
- 1
- 2
Grass for His Pillow
- 344 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Grass for His Pillow is the second book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn. Don't miss the related series, The Tale of Shikanoko.Praised for its epic scope and descriptive detail, Across the Nightingale Floor , the first book in the Tales of the Otori series, was an international bestseller and critical success, named by the London Times as "the most compelling novel to have been published this year." With Grass for His Pillow , Book Two, we return to the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's creation—a land of harsh beauty and deceptive appearances. In a complex social hierarchy, amid dissembling clans and fractured allegiances, there is no place for passionate young love. The orphan Takeo has been condemned to work as an assassin—an enforced occupation that his father sacrificed his own life to escape. Meanwhile, Takeo’s beloved Shirakawa Kaede, heir to the Murayama and alone in the world, must find a way to unify the domain she has inherited, as she fights off the advances of would-be suitors and hopes against fading hope that Takeo will return to her...
- 3
Brilliance of the Moon. Tales of the Otori. Díl 3
- 200 pages
- 7 hours of reading
Hearn's third installment in the "Tales of the Otori" series brings a mystical and violent conclusion to the saga of Takeo Otori as he fulfills his destiny to reclaim the Otori lands.
- 4
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."
- 5
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.
- 6
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.
Both Takeo and Kaede have visions of their future. Takeo works to escape the Tribe and fulfill the last wishes of his adoptive father. And Kaede, heir to two seats of power, moves forward step-by-step, aided by her own wits and a precarious alliance with Lord Fujiwara. In their separate worlds, the two long for each other.
Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One
- 305 pages
- 11 hours of reading
In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the warlord Iida Sadamu surveys his famous nightingale floor. Constructed with exquisite skill, it sings at the tread of each human foot. No assassin can cross it unheard.The youth Takeo has been brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and spiritual people who have taught him only the ways of peace. But unbeknownst to him, his father was a celebrated assassin and a member of the Tribe, an ancient network of families with extraordinary, preternatural skills. When Takeo's village is pillaged, he is rescued and adopted by the mysterious Lord Otori Shigeru. Under the tutelage of Shigeru, he learns that he too possesses the skills of the Tribe. And, with this knowledge, he embarks on a journey that will lead him across the famed nightingale floor—and to his own unimaginable destiny...
Brilliance of the moon. Battle for Maruyama
- 256 pages
- 9 hours of reading
At the temple of Terayama, the words of the blind sage's prophecy continue to haunt Takeo as he readies his armies for battle. Determined to avenge Shigeru's death and claim his rightful inheritance, Takeo and Kaede, together with Takeo's forces, fight their way to the domain of Maruyama. But then, they must separate.
Abducted by his teacher, Kenji, Takeo is condemned to work as an assassin, an enforced occupation that his father sacrificed his life to escape. Still, he is determined to carry on the name of the Otori. At the same time, his beloved Kaede, returns home to a shattered family, and quickly realizes that she can rely on no one but herself.
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.
Brilliance of the Moon : Scars of Victory
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
When Kaede arrives at Shirakawa, she learns her sisters have been taken to Lord Fujiwara's house and soon she too becomes a prisoner there. And, neither Takeo nor Kaede know that Takeo's old teacher, Kenji, has grievances of his own. As Takeo and Kaede face disaster at the hands of their enemies, the forces of nature are also conspiring.