Lian Hearn
Lian Hearn studied modern languages at Oxford University and worked as a film critic and arts editor in London before settling in Australia. A lifelong interest in Japan led to the study of the Japanese language and many trips to Japan. This fascination culminated in the writing of Across the Nightingale Floor, the first in the internationally acclaimed Tales of the Otori series. Grass for his Pillow, Brilliance of the Moon and The Harsh Cry of the Heron follow.
This remarkable series has been sold into 36 territories and has sales of over four million copies. Film rights have been sold to Universal Studios for Kennedy Marshall.
The last book in the series, the prequel Heaven’s Net is Wide, was published in 2007.
Lian Hearn’s latest book is Blossoms and Shadows, published by Hachette Australia in October 2010.
See all the covers of Lian Hearn’s books
Website: http://www.lianhearn.com
Books by Lian Hearn
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Across the Nightingale Floor
One boy. One journey. One hidden destiny.
In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the murderous 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.
Brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and spiritual people, Takeo has learned only the ways of peace. Why, then, does he possess the deadly skills that make him so valuable to the sinister Tribe? These supernatural powers will lead him to his violent destiny within the walls of Inuyama - and to an impossible longing for a girl who can never be his. His journey is one of revenge and treachery, honour and loyalty, beauty and magic, and the passion of first love.
Tales of the Otori
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Grass for his Pillow
In the ancient oriental lands of the Otori, amidst a time of violent war and famine, the fate of the young lovers Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede hangs in the balance. Takeo has pledged his life to the secret Tribe. To follow their brutal directions and become their most deadly assassin he must deny the spiritual vows of his peaceful upbringing, his birthright of wealth, land and power — and his love for Kaede.
Tales of the Otori
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Brilliance of the Moon
Otori Takeo’s future is uncertain. To claim what is rightfully his, Takeo must defeat the ruthless warlord Arai Daiichi and the enraged nobleman Lord Fijiwara, but every step forward is fraught with danger for him and his great love, Shirakawa Kaede.
Tales of the Otori
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The Harsh Cry of the Heron
The world of the Otori has entranced readers since the first book in the trilogy, Across The Nightingale Floor, was published in 2002. Now Lian Hearn again takes us back to a land that might be feudal Japan or may be another place altogether in the stunning sequel, The Harsh Cry Of The Heron.
Lord Otori Takeo and his consort Kaede have ruled for over sixteen years. The Three Countries are rich, peaceful and prosperous. The sacred birds, the Honou, nest at Terayama and a fabled creature, the Kirin, have appeared on their shores. Heaven seems to smile on them. Yet their very success has attracted the attention of the distant Emperor and his general, the warlord Saga Hideki, who covet all the wealth of the Three Countries, especially Takeo’s heir, his eldest daughter, Shigeko, now of marriageable age.
Find out who lives and dies, who conquers, and who is still loved. The story winds up to an unexpected and moving conclusion that will make you want to start reading the trilogy all over again.
Tales of the Otori
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Heaven's Net is Wide
Heaven’s Net is Wide is the first and last volume that both closes the circle and introduces 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 set in a mythical, medieval Japan, which will enthral readers the world over.
This is the story of Lord Otori Shigeru-who has presided over the entire series as a sort of spiritual warrior-godfather-the man who saved Takeo and raised him as his own and heir to the Otori clan. This sweeping novel expands on what has been only hinted at before: Shigeru's training in the ways of the warrior and feudal lord, his relationship with the Tribe of mysteriously powerful assassins, the battles that tested his skills and talents, and his fateful meeting with Lady Maruyama.
The world of the Otori has entranced readers since the first book, Across The Nightingale Floor, was published in 2002. Now Lian Hearn takes us back to the beginning, in the astonishingly beautiful prequel, Heaven’s Net Is Wide.
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Blossoms and Shadows
Japan, 1857.
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For many centuries, it has been isolated. Its borders have been protected, and foreign influences excluded. Japan is the world, ruled by an ancient culture, beholden to traditional ideas. But now, the Western powers are at Japanʼs shores. The people are restless…and a revolution is building. The age of the samurai is ending. One young woman finds herself at the centre of the storm.
This is her story.