Rating: 
Summary: A Solid Fantasy Work Set in a Mythical Japan
Review: I have been a fan of the fantasy genre since I first read the Hobbit some 20 years back. The one problem I have found over the years is that there is not enough originality in most of the books I read. The magic user finds the reluctant hero who must find the special item that will defeat the ultimate evil, all in front of a back drop of a thinly disguised Europe.As a student of martial arts and Eastern philosophy, I am thrilled anytime I can find a good story that uses Asia for its stage, and this may be the finest book of this kind I have found. The story is familiar in that we begin with an average person who evolves into an extraordinary hero by the end of the tale, but not simply by finding the magic ring or sword. Instead, latent abilities are brought to the service through training and self discovery. Magic, although present, is much more subtle than the average fireball slinging mage or demon conjuring sorcerer. The narration is done in beautiful, simple prose, very true to the Asian ideal, with a wonderful focus on all things natural. The characters are well developed and never over the top. Even the heroes are subject to personal flaws and setbacks. The action builds steadily culminating in a climax that holds more than a few surprises. All in all, a very enjoyable read. Simple, yet with a profound depth much like a haiku.
Rating:
Summary: A refreshing arrival on the fantasy scene
Review: Lian Hearn is the nom de plume of Australian author Gillian Rubenstein who honed her craft on countless bestseller young adult novels. She brings this expertise to a startlingly different and far more ambitious project, a high-fantasy Japanese feudal world. It's a timely arrival on a fantasy scene becoming stale and gorged with endless medieval European carbon-copy fantasies, and has deservedly received high acclaim. ACROSS THE NIGTHINGALE FLOOR, the first volume in the OTORI trilogy, introduces two compelling young heroes, the reluctant assassin Takeo and the political hostage Kaede. Pawns in a political game looming over them and the ones they care for, these youths must move carefully to retain their own lives and are tragically unable yet to protect anyone else, including each other. The growth of this power is foreshadowed for the second volume, which encompasses Takeo's acceptance of training by his father's family, the magical and mysterious Tribe, and Kaede's struggle to wield power as a woman in a man's world. Hearn's meticulous consistency and detail give us a highly pleasurable reading experience - her prose is spare, but not sparse, rendered elegant by its simplicity, and the perfect accompaniment to the Japanese-inspired world she offers us. She has achieved a stylistic unity with her subject matter which even talented writers like Janny Wurts (creator of the Japanese-inspired fantasy world of the Tsurani) have fallen short of. It was utterly refreshing and I was disappointed only by the length of this novel, which was more appropriate to a young-adult novel. The material is however quite violent and sexually suggestive, so I would not recommend it for readers under twelve or thirteen. The film rights to this book have apparently been snapped up already, so I look forward to seeing what will come - the overriding importance of duty to the characters, the magic-realist portrayal of the supernatural, and the wonderful evocation of landscape and the martial-arts focus clearly lending themselves to a CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON-style treatment.
Rating:
Summary: It captured the imagination and emotion!
Review: Rating System:
1 star = abysmal; some books deserve to be forgotten
2 star = poor; a total waste of time
3 star = good; worth the effort
4 star = very good; what writing should be
5 star = fantastic; must own it and share it with others STORY: In its simplest form this is a similar plot line of a fantasy book (Anvil of Ice by Michael Scott Rohan) that I just finished (unintentional coincidence): A youth of lowly station gets taken in by a man of reputation, finds he personally has unbelievable ability, falls into a forbidden love, and tries to right a wrong while forces help and hinder him. MY FEEDBACK:
Simply a magical and mystical feeling overtook me as I experienced this story of feudal Japan. Warriors, assassins and scheming clan lords fill this story of honor, friendship, love, loyalty and mystery. I can't compare this to Shogun (which may be a bit of a different kind of story) but as compared to the very enjoyable Cloud of Sparrows by Takashi Matsuoka, I enjoyed this one even more. This story builds up to a single climatic event and doesn't crap out through the process. This story is told from the first person, which allows you to really get into the inner person of Takeo. Takeo is a character you enjoy, sympathize with, empathize with, and you can't wait for him to explode upon the forces of evil. You walk in his footsteps and feel what he feels each step of the way. I can't better give any helpful details other than to say that even if this isn't your typical genre you will probably like this. I can't imagine this not appealing to all readers. Get it!
Rating:
Summary: Lian Hearn Crosses the Threshold
Review: The ancient Japanese setting is a far cry from the humdrum western medieval fantasy, and Lian Hearn has captured the essence of her locale in the simplicity of the language and the exotic descriptions of herons and rolling countryside. In fact the book is rather like a Zen garden at times with it peaceful imagery. This of course is contrasted with a reasonable amount of bloodshed, as the plot is essentially a tale of revenge. Takeo is the name of the protagonist. At the book's outset he is a young man living in a mountain village where the Hidden, a non-violent religious sect, try to escape persecution. But when a cruel warlord and his troops massacre the villagers and Takeo flees his home, his feet are set on the path that will lead him across the Nightingale Floor and into an inheritance that will shape the rest of his life. For Takeo is also born of the Tribe, and has inherited the special abilities which allow them to turn out the country's most formidable spies and assassins. Many themes and ideas run through this novel. The question of ethics is addressed in the conflict Takeo feels between his Tribe heritage which requires him to kill and his Hidden upbringing, which denounces violence. Women's rights play a part, as do themes of honour, promises, compassion and of course vengeance. There are obvious similarities between the fictional setting and that of the real Japan, as the persecution of the Hidden in the Three Countries parallels the real life persecution of Christians in Japan in the 18th and 19th centuries. Essentially however it is the original setting and refreshing approach that make this a book to be remembered. As for the author, who would have guessed that Lian Hearn is our (Australia's) very own Gillian Rubenstein? There is barely any similarity between this work and her previous creations for young teens. And this new style for a new name is set to continue with the other two books in the trilogy: Grass For His Pillow, which has just been released and Brilliance of the Moon due out in September next year. No doubt they, like Across the Nightingale Floor, will be two more original books that any reader of fantasy, and any Australian reader of fantasy at that, will be proud to have as ambassadors for their genre.
Rating: 
Summary: Imagination and execution
Review: Just because an idea is good doesn't mean that it will be handled well. Lian Hearn, in "Across The Nightingale Floor," is clearly brimming over with wonderful ideas, but the characters are pretty cold and the dramatic tension is nil. In the Three Countries, a young boy named Tomasu discovers that his family has been cruelly slaughtered by Lord Iida; he's only saved by the semi-mysterious Lord of the Otori, Shigeru. Given the name of Takeo, he becomes Otori's ward, and learns that he is a member of the Tribe, a people with mysterious powers and abilities. As he learns his new skills, he learns more of his past. But Shigeru has problems of his own when he's betrothed to Kaede, a beautiful young girl who is said to bring death to any guy who falls for her. To make things worse, Shigeru is in love with Lady Maruyama, a powerful relative of Kaede's. At the center of the betrothal is more political plotting and devious scheming, that will put Takeo to the test as he tries to kill Iida, who sleeps every night in the Nightingale Floor... Japanese history and folklore are a much-underused fantasy source, compared to Anglo or Celtic fantasy, which is used in every other fantasy novel you come across. Hearn has definitely done his research, and he seamlessly integrates fantasy elements into a medieval Japanese setting. Concepts such as the Tribe, the complicated political strife and the Nightingale Floor (a floor that squeaks loudly at the slightest touch) are fantastic. What's wrong with the book? The writing. While Hearn has the basic descriptions down, nothing comes alive. Tense, dramatic, action-filled scenes are flat and rather slow; one scene has Takeo creeping along to some dying condemned men, but there's no sense of urgency. The sudden passion Kaede and Takeo have is laughable. And when two major characters die tragic deaths, I felt completely unmoved. The good guys are utterly noble in all things, while the bad guys are evil through 'n' through. Takeo in particular seems passionless and kinda dull. He goes through all sorts of harrowing experiences, but doesn't seem to feel anything. Shigeru was so noble and distant that I found it hard to care much about him. Kaede alone, with her growing sense of desperation, was a compelling character. While the idea itself is twisty and intriguing to watch unfold, the execution is definitely lacking. Those hoping for a sort of Japanese "Lord of the Rings" won't find the richness they were looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful....
Review: Once in a while you come across a book that has everything, love, revenge, feminism and subtle erotica..True drama...You find yourself curious about the tribe, Crying when shigeru dies and rooting for Takeo and kaede. I have read the second book as well and was upset that it was released so late. After reading the second I assure you that you will be truly hooked and hoping that a movie will be made one day on the lines of crouching tiger hidden dragon. if you have ever seen that movie, the book transports you there and for a few hours you live in a completely differant world...the imagery is exquisite and can't wait for the final book.
Rating:
Summary: you have to read this book
Review: this book is the best book i have read in years. i couldnt put it down and was reading it well in 2 the early hours of the morning. amazing storyline and fantasticly well written. you will regret not reading this book.a must.
Rating: 
Summary: Enchanting entertainment
Review: One of the most entertaining novels I've read in a long time. Beautifully evocative of a magical time and place - a stunning fusion of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and James Clavell's "Shogun." It's refreshing to read an adventure story where the female characters are just as strong and capable as their male counterparts. I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Rating:
Summary: political intrigue and mystical powers, fun stuff
Review: The first book in a trilogy, Across The Nightingale Floor takes place in a feudal country modeled very closely on Japan. The hero is a young boy who is taken in by the Otori clan and thrown into a complicated bit of political intrigue. The boy takes the name of Takeo and under the tutelage of a mysterious friend of Lord Otori, learns the art of swordfighting and more. Across The Nightingale Floor has plenty of swordplay, assassinations, romance, and double-crosses. What's more, Takeo learns that he has some nascent powers like a preternatural hearing ability. He is just beginning to realize his potential when he finds himself deep in enemy territory. The last third of this exciting book has many surprises in store and I finished it in a rush of reading. I'm eagerly looking forward to the the second book in this trilogy, Grass For His Pillow. Good stuff. (By the way, this is first book I've taken out of a library in quite some time. They let me borrow it for free! Can you imagine?)
Rating:
Summary: killer
Review: this book ruled!!
it was absolutly amazing how he wrote the plot and what he did to the characters were phanominal! :O
i cant wait to read the second one in this three part series.
- ananymous ;P
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