Rating: 
Summary: Excellent literary work of fantasy
Review: Following his killing of the malevolent Lord Lida, Takeo feels ambivalent towards the Tribe who saved his life, but killed his adopted father even while he struggles to learn how to master his extraordinary powers. Takeo decides to learn more about the enigmatic Tribe of assassins in lieu of accepting his deceased adopted father's crown. However, Takeo quickly realizes the way of the Tribe is not for him because being a hitman goes against his nature, but one does not just retire from the Tribe so he must find a way to leave.Princess Kaede waits for her beloved Takeo to return to her, but does so in her homeland of Maruyama. She learns that her father has lost much of his power and land. Knowing that war is imminent anyway to fill the Lida void, Kaede plans to restore her family to its previous level of strength. The second Tales of the Otori fantasy is an exciting novel that has a middle feel to it so that the audience will be better suited starting with the prequel. Still, Takeo is a fabulous individual struggling with powers and finding a place in a sword and sorcery society that seems on the brink of destruction. Kaede takes more center stage this time while she waits for her beloved to return to her, she does not sit idly on the sidelines, but instead assertively takes charge of the family restoration. In spite of the "book two trilogy syndrome", GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW is a solid tale that the audience will appreciate as the viaduct to what looks like will be a tremendous climax. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Epic adventures continue
Review: GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW by Lian Hearn The second book in a series called TALES OF THE OTORI by Lian Hearn, GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW continues the story of young Takeo (Tomasu) and his adventures among the clans of a fictional ancient Japan. This world that Hearn creates is filled with a touch of fantasy, as special people known as The Tribe populate the land, with the ability to do "magical" things such as disappear, or split oneself into two persons. Takeo learns in the first book, ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR, that he is part of The Tribe, through a father he does not remember. Raised among the people called "The Hidden", Takeo has learned of a more gentle way of life by a people who believe in a new god, while The Tribe teaches him to kill and destroy. GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW begins with Lady Kaede, a young woman betrothed to Takeo's adoptive father Lord Shigeru of the Otori, one of many powerful lords among the clans. Kaede, however, loves Takeo, but in this second book she is now on her own with her lady-in-waiting Shizuka, who is also part of The Tribe. Kaede is no longer with Takeo or Lord Shigeru, and she must now find a way to fend for her life and help her sisters survive in this dangerous world they live in. Her father, Lord Shirakawa, is very old and weak, and he is the only protection she has from the other powerful men in the land who will try take away all that she has come to love, including her sisters. Kaede, with the help of Shizuka, learns how to defend herself and learn the skills that traditionally belong to a man, because she knows that she can no longer trust anyone else, and she will certainly not trust a man again. Her only love Takeo has been taken away and she does not even know whether he is alive. Takeo is also unaware of what has become of Kaede. He has been captured by The Tribe, and will eventually become one of them, as is his birthright. Takeo has no desire to be with them, however, but is bound to them by heritage and a promise he made in ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR. He also knows that if he tries to escape, they will kill him. But escape he does, and Takeo is now on the run for his life. His goal is to return to Lord Shigeru's people, The Otori, with the hopes that they will accept him as Shigeru's heir. Takeo and Kaede live day by day, yearning for each other and never knowing whether they will see tomorrow. Their struggles and adventures are comparable to a cross between CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. The Tales of the Otori are written on an epic scale, and the conclusion will finally reveal whether Takeo and Lady Kaede's futures will be as one. GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW is an adventure epic that is beautifully written and researched thoroughly by Ms Hearn. Although this second installment of the Tales of the Otori is recommended, I found it was not as good as the first book. I found something lacking in this second one, but it does not mean I will not follow up with the third book. It is still worth the read, and anyone that has read the first book should definitely read this one. One thing I did note was that GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW is a stand-alone book. Hearn left enough information in this second book to fully explain what happened in the first. Any new reader to this series will not feel lost if starting this series with GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW. This reader gives GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: The finale is built up...
Review: I bought the first book (Across the Nightingale Floor) and absolutely loved it! I couldn't put it down. So I was eagerly awaiting the second part of the series and I wasn't disappointed in the least. Although it may not have as many tense and exciting moments as the first, I felt this book puts the reader more into the psyche of the two main characters. The reader can relate to all the mixed emotions that Takeo and Kaede experience. Takeo builds up his Kikuta skills and finally escapes from the Tribe's grip on him and sets out to find Kaede and claim his place as an Otori Lord. Kaede returns home to Shirakawa and finds it almost in ruins and with her father living in shame. She begins to rebuild and makes some beneficial acquaintances along the way. But is she getting herself in too deep? Now Takeo and Kaede take more control of their fates, going against all the rules of their "class" and all the advice given them by the ones they trust the most. But in a land of assassins and so-called allies, secrets and lies, powerful warlords and lowly outcasts, can Takeo and Kaede really trust anyone? Grass For His Pillow is a great buildup to the finale of the three part series, "Brilliance of the Moon." A great read!
Rating:
Summary: unbelievable!
Review: I could not praise a book or a series more highly that The Tales of the Otori. Lian Hearn has written something that will stay on my top shelf until the end of my days.
Grass for His Pillow (Book 2) starts out, where Across the Nightingale Floor left off, with Takeo under the control of the Tribe, a group of families with special traits, after he avenges Lord Shigeru's death. The Kikuta, Takeo's family in the Tribe, teach Takeo how to master his skills, but their actions and orders never sit well with him. Finally, the Kikuta force Takeo to make a decision between his opposing loyalties, causing his split with the Kikuta and the beginning of his real journey.
Meanwhile, Kaede continues her fight to retain power in a male dominated world. She forms an alliance with Lord Arai after he takes over the Three Countries from Lord Iida. Although, Lord Arai wants her to marry, but she refuses until she can recover from her loss of Lord Shigeru, whom she was supposed to marry in book one. She returns home to Shirakawa to find it in disrepair. Her sisters, Hana and Ai, are struggling to eat and live respectably, all while Kaede's father is losing his mind.
Both Takeo and Kaede long for each other throughout Grass for His Pillow, but they never seem to follow through on those feelings because of their opposing responsibilities to their families.
The ending was wonderful and has me eagerly anticipating the third installment. To all reading this critique, READ THIS SERIES!
Rating:
Summary: Classic fantasy adventure in the mold of Lord of the Rings
Review: I disagree completely with the reviewer who thought this was for precocious children. The author has written for children in the past, but the Tales of the Otori series is obviously aimed primarily at an adult audience.
As with Nightingale Floor, the characters are richly drawn, the plot wild and blood-soaked, and the setting a supernatural fantasy-scape reminiscent of medieval Japan. I enjoyed this book even more than the first, and can't wait for the third and final installment.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I don't think this was just fluff and filler for the middle of the trilogy. I thought that they developed Lady Kaede's character much more here than just having her be a hostage and a pretty face. We got to know her character better. It did seem a bit trite that she and Takeo are star-crossed lovers and they are so much in love as to turn their backs on everything else. Been there done that. I agree with the whole fulfilling a prophecy thing as being lame and contrived. Plus, finding out that all the main characters are related, oh come on. All in all, a good easy read and I'm looking forward to the third installment.
Rating: 
Summary: It was good but pretty please no more prophecies
Review: I loved the first book, strong, imaginative, good story. More of the same here. But somewhere toward the middle I could see where it was going. Please! I am getting really tired of all this "he is the one," and "you will fulfill the prophecy" junk. It would have been better if Hearn had let the story be a little more, well above that. So basically, ok book, but would have been better if I didn't have to listen to another prophesy about someone fighting wars to unite the land. It's a good premise; it's just being way too overused. And frankly after the first book I expected more originality.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, rises above the first.
Review: I really enjoyed ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR, the first book in this trilogy. Although I was captivated by it, I did not rush out to buy this second book. But this second novel definitely improved upon the first. I am really fired up after having read the conclusion, and am ready to buy book three. The whole series is fascinating, even if it does follow a familiar fomula. But it's a timeless formula, and one that has been proven to work time and time again. Lean Hearn is an expert at hinting at events rather than showing them directly. The way this book is written, you get the impression that it's like a piece of artwork itself: what's not there is just as important as the imagery you see. I'm looking forward to the concluding book, and will rush out to get it right away this time.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book, rises above the first.
Review: I really enjoyed ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR, the first book in this trilogy. Although I was captivated by it, I did not rush out to buy this second book. But this second novel definitely improved upon the first. I am really fired up after having read the conclusion, and am ready to buy book three. The whole series is fascinating, even if it does follow a familiar fomula. But it's a timeless formula, and one that has been proven to work time and time again. Lean Hearn is an expert at hinting at events rather than showing them directly. The way this book is written, you get the impression that it's like a piece of artwork itself: what's not there is just as important as the imagery you see. I'm looking forward to the concluding book, and will rush out to get it right away this time.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, but...
Review: I thought this suffered a little from "middle of the trilogy" syndrome. Dramatic events occurred in the first book, along with the introduction of many interesting characters. Here we seem to be in a bit of a holding pattern while everyone catches his breath and waits for the finale. Part of it was due to the overall intended atmosphere of the book. It is winter and everything slows to a halt--with only plans being made for when the snow clears and major campaigns can now be fought. Part is due to the mysterious Tribe--Takeo is amongst them, but only interacts with a few lower-members, whose relationships with him don't change much. And surprisingly little is revealed about them--save that what we have guessed or learned from the first book. I wanted a bit more of a climatic arc to be had with that part of the story, but it was not to be. However, the world remains beautifully, even sublimely rendered. And there is that subtle tension that underlies the events, which pulls the reader along. I greatly enjoyed the first book and am content with this, the second book, and wait eagerly for the conclusion to this compelling tale.
| 
