Rating: 
Summary: Grass for His Pillow
Review: I totally loved Book One. Book Two, Grass for His Pillow was a complete disappointment. The first half of the book was nothing but a repeat of material from Book One. In many instances, it was paragraph and chapter upon paragraph and chapter repeating text from Book One. Book Two was a rip off, I bought and read it based on the quality of Book One, and I was sadly mistaken. I am sorry I got and would not recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun but lots of filler
Review: If you haven't read Across the Nightengale Floor much of Grass for His Pillow isn't going to make any sense. This book is clearly a bridge between the first and third books in the series so it suffers a bit as a result. Despite that, Hearn's fantastical version of feudal Japan remains mesmerizing. Chracters are fleshed out a little bit more and we learn that Takeo really does have a destiny to fulfill. Takeo and Kaede both have a chance to grow independent of each other and it is interesting to watch the way each must move within their "families." I can't wait to see how Hearn brings it all together in the finale.
Rating: 
Summary: UNBELIEVABLE
Review: It was UNBELIEVABLY good! I couldn't put it down. It is so unique and interesting. I would definitely suggest the book to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Continuation of Series -- a Definitive "Book 2"
Review: Lian Hearn continues his "Tales of the Otori" trilogy with "Grass for His Pillow," and "Pillow" expands upon the wonderful foundation Hearn laid in Book 1, "Across the Nightingale Floor."
In Book 1, our hero, young Takeo, learns that he is a young man of divided legacies. Raised among the Hidden, a pseudo-Christian sect devoted to one almighty god, adopted by the warrior-clan the Otori after his village was slaughtered, and a talented member of the mystical Tribe (a highly regimented clan of ninjas blessed with magical powers). This is a lot for a young man to bear, particularly when the Three Countries (Hearn's alternate, mythical version of Japan) are devolving into civil war.
Takeo was adopted by the charismatic Lord Shigeru, who met is end in dastardly fashion, and Takeo exacted revenge while falling in love with the beautiful-yet-cursed Kaede. At the end of Book 1, Takeo and Kaede are forced to go their separate ways - Kaede to rule her newly-expanded homeland, and Takeo to study as one of the Tribe. The catch is that its pretty clear that Takeo considers his oath to the Tribe to be a coerced deal with the Devil, and we're pretty convinced that Takeo's relationship with his magical kinsmen will not be warm.
"Pillow" confirms this. Takeo undergoes rigorous training at the hands of the Tribe, and his talents continue to flourish. But all is not well, and Takeo learns that his destiny with the Tribe is precarious, at best. At the same time, he is learning more and more about himself and his connections both with the Hidden and with the Otori clan, and these bonds are growing too powerful to ignore. Takeo also learns that there are mighty prophecies at work in the Three Countries, and he is destined to play a large part in their fulfillment, although there are some ominous signs that the fulfillment of the prophecies may not require his survival . . .
Through it all, Takeo pines for Kaede (even as he receives his education in the more intimate arts from another member of the Tribe). Kaede aches equally for Takeo, but finds herself in a precarious position. Her father has continually taken the wrong sides in the civil war, and he is a depressed shadow of his former self. And her lands have fallen into decrepitude following war and neglect. And she is making her way as a matriarch in a man's world. And she is single, and customs demand that she be married. But how can she marry another when she loves Takeo so fiercely? How Kaede responds to these various challenges (and others) through her wit and courage is a wonder.
Most of the action in "Pillow" takes place during an exceedingly harsh winter, and the characters are often cold, on the verge of freezing. The harsh landscape underscores the harsh realities that beset the young lovers.
Hearn describes this all with an economic-yet-poetic style, and has a gift for capturing the defining characteristics of a landscape, a palatial estate, or a humble cave. While the action scenes may be lacking in "Pillow," the drama is intense, and readers will see that Hearn is going to great lengths to set a climactic table for the final book in his trilogy. A must-read for fans of "Across the Nightingale Floor!"
Rating:
Summary: Review of unabridged audio version
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 othersSTORY: From back cover: "Takeo has now been claimed by the Tribe; held by them against his will, he is condemned to work as an assassin. Meanwhile, Shirakawa Kaede must try to unify the domain she has inherited, while fighting off would-be suitors and hoping that Takeo will return to her." MY FEEDBACK:
1) You don't really need to read the first book to understand this story because the author does enough reflection and backstory to get a reader up to speed. BUT...it is so much better if you do read Across the Nightingale Floor first. 2) The characters of Takeo and Kaede are explored more and we as readers continue our bond and love for them. Kaede plays a much larger role in this book than the first. 3) This second/middle book doesn't seem to suffer from middle-book syndrome but continues with the same strength as the first. The first book resolved enough without having to read this book, but this book definitely sets the stage for interesting events to happen in the 3rd book.
Very little is resolved in this book. This book was truly the rising action of the series making you feel that the climax is just around the corner and me as a reader anxious to get there. 4) The same actors come back to this book to do the voices in this unabridged representation of the book. The acting is very well done and enjoyable throughout. OVERALL: Fantastic continuation. I can't wait till the end of the trilogy!
Rating:
Summary: A worthy sequel
Review: The second book by Lian Hearn, Grass for His Pillow, picks up right where the first left off. This book suffers somewhat from the "middle of the trilogy" syndrome, but it keeps the plot going.
One thing I've noticed about Hearn's works is that events are well-paced and the action is detailed without being overly descriptive. Even if you're a slow reader (like I can be), these books are quick reads.
This book begins with Lady Kaede, who is now on her own with her lady-in-waiting Shizuka, who is also part of The Tribe. Kaede must now find a way to fend for her life and help her sisters survive in this dangerous world they live in. With the help of Shizuka, she 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 taken by the Tribe and will eventually become one of them as is his birthright. Takeo has no desire to be with them but is bound to them by heritage and a promise he made in the first book.
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, brought to a conclusion by the third installment, Brillance of the Moon.
Grass for His Pillow is an adventure epic that is beautifully written and researched thoroughly by Hearn.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun and light
Review: This book reads as light and easy as the first. I alternate between books that take effort to read and ones that just carry you along for the ride. This is of the second variety.
Two points:
1. The author relies too much on your memory of the first book. I read this one a little over a year after the first and was definitely a little lost, trying to remember specific characters and plot turns from the first book without any real refereshers.
2. This is definitely a second in a trilogy book. Just like the Empire strikes back or the Matrix Reloaded, this book felt like mostly set up for the final installment.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful but lacking in depth
Review: WHO SHOULD READ:
This is a no-brainer. People who really liked Across the Nightingale Floor will rush to this book and rightly so. Despite our mediocre rating, there's nothing wrong with this book and nothing embarrassing about liking it. There is an undeniable beauty to the prose and the storyline is satisfying enough. While it's not Great Literature it is certainly engaging and just as certainly a very brisk read. Despite some very adult moments, precocious readers ages 11-16, we feel, will particularly like this book and the others in the trilogy. Japanophiles will also like this book though we feel they'll have more fun pointing out inconsistencies with the "real Japan" once they find out that Hearn is actually named Rubinstein and was born in England. Those readers looking for succinct beauty should go buy--it can be dusted off in a weekend.
WHO SHOULD PASS:
Just as certainly, potential readers need to read its predecessor and be very prepared to purchase the final book. There is absolutely no closure here and if you want a self-contained story, go somewhere else. The book is at once both intensely introspective and romantic--these are the dominant themes and if you're not looking for that kind of material, then pass. No super action here! though there is a bit of martial arts. Adults who can get annoyed with books that may be said to overly celebrate youth will likely be pretty annoyed by this book and should pass.
READ THE ENTIRE REVIEW AT INCHOATUS.COM
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