Synopsis: In his palace at Inuyama, Lord lida Sadamu, warlord of the Tohan clan, surveys his famous nightingale floor. Its surface sings at the tread of every human foot, and no assassin can cross it.
But 16-year-old Otori Takeo, his family murdered by lida's warriors has the magical skills of the Tribe - preternatural hearing, invisibility, a second self - that enable him to enter the lair of the Tohan. He has love in his heart and death at his fingertips...
My Thoughts:This is a very tightly written novel that weaves the various strands of the story together to create a strong narrative that carries the story and the reader along.
Although Hearn claims that the novel is set in an imaginary land and time, it has a strong Japanese flavour which creates an atmosphere of honour and tradition.
The love story is developed well and very slowly so that by the end you completely believe in it and want them to succeed and be together.
My only complaint with this novel is that Hearn sometimes slips into telling us what is happening instead of showing us which is a bit distancing. I wanted to get closer up to Takeo at some points, particularly in the beginning and when he is learning to become one of the Tribe.
However, overall, this is a vibrant and compelling novel and a brilliant start to a trilogy that I will definitely be reading more of.
*****
