Lian Hearn

Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, Book 2)

Sarah Escorsa

This is the second book in the "Tales of the Otori" trilogy and such a great read! I just love the fictional world created by Lian Hearn and enjoyed reading all three books in the trilogy equally. Tne thing I fail to understand is why this series is marketed towards young adults. I hesitated reading the trilogy for this reason and probably wouldn't have done so if a friend hadn't strongly recommended it to me.

Anna Marija

** spoiler alert **
           A great continuation of the first book in the Otori-trilogy. The generous shifting between the perspectives of the two main characters was a great way of storytelling, seeing as the first book indeed created a wish to learn more about princess Kaede. It was also a welcome surprise to discover that even though the main protagonist - Takeo - is a male and the story is supposed to follow his journey through his split fate, Grass for his Pillow did introduce a generous character growth for the female protagonist and made her into the main focus of this book. A strong female lead in books is always appreciated, especially in historically inspired books from times where women did not have the same power they have today. I would have loved for this strength to not waver until the very end of the book, however, seeing that the story is to lead towards a romance between both protagonists, it is forgivable that the female lead did in fact lose some of her influence that was built up during the book once the characters were to meet again. A very pleasant reading experience - I am looking forward to exploring Lian Hearn’s other books.

Natalie Sypeck 

There is something about the book in the middle of a series. It’s not the beginning where everything is new and shiny, but it’s also not the climatic ending, it’s just kinda there. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not as if the information that was given didn’t add to the story, it just was an overly enthralling. Starting book 3 now and hoping it keeps me at the edge of my seat a bit more

Steph Gram

Denaiir

Astor Reinhardt

In the ancient Oriental lands of the Otori, amidst a time of violent war, famine and treacherous alliances, the fate of the young lovers Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede hangs in the balance . . . Takeo, heir to the great Otori clan, has pledged his life to the secret Tribe. His supernatural skills of virtual invisibility and acute hearing make him their most deadly assassin. But he must deny the solemn oath of vengeance he made, his adopted birthright of wealth, land and power – and his love for Kaede. If he does not devote himself entirely to the brutal ways of the Tribe, they will kill him. Whichever path he choose, it will lead to hardship and sacrifice in the bitter winter of the high mountains, and test him to the limits of his being. Kaede, heiress to vast lands, is now the valuable pawn of ruthless warlords. She must use her intelligence, beauty and cunning to assert her place in a world of all-powerful men – who must never suspect the dangerous secret she hides. ‘The beauty, savagery and strangeness of Hearn’s gripping tale is heightened by her exquisite, crystalline prose. The second instalment in the Tales of the Otori is, astonishingly, even better than Across the Nightingale Floor’ Independent on Sunday

Grass for His Pillow (Tales of the Otori, Book 2)

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