Mixed feelings - Rated 
This is a strangely disappointing book.. For those who have been following the fortunes of the Otori clan it will be a must buy. Yet at the same time it is curiously unsatisfying. Whilst it fills in some details of history that pre-date "Across the Nightingale Floor" it adds little to our understanding of the motivation of the main characters in the later books as this was already clear. The strangely compressed ending, when Hearn appears to be in a rush to get Shigeru across to Mino, killing off Takeshi and Komori (who puts in a late and unconvincing reappearance) in the process seems to be driven more by the need to end the book and link it back into "Nightingale" than by clearly worked out narrative structure. That said, Hearn displays all her old skills in evoking the world of a semi-mythical medieval Japan. Particularly interesting is how she uses the possibility of Nestorian Christianity having reached Japan in the 9th Century as the basis of the Hidden, as indicated by the name of one of her Hidden characters. In the end I am glad I read it (if only out of a sense of completing the set), but I am not sure that it has added anything to my understanding or appreciation of the previous books in the series.
Packed with blood, gore and intrigue - Rated
This prequel is packed with blood, gore and intrigue. She delves into the history of the Otari. We are better able to understand Hearn's world and its subtleties through her detailed descriptions of it.
At times, Hearn takes up quite a lot of space describing an almost Catholic cult and their secret members. There us no reason for this. It could have something to do with a prophecy or something. But who cares? This is a book about the Samurai and secret tribes of assassins. Not early Christian development.
This makes it rather drawn out and, at times, it seems that this book is just a fan's guide to the Otori world. This is not to say that the book is dull. There is a definite plot but after the initial hundred pages or so not much seems to happen.
The main character describing farming techniques in mind-numbing detail is not inspiring.
I would recommend this book to dedicated fans.
If you are interested in farming and the spread of Catholicism in a fictional 15th century Japan, that's great.
If you're interested in neither of the above, try her other books.
They are easier on the eye.
Christopher Dean
4/5 for action
The beginning - Rated 
I really loved this book, and i thought the way the book continues into the start of the original trilogy clever and satisfying.Having just finished it, I feel the need to start the first trilogy again, just to how well it flows on.
my only critisism would be that Hearn seems to write better in first person, as the writing at points was 'shigeru did this' and shigeru did that', so you don't feel as much in the action as in the first 4.
But don't let that put you off because this book is just as good as the previous ones, and if you're new to the trilogy, it can be read first.
This book should be read first - Rated 
I had eagerly awaited this book and was a little disappointed with it, but I have to stress it is still a good read.
Having read the first four books, this book is really the beginning or if you're reading it last, a fictional biography - something I had to keep reminding myself when some co-incidence or timeline seemed slightly out.
One thing that annoyed me was that some of the connections were not mentioned in the other books. As an armchair critic, I would have preferred one of the important revelations (something we are not privy to in the other books) to have come via Takeo or Kikede on reading the scrolls Shigeru left them, either before his meeting with fate - or
The pace seemed slightly hurried not helped by some of the really short chapters.
Don't let this mildy negative review put you off the series, especially if you read this book before the others a good 3 hour read!
Prepare to be blown away - Amazing start/finish to an awesome series!! - Rated
Absolutely awesome start/end of the best series of books i've ever read. there is no higher praise.
Feudal japanese set tales of samurai, geisha, swords, blood, treachery, intrigue, and love. The complex, entertaining and beautiful history of the otori is finally finished with Heaven's Net is Wide - the last in the series and a prequel to the other books.
This book is in third person like the recent and equally awesome Harsh Cry of the Heron, and unlike the original trilogy told from Otori Takeo's perspective.
This is the story of Shigeru, Takeo's adoptive father/uncle and reveals the much wondered about events prior to the first book - the legendary battles and the real story of Shigeru's brother and tribe knowledge. all the character's that get little time in the trilogy are explored and personalised in this volume.
It is awesomely written, moody and evocative, tranquil, yet gruesome in equal measure. It serves as an awesome way into the series and can be read first (as Hearn must now intend) as the book leads on to within 6 pages of the start of Across the Nightingale Floor. Alternatively it can be read last - like i read it - revealing the legendary events the other books are based on. there are one or two instances where it's prequel nature is apparent - sentences like - (name) who would go on to become suchandsuch in the near future. these originally made me think a first time reader should start with the trilogy but upon research i found that these types of sentences appear throughout the series. i now think it is a great place to start as Hearn now intends and should be on your reading list soon.
incredible, atmospheric and complex.
involving and entertaining - a book to treasure -
there are so few this good. 10/10
|
