Otori Takeo and the beautiful Kaede are now married. But the inescapable forces of destiny that have bound their lives from birth make their happiness an impossible dream. Takeo, still only seventeen, must raise an army to reclaim his Otori lands, and fulfil the prophecy of the blind sage: 'Peace comes at the price of bloodshed. Four battles to win and one to lose'. And he can never be free from the invisible assassins of the secret Tribe who have vowed to kill him. The eagerly-awaited Brilliance of the Moon is the most gripping book in the series that has captured the imaginations of readers young and old around the world. A rich and complex cast of characters are swept up in a breathtaking story of warfare and sacrifice, violent death, treacherous plots, the unstoppable natural forces of typhoon and earthquake, and the unconquerable desire of two young lovers to be together, against all odds. Lian Hearns ancient and magical Oriental world is compelling and unforgettable. This is stunning, timeless storytelling that will endure for many generations of listeners to come.

 

 

This book is part of a book series called Tales Of the Otori .

This book is aimed at Young Adult readers. The term Young Adult (YA) is used for books which have the following characteristics: (1) aimed at ages 12-18 years, US grades 7-12, UK school years 8-15, (2) around 50-75k words long, (3) main character is aged 12-18 years, (4) topics include self-reflection, internal conflict vs external, analyzing life and its meaning, (5) point of view is often in the first person, and (6) swearing, violence, romance and sexuality are allowed. This book was published in 2004 by Pan Macmillan .

Lian Hearn was born in England and later settled in South Australia with three children who are now all grown-up. She has a lifelong interest in Japan and speaks Japanese.