Lian Hearn

Much more of a personality/political story than the previous novels. I made it about half-way through and very little had actually happened. There were no action scenes to speak of and little promise of the pace picking up. 500 pages is a long time to go when the narrative only moves at walking speed. What's more, there was plenty of opportunity for Hearn to inject some movement, but she just didn't. For example, there was a near constant discussion of going to see the imposing Emperor who was threatening war on the Three Countries. By the time I gave up, though, they STILL hadn't gone to see him. I enjoyed the prior three books, but it's hard not to look at this one as a bit of authorial self-indulgence. The series would have been better served had it ended after book 3.… (more)

Set in a fictional world based on feudal Japan, Nightingale centers on the teenage boy Takeo who has grown up with his mother’s people, the Hidden, a spiritual group being persecuted for their beliefs. When his village is destroyed by the Tohan (a dominant, warlike clan), he escapes with the help of Shigeru, a Lord of the Otori. Shigeru adopts him and guides Takeo to the discovery of his true heritage as a member of the Tribe, a mysterious group of families who use their magical abilities to become assassins. Torn between his loyalty to the Otori and his dark parentage, Takeo becomes an unwilling participant in the war for control of the Three Countries.

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