"Engaging tale"
Following his killing of the malevolent Lord Lida, Takeo
feels ambivalent towards the Tribe who saved his life, but
killed his adopted father even while he struggles to learn
how to master his extraordinary powers. Takeo decides to
learn more about the enigmatic Tribe of assassins in lieu
of accepting his deceased adopted father's crown. However,
Takeo quickly realizes the way of the Tribe is not for him
because being a hitman goes against his nature, but one
does not just retire from the Tribe so he must find a way
to leave. Princess Kaede waits for her beloved Takeo to return to
her, but does so in her homeland of Maruyama. She learns
that her father has lost much of his power and land.
Knowing that war is imminent anyway to fill the Lida void,
Kaede plans to restore her family to its previous level of
strength. The second Tales of the Otori fantasy is an exciting novel
that has a middle feel to it so that the audience will be
better suited starting with the prequel. Still, Takeo is a
fabulous individual struggling with powers and finding a
place in a sword and sorcery society that seems on the
brink of destruction. Kaede takes more center stage this
time while she waits for her beloved to return to her, she
does not sit idly on the sidelines, but instead assertively
takes charge of the family restoration. In spite of
the "book two trilogy syndrome", GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW is a
solid tale that the audience will appreciate as the viaduct
to what looks like will be a tremendous climax. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted July 30, 2003
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