[Jasc]

I usually never post anything here, unless I feel strongly enough about a certain topic or book to merit the effort.

This is one of those times.

I just finished Lain Hearn's "Across the Nightingale Floor" (the first book in her Otori trilogy), and oh boy was I ever blown away. Not in several years have I read a book this good, and I have read many—most of the books mentioned here, and more. To tell you the truth, I have read so many books that are trash, that I have grown used to, perhaps even expecting poor quality when I read a fantasy novel. Pure drivel like Robert Newcomb's “The Fifth Sorceress” or Terry Goodkind's "The Naked Empire" are popping up like weeds these days.

But amidst the piles and piles of rubble, sometimes you find that rose of exceptional beauty. And "Across the Nightingale Floor" is that rose. It’s vastly different than the usual run-of-the-mill fantasy novels, unique even.

The setting of the book takes place in a mythical Japanese-like society, though it's not a direct allusion to actual history, and it features a smattering of magic. It's a coming of age story, but not in the usual Robert Jordan type of way. Perhaps the best way to describe it is as a recipe: Take the majestic backdrop of "Shogun", mix it with the cool assassin factor of “Hero’s Die” (Tekio and Caine would get along nice, me thinks), imbue it with the mysticism of Eric Lustbader's “Ninja”, then toss in a fabulous plot, superlative characterization, a good dose of pathos, a chunk of romance and you have what I consider to be one of the best books, ever.

If you have read “A Song of Fire of Ice” fifteen times, spun through the "Wheel of Time" more times than Nynaeve pulls her braid, consumed every Hobb novel, then give this book a shot; it won’t disappoint.

It's a sweeping epic of love, betrayal, loyalty, magic, and a high quest for revenge, and so dam fine a read you will want to lick the cover when you’re done. I HIGHLY recommend you check this book out.

[Keyoke]

While I haven't read this series, it seems to be highly regarded. :)

Fortunately for me, I managed to find the first 2 books in Hardcover recently, and they were on sale! Whoo hoo!

Thanks for posting, and reminding to read this series.

Keyoke

[ezchaos]

I finished AtNF floor back in December and I though it was a really good book. Even though it's the first book in a series, the story wrapped itself up nicely and didn't end on a cliff-hanger. Also, it was only a few hundred pages long which is always refreshing. It was definitely in my top reads of 2003.

I think this was the first fantasy story I've read that dealt with feudal Japan and it's mythology. I'll probably check out the 2nd book sometime.

[Hobbit]

Whilst not wanting to lick the cover when done, I will agree that it is a good book. :D

I have the sequel (Grass for His Pillow) 'in the pile' and will get round to that soon.

It is being sold as a Young Adult reading book here in the UK, though seems to have been read by quite a few adults here!

Any thoughts on that?

Hobbit

[Jasc]

Young Adult? That's news to me; It certainly doesn't read like a YA book. It's no more YA than say Wheel of Time.

There is a fair, but not inordinate, amount of graphic violence, complex politics, a deep love story that is neither overdone nor insipid. I don't know why it's classed as YA, really. It's far more "adult" than say "Eragon" or “His Dark Materials".

I suppose it might be classed as YA because the protagonist, Takeo, is around 16--but never once does his narration read as a "16" year-old; you get the impression he is much older, and he certainly acts much older.

And the love dynamic is far more mature (though by no means pornographic) than any YA book I've read.

So no, I would not consider it a YA book. The beauty of the book is that it can appeal to all genres--though it is Fantasy--and both young and old. Sort of the way that “The Count of Monti Christo” or “Shogun” can—though personally, I found it more interesting than Shogun!

If anyone was fascinated by "The Last Samurai", then you will drink deeply from this book; it explores the issues of honor and loyalty

[LUKEDAWG]

Just recently picked up this book and I'm really loking forward to it. I really haven't read many novels that allude to feudal Japan, aside from perhaps The Empire series by Feist, and Shogun, the authors name eludes me at the moment.

I think maybe it's categorized in YA may be because of it's brief length. Which really is kind of odd for a novel of this nature, so I can definetly see why the mix-up occured. Seem like pretty adultish fantasy to me.

[Iskaral Pust]

This one has been in the post for about a week now, I'm expecting it sometime this week. Nice to see I seem to have made a good choice (though it can't be better than Erikson...)

[Nimea]

In the Book Club we had this book discussed some month ago - go have a look for more opinions, or even to post there as well. :)

Interesting thing, that it is considered YA. It is published as such here in Germany as well - and, even so I don't think it is the most brilliant novel or whatever, I was quite happy to see it recieved some very fine reviews and a rather well done marketing job by the publisher. (The German Cover is great, only the title . . . like always.:rolleyes: )

Isn't Hearn a pseudonym for a YA writer? I remember something like that . . .

The Picador paperback is announced for April 2004 - yep, I do want to read it.

[ezchaos]

I wouldn't consider it YA, although I can see why the pubs would try to push it as one. The two main characters are teenagers and the book is fairly short for a fantasy novel. Also, I'm sure they're trying to captialize on the success of the HP books.

[Drunkagain]

I just ordered this thanks to the great reviews I've seen here and a few other places. I'm looking forward to jumping into it.