The Changes of Covers

The trilogy Tales of Otori constantly change their book cover and in their latest sequel Harsh Cry of the Heron, which has very unique senses of look and that reflects the book.
I especially like the pretty recent hardcover ones with very fine photographs of the characters rather then the others.

Main Charcters

Otori Takeo:The main character who was saved by a well know Lord named Otori Shigeru from ivaders who killed his village and family. Soon after that Shigeru adopts Takeo into the family, and teaches him the art of Otori.

Otori Shigeru: Shigeru is very well know War Lord who was rather kind hearted and gentle in his ways, after the death of his younger Takeshi, he became more silient and isolated himself from his family. Until he met the boy from the Village of the Hidden, who is now know as Takeo. Takeo resemblance like his Shigeru brother Takeshi, which people thought that is why he adopted him, but that wasnt the case.

Otori Ichiro: One of Takeo;s teacher, who teaches him caligraphy and the art of war.
Muto Kenji: A close friend of Otori Shigeru, who discovers that Takeo has the speacial abilities like the Kukuta family.

Iida Saduma: The ruthless ruler who constantly of the Tohan clan. He always has droughts about people and kill without mercy.
Enemies of the Otori and other countries.

Lord Noguchi: Ally of the Tohan

Kaede: Lived with the Noguchi most of her life although she was Seishuu, She had to stay with the noguchi learn and for alliance. She endure tough times and goes through constant bullying from other Noguchis and is treated like a slave. Few years on an agreement was made to have her marry Lord Otori Shigeru even though his twice her age, to from peace between the two countries. Eventually she met Takeo and fell deeply in love with each other.

Maruyama Naomi: Head of domains of the Seishuu clan, which has many alliancde with other countries. She is also the lover of Otori Shigeru

Across the Nightingale Floor By Lian Hearn

Across the Nightingale Floor, a magnificent fantasy novel based in medieval Japan. An epic trilogy about a boy who was adopted by war lord, which he soon discovers his new destiny and abilities he's capable of doing in the time of war between the three countries. It was a very deep and intellectual book with many conflict and romantic scenes throughout the read, which keeps you captivated and glued to the book. Takeo Shigeru adopted son of Otori Shigeru. His real father was a well known assassin who possessed mystical powers and passed it down to him.
Takeo's real family was assassinated and he was rescued by Lord Otori which soon adopts him into the family.
Lord Otori soon discovers Takeo amazing abilities and decided to put them into good use in the war between the Otori and Evil ruler Iida Sadamu.

"You are what you want you to be"