Against a background of wild forest, elegant castles, hidden temples and savage battlefields, the adventure that began with Emperor of the Eight Islands draws to its thrilling conclusion, in Lian Hearn's Lord of the Darkwood.

The rightful emperor is lost. Shikanoko is condemned to live, half-man and half-deer, an outlaw in the Darkwood. Yet the mighty lords who now rule the Eight Islands are prey to suspicion and illness, and drought and famine choke the realm. Only Shikanoko can bring healing, by restoring the preordained ruler to the Lotus Throne. And only one person can bring him back from the Darkwood . . .

The second and final instalment of 'The Tale of Shikanoko': a bold epic of a fantastical medieval Japan from the creator of the global phenomenon Tales of the Otori, Lian Hearn, whose books have sold over four million copies worldwide.

About the Author
Lian Hearn studied modern languages at Oxford University and worked as a film critic and arts editor in London before settling in Australia. She is the author of Across the Nightingale Floor, the first in the internationally acclaimed Tales of the Otori series. Grass for His Pillow, Brilliance of the Moon, The Harsh Cry of the Heron and Heaven's Net is Wide follow.

Reviews
Hearn continues to explore issues of fate, love, moral failure, and moral redemption through characters both archetypal and heartbreakingly believable. * Kirkus Reviews *
A thrilling tale of love, violence, loyalty and betrayal -- Guardian on Tales of the Otori
The plot is gripping and the writing is beautiful, packed with authentic, atmospheric detail -- Daily Mail on Tales of the Otori
The writing is extraordinary . . . Virtually pitch perfect -- Evening Standard on Tales of the Otori
An enthralling and original work of fantasy -- The Times on Tales of the Otori
Across the Nightingale Floor remains quite simply the best story of magic, love, sex, revenge and suspense to have come this way since Philip Pullman -- Independent on Sunday on Tales of Otori
An original and exquisitely wrought adventure story -- Observer on Tales of the Otori
Across the Nightingale Floor was described to me by the young man in Borders bookshop as a "Japanese Harry Potter, only better". In fact, it's a different beast entirely. Much darker, much sharper, much less predictable -- Daily Telegraph on Tales of the Otori



Book Information
ISBN 9781509812837
Author Lian Hearn
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Picador
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 289g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 24mm