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Fantasy/SF/Horror Book ReviewsPage One of ThreeAcross the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One by Lian HearnRiverhead Books, September, 2002Hardcover, 304 pages ISBN: 1573222259 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Newcomer Lian Hearn sets the fantasy world
buzzing with this first book in a projected
trilogy series. Set in a mythical time and place that
recalls feudal Japan, Across the Nightingale Floor
follows the amazing life of the boy, Takeo.
Orphaned when his entire clan is murdered by the
evil Lord Iida, Takeo is rescued by the talented
and beloved Lord Otori
and eventually adopted as his son. As Takeo grows up,
it become clear that he
has special gifts and talents -- he is really a member of
The Tribe, a group of highly skilled assassins.
In this medieval Japanese society, politics, intrigue
shifting alliances and honor all play important roles.
And the talented Takeo is going to be a major player
in the upcoming power struggle between Ieda and
the forces that oppose him. As Takeo grows up,
he will face the pains of first love and the depths of
anguish, as he is forced to make a terrible choice that
will have major repercussions for his family and his
country.
Across the Nightingale Floor is an absorbing story which takes ahold of the reader's imagination from the very first page. With grand themes, a rich cultural background, vivid characters and enough intrigue, magic and violence for three books, this is one story that is sure to be popular with fantasy and historical novel enthusiasts. Highly recommended. The Collection by Bentley LittleSignet, June, 2002Paperback, 453 pages ISBN: 0451206096 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
This collection of horror short stories
ranges from the bloody and gruesome to
the peculiar and mysterious. The stories cover a
range of unusual topics and characters, such
as the insane phonebook man, a child raised
in a family of devil worshippers, dangerous
papers in an abandoned town, a live snuff snow,
a deadly historical landmark, an alternative-history
where George Washington is a cannibal, a living
potato and a hitchhiker who leaves behind a trail of destruction.
The stories are quite short, about 10-20 pages
in length, so they are great for readers with
little time to spare.
Unlike children's author Lemony Snicket, who warns his young readers that they may find his books unpleasant to read because of the terrible things that happen in them, Bentley Little does not offer his readers a personal warning. He probably should consider doing so, because his stories are very frightening and full of awful, horrible things. Children should certainly not read them and many adults should not either. Unfortunately, Bentley offers little warning other then the macabre artwork on the cover, a note from Stephen King who calls Little "the master of the macabre" and the blurbs from authors and reviewers on the back -- who all concur that Bentley Little writes horrifying tales. Perhaps this is warning enough. The Collection is a terrific collection of gruesome horror shorts for those needing a good scare. Fantasy/SF Book Reviews Page One | Page Two | Page Three Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of fantasy/sf books reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |