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| Review Summary |
Riverhead, Aug 2003, 24.95, 292 pp.
ISBN: 1573222518
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
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age
Yes
Youngster becomes
- a powerful magician
Romance
Yes
Romance plotlets:
- two lovers coping with tough mission
Political power play
Yes
Political plotlets
- preventing/managing clash/war between govts/kingdoms
Inner Struggle
Yes
Plotlet:
- coping with mental/magical powers
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- mage/magician
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- mastermind
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Setting
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- significantly more dialog than descript
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