Heaven's net is wide : the first tale of the Otori. by Lian Hearn. Pub. Riverhead Books.

A brilliant story being the Prequel to the Tales of the Otori which began with Across the Nightingale Floor. It is the story of Lord Otori Shigeru the Otori leader who adopted Takeo, the hero of the later trilogy, as his son. Shigeru has great qualities as a leader, not only in battle but in his judgement and treatment of people. While a great fighter in battle, especially at the hugely significant Battle of Yaegahara, he is hugely unlucky in love and in his immediate family. He overcomes this with diplomacy and patience and with his ability to attract loyalty from his followers by the examples he sets in life. Once again Lian Hearn shows what a superb storyteller she is with language that flows and sucks you right into the story. Her creation of medieval Japan in the grip of the various warlords, and her descriptions of the passing seasons and physicality of the landscape is stunning. For those who have read the other tales this is essential reading, and for those who want to start the series, this will do brilliantly. At over 600 pages it is ideal for the holiday period and it links up brilliantly with the start of the Nightingale floor. Your mad if you don't read this one. For year 8 to adult in appeal.