Emperor of the Eight Islands

May 16, 2016
In this series opener, Hearn (Heaven's Net Is Wide) takes inspiration from Japanese classics to tell a tale of warring clans and unusual magic. There has been friction between the Kakizuki and Miboshi clans for years, and now it is all coming to a head. The emperor's life is failing and each clan supports a different son as his successor. Into these grand events steps the young man Kumayama no Kazumaru, once heir of his clan but now dispossessed by his uncle and left for dead in the Darkwood. He is rescued there by the mountain sorcerer, Shisoku, but also transformed by strange rituals. Now called Shikanoko, "the deer's child," and possessing a magical stag mask, he struggles to direct his fate. Shikanoko is captured, released, instructed, and controlled by a series of lords and wise men, coming ever closer to mastery of his forest power. Eventually, his own destiny becomes entwined with that of the empire. This fast-paced tale of dynastic change intriguingly sets up the remaining three books in the series.

Neil Shah narrates the first in a new historical fiction/fantasy series, which serves as a prequel to the author's Tales of the Otori series. The multiple threads of the story are connected through the character of Shikanoko, whose personal journey starts when he flees his murderous uncle, putting himself on the path to becoming a sorcerer with exceptional powers. Shah's sonorous and assured voice adds to the feeling that this is an ancient tale of the battle for power between dynasties, brothers, and the sexes. His expressive dialogue helps listeners distinguish among the many players, and his impeccable Japanese accent increases the tone of authenticity. This audiobook creates the foundation for the remaining episodes in this very adult fantasy set in medieval Japan. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine