Brilliance of the Moon

Set in a fantastical land modeled after feudal Japan, the earlier books ACROSS THE NIGHTINGALE FLOOR and GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW set up the struggle between unyielding Asian rules of obedience and the human need for individuality and independence. Fraught with warlords and noblemen, formality and ritual, and a mysterious prophesy, THE BRILLIANCE OF THE MOON offers stunning visual poetry reminiscent of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Kevin Gray and Aiko Nakasone share the narrative. Gray's intense, perceptive reading brings truth to both battle sequences and moments of stillness. Nakasone's performance alternates between perplexed and passionate. In her voice, even minor characters become multidimensional. In this third episode in the epic adventure of Takeo and Kaede, martial arts meet romance in a resolution that is sure to leave young adult listeners wishing for more. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine