Across the Nightingale Floor

In his first novel, Hearn creates an epic tale of secret societies, supernatural powers, intrigue, love, and revenge among warring clans in a country modeled after Japan. Kevin Gray reads first-person chapters as the voice of young Takeo, a member of the Hidden possessing amazing powers, adopted by the Otori clan for reasons that only become clear as the story unfolds. Aiko Nakasone reads alternating chapters written in the third person from the perspective of Lady Kaede Shirakawa, a not-at-all-helpless damsel. Gray's reading of the story is spectacular; his warm, soothing voice transports the listener to a setting worlds away. Nakasone also gives a strong performance, although it lacks the depth of Gray's near-perfect depiction of life with the Otori. H.L.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

July 22, 2002
Mystical powers and martial arts rampage through this pseudo-Japanese story, the first of a projected trilogy by newcomer Hearn, with an abandon that's head spinning. From the entrance of the 16-year-old hero, Takeo, as he is about to be swatted down by a mounted horseman and the way he can become invisible or make a duplicate of himself when he needs to, to the head-rolling decapitations that follow interminably, the impossible becomes the semiplausible. Takeo, who joins the Otori clan, is a religious outcast, and also, surprisingly, a member of "the Tribe," a secretive race that has unusual mental and physical powers that lend them an unworldly air. Takeo learns how to control his burgeoning talents just in time to avenge the death of his mentor, while politics and clan rivalries lead to an increasing amount of graphic bloodshed. Takeo enjoys a few blissful moments with the fetching Lady Kaede Shirakawa but, unfortunately, she is not destined to be his, now or in the future. For fans of Japanese samurai warrior fantasy, this novel is right in the ballpark, filled with swords, clan in-fighting, love affairs, invisibility and magical Ninja powers. However, for those looking for something with a bit of depth, the author tends to gloss over the details of why and how. Takeo learns the craft of the Tribe offstage and all the political maneuvering that goes into the clan warfare is rather murky. Hopefully, the next book will show what Hearn is really capable of. (Sept. 2)Forecast:With movie rights sold to Universal Studios and foreign rights sold in 11 countries, this one seems a sure bet for genre bestseller lists.