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Across the Nightingale Floor
Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori Book One | Lian Hearn
30 posts | 62 read | 34 to read
In his black-walled fortress at Inuyama, the warlord Iida Sadamu surveys his famous nightingale floor. Constructed with exquisite skill, it sings at the tread of each human foot. No assassin can cross it unheard.The youth Takeo has been brought up in a remote mountain village among the Hidden, a reclusive and spiritual people who have taught him only the ways of peace. But unbeknownst to him, his father was a celebrated assassin and a member of the Tribe, an ancient network of families with extraordinary, preternatural skills. When Takeo's village is pillaged, he is rescued and adopted by the mysterious Lord Otori Shigeru. Under the tutelage of Shigeru, he learns that he too possesses the skills of the Tribe. And, with this knowledge, he embarks on a journey that will lead him across the famed nightingale floorand to his own unimaginable destiny...An international bestseller, Across the Nightingale Floor is the first book in the Tales of the Otori series by Lian Hearn.
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TCLinrow
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Pickpick

#TBRChallenge #AudioBook #ABookThats

This book really did have a touch of magic in every word, in my opinion. Takeo's loyalty to Otori Shigeru was haunting and so perfectly constructed and his determination and drive to do the right thing kept the story going forwards brilliantly. Kaede's innocence but also her determination and strength of character made her a force to be reckoned with all of her own. It was beautifully written...

TCLinrow In terms of historical accuracy for the setting, I really don't know... but the book has characters with literal magic powers so I'm sure it can be forgiven for any inaccuracies, because it's clearly not set in the world as we understand it anyway.

I'm excited to read the rest of the series. Definitely glad I took the time to listen to this book.
4y
44 likes1 comment
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TCLinrow
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Didn't manage to finish the tagged book, but I finished Of Street Piemen and I'm most of the way through The Replacement, so considering I had to work I'm gonna call that a success 😁

In total I managed to squeeze out about 17 hours (somehow) between calls, on lunch hours and around my work. (I'm including the 4ish hours I did on Friday before I realised the was a readathon 😅)

#24b4Monday

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TCLinrow
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How did I not notice there was a #24b4Monday going around?! Oh well, time to play catch up and see what I can get done 😅

Listened to this book for about 4 hours last night after work. Wasn't sure if I'd like it at first, but then I realised that time had flown by, I was over half way through it and I needed to go to bed 😂 It completely carried me away. Hopefully I'll get it finished later, but for now I need something in print I think 😁

51 likes2 stack adds
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Victoria_Clyne
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#7books7days Day 7

Books that made an impact on me, change how I think or will just never leave me (no explanation).

Sorry I'm late posting. . . again.

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JLaurenceCohen

Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of five books in Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series set in feudal Japan. It's got adventure, romance, magic, and great characters.

14 likes1 stack add
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CyaneFillion
Mehso-so

I can only read this as if it was written during Heian times. Otherwise I'd say it's a bit cringy. I do like the level of detail paid to feudal Japanese culture.

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Lizpixie
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#NuYear #day13 #IAssassin It would‘ve been tempting to go with Nevernight or Throne Of Glass For this prompt, but I‘ve gone with an Oriental ninja assassin series,Tales Of The Otori.In the lands of Otori,a young boy grows up part of a Hidden people,a peaceful people,until everything & everyone is taken from him in a massacre only he survives.Rescued by a lord, he trains to become the vengeance his family deserves. Full of beauty,magic & violence.

Cinfhen Oooh, sounds good ❤️ 7y
JazzFeathers I bought it when it came out... and l haven't read it yet 😭😭 7y
52 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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TheLondonBookworm
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Lush bit of fantasy here, love, loyalty and revenge mingle in a heady rush of beautiful writing. The beginning of the Tales of Otori ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

55 likes5 stack adds
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Redwritinghood
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#topfivefavs I was tagged by @youneverarrived , but I have lots of trouble choosing some things like favorite books or movies. These are my favorites today. Book series: Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori. Movie: I don't watch a lot, but really liked Raising Arizona - hilarious. Color: red. Flower: orchid. Dessert: creme brûlée.

AceOnRoam Orchid is stunning 🌹 7y
AceOnRoam I've watched Raising Arizona heaps, it is hilarious 7y
Redwritinghood @AceOnRoam Everything about it is spot on and so funny. It's one of the few movies I've watched more than once. 7y
51 likes3 comments
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callunakeep
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. LOVED this first installment of the Tales of the Otori!! Lian Hearn is an amazing talent weaving real histories of Japan together with her own fantasy versions and creating vibrant, living, breathing worlds and characters! I am a bit late with this review having already finished the second book! 😝

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AMVP
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#septembowie #day5 - #goldenyears

Going with a literal read of "golden" here, as this cover so beautifully displays. It occured to me to do The Golden Compass just as I was starting this post, but I'm already settled in bed and can't be bothered to get it off the shelf.

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callunakeep
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙌🏻 I read the Shikanoko series first and was worried that this series would not be as good. Boy was I wrong! This first book in the Tales of the Otori was amazing! Hearn's ability to bring her characters full to life and to create worlds that you can see, hear, smell and almost touch is right up there with Tolkien! I must read the next book in the series NOW!

LibrarianJen I've read this series but haven't read the other you mentioned. My husband and I both really like the Otori series. 7y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookworm-Bobbie
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Pickpick

Full of action, intrigue and beautiful imagery that makes you feel like you're there. Takeo must chose between honouring obligation and his true self again and again. I desperately want to know where we go next in the Tales of the Otori.

EmmaPlum YES!!!! 7y
EmmaPlum The second one arrived today! 7y
Bookworm-Bobbie @EmmaPlum jealous! I tried to order them today. But the second cover is black and all the rest are red. It messed with my head so didn't get it. 7y
EmmaPlum @Bookworm-Bobbie Nooo you Muppet order them! They have red/black covers and spines that alternate on the books. I also noticed that if you get all 5 in the series the spines spell out Otori! They're a beautiful set I swear! 7y
34 likes4 comments
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EmmaPlum
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Looks like someone is getting sucked into Across the Nightingale Floor 😍 @Bookworm-Bobbie

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EmmaPlum
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Pickpick

I have no idea where to start with this book. From the first page I felt as if I were Takeo's shadow following him on every step of his journey. An unbelievable adventure that surprised me at every turn. I could not recommend this book enough. Whether you're interested in Japanese culture or not, read it you won't regret. Filled with pride, loyalty, friendship, allegiance, sorrow, love and mysterious talents

Redwritinghood This whole series is great. 7y
EmmaPlum @Redwritinghood I'm so excited for the next one! 7y
6 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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AMVP
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Was spurred to visit a long neglected #localbookstore after listening to the #annotated podcast. #bookhaul

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cristiana_de_sousa
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Pickpick

Uma das melhores séries ever! Fiquei viciada em mitologia japonesa! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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DiruVamp
Pickpick

I left a decent amount of time before starting this book after finishing the Emperor of the Eight Islands series. I adored Shikanoko and was worried Tales of the Otori wouldn't grab me. I was wrong. I was instantly pulled in and captivated and am totally and utterly invested in the characters. The second book has already been ordered. So so so so good!!!!!

21 likes2 stack adds
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TheSloanRanger
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I am so down for this! Turns out getting an unexpected Sunday off can be a good thing, even if it does mean a slightly sucky pay next week 👌

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schuylang
Pickpick

A fantastic book that is based on elements of feudal Japan. I felt for the main character ever since the tragedy that happened in the beginning and then all the way to the end.

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schuylang
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43 pages into the book and it's already amazing.

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Lizpixie
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#somethingforsept #septemberphotochallenge #day10 #bookssetinasia These beautiful books are set in feudal Japan. 16yr old Tomasu returns to his home to find his family dead. Trying to escape he's rescued by the Lord of the Otori, who takes him home & adopts him. Very detailed and beautifully written, you'd be fooled into thinking they were written by a Japanese author, but she's actually English born & Aussie by choice.🇬🇧🇯🇵🇦🇺

MrBook Great picture 😁👍🏻! 8y
LeeRHarry Love the picture, English born and Aussie by choice kinda sums me up too 😏 8y
Laalaleighh 📚 8y
See All 6 Comments
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I love that she also wrote Space Demons 😂 8y
RealLifeReading Pretty tea set! 8y
LeahBergen Yes!! Now I see it. What a beautiful library (and a really lovely photo) 😍 8y
50 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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Lizpixie

#somethingforsept #septemberphotochallenge #day10 #bookssetinasia These beautiful books are set in feudal Japan. 16yr old Tomasu returns to his home to find his family dead. Trying to escape he's rescued by the Lord of the Otori, who takes him home & adopts him. Very detailed and beautifully written, you'd be fooled into thinking they were written by a Japanese author, but she's actually English born & Aussie by choice.🇬🇧🇯🇵🇦🇺

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KS1805
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Pickpick

I can't help but wonder if I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it instead of listened to it. Reading other negative reviews made me realize that the readers seemed to convey a lot more feeling into the story than may have existed had I read it. But I enjoyed it anyway. I applaud the author's bravery toward the end of the book, not your typical happy ending but I thought it worked.

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DiruVamp
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Sunday book mail!!

CherylDeFranceschi I loved that series! 9y
callunakeep Awesome!! I am starting The Otori Series after I finish Library at Mount Char 9y
TheWellReadOwl Yes! Love the Otori series. ❤️❤️ 9y
DiruVamp @CherylDeFranceschi @TheWellReadOwl if it's anything like the Tale of Shikanoko I know I won't be disappointed! 9y
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Graphiki
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Pickpick

I first read this years ago when I found it in three small, delightful books. Great story about feudal Japan. Throw in various clans, tribes, Lords, Japanese manners, and fantastical powers. Add flames of pure inventiveness and you have this and the volumes that follow.

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TheWellReadOwl
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Thanks @Liberty for reminding me about Tales of the Otori! Definitely worth the reread before I move onto Tale of Shikanoko. Baby reviewer and I had flipped a coin to see who would get to read that one first. I won, of course. Since I'm older and wiser. And he has more homework ha ha.

23 likes4 stack adds