An epic four-volume adventure in mythical, medieval Japan: a world of warriors and assassins, demons and spirits

In the opening pages of the action-packed Book One of Lian Hearn's epic Tale of Shikanoko series - all of which will be published in 2016 - a future lord is dispossessed of his birthright by a scheming uncle, a mountain sorcerer imbues a mask with the spirit of a great stag for a lost young man, a stubborn father forces his son to give up his wife to his older brother, and a powerful priest meddles in the succession to the Lotus Throne, the child who is the rightful heir to the emperor barely escaping the capital in the arms of his sister. And that is just the beginning.

As destiny weaves its rich tapestry, a compelling drama plays out against a background of wild forests, elegant castles, hidden temples, and savage battlefields. This is the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's imagination, where animal spirits clash with warriors and children navigate a landscape as serene as it is deadly.

Published
April 24, 2016
Where to find this book
External links open a book search at the selected retailer. Availability may vary.
The Tale of Shikanoko

The series

Full series details →
Risingshadow

Rating distribution

How reader ratings are distributed across the 1–10 scale.

100
90
80
70
61
50
40
30
20
10
Risingshadow

Be the first reviewer

Sign in and write the first reader review.

Risingshadow

Readers Also Enjoyed