Brilliance of the Moon — Lian Hearn

A beautiful, haunting evocation of the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's imagination, this thrilling follow-up to Grass for His Pillow and Across the Nightingale Floor takes us deeper into the complex loyalties that bind its characters from birth. Filled with adventure and surprising twists of plot and fortune, it also provides a rare glimpse beyond the Three Countries, as outside influences begin to intrude upon this isolated realm...

Otori Takeo and Shirakawa Kaede are more resolved than ever to strengthen their domains. Yet their actions have enraged Arai Daiichi, the warlord who controls most of the Three Countries, and have insulted the nobleman Lord Fujiwara. Brilliance of the Moon follows Takeo and Kaede as they attempt to consolidate their powers and fulfill the holy woman's prophecy: Your lands will stretch from sea to sea, but peace comes at the price of bloodshed. Five battles will buy you peace, four to win and one to lose...