The Harsh Cry of the Heron
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| Author | Lian Hearn |
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| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Series | Tales of the Otori trilogy |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Hachette Australia |
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Publication date
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2006 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 630 pp |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 70265641 |
| 823/.914 22 | |
| LC Class | PR9619.3.H3725 H37 2006 |
| Preceded by | Brilliance of the Moon |
The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the sequel to Lian Hearn's popular Tales of the Otori trilogy, first published on March 7, 2006. The novel is set sixteen years after the events of the Trilogy, and covers a period of about two years. It chronicles the events that ultimately lead to Takeo's downfall, in accordance with the prophecy spoken of him years before.
Takeo and Kaede are now the prosperous rulers of the Three Countries. They have three daughters, Shigeko, and twins Miki and Maya. Shigeko, the eldest daughter and heir, has been trained as a boy as she will inherit the domain of Maruyama when she comes of age, and the Three Countries upon Takeo's death. Maya and Miki, on the other hand, are seen as cursed not only because of the superstitious beliefs concerning twins, but also because of their Tribe talents, indicated by the Kikuta lines on their palms. They are feared and ignored by many, including their mother, but are well loved by Takeo and Shigeko. Takeo's only fear is that the prophecy concerning his death will be realized - he can only be killed by his son. His first, illegitimate son, Hisao (by Yuki) has been raised among the Kikuta, to one day be used to assassinate him. Kaede soon gives birth to Takeo’s second son.
A new threat to Takeo has appeared. Arai Zenko and his wife Hana have allied with Saga Hideki, a warlord who has conquered most of the Eight Islands in the name of the powerless Emperor. Saga demands that Takeo submit himself to the Emperor and abdicate, leaving Zenko as Saga's figurehead. Meanwhile Kikuta Akio, the Master of the exiled Kikuta family and the Western foreigners (Portuguese), seeks to destroy Takeo. Muto Kenji, at the end of his years, attempts in vain to negotiate with the Akio and see his grandson, Hisao. As Kenji attempts to flee with him he realizes Hisao is a ghostmaster, capable of communicating with and controlling the souls of the dead. The soul of his mother, Yuki, is haunting him. Unable to escape Akio, Kenji commits suicide. With his death, the loyalty of the Muto family is divided between his niece Shizuka (the mother of Zenko and Taku, loyal to Takeo) and Zenko, who is secretly allied with Akio.
Maya, whose Tribe talents are rather volatile, absorbs the spirit of a cat and struggles to assert her control over it, becoming increasingly erratic and dangerous. She and Miki are separated, and Maya must train under Taku. Taku is soon killed on his brother Zenko’s orders and Maya is captured by Akio. Hisao, who exercises some control over Maya's cat spirit, is finally able to communicate with the spirit of his mother, but rejects Yuki's pleas to spare Takeo's life. Maya later escapes aided Miki, and they attempt to return to Hagi (the Otori capital) to warn their mother of Zenko's treachery. They are aided in their journey by Yuki's spirit.
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