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  • The Harsh Cry of the Heron

  • Tales of the Otori, Book 4
  • By: Lian Hearn
  • Narrated by: Paul English
  • Length: 20 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (47 ratings)

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The Harsh Cry of the Heron

By: Lian Hearn
Narrated by: Paul English
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Publisher's Summary

The Harsh Cry of the Heron is the dazzling continuation of the Tales of the Otori, an unforgettable epic with a vast emotional landscape, a classic work that crosses genres, genders and generations.

'Their realm is held in balance by their union... Break that union and the Three Countries will fall apart.’

Otori Takeo and Kaede have ruled the Three Countries peacefully for over sixteen years, following the events laid out in the epic Tales of the Otori. They have three daughters: Shigeko, 15-years-old and heir to the Otori, and Maya and Miki, 13-year-old twins who have inherited the supernatural skills of their father.

Kaede knows nothing of the prophecy that Takeo will die at the hands of his son and longs to give him a male child. Nor does she know of the boy he fathered 16 years ago - a boy whose heart is filled with hatred and whose skills as a Ghostmaster give him the power to incite the dead.

Takeo is determined that clan conflicts will never again ravage the Three Countries, but warriors are born to fight: the warlord Arai Zenko has deadly ambitions, the Emperor himself has challenged Takeo’s rule and, despite a delicate truce between the deadly Tribe and the Otori, revenge still eats at the heart of renegade leader Kikuta Akio....

Against these gathering threats Takeo draws strength from his love for Kaede, but even this is not beyond the reach of their enemies....

©2006 Lian Hearn (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Hearn writes with a delicate attention to detail that creates an all-encompassing world around her characters." ( The Sunday Telegraph)
"A thrilling tale of love, violence, loyalty and betrayal, fast moving, set in a far-away country long ago." ( The Guardian)

What listeners say about The Harsh Cry of the Heron

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

narrator didn't pronounce the names well

All the other narrators did a much better job and made that Asian connection with a story, but the narrator in this last book sadly couldn't achieve that and pronounced a lot of the names wrong. It's a great story. just disappointing that it didn't have the same feel as the others because of the narrator

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great Story

Great story but a little disjointed compared to previous books. Changing narrator was difficult as he changed pronunciation of names and compared to previous narrators not nearly as good. Overall though well worth the read.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great adventure

Loved it. although I'd prefer some more tribe action throughout this had a good balance between all characters.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The story gets better

The new characters introduced during this installment seem more bold and slightly less frail. This is a real story of heros and evil doers but you are never quite sure which way the balance will tip and who will be the ultimate winner.

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