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Emperor of the Eight Islands
- The Tale of Shikanoko, Books 1 & 2
- Narrated by: Paul English
- Series: The Tale of Shikanoko, Book 1
- Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction
Non-member price: $54.63
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Lord of the Darkwood
- The Tale of Shikanoko, Books 3 & 4
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Paul English
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Books 3 and 4 in The Tale of Shikanoko series. The second and final instalment of The Tale of Shikanoko: a bold epic of a fantastical medieval Japan from the creator of the global phenomenon Tales of the Otori, Lian Hearn, whose books have sold over four million copies worldwide. Against a background of wild forest, elegant castles, hidden temples and savage battlefields, the adventure that began with Emperor of the Eight Islands draws to its thrilling conclusion in Lord of the Darkwood, the second instalment of Lian Hearn's the Tale of Shikanoko.
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Good listen for otori series fans
- By Chenae on 25-09-2018
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Orphan Warriors
- Children of the Otori, Book 1
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- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
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Taking place in the magical medieval world of Tales of the Otori and following on from The Harsh Cry of the Heron, Orphan Warriors is a coming-of-age adventure story in a human world of courage and sacrifice, behind which always hovers a supernatural world of danger and dread.
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Did not feel like an Otori book
- By Anonymous User on 26-03-2020
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Sibling Assassins
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As a boy, Arai Sunaomi, was known as the Miracle Child and crossed between the worlds to walk among the dead. Now, he has put aside his past to follow the way of the warrior. His aunt, Kaede, is considering making him her heir, and her General, Miyoshi Kahei, hopes to betroth Sunaomi to his daughter, Kinu. But there is one girl whom Sunaomi cannot forget: Utahime, who has been dead for seven years. Will he dare bring her back to life?
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Tale of sensitivity and passion
- By Jeremy J on 08-01-2021
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Heaven's Net is Wide
- Tales of the Otori, Book 5
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Paul English
- Length: 18 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall
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Performance
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Heaven's Net is Wide is the first and last tale that both closes the circle and introduces readers to the strange and beautiful world of the Otori. It is an epic historical fantasy of revenge and betrayal, honour and loyalty, beauty and passion and the overwhelming power of love, set in a mystical, medieval Japan, which will enthral readers the world over.
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Great prequel
- By Anonymous User on 06-06-2018
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Brilliance of the Moon
- Tales of the Otori, Book 3
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Tamblyn Lord, Anna Steen
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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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 delves deeper into the complex loyalties that bind its characters from birth.... In the third volume of the phenomenal series that began with the best-selling Across the Nightingale Floor and then Grass For His Pillow, the teenage lovers, Takeo and Kaede, are now married.
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Stick with book 2 to get to book 3
- By Kate Louise Webster on 15-11-2017
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Grass for his Pillow
- Tales of the Otori, Book 2
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Tamblyn Lord, Anna Steen
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
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Performance
-
Story
Praised for its epic scope and descriptive detail, Across the Nightingale Floor, the first book in the Tales of the Otori series, was an international best seller and critical success. With Grass for His Pillow, we return to the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's creation - a land of harsh beauty and deceptive appearances. In a complex social hierarchy, amid dissembling clans and fractured allegiances, there is no place for passionate young love.
-
-
Satisfying
- By Jeremy J on 11-02-2020
-
Lord of the Darkwood
- The Tale of Shikanoko, Books 3 & 4
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Paul English
- Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Books 3 and 4 in The Tale of Shikanoko series. The second and final instalment of The Tale of Shikanoko: a bold epic of a fantastical medieval Japan from the creator of the global phenomenon Tales of the Otori, Lian Hearn, whose books have sold over four million copies worldwide. Against a background of wild forest, elegant castles, hidden temples and savage battlefields, the adventure that began with Emperor of the Eight Islands draws to its thrilling conclusion in Lord of the Darkwood, the second instalment of Lian Hearn's the Tale of Shikanoko.
-
-
Good listen for otori series fans
- By Chenae on 25-09-2018
-
Orphan Warriors
- Children of the Otori, Book 1
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Patrick Harvey
- Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taking place in the magical medieval world of Tales of the Otori and following on from The Harsh Cry of the Heron, Orphan Warriors is a coming-of-age adventure story in a human world of courage and sacrifice, behind which always hovers a supernatural world of danger and dread.
-
-
Did not feel like an Otori book
- By Anonymous User on 26-03-2020
-
Sibling Assassins
- Children of the Otori, Book 2
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Patrick Harvey
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a boy, Arai Sunaomi, was known as the Miracle Child and crossed between the worlds to walk among the dead. Now, he has put aside his past to follow the way of the warrior. His aunt, Kaede, is considering making him her heir, and her General, Miyoshi Kahei, hopes to betroth Sunaomi to his daughter, Kinu. But there is one girl whom Sunaomi cannot forget: Utahime, who has been dead for seven years. Will he dare bring her back to life?
-
-
Tale of sensitivity and passion
- By Jeremy J on 08-01-2021
-
Heaven's Net is Wide
- Tales of the Otori, Book 5
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Paul English
- Length: 18 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Heaven's Net is Wide is the first and last tale that both closes the circle and introduces readers to the strange and beautiful world of the Otori. It is an epic historical fantasy of revenge and betrayal, honour and loyalty, beauty and passion and the overwhelming power of love, set in a mystical, medieval Japan, which will enthral readers the world over.
-
-
Great prequel
- By Anonymous User on 06-06-2018
-
Brilliance of the Moon
- Tales of the Otori, Book 3
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Tamblyn Lord, Anna Steen
- Length: 10 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 delves deeper into the complex loyalties that bind its characters from birth.... In the third volume of the phenomenal series that began with the best-selling Across the Nightingale Floor and then Grass For His Pillow, the teenage lovers, Takeo and Kaede, are now married.
-
-
Stick with book 2 to get to book 3
- By Kate Louise Webster on 15-11-2017
-
Grass for his Pillow
- Tales of the Otori, Book 2
- By: Lian Hearn
- Narrated by: Tamblyn Lord, Anna Steen
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Praised for its epic scope and descriptive detail, Across the Nightingale Floor, the first book in the Tales of the Otori series, was an international best seller and critical success. With Grass for His Pillow, we return to the medieval Japan of Lian Hearn's creation - a land of harsh beauty and deceptive appearances. In a complex social hierarchy, amid dissembling clans and fractured allegiances, there is no place for passionate young love.
-
-
Satisfying
- By Jeremy J on 11-02-2020
Publisher's Summary
Books 1 and 2 in The Tale of Shikanoko series. The first instalment in a magnificent epic by the creator of the global phenomenon the Tales of the Otori, Lian Hearn, whose books have sold over four million copies worldwide.
An ambitious warlord leaves his nephew for dead and seizes his lands.
A stubborn father forces his younger son to surrender his wife to his older brother.
A mysterious woman seeks five fathers for her children.
A powerful priest meddles in the succession to the Lotus Throne.
These are the threads of an intricate tapestry in which the laws of destiny play out against a backdrop of wild forest, elegant court, and savage battlefield. Set in a mythical medieval Japan inhabited by warriors and assassins, ghosts and guardian spirits, Emperor of the Eight Islands by Lian Hearn is a brilliantly imagined novel, full of drama and intrigue – the beginning of an enthralling, epic adventure: The Tale of Shikanoko.
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What listeners say about Emperor of the Eight Islands
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall
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Performance
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- Anonymous User
- 02-06-2019
frustrating
I loved the story, it was very easy to listen to and visualise everything taking place. the story telling was excellent with multiple viewpoint characters.
However, this is the first in a series of 4 books and ends on a cliff hanger of sorts that leads to the next book. But the next book is not available in audible, which is frustrating as I cannot continue the story. it seems like it was once available yet has become not available.
1 person found this helpful
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- Kate Louise Webster
- 21-09-2018
Magic
A magic story that doesn't bend its own rules.
A worthy companion to Lian's other books.
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- Anonymous User
- 13-09-2018
So happy to have another great saga from this author
This is a wonderful beginning and sets up for a great follow-up. The narrator's voice works well and provides an excellent backdrop for the scope of the tale. People who like Lian Hearn's other work will enjoy this. For those unfamiliar, think Game of Thrones set in feudal Japan. A good read.
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