Tales of the Otori books in order

Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn is a historical fantasy series set in a world based on feudal Japan, following Takeo as he is drawn into clan warfare and political betrayal.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 O Fio do Destino 2007 Lian Hearn N/A
2 Across the Nightingale Floor 2002 Lian Hearn Buy
3 Meč v tišini 2002 Lian Hearn N/A
4 Grass for His Pillow 2003 Lian Hearn Buy
5 På kudde av gräs 2003 Lian Hearn N/A
6 Brilliance of the Moon 2004 Lian Hearn Buy
7 Mėnulio spindesys 2004 Lian Hearn N/A
8 His Kikuta Hands 2016 Lian Hearn Buy
9 The Harsh Cry of the Heron 2006 Lian Hearn Buy
10 Scars of Victory 2006 Lian Hearn Buy
11 Orphan Warriors 2019 Lian Hearn N/A
12 Heaven’s Net Is Wide 2007 Lian Hearn Buy
13 Sibling Assassins 2020 Lian Hearn N/A

The Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn is a historical fantasy series set in a fictional country modeled on feudal Japan. The story begins with Across the Nightingale Floor (2002), in which a young man named Takeo, orphaned when his village is destroyed, is adopted by the mysterious Lord Otori Shigeru. Takeo discovers he possesses the extraordinary abilities of the Tribe, an ancient network of assassin families, and finds himself caught between loyalty to his adopted father and the demands of his hidden bloodline.

The series spans wars between rival clans, political intrigue, forbidden love, and questions of identity and power. Over subsequent volumes, the story follows Takeo and Kaede as they try to build a life together while surrounded by enemies. The series has sold more than four million copies and has been translated into nearly forty languages. Hearn later expanded this fictional world with The Tale of Shikanoko, set three hundred years earlier, and the Children of the Otori books, which continue the story of the next generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Tales of the Otori series?

There are thirteen books in the Tales of the Otori series, published between 2002 and 2020.

What is the first book in the Tales of the Otori series?

The first book in the Tales of the Otori series is O Fio do Destino, published in 2007.

Is the Tales of the Otori series based on real Japanese history?

The series is set in a fictional world inspired by feudal Japan rather than a specific historical period. Lian Hearn drew on Japanese culture and the samurai era to create an original setting with its own clans and political structures.

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