Darkwood Lord (The Tale of Shikanoko Book 3)

Lian Hearn's Tale of Shikanoko series weaves a tapestry of destiny, where issues of fate, love, moral failure, and moral redemption are explored through both archetypal and heartbreakingly believable characters, as described in the Kirkus Reviews. The series unfolds in a richly imagined world, where wild forests, elegant castles, hidden temples, and savage battlefields serve as the backdrop for an emotionally compelling drama.

In Lord of the Darkwood, the third installment of the series, readers are immersed in a game of Go that turns fatal for a self-assured warrior. An ambitious lord leaves his nephew for dead, seizing his lands, while a stubborn father forces his son to give up his wife to his older brother. A powerful priest meddles in the succession to the Lotus Throne, and a woman of the Old People seeks five fathers for her five children, who will go on to found the Spider Tribe and direct the fate of the country.

The Tale of Shikanoko series has been praised by critics for its "brutally thrilling historical fantasy" (Herald Sun), "fascinating blend of politics, priests, and monsters" (Locus), and the ability to "let the book sweep the reader away, to engage with strange events" with its "huge imaginative vitality" (The Sydney Morning Herald). The compelling characters and captivating worldbuilding have also been lauded, with readers eagerly anticipating the next volume in the series (The Japan Times).

The series consists of four books: Emperor of the Eight Islands, Autumn Princess, Dragon Child, Lord of the Darkwood, and The Tengu's Game of Go. Fans of epic, character-driven fantasy will find much to enjoy in Lian Hearn's richly woven tale, which delves into the complexities of human nature and the forces that shape destiny.

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