Based on a copy from NetGalley.

I feel like I definitely missed something by not reading the previous two books, but the writing was very lovely and poetic. And I enjoyed reading the story even if I was sometimes confused about what was happening. ( )

Lord of the Darkwood by Lian Hearn (Gillian Rubenstein) is the 3rd volume in her series entitled Tales of Shikanoko a fantasy set in similar country to feudal Japan. In the first two volumes, the author introduced her characters and spread them over the canvas of her work. In this, the third book, she is bringing the characters together and readying them for the final confrontation that I assume will take place in volume 4.

I have been enjoying the series and thanks to having read her previous series, Tales of the Otori, I have learned not to get too attached to any one character. In book one we were concerned with the birthright of one warrior but by book three the story has expanded and we realize that all the action is based on a game of Go which the Gods are playing and the very existence of the empire relies on how the mortals perform.

This author bases her fantasies on medieval Japan and revolves her story around clan rivalries and treachery over placing an imposter on the imperial throne. The players are now in place so I am looking forward to an action packed and tension filled conclusion to this series. ( )

A good third installment, things are beginning to happen. A bit of growing up needed so, it covered more years except for introductory material. Enjoyed. ( )

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Title: Lord of the Darkwood
Series: The Tale of Shikanoko #3
Author: Lian Hearn
Rating: 2 of 5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 241
Format: Digital Edition

Synopsis:

After the death of the Autumn Princess, Shikanoko retreats into himself and allows the mask and its magic to envelope him. He is retreating from his humanity and if something doesn't change, he'll become another forest spirit.

The other characters all grow up. Shikanoko's sons all go their separate ways, revelling in the powers that they innately have. Lots of people doing lots of things with the years compressed into paragraphs.

My Thoughts:

Hearn includes a scene, non-graphic, of underage boy on boy sex.

As such, I am done with this series and with Hearn as an author.

★★☆☆☆ ( )