thunguyen's review
4.0
It's brilliant as a prequel. Only read this book if you're absolutely in love with the Otori clan. And don't read it before the other 4 books just because it's a prequel.
snugglor's review against another edition
4.0
As a prequel to the Otori Saga, this is a good book and provides good insight to the motivations of the characters in later/earlier books, as well as giving a backdrop to the Three Kingdoms. Alliances that Shigeru and Takeo come to rely on are explained and the stage is set for everything to unfold.
However, if you were to take this book and read it as a stand alone then I think it would leave you feeling unsatisfied. The storytelling is beautifully descriptive and well paced, but the conclusion does not offer any sort of closure; rather, it opens the world of the Otori for the reader.
So if you've read the Saga, or are planning to, this is a good book to either begin or end with, but if you're not planning on going the distance with the other books, this one might not be for you. Enjoy!
However, if you were to take this book and read it as a stand alone then I think it would leave you feeling unsatisfied. The storytelling is beautifully descriptive and well paced, but the conclusion does not offer any sort of closure; rather, it opens the world of the Otori for the reader.
So if you've read the Saga, or are planning to, this is a good book to either begin or end with, but if you're not planning on going the distance with the other books, this one might not be for you. Enjoy!
_lexie_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
k5tog's review
5.0
Love this series. This is myn2nd time reading it. Historical fiction combined with a little magic/otherworldly abilities make a great story.
quasar728's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
muyelinh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Es ist gar nicht so klar, ob dieser "Band 0" nun eigentlich vor oder nach der Otori-Reihe gelesen werden sollte. Ich habe ihn, der Reihenfolge der Veröffentlichungen entsprechend, danach gelesen. Dafür gibt es auch gute Gründe, denn mit dem Wissen aus diesem Band wäre vieles aus der Originaltrilogie ziemlich fade und würde der Welt viel von ihrem Zauber nehmen. Andererseits muss man aber auch sagen, dass durch die Lektüre der anderen Bände die Hauptkonflikte dieses Settings praktisch vorab bekannt sind: Man weiß um den Ausgang der Schlacht von Yaegahara, um Takeshis Tod und auch um die Liebesbeziehung von Shigeru und Naomi. Das einzige, was diesem Band übrig bleibt, zu enthüllen, ist eigentlich, wie Shigeru und Takeo letztendlich zueinander gefunden haben.
Damit bleibt dieses Buch nicht mehr als ein Add-on für Fans. In Überlänge beißen wir uns durch die Ausbildung Shigerus, die irgendwie ziemlich altbacken auf mich wirkte, und durch diverse Beziehungsgeflechte, die irgendwo im Nichts enden. Yaegahara, das man definitiv als Höhepunkt hätte inszenieren können, verliert massiv an Wirkung, wenn man schon vorher weiß,dass Noguchi die Otori betrügen wird und diese deshalb verlieren. Und das Ende von Takeshi ist fast schon ein bisschen unverschämt.
Natürlich holen die mittlerweile liebgewonnenen und authentischen Charaktere einiges wieder raus, und an zahlreichen Stellen blitzt auch etwas von der sprachlichen und atmosphärischen Finesse der Autorin auf. Aber insgesamt hätte es dieses Prequel für mich nicht zwingend gebraucht, einen größeren Fokus auf Stamm und Verborgene hätte ich gut gefunden, wobei ich auch vetstehen kann, dass man Shigeru hier etwas mehr Platz als wichtige Figur einräumen wollte.
Damit bleibt dieses Buch nicht mehr als ein Add-on für Fans. In Überlänge beißen wir uns durch die Ausbildung Shigerus, die irgendwie ziemlich altbacken auf mich wirkte, und durch diverse Beziehungsgeflechte, die irgendwo im Nichts enden. Yaegahara, das man definitiv als Höhepunkt hätte inszenieren können, verliert massiv an Wirkung, wenn man schon vorher weiß,
Natürlich holen die mittlerweile liebgewonnenen und authentischen Charaktere einiges wieder raus, und an zahlreichen Stellen blitzt auch etwas von der sprachlichen und atmosphärischen Finesse der Autorin auf. Aber insgesamt hätte es dieses Prequel für mich nicht zwingend gebraucht, einen größeren Fokus auf Stamm und Verborgene hätte ich gut gefunden, wobei ich auch vetstehen kann, dass man Shigeru hier etwas mehr Platz als wichtige Figur einräumen wollte.
3ciacath's review against another edition
5.0
I like the author's skill of narrative. Reading the book is like seeing a beautiful painting.
jennykeery's review
5.0
One of the few prequels that I think managed to live up to the other novels in its series. Shigeru and Lady Maruyama's story is sad and beautiful, and it added poignancy to their scenes in 'Across the Nightingale Floor'.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
‘Be careful who you trust.’
Heaven’s Net is Wide is a prequel to the Tales of the Otori trilogy. I read the books of the trilogy as they were published, and have now reread them, together with The Harsh Cry of the Heron (the last book).
All five books in the Tales of the Otori are historical fantasy, and take place in the Three Countries. It’s a medieval setting, and borrows from both Japanese history and mythology. The Three Countries have a feudal society, with clans governing fiefdoms and a caste structure including peasants, farmers, merchants and warriors. There is also a secret organisation known as the Tribe: assassins, spies and warriors who possess various superhuman abilities but must be trained in mastering their use.
The events in Heaven’s Net is Wide take place about seventeen years before the trilogy, and follows the life of Otori Shigeru, the heir to the Otori Clan, from the age of twelve until his meeting with Tomasu at the beginning of ‘Across the Nightingale Floor.’ I enjoyed this: getting to know Shigeru as he grew from childhood to adulthood and watching his plans unfold. Shigeru grows to adulthood against the backdrop of a threatening war between the Otori and Tohan clans, and the wider story also includes information about the politics of the Tribe and the rising influence of a group known as the Hidden.
It’s a great introduction to the world of the Otori, and added immensely to my (re)enjoyment of the other books in the series. Otori Shigeru was my favourite character from ‘Across the Nightingale Floor’ and the expanded version of his story provides welcome detail of his life.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Heaven’s Net is Wide is a prequel to the Tales of the Otori trilogy. I read the books of the trilogy as they were published, and have now reread them, together with The Harsh Cry of the Heron (the last book).
All five books in the Tales of the Otori are historical fantasy, and take place in the Three Countries. It’s a medieval setting, and borrows from both Japanese history and mythology. The Three Countries have a feudal society, with clans governing fiefdoms and a caste structure including peasants, farmers, merchants and warriors. There is also a secret organisation known as the Tribe: assassins, spies and warriors who possess various superhuman abilities but must be trained in mastering their use.
The events in Heaven’s Net is Wide take place about seventeen years before the trilogy, and follows the life of Otori Shigeru, the heir to the Otori Clan, from the age of twelve until his meeting with Tomasu at the beginning of ‘Across the Nightingale Floor.’ I enjoyed this: getting to know Shigeru as he grew from childhood to adulthood and watching his plans unfold. Shigeru grows to adulthood against the backdrop of a threatening war between the Otori and Tohan clans, and the wider story also includes information about the politics of the Tribe and the rising influence of a group known as the Hidden.
It’s a great introduction to the world of the Otori, and added immensely to my (re)enjoyment of the other books in the series. Otori Shigeru was my favourite character from ‘Across the Nightingale Floor’ and the expanded version of his story provides welcome detail of his life.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith