Book Description
Sei Shonagon was a contemporary and erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel The Tale of Genji fictionalizes the court life Shonagon describes. The Pillow Book is a collection of anecdotes, memories of court and religious ceremonies, character sketches, lists of things the author enjoyed or loathed, places that interested her, diary entries, descriptions of nature, pilgrimages, conversations, poetry exchanges--indeed, almost everything that made up daily life for the upper classes in japan during the Heian period. Her style is so eloquent, her observations so skillfully chosen, and her wit so sharp that even the smallest detail she records can attract and hold the attention of any modern reader.
Customer Reviews:
A regal Japan while Europe still had serfs and lice..........2007-06-10
There are many translations of this and I didn't like this one the best. I felt that this edition had been "censored", and that is unfortunate. Also, the organization by subject was a bit heavy-handed and unnecessary. I think that anyone who has every kept a journal would appreciate The Pillow Book in a less "pre-digested" form. The first time I read this (in college), it was translated with as little messing with as possible, and for that it deserves five stars...
Superior to Shikibu's diaries.......2007-05-24
Shonagon's pillow book is not only the single best surviving historical resource of the Heian era. It's also a remarkable document that has preserved and conveyed the conventions, sensibilities and zeitgeist of the period in pristine detail. The woman herself may very well have been an impossible bore for her acquaintances, but the objectivity of her personality and the intricate understanding that she possessed of her world in miniature and the unique imperial culture in which she was a cog are tremendously admirable.
I prefer Ivan Morris's English translation because, as the most rigid and frigid of the three published, his comes closest to conveying Shonagon's probable demeanor. Waley's translation is decent, but his footnotes are poor and his prose is a pinch too overstated. McKinney's new translation is mushy trash that attempts to identify Shonagon's refined femininity with a vein of simpleminded modernism that colors everything produced by this Australian twit; avoid it at all costs.
Engaging, sometimes beautiful, but ultimately shallow.......2007-03-07
If Sei Shonagon were alive today, she would be a livejournalist. That's the overall impression I got from this book--it reads very much like a modern livejournal or blog, being a collection of random observations on whatever Shonagon found interesting, lists of things she likes or dislikes, and snippets or scraps of poetry. Shonagon's use of metaphor and imagery is quite beautiful, and paints an evocative picture of a world, life, time and society very different from that of the modern day. However, she herself and the social circle in which she moves come off as fairly shallow, trivial and self-absorbed, as well as grotesquely classist and sometimes even cruel (as when she and her fellow ladies in waiting send a mocking poem to a commoner who has just lost his entire house and worldly possessions in a fire from which his son barely escaped.) Of course, given her own social status and position in her society at the time, perhaps these attitudes are to be expected; however, they still are not particularly attractive.
Nevertheless her writing is very readable, engaging, light and witty, and of course it is of great historical and literary significance, especially for something that was, by her own admission, not intended to be circulated publicly. It makes me wonder if any of today's blogosphere authors will still be read a thousand years from now, and what picture they will paint of modern society if they are.
An engaging historical read. .......2007-03-05
The Pillowbook of Sei Shonagon, by Sei Shonagon and translated by Ivan Morris, was a fascinating look into the Heian period of Japan. I was assigned this reading for one of my college courses, but I was surprised by just how quickly I was able to get into the reading and enjoy it. In its original incarnation it was meant as a diary, and only later did Sei Shonagon's work begin to be circulated as actual literature. The fact that it has survived to this day is astounding, as it was written over a thousand years ago, but after reading it I am easily able to understand just how it is that this work has survived for so long.
The style of writing itself changes between different passages, and it is always easy to understand. A great many of the stories are poignant and have underlying meanings that carry on to the modern day. Her story with regards to the dog Okinamaro is absolutely heart-breaking, even if it's short, and her inside look into court politics allows us to see what it was like in the imperial lifestyle at the time.
I don't think Sei Shonagon ever intended for her writings to become wide-spread like this, but I for one feel lucky that it did. At this point, I'm definitely going to be purchasing a copy of my own just so that I can pick it up whenever I want to.
Book Review.......2007-02-28
I recently had the opportunity to read an interesting book called The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon. It is not the type of book I would normally read, but I am very glad I have had an opportunity to experience it.
Sei Shonagon's book is the sole surviving Heian period work of what was probably a widespread practice among men and women; keeping a journal by their pillows in which to record thoughts and impressions. This informal collection of notes is structured in a very loose fashion, for it does not need to be read cover to cover and can be picked up and dipped into at random. The book is made up of discrete units, most of which begin by stating a category, and then go on to record some observation about it. For example:
Things that appear to disadvantage when painted: Dianthus, cherry blossoms, yellow roses, men or women who are praised in romances as being beautiful.
Things that appear to advantage when painted: Pines, autumn fields, mountain villages and paths, cranes and deer, a very cold winter scene and a very hot summer scene.
Shonagon writes with vibrant style and beautiful imagery. One great thing about the book is the way that, despite the difference in centuries, geography, and culture, the aspects of human nature she describes seem so familiar and timeless. This is mostly a personal work, but her writing skills make it an interesting work of literature.
Book Description
A simple mistake. Captain Samantha Dorsey and her crew are on a mission, a mission to complete a Galactic Scavenger Hunt and claim the prize money. Flying about space for a year collecting their items, they only have one thing left to get--a primitive wild beast. Drunk and feeling like some fun, Sam and her crew fly to Qurilixen to finish their collection by snagging a white tiger. Only the next morning, severely hung over, Captain Sam realizes that they got more beast than they bargained for. They kidnapped a warrior Prince. A royal destiny. Prince Falke, Commander of the Var Armies, is a man raised to fight. Out of all the Var Princes, he alone must be the hardest. When the beautifully frustrating female Captain kidnaps him, no one knows where to come looking. Now it's up to Falke to use all his training, and powers of seduction, to find his way back home. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-04-10
I loved this book and all of the Lords of Var books. I also loved all of the Dragon Lord books. Michelle Pillow is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend anything she writes.
I liked it but.........2007-03-08
This book is good for anyone who want's to continue the Dragonlords series.
My favoritie character is a flop!.......2007-03-07
Prince Falke was my favorite character in the initial Var novel of this series (the Savage King). I looked forward to this novel-- only to discover that again, for the third time, Pillow slaps together two characters and forces them to have sex withotu bothering with silly things like emotions, desire and dialog.
Surprise, at first glace the two are love struck and hot and horney. No need to build respect, love or even desire. Its enough for Pillow just to have her characters see each other to know sex is a forgone conclusion.
Falke transforms just as his perviously novelized brothers from an interestign character to a dud within two chapters. What starts out as a fun read quickly progresses to dull page turning only quickened by searching for the sex scenes--which lack as well.
Save your money and read her stand alone novels...
review.......2007-02-08
i truly enjoy this series from Michelle Pillow. i am looking forward to the next one in the series. Strong, sensitive, protective, sexual men. Yummy!
sci-fi romance at its best.......2007-01-29
Samantha Dorsey (Princess Xantha) captain of the ship and her crew who were all at least half human, get really drunk during a card game, then go down to the planet they were passing by in order to collect the last thing they needed for a Galactic Scavenger Hunt which was a primitive wild beast, if they win they get to claim the prize money they need so much. Prince Falke, commander of the Var Armies just happens to be in cat form when they come across him, he wakes up on her ship. All the charaters are interesting, the plot was good and the romance was hot. I enjoyed this book very much, read it in one day.
Book Description
To play. Prince Quinn, royal Ambassador, isn't looking for a serious relationship. In fact, he's never even considered it. Hopping from lover to lover, he's content to enjoy himself, never taking anything but his work seriously. However, when Dr. Tori Elliot is sent to the palace to test for biological weapons, he can't seem to stay away from her. Or not to play. Tori Elliot has just finished her last assignment and is on her way to a much needed vacation. But when the Human Intelligence Agency stops her ship and demands she heads up a team on some remote planet, she knows it in her best interest not to refuse. Ever serious, she knows she's there to do a job and no matter what, she's going to act like a professional. Meeting Prince Quinn, his body pressed against another woman in the palace halls, she knows he's not the man for her. Too bad he's the Ambassador and too sexy for his own good. Fighting her desire, Tori must try to do her job while not succumbing to the playful Var prince. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent.......2007-04-10
I loved this book and all of the Lords of Var books. As well as the Dragon Lord books. Michelle Pillow is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend anything she writes. This is a great series.
Sad..........2007-03-07
Pillow again forces a couple together with bad writing, bad plot and dubious outcomes. I loved her older works, but this series is so FORCED (and not in the good way you would expect from an erotic series). Though this book is the best of the Princes of Var series, it still lacks warmth or even dialog. Pillow mashes the hero and heroine together in a way you just can't believe at all.
The Playful Princes goes from the lovable character in the last book to an overbearing oaf in two chapters. A sad transformation when so much about his character held promise.
Skip this series and read her stand alone novels-- they have plots, characters and hot sex, without making you wish you had saved your money to spend elsewhere.
good romance on another world.......2007-02-18
Dr. Tori Elliot is sent to the Var palace on the planet of Qurilixen to test for contamination after a biological weapon was found and removed, there she meets Prince Quinn and they are instantly attracted to each other. At first she fights her desire because she wants to act professional, but he is so playfully sexy, that of course they get together. But then she discovers a threat to the entire planet, at the same time he is trying to deal with these new feelings he has toward her.
The writing and storyline are both good, the passion between them is great. All together a very good book to read.
This is the 3rd book in the Lords of the Var series. Two species live on this male dominated plant, the Draig who are dragon shapeshifters and the Var who are cat shapeshifters. I eagerly await book 4 The Rogue Prince and book 5 The Pirate Prince to be printed.
review .......2007-02-08
i thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next ones from Michelle Pillow. i have read the previous 5 books set on this world and am wishing i could be there.
Book Description
The four Qurilixian Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, using the power they were born with, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go.... The Survivor. Though no one could ever command her, this warrior would try to conquer her heart. Physically scarred in childhood in an act of betrayal, Pia has never been considered an attractive woman. One horrible mistake and she is on the run. Desperate to hide her identity, she makes a deal with Galaxy Brides-in exchange for a new face, she'll marry anyone they put in front of her. Never did she realize her future husband would be the most handsome warrior of the Draig. The Warrior. Though no man could thwart the brave Draig leader, a woman would be his undoing. Zoran of Draig is a man who knows what he wants. He has to. Being a Prince and the Captain of the Draig Guard, he has to make swift decisions, be ready to battle at a moment's notice, and most of all, he always has to be in control. When his wife, the one person who should obey him refuses to, Zoran discovers the battle for his heart's desire is fiercer than any he has ever waged before. Could the conqueror become the conquered? Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
Book 4 of the Dragon Princes.......2007-02-23
The princes of Qurilixian will meet and choose their life mate. This is the story of Zoran and Pia. Pia, who is running away from a possible execution, and is physically scarred from a childhood act of betrayal joins the Galaxy Brides. The Galaxy Brides have promised to give her a new face. They remove all traces of the scars and she goes to Qurilixian as one of the brides. Zoran's crystal chooses her and in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals they are wed. Once bonded Zoran will never let her go. Pia feels her husband is the most handsome of the four princes. Zoran is a man who knows what he wants,; and he wants Pia. He is the captain of the guard and used to getting what he wants. When his wife, the one person who should obey him, refuses to, he realizes the fight for his heart's desire will be the toughest. Zoran and Pia's story is full of humor and hot love scenes. It will leave you craving for more. If you liked the Dragon Lords, read the Var Princes series. It is the story of the "enemies" of the Dragon Lords and is just as hot.
Best of the Dragon Princes.......2006-07-09
The four princes of Qurilixian will meet and choose their life mate. Book four is about Prince Zoran "The Commander". His planet is male dominated and they must seek elsewhere for mates...Pia is running away from a possible execution. She is an assassin and ended up killing the Mayor's son. You will fall in love with this prince also. After reading these stories (The Barbarian Prince, The Perfect Prince, The Dark Prince and The Warrior Prince) read the Var series they are great. The great thing about Ms. Pillow is that you get to know and to love many characters and then you start wondering if she is going to make a new story about them. For example, after reading The Warrior Prince and The Savage King (Var King) I wondered if the author is going to making a book about the Var king's heir marrying Zoran's daughter. This last should be very interesting to read "a dragon and a feline."
Book Description
The four Qurilixian Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, using the power they were born with, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go.... A Perfect Escape. Nadja Aleksander has everything she could ever want in life, except her freedom. Skipping out on her engagement, to a man her controlling father has chosen for her, Nadja books passage on the first spaceship she can find. Bound for a planet of primitive humanoid males, Nadja plans on finding a simple, hard working man who will allow her to live out her days in total obscurity. A Perfect Mistake. Prince Olek of Draig, royal ambassador, is pleased with his refined and blushing bride. When she chooses him to be her life mate, appearing happy in her decision, his heart soars-until the next morning when his new little Princess wants nothing to do with him. Olek doesn't know what he's done to upset his alluring bride, but he is determined to reignite the spark that burned the night they met. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Download Description
The four Qurilixian Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, using the power they were born with, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go.... A Perfect Escape. Nadja Aleksander has everything she could ever want in life, except her freedom. Skipping out on her engagement, to a man her controlling father has chosen for her, Nadja books passage on the first spaceship she can find. Bound for a planet of primitive humanoid males, Nadja plans on finding a simple, hard working man who will allow her to live out her days in total obscurity. A Perfect Mistake. Prince Olek of Draig, royal ambassador, is pleased with his refined and blushing bride. When she chooses him to be her life mate, appearing happy in her decision, his heart soars-until the next morning when his new little Princess wants nothing to do with him. Olek doesn't know what he's done to upset his alluring bride, but he is determined to reignite the spark that burned the night they met. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
The Perfect Prince.......2007-07-19
Very enjoyable book. I have also enjoyed the other books in this series about the Draig who are dragon shapeshifter who rule half the planet and also the series of books about the Var who are cat shapeshifters that rule the other half of the planet. I really like the series on the Var a little bit more and I can't wait for the two new books in that series to come out soon.
Excellent........2007-04-10
I loved this book and all of the Dragon Lord books. As well as the Lords of Var books. Michelle Pillow is a wonderful writer and I highly recommend anything she writes. This is a great series.
Exotic, Erotic - Great curl up in a chair book.......2007-03-22
Really out of this world characters that grab you the minute you open the book.
Dragon Lords Series by Michelle M. Pillow.......2006-08-22
the whole series is GREAT !
looking forward to reading the Lords of VAR the the next set of this series
The Perfect Prince is a Perfectly Steamy Novel!.......2006-04-20
If you're looking for a novel that combines erotica with romance and a decent plot, definitely check out "The Perfect Prince" and the rest of the Dragon Lord Series.
I agree with the other reviewer that the story starts off slowly in the first few chapters, but once it gets started, have a cold drink ready, because the love scenes are HOT! I really liked Olek, the hero. He's definitely an ALPHA male all the way, yet the author manages to show him as sweet, sensitive and loving to his would-be-bride. Many authors can't pull off writing alpha-male characters that don't come off like ogres.
Olek is without a doubt the "Perfect" Prince. I actually liked him better than the leading lady, Nadja. She's an inexperienced virgin who's trying to escape her past and is furious when she finds out Olek is royalty.
Also, kudos to whoever did the cover art, I almost didn't buy the book but the "Prince" looked irrestible!!
Book Description
A girl with a mission. Agent Ulyssa Payne is on a mission. It's her job to make sure the Medical Mafia leader doesn't leave the planet of Qurilixen. But, when her target is killed by his own daughter, her mission is over. Now, she stuck on a barbarian planet for three months until the Agency comes to get her. Getting kidnapped by King Attor, she's left in the Var harem to await his return. But, when the King dies in battle and doesn't come for her, she's stuck dealing with his son, the new savage King of the Var. This is one complication Ulyssa didn't need. A royal complication. The Var Princes were raised by a hard man who put no stock in love-especially love with one woman. Bred to never take a life mate, these men will do everything in their power to live up to the dead King Attor's expectations and never fall in love. Kirill is a man who must do his duty, only he didn't expect to do it so soon. When his father dies, he knows it's his destiny to be King. What he didn't expect is the troublesome mistress that's now his to deal with. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
a good sci-fi & romance series.......2007-03-19
Agent Ulyssa Payne (Lyssa) with the Human Intelligence Agency was sent to the planet of Qurilixen on a mission involving the Medical Mafia, now she is stuck on the barbarian planet until the Agency can retrieve her in about 3 months. While camped out in the forest she is captured by the Var, a handsome race of cat shape shifters. The newly crowned King Kirill of the Var and Lyssa share a instant attraction, but the king and his brothers were raised by their father who was a hard man that taught them to distant themselves from emotions and that they should not restrict themselves to just one woman. Lyssa was trained to keep her idenity a secret and going from orphanage to the strict agency, she also struggles with the new feelings she has to deal with. This is a good sensual romance that I enjoyed very much.
Force is never good..........2007-03-07
Let me start by saying I discoved Pillow at Ellora's Cavern with The Maiden and the Monster and fell in love with her writing. I was looking forward to a untamed erotic read with this expansive series, but that wasn't to be.
Ever read a romance/erotica that has so many male characters you can just see the series coming at you from a mile away? This was such a series. We meet a bevey of princely brothers and the first brother is, of course, our first hero.
Enter the heroine. Thrust the two at each other--and that is Pillow's attempt at a plot. I hate to read erotica when the couple is a forgone conclusion. This entire series is like that--each prince finds his princess, without any conflict, good dialog, or even thought. It is a forgone conclusiont hat the hero will have sex with the heroine that Pillow stops even attempting to make sense of the courtship or the fact that any woman would have turned tail and run.
I was deeply disappointed with this novel. The erotica scenes were ok, but lacked any warmth...and worse yet, the plot that held the entire story together was silly. Add in that so many characters from the pervious series of Dragon Lords appear--well, it all got confusing and dull.
Lords of the Var.......2007-01-03
A continuation of the wonderful world of Qurilixen. Just the right amount of subplot and sexy romance to keep a reader going. I loved this book and can't wait for the rest of the Lords of the Var to be challenged by their women.
What a great book.......2006-11-01
This book is great with hot and steamy sex scene. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and I love this book, so I will absolutely read her other books. Can't wait!
Book Description
The four Qurilixian Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, using the power they were born with, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go.... Out of the fire. Intergalactic thief, Olena Leyton is one of the best space pirates in history. Sailing the high skies in search of adventure is in her blood. When her crew is scattered in a run from the law and her ship crashes, exploding into a ball of flames, the injured Olena is forced to find sanctuary on a Galaxy Brides ship. Posing as a blushing 'mail-order' bride to elude the bounty hunters that pursue her, Olena finds herself heading to the primitive planet of Qurilixen. But, being a bride isn't something that Olena takes seriously. Into the flames. Prince Yusef of Draig, Captain of the Outpost, leads a simple life away from the palace. He knows from the first moment he sees his fiery temptress that he will possess her and make her his bride for all time. However, Yusef learns that playing with fire will always leave a man burned. But, with passions as powerful as this dark Prince's are, he is not willing to give up his bride without a fight. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Download Description
The four Qurilixian Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, using the power they were born with, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go.... Out of the fire. Intergalactic thief, Olena Leyton is one of the best space pirates in history. Sailing the high skies in search of adventure is in her blood. When her crew is scattered in a run from the law and her ship crashes, exploding into a ball of flames, the injured Olena is forced to find sanctuary on a Galaxy Brides ship. Posing as a blushing 'mail-order' bride to elude the bounty hunters that pursue her, Olena finds herself heading to the primitive planet of Qurilixen. But, being a bride isn't something that Olena takes seriously. Into the flames. Prince Yusef of Draig, Captain of the Outpost, leads a simple life away from the palace. He knows from the first moment he sees his fiery temptress that he will possess her and make her his bride for all time. However, Yusef learns that playing with fire will always leave a man burned. But, with passions as powerful as this dark Prince's are, he is not willing to give up his bride without a fight. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
great series.......2007-08-17
This book was one of the best in the series. I almost didn't buy this book because one reviewer said the heroine was disgusting and another said this book was just porn. I'm glad I bought this book, Olena the pirate was great, she was very spirited but not cruel and had a very tragic past that explained her pirate occupation. This book was not porn, it has a great story line, with some tastful sex scenes.
NOT VERY ROMANTIC.......2006-07-05
Hi everyone I am 15 yrs old and I have to agree with another reviewer when they said this is not romance.
The lead female was disgusting to me. The lead male was handsome, patient, and kind. What he saw in the lead female is beyond me.
He was described as being a dark bronzed prince. She was described as being a pale pirate, what a way to describe the lead female. She took off her hair pin and stuck him in the neck. She drugged him, she teased him (sexually) she went swimming after he told her snakes was in the water, she stabbed herself in the arm, to stay bonded with her
theiving crew, and even tore up her wedding dress. She appeared before his parents, the king and queen bleeding. A reviewer wrote this is a strong female??? There's more but I'm afraid if I go on Amazon won't print my review. If you must read this book I suggest you buy it used. I know everyone has their own taste but I just can't see many people reading this over and over.
Not romance - just porn.......2005-10-22
I bought this as an e-book because I thought it was a romance novel. The write up sounded interesting - a sci-fi fantasyish kind of romancer. I didn't really look at the cover artwork. If I'd seen the "Prince" holding his personal appendage in plain sight I probably would have figured out that this is really just a porno novel. I guess the author's name - Michelle PILLOW - should have been a clue. I won't be buying anything else from this author. I deleted the file from my computer and if you read the blurb and thought it was a romance novel - don't waste your money. If it was possible I would have given it a 0.
Another Delicious Prince.......2005-04-27
Michelle Pillow has done it again. This is book three of the series and doesn't disappoint. Sexy, fun, and Olena the heroine is to die for--funny, stubborn, strong--everything a woman should be! I love how laid back and easy going Yusef was. If you like your books sexy with just the right amount of subplot to balance but not overwhelm the main relationship (which is the whole reason for reading this wonderful series! the guys are just too darned sexy to believe!) You'll love this book! I can't wait for four!
The Dark Prince.......2005-04-06
I fell in love with this story. It was funny, and had me lauphing out loud. MMM this is a must have,
Download Description
DRAGON LORDS: Book One The four Qurilixian Princes have no problem with commitment. In one night, using the power they were born with, they will meet and choose their life mate in a simplistic ceremony involving the removing of masks and the crushing of crystals. With very few words spoken and the shortest, most bizarre courtship in history, they will bond to their women forever. And once bonded, these men don't let go.... Breaking up was never so hard... Going undercover at Galaxy Brides as one of the prospective mates to these Viking-like barbarians, Morrigan has no intention of getting chosen to stay. But when Ualan of the Draig picks her to be his wife with the aid of his mystically glowing crystal, it is all she can do to say no. Waking up from a drug-induced night of torturous and unfulfilling pleasures, Morrigan discovers her spaceship has left without her and Ualan is claiming she is his wife. It's not exactly the story this reporter had in mind. And to make matters worse, Ualan refuses to take no for an answer. Being cursed by the Gods was never so frustrating... Prince Ualan is like all others of his race on the male dominated planet of Qurilixen. He is raised to trust the mystic powers around him and when it comes time to marry, he is ready to follow those powers to choose his life mate. When the stubborn, yet achingly beautiful, Morrigan refuses to accept their shared fate and his supreme authority over her, it is all he can do not to break her lovely neck. Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, adult language, and violence.
Customer Reviews:
Destiny is not always where you look for it........2007-03-22
I love the way the characters are introduced to each other. This book proves that you never know when you might find more than your looking for.
Promising.......2007-01-30
I liked the book. It had an interesting premise and the characters were interesting. I thought there could have been more done with them. Sex scenes were hot, would have loved more. But it was an enjoyable read. I'm defiantly picking up the rest of the series to see where she takes it.
Disappointed.......2006-08-31
If you like books that don't have the couple in love getting really together till the last pages of the book, than this book is for you. I got tried of their stupid misunderstandings thru the whole book.
COVER TO COVER READ....HOT. HOT. HOT........2006-02-26
The Barbarian Prince: book one...
The four princes of Qurilixian will meet and choose their life mate. Book one is about Prince Ualan. His planet is male dominated and they must seek elsewhere for mates...Morrigan is a snoopy reporter who signs on with Galaxy Brides to get a undercover story regarding the four princes and their weddings. What she did not bargain for was being mated to Prince Ualan after getting drunk at the bonding ceremony. The story heats up after that...There is also mystery,,,someone wants the new brides dead..
You will fall in love with these characters...The author doesn't tell you much regarding the three other marriages because that will follow in her three other books to the series.
The Perfect Prince, The Dark Prince and The Warrior Prince.
Alpha-male :) graphic scenes, detailed, light bondage..
This book was Yummy... You will find yourself laughing with the main heroine Morrigan. She is very witty and fun and proves to be a handful for Ualan. She has alot of one-liners that had me nearly falling off my chair in laughter.
The Barbarian Prince: Dragon Lords: Bk 1.......2005-10-10
Wonderful start to this series! Can't wait for the other books in this series! I LOVE Michelle Pillows books!!!!
Amazon.com
Lian Hearn's second novel in the Tales of the Otori, Grass For His Pillow continues to enrich and expand his mystical imaginings of feudal Japan. Picking up where Across the Nightingale Floor left off, Takeo fulfills his debt of honor and accepts his heritage as a member of the superhuman cabal of assassins known as "The Tribe," and is thus ingested into their plots. But his heart yearns for Kaede, his one true love, and secretly wishes to fulfill the final wishes of his adopted father, Otori Shigaru. Meanwhile, Kaede returns to her homeland to find her father's estate in ruin and her inheritance in jeopardy. The two each encounter vast political machinations and deadly consequences as they unconsciously move toward their overwhelming urges to reunite and defy (or perhaps embrace) fate.
Hearn's second book into the Tales of the Otori series is a more poignant tale than the first, painfully examining the lines between honor, duty, and love. With its calming and satisfying conclusion, the landscape of Hearn's mythical vision of Japan braces for a dazzling storm in the book to come. --Jeremy Pugh
Book Description
Praised for its epic scope and descriptive detail, Across the Nightingale Floor, the first book of the Tales of the Otori, was an international bestseller and critical success, named by the London Times as "the most compelling novel to have been published this year." With Grass for His Pillow, Book Two of the Tales of the Otori, we return to the medieval Japan of Hearn's creation-a land of harsh beauty and deceptive appearances.
Customer Reviews:
"I Cannot Lie to the Entire World...".......2007-07-21
This is the second book in the "Tales of the Otori" trilogy (though since then Hearn has published a forth book The Harsh Cry of the Heron: The Last Tale of the Otori (Tales of the Otori, Book 4) set fifteen years after the conclusion of the trilogy that wraps up some of the plot threads left dangling - in particular, the prophecy that comes to light in this book). Preceded by Across the Nightingale Floor (Tales of the Otori, Book 1) and followed by Brilliance of the Moon: Tales of the Otori, Book Three (Tales of the Otori, Book 3), this is the typical middle novel in any trilogy, which is free from the back-story and introductions of the first novel, but leaves all resolution for the final installment. As such, "Grass for his Pillow" is full of setup with little payoff, though it builds up plenty of suspense and intrigue. Like chess pieces on a board, Hearn carefully arranges his characters and their motivations throughout the story, creating a tangled web of alliances, friendships, rivalries, enemies and every other kind of human relationship you can think of that stretches across the Japanese-inspired created world of the Three Countries. Keeping track of all these people and their intrigues is hard work, but Hearn shows a deft hand in juggling all his story components without getting bogged down in exposition. In fact, I was impressed by the swift pacing in "Grass for his Pillow," which was a step up from "Across the Nightingale Floor."
After the death of his adopted father Otori Shigeru, Takeo has left the Clan and fulfilled his promise to his father's people, the Tribe, by submitting to their orders and teachings. The Tribe-people are blessed with specialized gifts, such as invisibility, supernatural senses and the ability to create a spirit-doubling of themselves, making them highly prized spies and assassins. Takeo is particularly powerful, and the Tribe considers him a valuable asset to their people. But despite honing his gifts, Takeo isn't particularly sure he wants to be an assassin. Having been raised by his mother's people, a group of pacifists who worship a secret god, and adopted into the honorable Otori Clan, Takeo is torn between three groups with opposing views, each with a prior claim on his life.
Told in first-person narrative by Takeo himself, the young warrior wants nothing more than to avenge Shigeru's death and marry his beloved Shirakawa Kaede, a beautiful young woman who is secretly responsible for the death of the warlord Iida Sadamu. With Iida's death, Arai Daiichi has taken his place, a leader who secures some semblance of peace - but who despises the Tribe and wants to see them eradicated. Finding enemies on all sides, Takeo strikes out on his own in the attempt to find his own destiny. The emergence of a prophesy, the adulation of the outcaste society, the growing hated of the Tribe toward him, and a dangerous journey through the winter mountains are some of the problems Takeo faces throughout the course of the story.
Meanwhile, Kaede has returned to her homeland (after being a hostage for most of her life) to find her home in disrepair, her mother dead, and her father reaching desperation. Now Kaede must find strength within herself to take on a patriarchal society, protecting her home, her younger sisters, and the inheritance that Lady Naomi bequeathed to her in the previous book: the lands of Maruyama. Told in third-person narrative, Kaede's story works best when describing this teenager's efforts to exert control over the scornful men around her and teaching herself how to think and behave like a man. It is weakest when Hearn harks on about how beautiful she is, and how men will desire and endanger her because of this beauty - heck, even her father has incestuous thoughts for her. Hating and fearing all men (except for Takeo of course, a man she hardly knows but claims to be in love with), Kaede has the potential to be an interesting character - so long as she's kept away from Takeo. The love affair between them has no emotional resonance at all, and her insistence toward the end of the novel that the two of them be married as soon as possible (regardless of the political repercussions) is a frustrating conclusion to a woman who has been trying to exert her independence over males.
In fact, all of the characters are emotionally cold and distant. Although I enjoy the way in which Takeo attempts to negotiate the warring personalities and loyalties within himself, and could really feel the rising pressure in Kaede's attempt to remain in control of her household, I can't really bring myself to *like* either of them. They are ambitious, calculating, and are directly responsible for several deaths in the course of the story. Now, these are not necessarily bad things, they can add to character depth and development if handled correctly. But Hearn pays little attention to the way these things affect his character's psyches, leaving them as figures that merely do things to further the plot, not three-dimensional characters that grow with each new experience.
Yet, the story itself has me hooked and Hearn successfully makes me wonder: "what happens next?" I'm currently halfway through Brilliance of the Moon: Tales of the Otori, Book Three (Tales of the Otori, Book 3).
A dip in the series. .......2007-04-10
The weekest of the Otori tales, but obviously required if you want to see the series through to the end.
Beautiful and Tragic.......2006-04-21
I love this series so far, both for the originality of the setting and the power that the story holds. Fantasy-medieval-Japan is well drawn--Hearn weaves a spell with his words, and employs description in a way that adds to the story's quality instead of burdening the reader.
There is an aura of tragedy about "Grass for HIs Pillow", even more than the first book of the series. Destiny of blood rules, and nobody has a happy destiny. The characters must reach within themselves to become strong people. I desperately hope that things work out for the star-crossed lovers Takeo and Kaede, but I can't see it happening.
The only thing that bothers me is that Kaede can be too much of a typical heroine--driven and also determined to read, write, and fight. But this does not really detract from the story. She has definitely matured from the first book, as has Takeo.
I would highly recommend this book, but only if you have already read and enjoyed "Across the Nightengale Floor".
You can stop after the first book.......2006-02-27
I did not regret reading this book, but it did not live up to the promise of the first book in this series.
Alluring fantasy that will ensnare you!!!.......2006-02-08
GRASS FOR HIS PILLOW is the second book in the Tales of The Otori series. This is a magical tale of revenge, honor and love that takes place in a fantasy medieval Japan.
A young man searches for his true path, trying to figure out who he is and which clan he belongs to. His loyalties are torn between the man who saved his life and those who belong to a mysterious gifted brotherhood possessing mythical powers. While revenge is being sought, and kingdoms being forged, love enters his life throwing him into unknown territory and pushing his loyalty to the edge.
Lian Hearn combines Japanese culture, tradition and history into an alluring fantasy with exquisite story telling that makes you believe the myths and magic of this fantasy Japan are more real than imagined.
Amazon.com
Elevating silk painting to a high art form, this lushly illustrated book turns simple scarf decoration on its head. Some of the painted designs are so intricately detailed they look almost like photographs; others resemble glorious watercolor paintings. Techniques and tools are clearly explained, as are working with color and exploring design ideas. Be forewarned, however: a good portion of the book is devoted to advanced techniques, so the novice silk painter may not be able to jump right in. But for those with some prior experience, this volume really shines as a source of instruction and inspiration.
Customer Reviews:
A great book to have.......2004-04-13
I hope this book will be back in print. It is beautifully illustrated and shows more than the standard silk painting techniques. The author introduces us, step-by-step, to various Asian techniques, which are really interesting. This book is written for beginning and advanced silk painters, so she also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of various dyes, waxes and resists, how to use them on various silks, and which tools (both Western and Asian) work best -- accompanied by lots of photographs so that you know what she is talking about.
It's a book worth having.
Moyer's two books are the best available on silk painting.......1999-04-04
This is Moyer's second book. You need to understand her first book well before getting this one. But then DEFINITELY get it. Several other silk painting authors have followed a good first book with terrible 2nd and 3rd ones. That is certainly not true of Moyer. This book is every bit as excellent as her wonderful first book.
This Book Just Keeps Working.......1999-01-30
This book contains a lot of basic, hands-on info on equipment and practical aspects of silk painting technique. What I have noticed most, is that everytime I go back to this book as my skill and experience increase, I grasp and learn more. Things I didn't pick up at all on from my earlier readings suddenly become real and make sense. This book concentrates heavily on wax, gutta and screen printing techniques. Roketsu-zome and alcohol techniques are covered in a very step-by-step, practical way. There is a lot of surface design, as well as garment design info. If you are interested in block printing, bleach discharge, or shibori, you would do better to choose another title. Complex Cloth by Dunneworld is another fabulous textile book that covers almost every technique. Highly recommend!
The Number Two Book of Silk Painters.......1998-09-07
If you are a serious silk painter, this is the book for you. Beginners need to start with the first Susan Moyer book which contains a plethora of info for those just starting. If you silk paint as a hobby or just for fun, this is it! Suusan Moyer obviously loves silk as much as you do!
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General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Diary of Lady Murasaki (Penguin Classics)
The Tale of Genji
The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan (Kodansha Globe)
The Tale of Genji: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
The Tale of the Heike
