Lord of the Darkwood

"Hearn continues to explore issues of fate, love, moral failure, and moral redemption through characters both archetypal and heartbreakingly believable." —Kirkus Reviews

A self-assured warrior stumbles into a game of Go that turns fatal. An ambitious lord leaves his nephew for dead and seizes his lands. 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. 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.


As destiny weaves its tapestry in Lian Hearn's Tale of Shikanoko series, an emotionally rich and compelling drama plays out against a background of wild forests, elegant castles, hidden temples, and savage battlefields in Lord of the Darkwood.

The Tale of Shikanoko

Book One: Emperor of the Eight Islands

Book Two: Autumn Princess, Dragon Child

Book Three: Lord of the Darkwood

Book Four: The Tengu's Game of Go
Praise for the series

"Brutally thrilling historical fantasy." —Herald Sun

"A fascinating blend of politics, priests, and monsters . . . Hearn's lead character gripped my attention from the start—leaving me eager to see how [Shikanoko's tale] plays out in the next books." —Locus

"It is easy to let the book sweep the reader away, to engage with strange events . . . There is huge imaginative vitality." —The Sydney Morning Herald

"The action comes thick and fast . . . The compelling characters and captivating worldbuilding mean readers will look forward to [the next volume] with anticipation." —The Japan Times