Brilliance of the Moon is the third book in the Tales of the Otori series. We pick up the story with Kaede and Takeo having married hastily in Terayama and determined to claim their inheritance – an inheritance which, if they can make the claim stick, will grant them control of the vast majority of the Three Kingdoms. They are opposed by the Tribe, whose power is secret but vast; by Lord Arai, who is likely offended by their decision to marry without his consent; and by Fujiwara, who considered Kaede his betrothed.
It is often observed that the proven quality of the first work in a trilogy is what ensures it’s sequels; that the quality of the second work cannot be known until the third is complete; and that the quality of the third work will redeem or condemn the ambiguity of the second. I regret to say that Brilliance of the Moon does not live up to the promise of Across the Nightingale Floor, and reveals Grass for his Pillow as being a lesser work than it could have been.
How does it fall so far short of the promise offered by the series? Simply by failing to take advantage of the opportunities set up by the first two novels. Kaede’s strength and independence are made a mockery of; Takeo’s greatest victories are delivered to him in a Deus Ex Machina; the mystery of the Hidden is revealed and wasted; the dramatic potential of Takeo’s prophecy is handled clumsily at best; and to add insult to injury, many of the most important and anticipated moments of the series were presented obliquely in the Afterword.
Regarding the second book, Grass for his Pillow, I commented that the loss of Shigeru so early in the story left the rest of the plot feeling like a tripod lacking the third leg. When Brilliance of the Moon yanks out the second leg of the tripod as well, by abandoning Kaede to the role of damsel in distress, disaster becomes inevitable.
However poorly the resolution of the series is handled, there are some good points to note about the book. The hints of a historical parallel to the plotline were borne out in the end (though I decline to identify them precisely, as it would constitute a spoiler). I could perhaps forgive some of the poorly handled plotting if it was intended to make the parallel match more closely. Even if that was the case, it could still have been better handled. I’m reviewing a fantasy novel rather than a piece of historical fiction, after all.
My advice on this series is to stop after the first book if you’re reading it as a fantasy novel. Across the Nightingale Floor can stand alone, and the remainder of the series is downhill all the way, although the slope is mild and the journey not terribly unpleasant. Those with an interest in the subject matter may still find it worthwhile to finish the series, as the characterization of individuals and their societal values remains well handled, and the historical parallels add a level of interest to the story.
