Geek of Oz

I take this episode to interview acclaimed Australian fantasy author Lian Hearn, who celebrates the launch of her new Tales of the Otori prequel book, Emperor of the Eight Islands !  During our chat, Lian discusses what prompted the creation of Emperor , her writing motivation, her love of Japanese culture and her ideal character tea date. It was truly a lot of fun chatting to Lian, and I once again thank her for taking the time to sit down with me. Thanks are also again in order for the good folks at Hachette Australia for setting this all up. Enjoy! -Chris    Get it from Podomatic here                                             Get it from iTunes here Check out Chris' review of Emperor of the Eight Islands here

There is a fine line between objective and subjective criticism. Some reviewers can tell you the difficulty in maintaining professional distance when critically analysing something, especially if that something provokes the kind of absolute joy or abject loathing that keeps someone like me motivated to write. It's a difficulty I run into when reviewing Emperor of the Eight Islands , Lian Hearn's first book in the prequel to her acclaimed Tales of the Otori series. As a novel, there are a few points where Hearn falls short. As a story, I was completely in love with it, meaning those shortcomings weren't as noticeable. Set 300 years before Across the Nightingale Floor , two rival clans are battling for control of the Lotus Throne. A young man, nearly killed by his lord uncle, is revived as a new man named Shikanoko by a mystical sage. An ancient and mysterious woman gives birth to five supernatural children from five different fathers. After a devastating earthquake and...