Against a background of wild forest, elegant castles, hidden temples and savage battlefields, the adventure that began with Emperor from the Eight Islands draws to its thrilling conclusion in Lord from the Darkwood, the next instalment of Lian Hearn’s the Tale of Shikanoko.

The rightful emperor is lost. Shikanoko can be condemned to live, half-man and half-deer, an outlaw in the Darkwood. The mighty lords who now guideline the Eight Islands are prey to suspicion and disease, and drought and famine choke the world. Only Shikanoko can bring healing, by rebuilding the preordained ruler to the Lotus Throne. And only 1 person can bring him back again from your Darkwood .