Lord Otori, Takeo, and Takeo's teacher Kenji set off to meet Kaede, a fifteen-year-old girl chosen as the future Lady Otori by a group of political collaborators. When Takeo and Kaede first meet, they are drawn to each other, and fall in love. But events are doomed to pull them apart, and soon they are each thrust into a battle for their lives.

Lord Otori, Takeo, and Takeo's new teacher Kenji set off to meet Kaede, a fifteen-year-old girl chosen as the future Lady Otori by a group of political collaborators. Takeo is still trying to come to terms with knowing that, through the father he never knew, he is one of the Tribe a group of mysterious, ninja-like assassins who have allegiance to no one. When Takeo and Kaede first meet, they are drawn to each other, and without speaking a word, fall in love. But events are doomed to pull them apart, and soon they are each thrust into a battle for their lives. 'Quite simply the best story of magic, love, sex, revenge and suspense to have come this way since Philip Pulman' - Amanda Craig, "Independent on Sunday".