Secrets

Secrets are a constant theme throughout the books of the Otori and this book in particular, concentrating as it does on the conflicting politics of the Tribe, the Emperor, and the Otori-run state. This situation is further compounded by the personal lives of Takeo and the ruling family, as he particularly has to manage his own feelings and sometimes the members of his own family in order to stop uncomfortable truths getting out — such as the fact that he was born to one of the Hidden communities, or that his daughter Maya is possessed by a Cat Spirit.

Secrets seem to be a part of life for Takeo, trained as he was by the ninja Tribe and used to plotting, machinations and deceit. He rules his country with this in mind, on the one hand appearing to be a just and a fair ruler, while on the...