The Harsh Cry of the Heron (Tales the Otori Book 4) By Lian HearnTakeo and Kaede have ruled the three countries for sixteen years of piece and prosperity. But now the peace is coming to an end the Emperor and his new warlord have turned their eyes to the three countries as Takeo has never sought their confirmation of his rule and they have decided to back the dissatisfied Ari Zenko. The rebel tribe members lead by Kikuta Akio see the time as ripe to get their revenge. Added to this all Takeo’s loyal advisers are dying weakening his position. Can he master the threats to his rule while keeping the balance that has maintained the peace for the last sixteen years?

I really disliked this book, I had been looking forward to it for ages and was overjoyed when I saw that the book was bigger then the previous three put together. But when I started reading it I soon started losing interest in it. The main characters mad one stupid decision after another! It got me so irritated that after each stupid decision I had to stop reading and had to struggle to start reading it again. I was never more depressed then when reading the ending! It is one of the most depressing ending of any book I have read! All in all this is one of the most disappointing books I have read this year.