Book Review- Grass for His Pillow- Lian Hearn

Great second of a trilogy. I don't know how well it wold work as a stand alone book, since I can't go back and unread the first, but this is an excellent growth book. Both main character have a voice here. Takeo learns to improve his skills, learns about treachery and gets a girl pregnant. Kaede loses Takeo's child when she hears he's dead (not true) almost dies herself (Takeo is told she is dead) and then decided it's time to decide her own fate. She becomes very strong and decides that using the horrible, slimy, rich, menacing neighbor will do it. Of course once Takeo and Kaede learn that the other is indeed alive, all bets are off and in a very unsurprising turn, they are together at the end, both wiser, stronger and better prepared for the wars ahead for being apart. Immediatly started book three- Brilliance of the Moon, because I just have to know what's going to happen. I know they are going to win, but I'm sure there will be many adventures, twists, beheadings, intrigue and Tribe assasinations to come.