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readwithbeth_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
stop what you’re doing right now and pick up this book because you will not regret it.
now like everyone I’ve seen this book all over BookTok where everyone is saying this is a 5+ star book so I was intrigued but I wasn’t sure that high dark fantasy was for me.
But after I saw this book on KU and eventually picked it up and began to read, I devoured it! The first 40ish % did take me a little bit to get too, you’re immediately getting this amazing world building between a mother who has a mysterious past she can’t talk about (Misaki Tsusano) and her amazing sword bearer eldest son who is finding out everything the empire has told them about Kaigen’s history isn’t all true (Mamoru Matsuda).
I recommend reading StoryGraph’s description because it perfectly described the Sword of Kaigens synopsis without revealing the spoilers I would accidentally spurt out.
the sword of kaigen has it all, perfectly developed characters, outstanding magical fight scenes, and Wang makes sure you feel ALL the emotions, I mean I was trying reading chapters but just couldn’t put this book down, this book consumes you and I will never stop talking about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Misogyny, Suicide, War, and Self harm
Moderate: Miscarriage and Rape
therestisstillunwritten16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Child death, Rape, Suicide, War, Blood, and Death
hypocretin's review against another edition
4.75
If I were over-concerned with objectivity, this would probably be a 4- or 3.5-star book. But love covers a variety of sins (or whatever the fuck it was Peter said), and I simply loved this book.
The front half drags a little. The concept of state propaganda is introduced rather chunkily. Why is it mentioned at the top of chapter 1 that this book takes place on "Planet Duna, 5369 y. s. p.” when these words never come up and are never relevant again? Why are there completely fake units of measurement for time? Is any of this relevant or meaningful to the plot? Does it add anything of value? Not really!
And yet, I cannot bring myself to level these criticisms with vigor. I love this story of a woman falling in love with her family, of reconciling the past. This story of making peace with your imperfect history so that you can love your imperfect present for what it actually is, rather than resent it for what it is not.
I love how much this book has to say about history. About what it means to have history; the history of a place or a people, but also what it means to have a history with someone. There's such a beautiful tension and heartache in how it explores what it means to be swept up in tradition as something beautiful and profound, while also acknowledging the harm of what it is to be stuck in the past, weighed down by cultural or personal baggage that does not serve your best interests.
The past will haunt you, and it will ruin you if you cling to it too hard.
I also really loved and admired the amount of nuance and care that went into some of the passages that explored Misaki's conflict of identity as a woman with grievances about how her own culture treats her as a second class,
The front half drags a little. The concept of state propaganda is introduced rather chunkily. Why is it mentioned at the top of chapter 1 that this book takes place on "Planet Duna, 5369 y. s. p.” when these words never come up and are never relevant again? Why are there completely fake units of measurement for time? Is any of this relevant or meaningful to the plot? Does it add anything of value? Not really!
And yet, I cannot bring myself to level these criticisms with vigor. I love this story of a woman falling in love with her family, of reconciling the past. This story of making peace with your imperfect history so that you can love your imperfect present for what it actually is, rather than resent it for what it is not.
I love how much this book has to say about history. About what it means to have history; the history of a place or a people, but also what it means to have a history with someone. There's such a beautiful tension and heartache in how it explores what it means to be swept up in tradition as something beautiful and profound, while also acknowledging the harm of what it is to be stuck in the past, weighed down by cultural or personal baggage that does not serve your best interests.
The past will haunt you, and it will ruin you if you cling to it too hard.
I also really loved and admired the amount of nuance and care that went into some of the passages that explored Misaki's conflict of identity as a woman with grievances about how her own culture treats her as a second class,
"Other girls at Daybreak tended to react with revulsion to the idea of growing up to become a housewife. A deep, restless part of Misaki was relieved to be in a place where her viciousness was an expectation, not a surprise. Another, equally deep part of her felt a need to defend her culture from these outsiders who clearly didn’t understand it."
I just loved Misaki as an unreliable narrator in general. She was an amazing protagonist throughout the story, full to the brim with personality and opinion and anguish and rage. Even when I knew she was in the wrong or being small-minded or uncharitable to the people around her, I always understood where she was coming from and why she felt and reacted the way she did. I spent a lot of this novel disagreeing with her, but I never once stopped rooting for her. I bore her agony with her, felt the fond swell of achievement in her victories.
I loved watching her grow up. I loved watching her lift her eyes for the first time and take in the people around her and realize what she had. I loved watching her fall in love with her family, with her community.
And I loved, too, our other POV character. It's difficult to speak much of him without spoilers to the arc he follows, so I won't linger on it. I will say Mamoru's character took a little while to really get going for me, but watching him make the decisions he did in the contexts that he had to make them filled my heart with love. Just a boy trying his best to do the right thing, even when faced with insurmountable odds. Even when he wasn't sure he knew what exactly the right thing was. Such paralyzing things for a child to be faced with, but he forced himself to move anyway.
The last thing I will say of the Sword of Kaigen is that
I might just be highly sensitive to those themes and ideas,
So, yeah. Sword of Kaigen. A book not without its flaws, but also a story with a tremendous amount of heart and a lot of intelligent things to say for itself. I really loved it (and I didn't even get into all the fun wacky anime-ass fight scenes!!!!!!!).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
It is handled, in my opinion, very respectfully but unflinchingly. The narrative doesn't linger on act itself, but it does stare down the fallout in a way that I think a reader should go in prepared to stomach. I kind of can't believe this book was recommended to me without a content warning.thenoboshow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Xenophobia, Child death, Classism, Miscarriage, Rape, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicide, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, and War
lucajgrainger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual violence, Gore, Child death, Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Suicide, Sexual assault, Rape, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, and Blood
cyrus_nguyen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a character-driven novel where each character feels unique with very real flaws, motivations and beliefs. That's not to say the worldbuilding and plot is lacking at all. The power system is fleshed out and the novel has some incredibly thrilling and gripping actions scenes on top of the character growth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Child death, War, and Death
Minor: Rape, Miscarriage, Child death, Suicide, and Death
aksmith92's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
6/5 stars. This novel is a testament to the author's skill, delivering a devastating and poignant yet beautifully written story that will leave a lasting impact.
The Setup: Mamoru is a Matsuda. Meaning he was born into a line of people resembling gods. Matsudas possess a unique magic form called jijaka, someone able to control water. Well, those in Kaigen can all be jijakalu, but Matsudas have the unique ability to take their control of water even further and take water molecules to make something called a Whispering Blade, a sword of ice that can cut through literally anything. Matsuda boys and men are trained early as warriors, serving the Kaigen empire wholeheartedly and rigidly. They live and train on the Kusanagi Peninsula, known as the Sword of Kaigen, and are the first to defend the Empire's enemies. Mamoru is fourteen, in school, and is one of the best warriors of his age. Thankfully, "warrior" is more of a title than anything; Kaigen and the rest of Danu, the world everyone lives in, have maintained peaceful relations, and there hasn't been a war since the Keleba, the only war that occurred in Danu's history. Mamoru is going to school, hanging out with his friends, trying not to fall asleep in history class, and, of course, training. He is determined to master the Whispering Blade and be the youngest to do so. Therefore, much of his time is spent mastering his jiya and trying to prove to his father that he is focused and talented.
In tandem, Misaki, Mamoru's mother, is battling fifteen years of, for lack of better words, boredom and anger. Misaki was also a warrior, as she spent her teenage years at a school in Carytha, another country in Danu, mastering her jiya and another magic: Blood Needle, the ability to control a small amount of the blood inside their victim's body and freezes it in the shape of a needle. This jijaka technique is specific to the Tsusano family, Misaki's bloodline before she married a Matsuda. She spent time at this school mastering her sword skills and even partnered with a crew of kids her age to fight crime. However, Misaki is from Ishihama, a town in Kaigen, meaning that she knew that her main role in life would be to marry into a powerful bloodline and bear his children, specifically sons. She made the incredibly challenging choice once she was of age to stay back on Kaigen and marry Takeru Matsuda. But life is not easy, and she struggles without a sword on her hip.
The narrative delves into the emotional journeys of both Mamoru and Misaki, revealing Mamoru's battles with new revelations about his assumptions and preconceptions of the Kaigen empire, and Misaki's life as a housewife and a mother, with glimpses of her past at school. The story then weaves in Duna unrest, suggesting that peace may soon become a distant memory.
What made this six stars? I'm having a hard time explaining what made this a phenomenal book. It was NOT a good time, I can tell you that! I cried MULTIPLE times in this book, which generally does not happen to me and hasn't happened since The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. M.L. Wang is clearly a powerful and amazingly talented writer - her prose isn't fluffy; it's straight to the point and makes you feel like you are living at the Sword of Kaigen with the small community. I would not suggest picking this up if you want atmospheric or whimsical writing. Wang is literal yet still poignant and dives into challenging topics like misogyny, classism, and war. It was beautiful, yet sharp and harsh, and I loved it so much.
So, I generally prioritize character layers and development over everything else. Do not get me wrong, the plot and world-building must be there! However, there is something so beautiful about connecting with characters, regardless of whether they are the protagonists, antagonists, or morally gray folks. This book did that so well. Mamoru and Misaki are beautifully written characters with many layers, conflicts, and flaws. The other characters, specifically Setsuko, Takashi, Hyori, Chul-Hee, and Robin, were also fantastically written. Additionally, I could write multiple paragraphs about Takeru Matsuda - Mamoru's father and Misaki's husband - what a character! Everyone was their own character, and I love nothing more than relating to many characters and seeing them go on their journeys.
Now, technically, Wang's 100-page (or so) action scene was unbelievable. Actually, unbelievable. I've never read an action scene like this one before. I was immersed, captivated, and absolutely DEVASTATED during it. I honestly couldn't put my book down. This gruesome portrayal of battle was incredibly done, even though it was hard to read.
Lastly, this was such a well-done magic system, world, and plot. It takes a slightly different approach to war, combining some politics, war potential, and the aftermath of battle.
While this book was incredible, please know you will be angry. Kaigen was awfully sexist and misogynistic - it was a patriarchal society where women had to watch what they said to their husbands, let alone fight in battle. It can be challenging to read, but it made you appreciate Misaki and her wonderful friends even more. The balance Misaki portrayed as a mother and a warrior was unique, and her relationship with her husband, Takeru, was incredibly layered. However, unlike other fantasy novels with a main female protagonist, this one doesn't have the nice, neat power ending we're used to, and it may frustrate you. As someone who cares deeply about feminism, this should have angered me, but Wang portrayed all of this in an incredibly realistic way and therefore didn't make the story seem to go into a 180 abruptly.
I have no criticism. At all. You may and I get that, but I don't. What an incredible ride - Wang will be an auto-buy author for me. I've read Blood Over Bright Haven, which I LOVED, and I can't wait to see what else Wang comes out with. I am so thankful for this novel, yet now it is time for a fluffy and light book where I shed no tears.
The Setup: Mamoru is a Matsuda. Meaning he was born into a line of people resembling gods. Matsudas possess a unique magic form called jijaka, someone able to control water. Well, those in Kaigen can all be jijakalu, but Matsudas have the unique ability to take their control of water even further and take water molecules to make something called a Whispering Blade, a sword of ice that can cut through literally anything. Matsuda boys and men are trained early as warriors, serving the Kaigen empire wholeheartedly and rigidly. They live and train on the Kusanagi Peninsula, known as the Sword of Kaigen, and are the first to defend the Empire's enemies. Mamoru is fourteen, in school, and is one of the best warriors of his age. Thankfully, "warrior" is more of a title than anything; Kaigen and the rest of Danu, the world everyone lives in, have maintained peaceful relations, and there hasn't been a war since the Keleba, the only war that occurred in Danu's history. Mamoru is going to school, hanging out with his friends, trying not to fall asleep in history class, and, of course, training. He is determined to master the Whispering Blade and be the youngest to do so. Therefore, much of his time is spent mastering his jiya and trying to prove to his father that he is focused and talented.
In tandem, Misaki, Mamoru's mother, is battling fifteen years of, for lack of better words, boredom and anger. Misaki was also a warrior, as she spent her teenage years at a school in Carytha, another country in Danu, mastering her jiya and another magic: Blood Needle, the ability to control a small amount of the blood inside their victim's body and freezes it in the shape of a needle. This jijaka technique is specific to the Tsusano family, Misaki's bloodline before she married a Matsuda. She spent time at this school mastering her sword skills and even partnered with a crew of kids her age to fight crime. However, Misaki is from Ishihama, a town in Kaigen, meaning that she knew that her main role in life would be to marry into a powerful bloodline and bear his children, specifically sons. She made the incredibly challenging choice once she was of age to stay back on Kaigen and marry Takeru Matsuda. But life is not easy, and she struggles without a sword on her hip.
The narrative delves into the emotional journeys of both Mamoru and Misaki, revealing Mamoru's battles with new revelations about his assumptions and preconceptions of the Kaigen empire, and Misaki's life as a housewife and a mother, with glimpses of her past at school. The story then weaves in Duna unrest, suggesting that peace may soon become a distant memory.
What made this six stars? I'm having a hard time explaining what made this a phenomenal book. It was NOT a good time, I can tell you that! I cried MULTIPLE times in this book, which generally does not happen to me and hasn't happened since The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah. M.L. Wang is clearly a powerful and amazingly talented writer - her prose isn't fluffy; it's straight to the point and makes you feel like you are living at the Sword of Kaigen with the small community. I would not suggest picking this up if you want atmospheric or whimsical writing. Wang is literal yet still poignant and dives into challenging topics like misogyny, classism, and war. It was beautiful, yet sharp and harsh, and I loved it so much.
So, I generally prioritize character layers and development over everything else. Do not get me wrong, the plot and world-building must be there! However, there is something so beautiful about connecting with characters, regardless of whether they are the protagonists, antagonists, or morally gray folks. This book did that so well. Mamoru and Misaki are beautifully written characters with many layers, conflicts, and flaws. The other characters, specifically Setsuko, Takashi, Hyori, Chul-Hee, and Robin, were also fantastically written. Additionally, I could write multiple paragraphs about Takeru Matsuda - Mamoru's father and Misaki's husband - what a character! Everyone was their own character, and I love nothing more than relating to many characters and seeing them go on their journeys.
Now, technically, Wang's 100-page (or so) action scene was unbelievable. Actually, unbelievable. I've never read an action scene like this one before. I was immersed, captivated, and absolutely DEVASTATED during it. I honestly couldn't put my book down. This gruesome portrayal of battle was incredibly done, even though it was hard to read.
Lastly, this was such a well-done magic system, world, and plot. It takes a slightly different approach to war, combining some politics, war potential, and the aftermath of battle.
While this book was incredible, please know you will be angry. Kaigen was awfully sexist and misogynistic - it was a patriarchal society where women had to watch what they said to their husbands, let alone fight in battle. It can be challenging to read, but it made you appreciate Misaki and her wonderful friends even more. The balance Misaki portrayed as a mother and a warrior was unique, and her relationship with her husband, Takeru, was incredibly layered. However, unlike other fantasy novels with a main female protagonist, this one doesn't have the nice, neat power ending we're used to, and it may frustrate you. As someone who cares deeply about feminism, this should have angered me, but Wang portrayed all of this in an incredibly realistic way and therefore didn't make the story seem to go into a 180 abruptly.
I have no criticism. At all. You may and I get that, but I don't. What an incredible ride - Wang will be an auto-buy author for me. I've read Blood Over Bright Haven, which I LOVED, and I can't wait to see what else Wang comes out with. I am so thankful for this novel, yet now it is time for a fluffy and light book where I shed no tears.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, War, Death, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Classism, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Genocide, Gaslighting, and Confinement
Minor: Cursing
Please, please, please take some of these triggers seriously. M.L. Wang does a phenomenal job with action scenes, but they involve lots of detail about injuries and death, including for literal children. Please take care.soryualan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is a 10 out of 5.
From around chapter 7 and until the end I couldn't stop crying. I cried out of rage, sadness, frustration and happiness. The author portraits emotions in such a raw and visceral way. No other book or piece media has ever hit me as hard and as deep as this story.
The story is super inspiring filled with heart-warming characters and is also packed with incredibly well written action sequences.
This is probably the best book I've read so far. Loved it!!
From around chapter 7 and until the end I couldn't stop crying. I cried out of rage, sadness, frustration and happiness. The author portraits emotions in such a raw and visceral way. No other book or piece media has ever hit me as hard and as deep as this story.
The story is super inspiring filled with heart-warming characters and is also packed with incredibly well written action sequences.
This is probably the best book I've read so far. Loved it!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, War, and Child death
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicide
Minor: Rape, Kidnapping, and Xenophobia
It is a great story, but there is a lot of grief going on. As some one who lost my mother 3 years ago I found some moments to be incredibly hard to read through. I still loved the book and I found it to be somewhat cathartic, but for people grieving the loss of loved ones it may be very triggeringmaucha's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book broke my heart made me cry so badly. I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Gore, Blood, Child death, War, Misogyny, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Miscarriage and Suicide
Minor: Sexism and Rape