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anazap's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, War, Suicide, Gore, and Child death
j_schley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Mental illness, Child death, Violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, War, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Gore, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
kschauer18's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Gore, Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Rape, Child abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Miscarriage
pistachiolatte's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.25
La premisa de este libro no puede ser mas tentadora: poderes elementales al estilo Avatar the Last Airbender, combinado con Ciudad de Jade, con una escenografía que recuerda a las películas de samurais de Zhang Yimou.
Combina esos elementos de manera muy solvente, en un mundo con sus propias religiones, política, continentes... todo muy bien construido. La narración es en tercera persona desde el punto de vista de diferentes personajes, mi favorita. Es un libro character-driven (no suceden muchas cosas, hay acción pero no es su foco, se centra en los personajes ). Para mi, sus mayores defectos son su ritmo irregular (arranca muy fuerte y en la segunda mitad se estanca) y los cabos sueltos/información a medias que deja.
En resumen, si la premisa te atrae, dale una oportunidad. Está muy bien escrito y se agradece una novela única de fantasía en lugar de una serie de +3 volúmenes.
Dicho esto voy a entrar a detallar más, para los que ya lo hemos leído.
Por poner un ejemplo, todo el tema del secuestrador de niños para formar un ejercito se queda en el aire. Robin y Misaki hablan al final sobre una conversación que ella debería tener con Hiroshi (nunca llega). Empezamos el libro con Kwang Chul-Hee siendo MUY relevante y a mitad literalmente no se le vuelve a mencionar.
También pensaba que rechazaban la ayuda del emperador como primer paso de una venganza/revolucion por Takayubi, pero tampoco llega nunca. Quiero decir, es el punto principal del libro y no se hace nada al respecto. Está claro que en la guerra no todo son victorias épicas, pero se supone que sois los mejores luchadores del mundo y esenciales para el continente y casi os exterminan sin que os quejéis. :(
La extensión de los episodios también se me ha hecho algo pesada e irregular. Además, se usa mucho vocabulario exclusivo de este libro, lo cual interrumpe mucho la lectura para revisar el glosario, especialmente al inicio, cuando no estás familiarizado aún.
Pese a estas cosas, el libro me ha gustado mucho. Para empezar, el autor se ha arriesgado a la hora de desarrollar la historia. Por ejemplo, los de aire en esta historia son los malos, en lugar de los de fuego COMO SIEMPRE. Además, en una historia mas inmadura la relación de Robin y Misaki seguramente se hubiera llevado de manera muy distinta, con huidas a caballo al atardecer y cosas asi. Me ha encantado como se trata la reconstrucción de su relación con Takeru.
De hecho, ha sido muy refrescante leer a una protagonista de +30 años en lugar de a una niñata de 17. Me ha encantado toooodo el arco de Mamoru. Me ha encantado la magia de este mundo, las habilidades de cada personaje, la escenografía de montañas nevadas.
Siento que voy a recordar este libro con cariño, porque pese a sus defectos consigue que retengas esta historia, como si hubieras estado allí.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, War, Abortion, Suicide, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Rape, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Slavery
abi_reads_and_scribbles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Did I stay up to read this, sacrificing sleep? Yes. Because we cannot sleep on this story. Hands down one of the best books I've ever read.
✅ Incredible world building, and unique culture
✅ Stunning magic system, elemental power
✅ Intricate plot, story writing
✅ Amazing character arcs, adventure, action
I loved the dual perspective between fourteen year old Mamoru and his badass mother Misaki. The author explores that awkward growth stage where we are surprised that our parents were their own people. And had lives and identities we can never fully comprehend. Mamoru's character was so well written. Unveiling the political plotline behind his perspective was so well done.
Weaving the story between perspectives and timelines were absolutely seamless. Misaki's background at Daybreak was so awesome. I loved her character arc. She brings you through the heartbreak and grief of her choices. I especially loved that she didn't sugarcoat the difficulty of identity and motherhood. She was such a great character and I enjoyed how she kicked her Takeru's ass into shape. Throw the man out.
This is in the top 5 books of all time. Definitely ♾️ stars ⭐
✅ Incredible world building, and unique culture
✅ Stunning magic system, elemental power
✅ Intricate plot, story writing
✅ Amazing character arcs, adventure, action
I loved the dual perspective between fourteen year old Mamoru and his badass mother Misaki. The author explores that awkward growth stage where we are surprised that our parents were their own people. And had lives and identities we can never fully comprehend. Mamoru's character was so well written. Unveiling the political plotline behind his perspective was so well done.
Weaving the story between perspectives and timelines were absolutely seamless. Misaki's background at Daybreak was so awesome. I loved her character arc. She brings you through the heartbreak and grief of her choices. I especially loved that she didn't sugarcoat the difficulty of identity and motherhood. She was such a great character and I enjoyed how she kicked her Takeru's ass into shape. Throw the man out.
This is in the top 5 books of all time. Definitely ♾️ stars ⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
parasihir's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
Probably the first book in 2024 that makes me spill tears with extra enormous effort to not let out a scream. It hurts me real bad. Everything flows perfectly. Even at the first chapter, I actually had a great time savoring the world-building, the terms, the magic with painstaking effort to go back and forth from the book to the glossary. Yes, I open it on another tab, but it was still a little bit of effort because I wanted to understand everything. It made me that interested and immersed in the story.
Since the very moment I read the way Mamoru jumped to go to his school, I know I love that boy.And my biggest devastation comes from the way he stayed true to his name. To protect. Nyama to you, the Protector. Nyama to you, Son, Brother, Friend. Nyama to you, Soldier. You did your part. I love you so much. And I absolutely head over heels for Misaki. My MOTHER.
The way everything unfolds leaves me with hunger. I need more. I need it. So I just read, read, read and then suddenly (not so sudden), everything that was once broken becomes better. Not the best. But better. Life, I suppose, does go that way. A little better than yesterday.
The Sword of Kaigen has every elements you can ask for in a fantasy book. A good world-building, a wonderful magic system (it is actually not that complicated once you take notes of it), a amazing characterization of all characters, a admirable relationship (of all kind, I mean it), a real plot, and the best ending you can ask for. It has been a long time since I actually finish a fantasy book with a new whole concept like this. A new world, though M.L. Wang seems to write it based on East Asian culture. Hard to grasp at first, but perfect when you get to understand it.
If you want a real good book to read to keep you focused in turning the pages as it hooks you in the story, The Sword of Kaigen is the best choice. Trust me. And also, may you will find this book as gorgeous as I find it, if you decide to pick it up, of course. Love you!
Nyama to you, my fellow reader.
Since the very moment I read the way Mamoru jumped to go to his school, I know I love that boy.
The way everything unfolds leaves me with hunger. I need more. I need it. So I just read, read, read and then suddenly (not so sudden), everything that was once broken becomes better. Not the best. But better. Life, I suppose, does go that way. A little better than yesterday.
The Sword of Kaigen has every elements you can ask for in a fantasy book. A good world-building, a wonderful magic system (it is actually not that complicated once you take notes of it), a amazing characterization of all characters, a admirable relationship (of all kind, I mean it), a real plot, and the best ending you can ask for. It has been a long time since I actually finish a fantasy book with a new whole concept like this. A new world, though M.L. Wang seems to write it based on East Asian culture. Hard to grasp at first, but perfect when you get to understand it.
If you want a real good book to read to keep you focused in turning the pages as it hooks you in the story, The Sword of Kaigen is the best choice. Trust me. And also, may you will find this book as gorgeous as I find it, if you decide to pick it up, of course. Love you!
Nyama to you, my fellow reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, War, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Cursing, Grief, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Suicide, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Rape, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
pensandpicks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, War, Rape, Grief, Violence, Sexual violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
jassiecones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
What a deeply emotional, cinematic story about purpose, family, duty, love, and protecting what you love and care about. This book has everything you could want from a fantasy with the highest amount of emotional impact (you will be sobbing). This world, its magic, and the people that inhabit it were so clearly thought out and established, and you really do love each moment we have with not only main characters, but everyone along the way. Wow wow WOW
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Child death, Gore, Violence, War, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse
kmarkus15's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Avatar universe for adults. There are a lot of things to like about this book but a couple flaws that bogged it down. My two main issues are with the combat scenes and the ending.
The combat is far too introspective slowing it down till a single duel seems to take hours. While the combat being described is very cool the way it is written makes me think someone is hitting pause before every move to describe every single aspect. This drastically reduces the excitement of the scene.
The other issue is with the ending which sets up a sequel that doesn’t seem related to most of this book. There are questions posed only in the last 1/4 that aren’t relevant to the rest of the story making it feel disjointed and incomplete. While that story sounds interesting I’m not sure how why it is related to this book.
The combat is far too introspective slowing it down till a single duel seems to take hours. While the combat being described is very cool the way it is written makes me think someone is hitting pause before every move to describe every single aspect. This drastically reduces the excitement of the scene.
The other issue is with the ending which sets up a sequel that doesn’t seem related to most of this book. There are questions posed only in the last 1/4 that aren’t relevant to the rest of the story making it feel disjointed and incomplete. While that story sounds interesting I’m not sure how why it is related to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, War, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
jodiemitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
This is easily the best book I have ever read. For this to be a debut novel for ML Wang is incredible. She is brilliant. The characters are so complex and deep. You fall in love with the chat here, and you hate others. You feel the raw emotions that Misaki feels and you share her reactions all throughout the book. I have a feeling I will never read anything like this book again. This is a true masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, Violence, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and War