Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

36 reviews

trizk's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this in december of 2022. I have deadass cried once a month since about this book whenever I think about it. This shi not for the weak💀

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Pregnancy, Grief, War, Xenophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Death, Child death, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, and Miscarriage

Moderate: Physical abuse and Child abuse

Minor: Sexual content

lindsayreads21's review

challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, War, and Violence

Moderate: Xenophobia, Child death, Rape, and Miscarriage

calmcozycorner's review against another edition

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, War, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, and Child death

Moderate: Rape, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy

Minor: Kidnapping

mjadeh's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, and War

catsy2022's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Child death, War, Death, Violence, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Suicide

nightswim78's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have no words to describe the emotional rollercoaster I experienced over the 8 days I read this. While I think the political messaging is typical of epic fantasy, it feels like a perfect place to start to get into the genre.

Pros: The tenseness of about 40% of the middle was unbelievable and glorious! The worldbuilding was well done and each nation had a distinct culture. The characters were flawed and reveals were made about them at the right moments. The combat scenes were vivid and heart pounding. Grief was handled well and even when it was no longer mentioned on every page, it could be felt underneath the words and actions of the characters.

Cons: The time skip near the end felt as if it occurred one or two scenes too early. It was very sudden. Also, the ending felt as if it was setting up a spin-off sequel for a character due to a conversation that happens.

However, I have not read the rest of the series but I am aware that this takes place at least a decade before the series does and focuses on a character that appears in this as a child. So, whatever I think is mentioned here could happen there.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Child death

Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism

Minor: Sexual assault

poetry_shaman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, War, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Racism, and Murder

Moderate: Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Violence, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Miscarriage

_forestofpages's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, War, Death, Violence, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, and Racism

shamciar's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Misogyny

Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse

snark's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed the blending of POV and timelines to present interesting stories both about coming of age and about the challenges of seeking our true selves after motherhood. But with very fleshed-out and intricate elemental powers in an alternate imperial Japan!  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia, Miscarriage, and Child death

Minor: Rape