Scan barcode
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
mqabbadbest's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Death, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Death of parent, Rape, Torture, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
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
hailiebear's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, Death, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, and Sexism
Moderate: Miscarriage and Classism
Minor: Suicide, Sexual assault, and Rape
sanyaes_library's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
epic fantasy
Japanese inspired
epic fight scenes
war + politics
avatar the last airbender vibes
strong fmc in her 30's
dual pov: mother + her 14 y/o son
complex characters
family + friendship
i can't remember the last time i have been so invested in a new world. this has some of the best action scenes i have ever read. + misaki is one of my favorite fantasy fmc, she is everything!!!!
my favorite quotes:
❝You lost your right to my obedience when you stopped being a man!”
"Flayed and boneless, he faced the creature he had awakened, this woman of gods’ blood and fury."
"Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it.❞
things i didn't like:
×the beginning is very info dumpy
×the pacing was off at times.
Japanese inspired
epic fight scenes
war + politics
avatar the last airbender vibes
strong fmc in her 30's
dual pov: mother + her 14 y/o son
complex characters
family + friendship
i can't remember the last time i have been so invested in a new world. this has some of the best action scenes i have ever read. + misaki is one of my favorite fantasy fmc, she is everything!!!!
my favorite quotes:
❝You lost your right to my obedience when you stopped being a man!”
"Flayed and boneless, he faced the creature he had awakened, this woman of gods’ blood and fury."
"Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it.❞
things i didn't like:
×the beginning is very info dumpy
×the pacing was off at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Suicide, Violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, Toxic relationship, Genocide, War, and Misogyny
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
arirs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
The Sword of Kaigan was such a joy to read. Right from the beginning I was captivated by the amazing world and characters. The pacing was great and I loved all the action but the most satisfying part for me was the incredible character development. The story was gut-wrenching and it is a heavy read but the author does give the reader some hope within all the bad and ugly which I loved as I think it is relatable to a lot of people to succumb to helplessness but Misaki shows us that despite all the darkness and tragedy you can still find light and happiness. The only reason I am not giving it a full 5 stars is because I felt the ending was slightly rushed but that may have also been me just not wanting it to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Sexism, Misogyny, Suicide, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Death, War, Grief, Child death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Xenophobia and Kidnapping
btrz7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Rape, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Miscarriage
bittcr4k's review against another edition
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
4.75
The pen man ship was like a dance, rhythmic and well articulated. I think I can compliment this book for its deep characters and there are many, by no means the author had a small cast and all characters got brilliant character arcs. For a character driven book the plot was great, to be honest I wish to see some cast again but sadly, the author says this series is discontinued. The author has great skills but they need to get a real editor.
The only issue for me was the ending. Why must you leave us with so many unanswered question, why?
The only issue for me was the ending. Why must you leave us with so many unanswered question, why?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Murder, Misogyny, Child abuse, Abandonment, War, Pregnancy, Suicide, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Genocide, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Classism
bettysbookishworld's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.75
I loved this book so much! It was a huge emotional rollercoaster and my heart broke for too many characters. Misaki's journey and character development through out the book was brilliant and felt very personal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, War, Child death, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Suicide, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Xenophobia, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy