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insomniacsun's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Partiamo col dire che questo libro mi ha fatto singhiozzare miserabilmente. Scoprire che questo era uno spin-off di una serie interrotta mi è un po' dispiaciuto, ma dopo aver letto il motivo, rispetto e ammiro la decisione dell'autrice. Il suo nuovo libro è un'aggiunta sicura alla TBR.
Con il cuore infranto e l'anima in pace, dedico una standing ovation a Wang per la sua capacità di sviluppare i suoi personaggi e i loro rapporti in modo così umano e struggente, senza soffocarli con elementi del worldbuilding tipici dei romanzi epic fantasy, bilanciando con maestria magia e protagonisti accattivanti. Per quanto abbia trovato l'arco narrativo di Takeru un po' più sbrigativo di altri, questo non l'ha reso comunque un personaggio debole, narrativamente parlando.
Per quanto la trama e il suo sviluppo meritino pieni voti, alcune scelte stilistiche mi trattengono dal farlo: la scoperta dei legami di questo libro con una precedente serie ha reso più sensati alcuni miei problemi con la prima parte, quali l'eccessiva esposizione storico-politica in alcuni paragrafi. Suppongo che avrebbero dovuto rappresentare un semplice ripasso o un nuovo POV di una realtà che il lettore aveva già presente, ma da neo-lettrice di questo mondo l'ho trovato un po' ostico.
Con il cuore infranto e l'anima in pace, dedico una standing ovation a Wang per la sua capacità di sviluppare i suoi personaggi e i loro rapporti in modo così umano e struggente, senza soffocarli con elementi del worldbuilding tipici dei romanzi epic fantasy, bilanciando con maestria magia e protagonisti accattivanti. Per quanto abbia trovato l'arco narrativo di Takeru un po' più sbrigativo di altri, questo non l'ha reso comunque un personaggio debole, narrativamente parlando.
Per quanto la trama e il suo sviluppo meritino pieni voti, alcune scelte stilistiche mi trattengono dal farlo: la scoperta dei legami di questo libro con una precedente serie ha reso più sensati alcuni miei problemi con la prima parte, quali l'eccessiva esposizione storico-politica in alcuni paragrafi. Suppongo che avrebbero dovuto rappresentare un semplice ripasso o un nuovo POV di una realtà che il lettore aveva già presente, ma da neo-lettrice di questo mondo l'ho trovato un po' ostico.
L'altro aspetto che ho trovato un po' grezzo, è stato l'approccio alla lingua.
Prima di tutto il modo di rappresentare più dialetti in una stessa conversazione era troppo limitato: finchè si trattava di un'altra lingua solamente, il corsivo andava più che bene. Il problema è partito nell'ultimo terzo del libro, dove più lingue erano parlate simultaneamente. La presenza di traduttori nella mischia poteva essere usato meglio e avrebbe aiutato l'evitare transliterazioni ripetitive con cui l'autrice ha cercato di risolvere la questione.
Inoltre, ho trovato confusionaria la decisione di non tradurre tutto dal giapponese, che era la lingua considerata principale dal libro: è stata una saggia scelta nei numerosi casi di espressioni e suffissi unici alla lingua, ma mi è rimasto impresso come un semplice conto alla rovescia sia stato semplicemente romanizzato invece che tradotto.
Detto questo, the Sword of Kaigen rimarrà uno di quei libri a cui non smetterò mai di pensare per il livello d'intensità e coinvolgimento che ha saputo mantenere fino alla fine, soprattutto considerando il mio grande debole per i rapporti familiari intriganti.
Prima di tutto il modo di rappresentare più dialetti in una stessa conversazione era troppo limitato: finchè si trattava di un'altra lingua solamente, il corsivo andava più che bene. Il problema è partito nell'ultimo terzo del libro, dove più lingue erano parlate simultaneamente. La presenza di traduttori nella mischia poteva essere usato meglio e avrebbe aiutato l'evitare transliterazioni ripetitive con cui l'autrice ha cercato di risolvere la questione.
Inoltre, ho trovato confusionaria la decisione di non tradurre tutto dal giapponese, che era la lingua considerata principale dal libro: è stata una saggia scelta nei numerosi casi di espressioni e suffissi unici alla lingua, ma mi è rimasto impresso come un semplice conto alla rovescia sia stato semplicemente romanizzato invece che tradotto.
Detto questo, the Sword of Kaigen rimarrà uno di quei libri a cui non smetterò mai di pensare per il livello d'intensità e coinvolgimento che ha saputo mantenere fino alla fine, soprattutto considerando il mio grande debole per i rapporti familiari intriganti.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Body horror, Suicide, Miscarriage, Grief, Rape, Violence, and War
chaoticbookgremlin_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
The Sword of Kaigen is a gripping, emotional, action-packed tale of the struggles of being stuck in the past while simultaneously finding yourself trapped in a life you didn't ask for. It is a story of discovering your own independence and identity within a society that wishes for you to fit into a mold that has been crafted for you. Above all, it is a story of speaking up against those who wish to silence you, and making your voice echo off the stone of a snowy mountain.
Everything about this book I find utterly enthralling. The characters, the cold atmosphere, the action scenes... I don't think I've ever been this emotional while reading a book. From about the halfway point straight through to the end, my eyes were never dry. While I alternated between a single tear or full-on sobbing, my own emotions were tuned to those of the book in a way that's only happened a handful of times before. I was within the minds of the characters, feeling everything they felt, and it was... a lot.
The character work in the book is what truly makes it so phenomenal. Most of the characters, particularly Misaki, Mamoru, and Takeru, have a sort of depth and growth added to their characters that feels like a masterclass on character work. The way the novel explores their struggles with overcoming the past, and fighting against an oppressive world that tries to force them into a mold that they don't quite fit into truly articulates the emphasis this story places on discovering your own identity in a society that views you as a mere tool. The character development was amazing, especially the way Misaki grabbles with being stuck in her past and forces her way out of the mold expected for women to fit neatly into - it's iconic. I adore her.
The magic system and worldbuilding are very immersive. While a lot of the political shit was kind of lost on me, I found myself feeling Misaki's - and Mamoru's - anger towards a government that truly does not give a shit about the little people. The ones who grow and gather their food, protect their lands, manufacture their commodities - they are truly nothing but tools. The magic system felt a lot like the one depicted in "The Last Airbender," with the elemental manipulation (especially the bloodbending of the Tsusano family), but many aspects of it, particularly with the jijaka, are given a depth that feels like a fresh and original take on the concept.
Five stars. I cannot fully describe how much I loved this book. I had that rare experience within the first couple of pages when I knew that this book was going to be somehow different from other five stars, an experience I've only had three other times. I was actually unsure if this was truly a five star read at first, but what really sold me was how I could not stop thinking about this book, even days later, and how I kept falling back into the emotions I was feeling while reading the book.
Everything about this book I find utterly enthralling. The characters, the cold atmosphere, the action scenes... I don't think I've ever been this emotional while reading a book. From about the halfway point straight through to the end, my eyes were never dry. While I alternated between a single tear or full-on sobbing, my own emotions were tuned to those of the book in a way that's only happened a handful of times before. I was within the minds of the characters, feeling everything they felt, and it was... a lot.
The character work in the book is what truly makes it so phenomenal. Most of the characters, particularly Misaki, Mamoru, and Takeru, have a sort of depth and growth added to their characters that feels like a masterclass on character work. The way the novel explores their struggles with overcoming the past, and fighting against an oppressive world that tries to force them into a mold that they don't quite fit into truly articulates the emphasis this story places on discovering your own identity in a society that views you as a mere tool. The character development was amazing, especially the way Misaki grabbles with being stuck in her past and forces her way out of the mold expected for women to fit neatly into - it's iconic. I adore her.
The magic system and worldbuilding are very immersive. While a lot of the political shit was kind of lost on me, I found myself feeling Misaki's - and Mamoru's - anger towards a government that truly does not give a shit about the little people. The ones who grow and gather their food, protect their lands, manufacture their commodities - they are truly nothing but tools. The magic system felt a lot like the one depicted in "The Last Airbender," with the elemental manipulation (especially the bloodbending of the Tsusano family), but many aspects of it, particularly with the jijaka, are given a depth that feels like a fresh and original take on the concept.
Five stars. I cannot fully describe how much I loved this book. I had that rare experience within the first couple of pages when I knew that this book was going to be somehow different from other five stars, an experience I've only had three other times. I was actually unsure if this was truly a five star read at first, but what really sold me was how I could not stop thinking about this book, even days later, and how I kept falling back into the emotions I was feeling while reading the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Rape
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
alexalala's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
WOW guys I've never been drawn into a book so much in a long time. I read this 651 page book in just 2 days.
Misaki has put down her sword to become a housewife in the greatest warrior family in Kaigen. Her son is trying to live up to the shadow of his older relatives and facing the fact that his worldview may be propaganda. When everything in their Japan-inspired world changes, they all must grow and face the challenges that come with finding out your world isn't what you thought it was.
The good: I INHALED this book in just two days, which for me was very fast for a 651-page book. The characters sucked me right in and I was rooting for them throughout. Misaki especially stood out as an incredible character who grows, leads, and teaches with grace throughout the book. Given that about half this book is a battle scene, I was amazed with the author's ability to keep the narrative going and keep the reader on their toes with everything that happens. I've never read a better battle sequence in any other fantasy book. The worldbuilding is subtle and easy to pick up. The writing is also beautiful and its take on relationships, motherhood, and family duty to your community was very beautiful as well.
The meh: THIS SERIES IS DISCONTINUED! The author has decided to table the universe so some threads that are left open at the end of the book likely won't be answered. There are a few short stories that should be emailed to me soon, but for now, I haven't gotten anything. I want more of this universe or a standalone that doesn't leave you with questions unanswered. The last 100 pages felt like a lead-up to something that is never coming. I was sure this would be a 5-star read until this ending.
The verdict: This is an incredible, immersive, experience that centers on relationships and duty - you will enjoy it if you like themes of motherhood, battle and war, state propaganda, powerful warriors, and family.
Misaki has put down her sword to become a housewife in the greatest warrior family in Kaigen. Her son is trying to live up to the shadow of his older relatives and facing the fact that his worldview may be propaganda. When everything in their Japan-inspired world changes, they all must grow and face the challenges that come with finding out your world isn't what you thought it was.
The good: I INHALED this book in just two days, which for me was very fast for a 651-page book. The characters sucked me right in and I was rooting for them throughout. Misaki especially stood out as an incredible character who grows, leads, and teaches with grace throughout the book. Given that about half this book is a battle scene, I was amazed with the author's ability to keep the narrative going and keep the reader on their toes with everything that happens. I've never read a better battle sequence in any other fantasy book. The worldbuilding is subtle and easy to pick up. The writing is also beautiful and its take on relationships, motherhood, and family duty to your community was very beautiful as well.
The meh: THIS SERIES IS DISCONTINUED! The author has decided to table the universe so some threads that are left open at the end of the book likely won't be answered. There are a few short stories that should be emailed to me soon, but for now, I haven't gotten anything. I want more of this universe or a standalone that doesn't leave you with questions unanswered. The last 100 pages felt like a lead-up to something that is never coming. I was sure this would be a 5-star read until this ending.
The verdict: This is an incredible, immersive, experience that centers on relationships and duty - you will enjoy it if you like themes of motherhood, battle and war, state propaganda, powerful warriors, and family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Violence, War, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual violence, Genocide, and Sexual assault
goint's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual assault, and Child death
omega's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, War, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Death, Misogyny, Child death, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
maira_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
4.5 stars 🌟
I love how this book reminded me so much of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Naruto. For ATLA, it's because of the use of elemental powers in this world. For Naruto, it's probably the whole clan hierarchy thing and the use of 'bloodline technique'. Those two pieces of pop culture are phenomenal in their own right, but this book in itself is also damn excellent.
At first, it took me a while to set a pace while reading this book, mostly because of the language used. I kept flipping back to the glossary to find out the meanings of multiple words. Kaigen/ Takayubi is heavily influenced by Japanese language and cultures. Some words I was familiar with while others I was not sure whether they were made up or what. However, after a while, everything slowly clicked into place.
The writing was probably one of the best things about this book, specifically the battle scenes. I thought Fonda Lee's battle scenes from The Green Bone Saga were incredible, but ML Wang's was downright poetic at times.
The characters are also beautifully written and so well developed. They have multiple layers to them, which I absolutely love. I love Misaki, I love Mamoru and damn it, I love Takeru too. His character development is probably my favourite. Because, despite being seen as this formidable character, he is still human.
I also really love how this book tackled motherhood and womanhood. Misaki had this internal conflict about having to choose between being a wife/ mother and being a warrior. But I loved how, in the end, she realized she could be both. I cried a bit reading about Misaki and his son, Mamoru. I want more of Mamoru, if I'm being honest.
This is going into my list of favourites now. I need more books like this— where the reading experience felt like watching a freaking anime.
I love how this book reminded me so much of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Naruto. For ATLA, it's because of the use of elemental powers in this world. For Naruto, it's probably the whole clan hierarchy thing and the use of 'bloodline technique'. Those two pieces of pop culture are phenomenal in their own right, but this book in itself is also damn excellent.
At first, it took me a while to set a pace while reading this book, mostly because of the language used. I kept flipping back to the glossary to find out the meanings of multiple words. Kaigen/ Takayubi is heavily influenced by Japanese language and cultures. Some words I was familiar with while others I was not sure whether they were made up or what. However, after a while, everything slowly clicked into place.
The writing was probably one of the best things about this book, specifically the battle scenes. I thought Fonda Lee's battle scenes from The Green Bone Saga were incredible, but ML Wang's was downright poetic at times.
The characters are also beautifully written and so well developed. They have multiple layers to them, which I absolutely love. I love Misaki, I love Mamoru and damn it, I love Takeru too. His character development is probably my favourite. Because, despite being seen as this formidable character, he is still human.
I also really love how this book tackled motherhood and womanhood. Misaki had this internal conflict about having to choose between being a wife/ mother and being a warrior. But I loved how, in the end, she realized she could be both. I cried a bit reading about Misaki and his son, Mamoru. I want more of Mamoru, if I'm being honest.
This is going into my list of favourites now. I need more books like this— where the reading experience felt like watching a freaking anime.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Child death, War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Misogyny, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
kayleyc'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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, War, and Misogyny
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, and Miscarriage
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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault