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sodoeseveryoneelse's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Child death
trash_reader_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
When I went into this book, I was expecting a strong-willed mother who left her life of fighting behind to start a family, but picks it back up again when her family is threatened. That's not at all what this book is though? I'm not even sure the book knew what it was supposed to be doing, since there wasn't really a cohesive plot. Things jumped around a lot, the pacing was really weird, and so many aspects of this book didn't seem to connect with one another or have any relevance to anything.
Yes, Misaki was trained as a fighter when she was in high school, but the fact that she was trained as a fighter doesn't really matter because the country she lives in is extremely sexist (which you can tell by the sexist, misogynistic comments on every. single. page.), and so is the family that had sent her across the world to train in an elite military school. What was the point if you were going to force her into gender roles afterward anyway? Because she needed to be protected? Didn't you send her away so she could protect herself? Makes no sense.
The sexism grated my nerves to the point where it almost overshadowed everything else in the book. Especially since there wasn't any reason for it. "That's just how things are done here" I guess, but for what purpose? Absolutely nothing changed in Takayubi except for the renewal of the dojo and Takeru's attitude. And Takeru doing a total 180 so fast just because he was confronted with being a coward (which he already knew he was, by the way, and had admitted it several times) just seemed so out of place. Not out of place because it was unrealistic (which it wasn't), but it was out of place because it seemed as if it was only written in to make Misaki not hate her husband anymore and to give her more "character development." Because how is every response he gives to her "I don't know" and "I was afraid"?
Misaki's "character development" also seemed odd to me because how can someone repeatedly think about how they don't love their children and how they never wanted to be a mother or a wife and how much she hates where she is and hates her husband and resents her father for forcing her to go through with the marriage, but then randomly change her mind and love all her children so much to do the things she did? It seemed forced and the rest of her character development seemed strong-armed into the story just to further along everything else.
Also - Chapter 31? Unnecessary. Not a single thing about that last chapter was needed and I slogged through it. I don't care about Robin, and it seemed like it was an extended, boring catch-up type of Epilogue, which I guess would be fine if you actually cared about Koli and Elleen and whoever else Misaki knew in school, but I didn't care. We didn't see them enough for me to care, and I didn't connect with their characters at all. I actually laughed at Robin for his Batman-esque point of view.
I also did not appreciate the stance that the characters took about miscarriages. As if the sexism wasn't bad enough, miscarriages are the mother's fault? And Misaki fully believed her hatred for the life growing inside her was what hid terminated the pregnancy? GTFOH with that, we don't need anymore victim-blaming in the world, imaginary fantasy world or not.
The fight scenes were extremely detailed, though, often going on for pages at a time, and they kept my interest more than anything else in the book. And honestly, I think those fight scenes were the redeeming factor that kept this from being a 2 star read. Because not everything needed to be all wrapped up in a nice bow like it was, especially the "war" aspect of the novel. I have no idea how I would go about expressing my feelings on that whole "war" because I'm at such a loss for words. In the bad way, mind you.
I've seen so many people talk about how much they loved this, and I can see why they would. It just isn't for me, and maybe that had something to do with my expectations not being met or maybe I just wasn't understanding a deeper meaning behind everything, but regardless of the reason, I am really disappointed that I didn't like this book better. I was hoping I would since it sounds like something I'd normally love but I struggled so bad with this. By the end I felt as if I'd read about children being eviscerated just because. That's how unsatisfied this book left me.
Yes, Misaki was trained as a fighter when she was in high school, but the fact that she was trained as a fighter doesn't really matter because the country she lives in is extremely sexist (which you can tell by the sexist, misogynistic comments on every. single. page.), and so is the family that had sent her across the world to train in an elite military school. What was the point if you were going to force her into gender roles afterward anyway? Because she needed to be protected? Didn't you send her away so she could protect herself? Makes no sense.
The sexism grated my nerves to the point where it almost overshadowed everything else in the book. Especially since there wasn't any reason for it. "That's just how things are done here" I guess, but for what purpose? Absolutely nothing changed in Takayubi except for the renewal of the dojo and Takeru's attitude. And Takeru doing a total 180 so fast just because he was confronted with being a coward (which he already knew he was, by the way, and had admitted it several times) just seemed so out of place. Not out of place because it was unrealistic (which it wasn't), but it was out of place because it seemed as if it was only written in to make Misaki not hate her husband anymore and to give her more "character development." Because how is every response he gives to her "I don't know" and "I was afraid"?
Misaki's "character development" also seemed odd to me because how can someone repeatedly think about how they don't love their children and how they never wanted to be a mother or a wife and how much she hates where she is and hates her husband and resents her father for forcing her to go through with the marriage, but then randomly change her mind and love all her children so much to do the things she did? It seemed forced and the rest of her character development seemed strong-armed into the story just to further along everything else.
Also - Chapter 31? Unnecessary. Not a single thing about that last chapter was needed and I slogged through it. I don't care about Robin, and it seemed like it was an extended, boring catch-up type of Epilogue, which I guess would be fine if you actually cared about Koli and Elleen and whoever else Misaki knew in school, but I didn't care. We didn't see them enough for me to care, and I didn't connect with their characters at all. I actually laughed at Robin for his Batman-esque point of view.
I also did not appreciate the stance that the characters took about miscarriages. As if the sexism wasn't bad enough, miscarriages are the mother's fault? And Misaki fully believed her hatred for the life growing inside her was what hid terminated the pregnancy? GTFOH with that, we don't need anymore victim-blaming in the world, imaginary fantasy world or not.
The fight scenes were extremely detailed, though, often going on for pages at a time, and they kept my interest more than anything else in the book. And honestly, I think those fight scenes were the redeeming factor that kept this from being a 2 star read. Because not everything needed to be all wrapped up in a nice bow like it was, especially the "war" aspect of the novel. I have no idea how I would go about expressing my feelings on that whole "war" because I'm at such a loss for words. In the bad way, mind you.
I've seen so many people talk about how much they loved this, and I can see why they would. It just isn't for me, and maybe that had something to do with my expectations not being met or maybe I just wasn't understanding a deeper meaning behind everything, but regardless of the reason, I am really disappointed that I didn't like this book better. I was hoping I would since it sounds like something I'd normally love but I struggled so bad with this. By the end I felt as if I'd read about children being eviscerated just because. That's how unsatisfied this book left me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicide, Misogyny, Sexism, Child death, and War
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
eloisereading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, War, Grief, Misogyny, Violence, Death, Rape, Self harm, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide
mikaylamarie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
This book is peak fantasy. Every single review I have seen for this book sings its praises, for the world building, the magic system, the sheer amount of dark and heavy themes that are tackled within it, and done so beautifully. I struggle to find the right words to describe just how amazing this book is, as well as how hard it it to understand the impact this story left on me.
Misaki is a 34 year old mom of four. She gave up a life with her sword to marry and have children, but she finds that she doesn't really know who she is or what her purpose in life has become. Her oldest son Mamaru is 14, he is incredibly powerful and yet he struggles with having to live up to his peoples' expectations, and later on with what it really means to protect what you care about. An outside war is gaining on them as things start to fall apart, and when it does, it is heartbreaking.
This book has the same vibes as Avatar the Last Airbender, both in the incredible displays of power through the elements, but in the heart of people wanting to do the right things and protect their people.
It's just so good, and I cannot recommend it enough. Although be prepared to be angry, confused, heartbroken, sad, angry again, and then at peace.
Misaki is a 34 year old mom of four. She gave up a life with her sword to marry and have children, but she finds that she doesn't really know who she is or what her purpose in life has become. Her oldest son Mamaru is 14, he is incredibly powerful and yet he struggles with having to live up to his peoples' expectations, and later on with what it really means to protect what you care about. An outside war is gaining on them as things start to fall apart, and when it does, it is heartbreaking.
This book has the same vibes as Avatar the Last Airbender, both in the incredible displays of power through the elements, but in the heart of people wanting to do the right things and protect their people.
It's just so good, and I cannot recommend it enough. Although be prepared to be angry, confused, heartbroken, sad, angry again, and then at peace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, Child death, Miscarriage, Death, Grief, War, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
andrew_corduroy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. An excellent exploration of such a wide range of emotions and experiences; from honor and understanding to grief, shame, perseverance and love. I’ve read some bangers so far this year but none have moved me quite like The Sword of Kaigen.
Admittedly there are some interesting stylistic choices like: italics for languages other than the local dialect (there are several), flashbacks where they don’t quite fit with the tone of the previous chapter(s), and a single POV chapter from one of the main characters at about the 70% mark and not giving the character another POV for the rest of the book.
However, despite these choices I found the book engrossing and didn’t feel like my attention was being whipped about too much. I highly recommend reading this.
Admittedly there are some interesting stylistic choices like:
However, despite these choices I found the book engrossing and didn’t feel like my attention was being whipped about too much. I highly recommend reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Sexism, Miscarriage, and War
Minor: Racism, Rape, Physical abuse, and Suicide
katieandrews658's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Suicide, War, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Violence, Child death, Murder, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
niakantorka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.75
This story takes place in some sort of futuristic but also old school Japanese-inspired fantasy setting. For example there are planes, bombs and wireless communication devices in this empire Kaigen is a part of and yet time seems to have stood still in this village where the Matsuda family lives. They are a family of gentry warriors and part of ‘The Sword of Kaigen’ the most eastern defense line against the Ranganese, people of Ranga, who split from the empire some time ago.
The strongest Matsudas are able to create so called Whispering Blades with their jiya, some magical blood power, swords formed from ice but able to cut through nearly anything. Our protagonists are Misaki, the wife of the second son of the family in her mid thirties and Mamoru, the 14 year old son of Misaki. The story is told from both of their povs and as the reader I fell in love with them almost immediately. From the beginning it is clear that another Ranganese invasion will take place and let’s just say once it starts it’s nearly impossible to put the book down.
The thing which was hard for me was that those gentry warriors are terribly misogynistic, you know the rubbish about women being weak and that they should be docile and blah blah blah, and Misaki is nothing like that deep down and yet she has decided to make do. That was hard to bear. It changes with time and with that invasion but the price for her showing her true nature was (too) high. She was a wonderful character, not without flaws but absolutely loveable and admirable.
Mamoru was Great too. He had this ingrained sunshine as part of his personality (other than him only his aunt had) and yet he put way too much pressure on himself. The author definitely took a chance by making him a protagonist. His fate had me reeling, it worked nonetheless for me.
As you can see from all my blabbering to explain just the set up of this book it has a rich and vast world building, close to a high fantasy book. There are languages, countries and different magical powers and I loved to read about it all. What I didn’t know and what took a bit of the joy out of it was the fact that The Sword of Kaigen was supposed to be the first of different books set in this universe.
The author has stopped working on them though which is absolutely her prerogative but was still sad to see. Because in the end (last 50 or so pages) a new plot line was set up which is now going nowhere. That’s why I have decided to lower my rating slightly. Other than that it was sort of a perfect fantasy book and I’m definitely going to check out M.L. Wang’s other works.
The strongest Matsudas are able to create so called Whispering Blades with their jiya, some magical blood power, swords formed from ice but able to cut through nearly anything. Our protagonists are Misaki, the wife of the second son of the family in her mid thirties and Mamoru, the 14 year old son of Misaki. The story is told from both of their povs and as the reader I fell in love with them almost immediately. From the beginning it is clear that another Ranganese invasion will take place and let’s just say once it starts it’s nearly impossible to put the book down.
The thing which was hard for me was that those gentry warriors are terribly misogynistic, you know the rubbish about women being weak and that they should be docile and blah blah blah, and Misaki is nothing like that deep down and yet she has decided to make do. That was hard to bear. It changes with time and with that invasion but the price for her showing her true nature was (too) high. She was a wonderful character, not without flaws but absolutely loveable and admirable.
Mamoru was Great too. He had this ingrained sunshine as part of his personality (other than him only his aunt had) and yet he put way too much pressure on himself. The author definitely took a chance by making him a protagonist. His fate had me reeling, it worked nonetheless for me.
As you can see from all my blabbering to explain just the set up of this book it has a rich and vast world building, close to a high fantasy book. There are languages, countries and different magical powers and I loved to read about it all. What I didn’t know and what took a bit of the joy out of it was the fact that The Sword of Kaigen was supposed to be the first of different books set in this universe.
The author has stopped working on them though which is absolutely her prerogative but was still sad to see. Because in the end (last 50 or so pages) a new plot line was set up which is now going nowhere. That’s why I have decided to lower my rating slightly. Other than that it was sort of a perfect fantasy book and I’m definitely going to check out M.L. Wang’s other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Suicide and Rape