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sitare's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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: Colonisation, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Child death, Mental illness, and Blood
Moderate: Rape
lornaelspeth91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide and Child death
Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, and Child abuse
chogangoof's review against another edition
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
4.5
I loved this. It tells a brutal story about the effects of war, in a unique fantasy setting with modern technology and a fascinating magic system. The book made me cry at one point. Honestly my biggest complaint is that there isn't a sequel.
The character arcs are FANTASTIC here. Misaki in particular is such a perfectly written character, the way Wang writes her grief and regret feels so real and unflinching. This book doesn't hold back at all.
I also like how unique of a story it is. It doesn't use many common fantasy tropes. There's no antagonist, it has a huge tone shift half way and there's no epic journey despite the huge world, it's impressive that it stays engaging despite mostly taking place in just one location.
The character arcs are FANTASTIC here. Misaki in particular is such a perfectly written character, the way Wang writes her grief and regret feels so real and unflinching. This book doesn't hold back at all.
I also like how unique of a story it is. It doesn't use many common fantasy tropes. There's no antagonist, it has a huge tone shift half way and there's no epic journey despite the huge world, it's impressive that it stays engaging despite mostly taking place in just one location.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, War, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Rape and Violence
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
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
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
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
sissizc'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Rape and Child abuse
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