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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
erinnicolecreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Wow. I have been waiting for a book to make me feel something & boy did this book deliver. Not only was the world & the plot fascinating & well done, but the characters were incredibly well developed & multifaceted. I am not one to care much for character driven stories, but the characters stole the show in this book. I have not felt so many emotions while reading in a long time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicide, War, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Death, and Misogyny
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Gore
ceco_'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
4.5
The Sword of Kaigen is a searing (and, dare I say, incisive!) depiction of war, motherhood and family.
The first arc felt slow, almost mindless, but in the overall scheme of things, it's critical. It sets the characters up for the rest of the book. I'd encourage anyone struggling here to push past it. Through sword lessons and roof-cleaning escapades, we see Mamoru's mammoth skill and even bigger heart. Through the daily life of housewives, and flashbacks to her days at Daybreak Academy, we get to know Misaki's inner turmoils and fighting spirit. M L Wang carefully crafts nuanced and flawed characters that feel real, that resonate with you after you put the book down.
Personally, I think the characterisation is too heavy handedness at times (how often did Misaki lament her selfishness?) but it's nothing that affects the broader story.
The second arc is where shit really hits the fan. The fighting scenes and action sequences were unreal. I genuinely couldn't tear myself away. And the final climax? Devastating. (SPOILER INCOMING) Losing Yukino Dai and Matsuda Takashi in quick succession was an emotional whammy in and of itself. To lose Mamoru after that, and experience it from his POV??? Heartbreaking beyond measure. The revelation that Hiroshi becomes the second youngest user of the Whispering blade RUINED me
The final arc devotes its attention to the aftermath of battle. We see so much character growth, even in the midst of (and partially spurred by) immense grief. I won't say anything more here save to shout out chapter 27 (iykyk).
In terms of criticism, my main quibble is the way it's marketed to new readers. Yes, it's technically a standalone fantasy but the final chapters gesture to unresolved plot points and a sequel.
So, if you love character-driven stories that pack a punch, don't give this a miss.
The first arc felt slow, almost mindless, but in the overall scheme of things, it's critical. It sets the characters up for the rest of the book. I'd encourage anyone struggling here to push past it. Through sword lessons and roof-cleaning escapades, we see Mamoru's mammoth skill and even bigger heart. Through the daily life of housewives, and flashbacks to her days at Daybreak Academy, we get to know Misaki's inner turmoils and fighting spirit. M L Wang carefully crafts nuanced and flawed characters that feel real, that resonate with you after you put the book down.
Personally, I think the characterisation is too heavy handedness at times (how often did Misaki lament her selfishness?) but it's nothing that affects the broader story.
The second arc is where shit really hits the fan. The fighting scenes and action sequences were unreal. I genuinely couldn't tear myself away. And the final climax? Devastating. (SPOILER INCOMING)
The final arc devotes its attention to the aftermath of battle. We see so much character growth, even in the midst of (and partially spurred by) immense grief. I won't say anything more here save to shout out chapter 27 (iykyk).
In terms of criticism, my main quibble is the way it's marketed to new readers. Yes, it's technically a standalone fantasy but the final chapters gesture to unresolved plot points and a sequel.
So, if you love character-driven stories that pack a punch, don't give this a miss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, and War
tjhusband's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Emotional abuse, Child death, Miscarriage, War, and Rape
awxiee's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and War
mfspring's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, War, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Pregnancy
mfeustel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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: Suicide, Rape, Violence, War, Sexism, and Sexual violence