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A review by sofiadanielle
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
challenging
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
4.5
An incredible read. And also very moving/emotional, having found myself crying at least three times because of it.
Sort of Avatar: The Last Airbender-esque, with characters who had powers relating to the elements. Though it didn’t strike me as fantasy in the sense of what I’ve grown to think of in the genre (magic, fae, with creatures of legends, etc.), I was still quite taken with the whole universe of it.
I do think the book focuses more on the topics of war, emotional processing, death, loss (of many things), and in that sense, was quite heavy, but Misaki’s character arc was so pushing in completing the story.
.5 stars taken away only for what I believe was slightly messy world building; as I was reading on a Kindle, I couldn’t easily traverse from where I was in the story to the glossary; and the world outside of Takayubi was.. Muddled. Additionally, I also have questions about the conflict added to the end that wasn’t resolved..
Still, both points don’t detract from the story all too badly, in my opinion, and I still so very much got involved in this story and the characters involved.
Sort of Avatar: The Last Airbender-esque, with characters who had powers relating to the elements. Though it didn’t strike me as fantasy in the sense of what I’ve grown to think of in the genre (magic, fae, with creatures of legends, etc.), I was still quite taken with the whole universe of it.
I do think the book focuses more on the topics of war, emotional processing, death, loss (of many things), and in that sense, was quite heavy, but Misaki’s character arc was so pushing in completing the story.
.5 stars taken away only for what I believe was slightly messy world building; as I was reading on a Kindle, I couldn’t easily traverse from where I was in the story to the glossary; and the world outside of Takayubi was.. Muddled. Additionally, I also have questions about the conflict added to the end that wasn’t resolved..
Still, both points don’t detract from the story all too badly, in my opinion, and I still so very much got involved in this story and the characters involved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Death, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Violence, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Grief, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexism, Rape, and Murder