A review by rnbhargava
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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

Honestly this is a fantastic book. The characters, the discussion it creates with the reader about the nature of propaganda, politics and warfare. The characters are full of complex motivations, doubts, traumas, triumphs and tragedies. Mamoru is such a good kid, all of Misaki’s kids are. Misaki is so multidimensional. Takeru really puts you through a hate/love dynamic and you even come to sympathize with him at points. The supporting characters are even immensely layered through how they handle the highs and lows of their lives before and amidst the narrative of this novel. “Sword of Kaigen” is quite the appropriate title for this.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Medical content, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Xenophobia, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, War, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Confinement, Gaslighting, Genocide, Medical trauma, Bullying, Child death, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Rape, Self harm, Death, Death of parent, Misogyny, Blood, Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts

There is a rape, there is lots of discussion and depiction of propaganda and brutal warfare, also child death and parental death in several contexts. There are also special abilities that could be used in a variety of violent and benevolent manners.