The Sword of Kaigen Review

A mother struggling to repress her violent past, A son struggling to grasp his violent future, A father blind to the danger that threatens them all. When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies even reach their shores? High on a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For hundreds of years, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire’s enemies at bay, earning their frozen spit of land the name ‘The Sword of Kaigen.’ Born into Kusanagi’s legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family’s fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives and pulls back the curtain on Kaigen’s alleged age of peace, Mamoru realizes that he might not have much time to become the fighter he was bred to be. Worse, the empire he was bred to defend may stand on a foundation of lies. Misaki told herself that she left the passions of her youth behind when she married into the Matsuda house. Determined to be a good housewife and mother, she hid away her sword, along with everything from her days as a fighter in a faraway country. But with her growing son asking questions about the outside world, the threat of an impending invasion looming across the sea, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, Misaki finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface.

Review

“Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it.”

I went into reading this book with nothing but the high praises from friends as my foundation. Angele of Angele Reads Books strongly suggested that I read this. Even stronger, Hamad of The Book Prescription encouraged me as well. And I was never more thankful for how eager these two were!

‘The Sword of Kaigen’ is about a boy who denies the reality of his world’s bigger picture—being so used to the seclusion of his small town; a mother who struggles to connect with her present being so caught up with her more exciting past; and, a father who thought it better to suppress what he wants to say and ended up neglecting what truly matters.

More than the story of these three people, the book is about many other things. The substance on it’s own is powerful enough to keep you from putting it down.

M.L. Wang did a phenomenal job with pacing the story. Her way of introducing readers to not only the characters but with the history and magic of the world is nothing but enthralling yet extremely simple to grasp. Her transitioning with the character perspectives was brilliantly executed giving you a strong sense of urge to continue on reading. Moreover, the way the magic system—despite being fairly simple—was laid down is fantastic as it intertwines with a strong element of science and a whiff of whimsy.

I was mesmerized by the diversity of the book’s profuse amount of epicness! There was never a dull moment in the story. One thing you are staring at its characters, waiting for revelations about themselves. The other, you’re gawking at the brewing storm of war and political divulgence.

My appreciation for stories with a powerful essence is stronger now more than ever. And this book did not disappoint. Not only did it have a spectacular cast of characters it also has a myriad of teachings. What those are is for you to discover on your own!

In its entirety, this book (as I reiterate Hamad) is a masterpiece—impressive in its playfulness with family dynamics, religious viewpoint, gender inequality, and government rot.

About the Author

Hi, I’m M. L. Wang, writer of sci-fi & fantasy, winner of Mark Lawrence’s 5th Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off (SPFBO).

I’m rarely on Goodreads, so if you need to get in touch, please see the contact page of my website: https://mlwangbooks.com/contact/

3 thoughts on “The Sword of Kaigen Review”

  2. Pingback: Top 5 Wednesday: Favourite Books of the Year - Wander with Jon

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