The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story

De: M. L. Wang

Narrado por: Andrew Tell

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, f14-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.

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?

©2019 Miracle Wang (P)2020 Miracle Wang

Reseñas de la Crítica

"The Poppy War's darkness meets The Last Airbender's Elemental Magic...I haven't been so emotionally moved by a book in a long while." (JC Kang, USA Today best-selling author of The Dragon Songs Saga)

Avatar Last Airbender +Paladin of Souls +Poppy War

The heart of the novel is a coming-of-age story of two characters: a mother and her son. The son's journey reminds me of a Japanese shonen arc. The mother's journey is more special because it does something rarely found in fantasy; it focuses on the character development of a middle-aged housewife. Similar to Lois McMaster Bujold's Paladin of Souls, The Sword of Kaigen describes a noblewoman's coming-of-age story after years of being oppressed by a patriarchal culture.

The backdrop to these two journeys is warrior village at the brink of war. Of course the government's propaganda and news suppression makes problems only worse for the village. This setting provides fertile ground for character growth and trauma. Similar to R.F. Kuang in The Poppy War, M. L. Wang does not shy away from depicting all the horrors of war (content warning). Moreover, M. L. Wang takes ample time to explore how these horrors emotionally impacted the characters.

Yes, there is elemental magic, combat, and all the trappings of an Asian-inspired fantasy story (a la Avatar: The Last Airbender). What makes the novel memorable though is how the author gives us such a raw view of the characters' emotions including depression, suicidal thoughts, unhealthy coping mechanisms, regret, unbearable grief, and affects from abuse. Narrator Andrew Tell has a range of voices that allow the reader melt into the story.

If I were to nitpick, I would say that the beginning of the novel is guilty of info-dumping. The use of certain made-up words (e.g., words measuring time or distance) were unnecessarily disruptive to the reading experience. I also thought certain rapid character transformations at the end were a bit unrealistic. None of these flaws diminish the story. If you enjoy fantasy, The Sword of Kaigen is definitely worth your time.

Good

Very good. I would recommend. Kept me interested and looking forward to every minute. Nice

The most endearing and wonderful works of 2023

I am not the most intelligent person, and nor am I a book critic that many care to read. But, if you stumble upon my little critique of M.L. Wang and her work, "The Sword of Kaigan", I hope you find a genuine review. I am the father of four wonderful little girls and the husband of a near perfect human being that I have the privilege of calling my wife. Many books have walked deeply into the ether of a readers empathy, understanding, and a deeply emotional state that all of us share. Wang does this through an absolute master crafting of character development coupled with a world building that speaks for itself. It is easily my favorite book that I have encountered it 2023, and I fully intend to get a hard copy for my shelf.

The writing is set in an entirely different world that is familiar to many others in the genre. with an overarching plot that is not entirely original. While nothing truly outstanding in these two departments, it is still eerily familiar and unnerving when comparing what the current state of our world is currently experiencing. Wang presents us with the world of Duna and a story deep within the Kaiganese empire. A mixture of totalitarianism, feudal Japan, modern warfare, secrecy tactics, and all wrapped around a hurting mother. It is a story that uses all of these to highlight chauvinist behavior, the capability of all humans, and the lack of empathy amongst every character. If you are thinking that this is complicated and little overwhelming - you are right. But, Wang does it with a masterful and effortless ability.

In every story there are flaws, and there are many critiques out there that will highlight those flaws. Maybe it is the fact that I just finished the book, but I genuinely have no interest in tearing down a writers hard work. I truly believe that this story is one of such outstanding work when it comes to character development. I also believe that a story like this is will be something of the future of what the fantasy genre will be in years to come. A refreshing culture change from all the medieval tropes, characters, and plot lines. A refreshing pace that is not on a global scale, but a familial one - one that is close to the heart. A story that all of the high elements of fantasy are there in the largest and broadest ways to move the plot, but it is the heart and soul of each of the characters that make this work what it is - which is a wonderful piece of literature.

So...read it. If you are considering it, read it. Support an independent writer that deserves it for giving us something to read and love. You may not love it as much as me and that is okay, but you will not change my mind that M.L. Wang's "The Sword of Kaigan" is one of the most endearing and wonderful works of 2023.

A Journey Worth Taking

I don't usually write reviews, but this book has been on my mind, even now, weeks after I've finished it. I've recommended this book to anyone and everyone who will listen.

non-spolier what to expect: this is a military fantasy that tackles family, love, duty, honor, and a bunch of others. the beginning wasn't necessarily "slow," but it didn't catch my attention right away. HOWEVER, the middle third-ish of the book, and approaching that middle, gripped me so totally I had a hard time doing anything other than listen through the intense emotions this book put me through.

that interest carried me easily through the rest of the book. The last chapter was a little wobbly compared to the rest of the book, but by no means "ruins" any of the experience.

if you're a fan of fantasy, or trying to get back into it, or wanting to try fantasy for the first time, I would strongly recommend this book. some reviews mention this is more YA leaning, but I disagree. The language isnt super fanciful or complex, but it impacts hard and makes it super approachable.

My favorite book of the year

This book was incredible. The narration was fantastic. The characters and plot blew me away. Truly a masterpiece.

A Peak into Another Culture

this book seemed like a view into another culture. The story was engaging, had it's ups and it's downs and the main characters had a beautiful character arc.

Slow start Fantastic Finish

This story tugs on all of your emotions in the best ways possible. Vivid action sequences and heart felt scenes of emotions. Definitely recommend if you want a fun and exciting family adventure.

Takes your breath away with each stroke .

Masterfully crafted story delving into fantasy but grounded in human experience and emotion. You will find yourself lost in the depth to which Wang explores delicate and complex characters

I was really compelled to write this review

I wanted to write this review for people out there like me. I almost gave up on it several times. It wasn’t until almost half way through the book that o really started getting into it, but I can’t tell you how happy I am to have finished this book. It really came out of no where for me and ended up being one of the more beautiful stories I’ve read

Great example of indi publishing

Probably the only “negative” comment we could write is that it’s a standalone so we can’t read more from this world.
The Japanese touch is obvious in this book and gives a fantastic feeling to it. We have a lot of classical fantasy over the decades so the modern technology that appears here is a good advancement.
The story is contained in a certain area and that’s well described with good characters and a base mood.
Well balanced in male and female characters and has a very interesting take on motivations and motherhood.