pili87's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
There's so much that could be said about this book but for me, the best aspect of it is the characters. My god, such great characters!! Every single one of them makes you feel something, they are all so interesting and their development feels organic. Loved them all! I especially loved a certain character's 'arc' around the 60% mark. I couldn't stop reading after that.
The plot is nothing out of the ordinary but Wang's writing style is delightful and entertaining. Action sequences can be hard to follow when reading but I was able to picture everything, perfectly understand what was going on, what the characters were feeling and the stakes throughout the whole book. Despite the HEAVY exposition of lore at the beginning, the rest of the book flows naturally and delivers pieces of information right when you need them or even if you don't, it adds to the scene without fail.
My only complain with this book is the amount of foreign/fantasy vocabulary used. I had to use the glossary constantly and sentences could have up to 3 or 4 non-english words so I had to go back and forth many times. I never learned the time system so I would use context to understand if they meant minutes, seconds or hours.
Overall, I loved this book. I wish we could have a trilogy of this because it was simply wonderful and I need more Misaki and Takeru and Setsuko and, even though there's no cliffhanger, there were many things left unfinished. I don't know if they are addressed in Wang's other books but I'll definitely be visiting that trilogy to find out.
There's so much that could be said about this book but for me, the best aspect of it is the characters. My god, such great characters!! Every single one of them makes you feel something, they are all so interesting and their development feels organic. Loved them all! I especially loved a certain character's 'arc' around the 60% mark. I couldn't stop reading after that.
The plot is nothing out of the ordinary but Wang's writing style is delightful and entertaining. Action sequences can be hard to follow when reading but I was able to picture everything, perfectly understand what was going on, what the characters were feeling and the stakes throughout the whole book. Despite the HEAVY exposition of lore at the beginning, the rest of the book flows naturally and delivers pieces of information right when you need them or even if you don't, it adds to the scene without fail.
My only complain with this book is the amount of foreign/fantasy vocabulary used. I had to use the glossary constantly and sentences could have up to 3 or 4 non-english words so I had to go back and forth many times. I never learned the time system so I would use context to understand if they meant minutes, seconds or hours.
Overall, I loved this book. I wish we could have a trilogy of this because it was simply wonderful and I need more Misaki and Takeru and Setsuko and, even though there's no cliffhanger, there were many things left unfinished. I don't know if they are addressed in Wang's other books but I'll definitely be visiting that trilogy to find out.
baffledbiscuit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
llmacrae's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I’ve ever read, possibly one of my all time top faves.
The audio was fantastic, the narration was brilliantly paced with excellent characterisations.
This is a punch to the gut and then some. From heart-wrenching emotion to breathtaking battle sequences, magic that is alive and a world that is so real you could touch it, the Sword of Kaigen is absolutely outstanding.
I loved every second of this book. I was absolutely on the edge of my seat throughout, wondering how much more pain and suffering these characters could endure.
I even dreamt about the story, which is a certainty of its impact on me.
This is called a "war story" and there is war. Battles, duels, death, and all the horrors that come with war. Where you see the worst parts of humanity. It is awful. And honestly I wondered how much more these characters could endure. Yet it is treated with respect, but you may want a lighter read after this one
Asian-inspired, action-packed, emotional, vibrant, excellent characters and lore. If you love all this and more, you will adore the Sword of Kaigen.
The audio was fantastic, the narration was brilliantly paced with excellent characterisations.
This is a punch to the gut and then some. From heart-wrenching emotion to breathtaking battle sequences, magic that is alive and a world that is so real you could touch it, the Sword of Kaigen is absolutely outstanding.
I loved every second of this book. I was absolutely on the edge of my seat throughout, wondering how much more pain and suffering these characters could endure.
I even dreamt about the story, which is a certainty of its impact on me.
This is called a "war story" and there is war. Battles, duels, death, and all the horrors that come with war. Where you see the worst parts of humanity. It is awful. And honestly I wondered how much more these characters could endure. Yet it is treated with respect, but you may want a lighter read after this one
Asian-inspired, action-packed, emotional, vibrant, excellent characters and lore. If you love all this and more, you will adore the Sword of Kaigen.
books_andprobablysome_wine's review against another edition
4.0
Character Driven Fantasy with cool fights, imperialism critique, and elemental magic? Yes please! Given the long and extensive fight scenes I did not expect to like this book as much as I did but every fight is infused with character development. I love that a large part of the book is spent on the aftermath of the great fight and the emotional and relational damages of war. Learning towards the end this is a prequel to a whole series I just extended my TBR!
ka_th_be's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
xoxoclvbs'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
onelastthyme's review
dark
emotional
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
valentin87's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
jupiterjazz's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A brilliant novel that depicts a striking examination of grief and the cost of war, as well as propaganda and blind obedience, through an outstanding cast of characters.
Yet, Sword of Kaigen (a standalone novel) was spoiled by trying too hard to connect to M.L. Wang's broader Theonite universe. And although Misaki probably is one of the best female character ever portrayed in Fantasy, the chapters focusing on her past pulled me out of this fantastic experience I was having in Kaigen, and, by the end of the book, nearly ruined what was a powerful and emotional journey.
It still is a great read. And one I'd recommend for sure.
A brilliant novel that depicts a striking examination of grief and the cost of war, as well as propaganda and blind obedience, through an outstanding cast of characters.
Yet, Sword of Kaigen (a standalone novel) was spoiled by trying too hard to connect to M.L. Wang's broader Theonite universe. And although Misaki probably is one of the best female character ever portrayed in Fantasy, the chapters focusing on her past pulled me out of this fantastic experience I was having in Kaigen, and, by the end of the book, nearly ruined what was a powerful and emotional journey.
It still is a great read. And one I'd recommend for sure.