The Sword of Kaigen Review
Author: M.L. Wang
Rating: 9.0 AMAZING
What’s it about?: 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.'
“There are a million ways to tell the same story. Our job as jaseliwu is to find the one the listener needs to hear. Not necessarily the one that makes them the happiest or the one that gives them the most information, but the one they need to hear to do what they need to do.”
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang was not an easy read for me, nor was it an easy book to review. The complexities of the storytelling and characters often had me re-reading entire sections to fully absorb the intricacies of the writing, themes, cultures, and traditions of its world. When I started the book, I knew very little about the story other than it was a highly recommended read. In retrospect, that was the best thing for me. I had no idea that I would be blindsided with a story that would pack such a gut-punch I'd be left with tears in my eyes and a bittersweet sadness.
“Have you noticed,” she said, “that every bloody crime-fighter of my complexion has to have the word ‘white’ in their alias. Like they need to qualify—not a real crime-fighter, a white one.”
The Sword of Kaigen is a brutal tale of family, tradition, honor, and duty among others. It’s expertly told, weaving these themes that mirror our own society. At the heart of The Sword of Kaigen is our main protagonists Misaki, Mamoru, and Takeru. Each character faces their own struggles in dealing with these competing themes. Particularly compelling was the understanding of different cultures within their society. These cultural norms are challenged throughout the book. The implementation never comes down as too heavy handed but rather, opens an inner dialogue to challenge yourself. I thought it was a fantastic way to handle these paralleled themes. There is a constant feeling of being slowly shaped and molded to the world the author has created. Just like the shaping of elements, or the constantly changing world perception that the main protagonist Mamoru is dealing with. M.L. Wang applies the same principle to her writing by continuously adapting and evolving the plot to keep things fresh on each turn of the page. The author writes with such a respect for the reader, trusting you to continue to learn the world, languages, and cultures she's expertly crafted. She contextualizes and articulates everything so well that you're able to grasp everything in stride.
“We keep to the old warrior traditions the rest of the world has forgotten and we’re proud of it.”
The mashing of traditional and modern cultures is unique and refreshing. There is a richness to the lore that the author was able to pack into each chapter. It's written so elegantly that you never feel overwhelmed. The level of detail and forethought on display is fantastic. You get the sense that these cultures, bloodlines, races, and wars have existed long before you decided to open the book, and they'll continue to exist long after the final chapter. Unfortunately, the reminders of present day technologies within a traditional setting can be a bit jarring at times. You get lost in this world that's almost like feudal Japan, then get jerked back to the present day when they start discussing cell towers and fighter jets. It wasn't done poorly by any means, but at times it didn't work for me. Perhaps the author was so adept at immersing and respecting past traditional cultures, I wanted to stay there.
“Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it.”
The author perfectly portrays being a parent. The aching joints, lack of sleep ,and the quiet reflections of a time long past. There is a realistic detail in her writing that I think will hit home for any parent reading this. Misaki is a perfect example. She is one of the most vividly realized character’s I have ever read. M.L. Wang takes character depth to an entirely new level in her depiction. Her struggle to follow her heart or duty, her past or present is so compelling. Her story is deep, engaging, and heart wrenching. It also helps that she is a total badass. She completely stole the show for me. You know a character is well written when you find yourself sitting in quiet reflection of your own life decisions in comparison. I'll be thinking about this character and her journey for a long time. Make no mistake though, it was not just Misaki that was written to perfection. Each character and their respective personalities are brought to life so well. The quirks and mannerisms of each individual are reflected in every interaction. This led me to really form a personal connection with each character, but in different and unique ways. The relationship between Misaki and Setsuko is the one that I connected with the most. Their relationship grounded everything and made for a more impactful story.
“It was mesmerizing to watch those comfortingly familiar steps and strokes, separate heads from bodies, spill organs, and sling arcs of blood across the whiteness.”
The pacing however, was an issue for me. I felt as though the story began slowly and the road to the inevitable conflict was a bit too long. I was concerned that the slower pacing would lead to disappointment once the action began, but boy I couldn't have been more wrong. Like a slice with the katana, it's swift, unflinching and brutal. Nobody's safe in this world. It kept me on edge the entire time. Wang goes one step further and puts family, honor, duty, and heart into each swing of the blade. This added extra depth to the battles, which I really appreciated. I also like how age plays a huge role. Not just in the hierarchy, but in the way people fight, particularly how age affects their abilities. It was a more realistic take paired with such fantastical elemental abilities that really worked for me. In addition, it is clear that the author put the research into fighting styles and techniques used. These details made each confrontation more captivating. As the fighting winds down, Wang isn't satisfied to end the suffering quickly though. She lingers there, twisting the katana before slowly pulling it out. There is as much respect and appreciation for the bloody chaotic aftermath as there is for the fight. This gives a weight to the battles that’s so important. It brought my love of these characters to a new level, with a few tears along the way.
“A person's tragedy doesn’t define them or cancel all the good in their life.”
Never before after reading a book have I felt so rewarded. The Sword of Kaigen will tug on your heart strings and isn’t afraid to rip it out. The characters are multidimensional, deep, and badass. The writing is complex and the amount of metaphors and conflicting themes on display is astounding. Other than a few pacing issues and some messy plot integrations, I really loved this book. Ultimately, The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang is an amazing novel that should not be missed.
Please Note:
*All quotes taken directly from The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang