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A review by freethefrican
The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
5.0
This has to be the easiest 5 stars I have ever given and the most worth-it tears I’ve ever cried for a book. It was moving, heartbreaking, action packed, and just so brilliantly done that I wanted to immediately start reading it again.
One thing that stood out to me was the pacing. It started off a little slow (which is why I started and stopped this book 4 times before I finally stuck with it) but then things escalated so fucking quickly that I was practically yelling at the carnage that ensued (think the red wedding from GOT). The fight scenes were so elaborate and so well described that it was like watching superbly choreographed combat in my head. Then things wound down (REALLY wound down) and we’re left to deal with the consequences of enormous loss, grief, and the choices on how to deal with problems infinitely larger than ourselves.
The writing did what it had to do. It was straight to the point and delivered its message with brutal clarity. However, this didn’t make the narration detached as one might expect. It just helped me focus purely on the story and the themes being explored without being distracted. The story was beautiful enough; it didn’t need flowery prose.
The characterisation is some of the best I’ve ever read. The characters were different and their individual idiosyncrasies were, thankfully, not glossed over or disregarded. They were well-rounded and had attributes worth rooting for. You’re made to feel like you’re a part of the village, living with these people, experiencing their pain, powering through their struggles with them, rejoicing with them.
Story arch was interesting. Things were done that make you expect some form of satisfying retribution but you (and the main character) are forced to see things through new lenses and somehow you’re actually okay with how things turn out and you understand the reasons behind certain behaviours (*cough* Takeru *cough*).
I enjoyed how the book dealt with family dynamics, mother-son relationships, loveless marriages, love-filled marriages, honour, and the importance of standing up to authority when the need arises. You’re allowed to question systems, you’re allowed to demand accountability from people who require your loyalty.
There is interpersonal conflict in this book that is heavily propped up by poor communication and even though I am not a big fan of this trope, it is done pretty well here and it isn’t the sole cause of conflict. Also, the poor communication makes sense in this situation.
After reading this masterpiece, I will definitely be reading the rest of the Theonite books.
One thing that stood out to me was the pacing. It started off a little slow (which is why I started and stopped this book 4 times before I finally stuck with it) but then things escalated so fucking quickly that I was practically yelling at the carnage that ensued (think the red wedding from GOT). The fight scenes were so elaborate and so well described that it was like watching superbly choreographed combat in my head. Then things wound down (REALLY wound down) and we’re left to deal with the consequences of enormous loss, grief, and the choices on how to deal with problems infinitely larger than ourselves.
The writing did what it had to do. It was straight to the point and delivered its message with brutal clarity. However, this didn’t make the narration detached as one might expect. It just helped me focus purely on the story and the themes being explored without being distracted. The story was beautiful enough; it didn’t need flowery prose.
The characterisation is some of the best I’ve ever read. The characters were different and their individual idiosyncrasies were, thankfully, not glossed over or disregarded. They were well-rounded and had attributes worth rooting for. You’re made to feel like you’re a part of the village, living with these people, experiencing their pain, powering through their struggles with them, rejoicing with them.
Story arch was interesting. Things were done that make you expect some form of satisfying retribution but you (and the main character) are forced to see things through new lenses and somehow you’re actually okay with how things turn out and you understand the reasons behind certain behaviours (*cough* Takeru *cough*).
I enjoyed how the book dealt with family dynamics, mother-son relationships, loveless marriages, love-filled marriages, honour, and the importance of standing up to authority when the need arises. You’re allowed to question systems, you’re allowed to demand accountability from people who require your loyalty.
There is interpersonal conflict in this book that is heavily propped up by poor communication and even though I am not a big fan of this trope, it is done pretty well here and it isn’t the sole cause of conflict. Also, the poor communication makes sense in this situation.
After reading this masterpiece, I will definitely be reading the rest of the Theonite books.