This author has a way of bulding characters that makes you root for them at every step, but, at the same time, they really don't hold back on killing characters when it makes sense, and that makes for heartbreaking scenes. More than once did I find myself crying over this book, because of how much I cared about the characters and what was happening to them.
I love character centered books, and it's hard to find good high fantasies that are. This one builds and incredible world with deeply intrincate lore and a great magic system, and still manages to do an amazing job with the characters.
I do think that Takeru's arc at the end should've had more time to delevop, but that doesn't take away from the story for me. (Also, Misaki and Takeru's fight scene? One of my favorite scenes ever.)
If "Blood Over Bright Haven", of the same author, is a favorite of the year, "The Sword of Kaigen" is a forever favorite. Can't wait to reread this book.