The Sword of Kaigen by M L Wang
The Sword of Kaigen has been on my list of books to read for a few years now, and it moved right to the top after I read and was blown away by M L Wang's standalone novel, Blood Over Bright Haven at the beginning of the year. Technically a book about the Theonite War, The Sword of Kaigen can be read as a standalone novel and it is recommended that you do so. The author has said that she does not intend to finish the Theonite series and from the consensus online, it is not anywhere near as good anyway. The Sword of Kaigen deals with body horror, child death, miscarriage, the death of adults of all ages, misogyny, rape, suicide, kidnapping, grief, murder, pregnancy, fire, war, and injury detail.
Misaki gave up an exciting life, and the man that she loved, in order to marry into the legendary Matsuda family like her parents wanted her to. They assured her that it would all be worth it when she held her children in her arms and watched them grow. That was the mantra she repeated to herself as she hid her sword and the parts of herself that were considered "unladylike". But now, her eldest son Mamoru is asking questions about the Kaigenese Empire that she should not answer, not to mention that Mamoru will not like the answers that she has to give him. These questions remind Misaki of her past just as danger looms unexpectedly close and the Sword of Kaigen is called upon to defend their country.
I can't recommend this book enough. I have never, and I mean that, had a book run me through the gamut of emotions like this book did. Throughout this book I was tense, I was scared, I was indignant, I was devastated, angry, worried, quietly happy, hopeful, anxious, and astounded. There was one point that I just kept telling my radio to 'stop it' as I listened. This book was incredible. My one complaint is the pacing, which felt a little slow at the beginning and the end, but not so slow that I found it to be a problem. The characters are so dynamic and I loved the way we see them unfold and learn about their hidden depths. This book is about war, but deeper than that it is about love and loss and the different ways of dealing with grief. It was beautifully written, completely compelling, stunning, and so emotionally impactful. It cut me like a whispering blade.
I'm giving The Sword of Kaigen by M L Wang 5 stars. Honestly, I give it 6. I can't wait to own it and give it a place of honor on my shelf. Plus, just look at that beautiful cover.
For more from M L Wang, check out https://mlwangbooks.com/
Pairs well with salmon sashimi served on ice and repurposing wood
My favorite quotes:
"It defied logic. How had a soulless block of ice like Takeru and a selfish thing like her created something so bright?"
"'Face the enemy?' Chul-hee said incredulously. 'I don't know if you noticed, Headmaster, but the enemy is a tornado. What are you going to do?'
'Kill it,' Takashi said. 'Now, go!'"
"A steady stream of corpses on stretchers came up the mountain all day. It was horrible to hear the cries of grief and denial from family members that greeted each new body, but Misaki found that it was more horrible still to watch a body appear over the ridge to silence."
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