This won the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off back in 2019, and it’s clear why. Self-published books can be hit or miss, and The Sword of Kaigen feels so polished and compelling, though not without flaws. Also, be sure to check content warnings – there is a lot of tragedy in this book.
The structure is unconventional, with the climax occurring about halfway through the book. The remainder of the novel deals with the aftermath, which works well in this character-driven novel. I would also argue that there’s another sort of secondary climax that serves as a major turning point between two central characters.
The story follows Misaki, a noblewoman of Kaigen who married into the famous warrior Matsuda family, and her 14-year-old son Mamoru. The focus was more on Misaki, especially in later parts of the novel. The culture is heavily patriarchal, so there is a lot of sexism and toxic masculinity that Wang is bringing to the forefront. The people of Kaigen have the ability to control water, and citizens of other countries have different elemental abilities. The Matsudas live in the area known as the Sword of Kaigen, which is strategically guarded by them and other warrior families. When the region is attacked, Mamoru’s skills are put to the test, and Misaki’s past education in another country – where women are more equal and can learn to fight – becomes crucial as she defends her family.
This novel explores themes of familial sacrifice, cultural oppression, and identity as a woman and mother within such a patriarchal society. Misaki is a well-developed character prone to self-criticism for her past and current actions. She is grappling with decisions she made prior to and within her marriage and how she has viewed and treated her children. The climax in her relationship with her distant husband Takeru was so beautifully executed, though the aftermath fell flat. In particular, changes in Takeru felt too abrupt. While Wang notes that these changes will be gradual, they are not fully reflected in the narrative, making Takeru’s transformation feel somewhat unearned. Aside from that, my main issues with the novel were that it started a bit slow, and the last chapter was clunky and unnecessary. Although the book is set in the same universe as some of Wang’s other works, it’s meant to be a standalone. The last chapter’s setup for future books feels out of place, leaving the book feeling somewhat unfinished.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I loved seeing Misaki’s growth in multiple aspects, the battle scenes are well-written, and the novel explores compelling themes. I’m looking forward to reading Wang’s next book, Blood Over Bright Haven.