Wang - Sword of Kaigen [Feb 1, 2021]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Back to book talk... reached chapter 12...

I almost regret stopping after the flashbacks... because they led into some of the best chapters/developments to date, between Mamoru and Misaki...

Things are heating up now, tho... kinda reminds me (view spoiler)[of when all hell breaks loose in the movies... like when the aliens show up in War of the Worlds...

Also, things seem super dire... in the opening salvo, all Mamuro's classmates are dead... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Chapter 17: How dare ML Wang do this to me? (view spoiler)[Mamoru's final moments remind me of (view spoiler)[Elhokar (hide spoiler)]'s in the middle of Words of Radiance... the snuffing out of potential... (hide spoiler)]

And that doesn't even touch on anything/everything else that's been happening... (view spoiler)[on the one hand this is such a depressing book... who's even left right now?... we're only halfway through the book and most characters we know are dead... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Graeme wrote: "A classy book from my POV. Just flawless in its emotional notes. Like a beautifully aged top-notch shiraz. I'm sure everyone on this thread will enjoy this one."

Tammie wrote: "Soo when I read it I thought it really picked up after the 1/3 mark. That's when it started to really get good."

Definitely agree... there's quite a bit of setup in the early chapters... but it definitely picks up in chapters 8-12... and starts packing an emotional wallop from 12-24 (that's about where I am now, in the home stretch)...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Jason wrote: "1st chapter done, writing is smooth... Lot of to and froing at 1st looking at maps, the who's who and glossary to get a little grounded but that is part of the fun for me at first."

I just kinda tried to ride with it... I can be a bit bad with similar names in audiobooks... I generally had to grab them from the book page to make comments here...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Katie wrote: "@Ryan ~ That's awesome! Misaki is definitely one of my favorite characters so far. I'm really intrigued by her past. Can't wait to learn more~"

You're in for a wild ride...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Jason wrote: "Chapter 27 for me it's the heart of the book.... Just bloody amazing"

Agreed... I think it was the first chapter to put a broad smile on my face since around chapter 10, when Misaki & Mamoru (view spoiler)[did some combat training (hide spoiler)]

[Claudia]

I’ve just finished it, and wow, I had to take a few breathers!

This is a friggin masterpiece. Such simple and well-polished prose tackling such difficult topics. I’m delighted. I can see now how people say that this is the future of fantasy.

And I agree with everyone above, Chapter 27 was definitely the pinnacle of the book but I’m very content with how the remaining four chapters played out (that last one was long as heck) and gave the the story a satisfying ending.

[Narilka]

I'm in Ch 2, didn't get as much reading in as I planned, and enjoying it. I'm a sucker for a magical school setting.

[Franziska (tintenklexxe)]

I finished the book yesterday, I really loved it! The pacing is quite unusual but it didn't bother me much.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

That last chapter has me trying to figure out how this series connects to the main series... I guess it's a prequel... and the author has put the series on indefinite hiatus, until she thinks she's a strong enough writer to continue...

Which makes sense, considering how unflattering most of the things I've heard about the 2 existing Theonite War books are...

Considering how good this book is, tho, I hope she's able to do the rest of the world/series/story justice at some point...

[Paula]

Until chapter 10

(view spoiler)[I really enjoyed seeing misakis past. I want to see more of that. She is pretty awesome though I'm very frustrated by the way they treat her like she is garbage. Her father in law and her husband are awful. At least she has an amazing friendship with her sister in law

The magic is also very interesting and it reminds me of ATLA (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Katie
(view spoiler)[I agree that robin is a great leader. And misaki being an excellent fighter but still losing and not winning by some stroke of luck was good.

Going from a great chapter from the past to the present with her cold husband and how little joy she has is heartbreaking (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

And from all your comments I can't wait to read chapter 27

[Katie]

Everyone is on about pacing, like why? ^^; Ever heard about enjoying the journey? This isn't some Michael Bay production. Gosh. Never once has this book bored me. I'm eatin' it all up. Such an excellent way to tell a story. So smooth and easy a read. The characters are truly wonderful so far, and I can't wait to see how they grow.

@Narilka ~ Right? Magical Schools are the best.

@Paula ~ That contrast in those chapters was just. ugh. :'(

[Katie]

I kinda haven't had a chance to read recently. I gotta be around Chapter 12 based on some comments above. I have to say (view spoiler)[I'm so glad Misaki's husband had some sense in him to listen to his wife's advice. Taking on that tornado was insane!!!

The amount of loss in that village though :'( (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Is anyone still reading this?

[Laura]

Scratch that last comment. I saw you are so I'll be joining you if that's ok.

[Katie]

Laura wrote: "Scratch that last comment. I saw you are so I'll be joining you if that's ok."

Oh yeah, I'm a slow reader so join on in! A few others are still reading too ^~^

[Narilka]

I'm only through Ch 5 :) Had a long week at work and expect to read more this weekend.

[Chris]

Js, I'm really enjoying reading everyone's comments here.

This is the first book I read after finding this awesome community group back in 2019, and I'm glad I did. Probably wouldn't have heard of it otherwise, but it's one of my favorite books I've ever read. It's fun to read the comments here and remember reading this. :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Most people talking about pacing are probably talking about chapters 20-30... most action in the books happens in chapters 10-20... so they call chapters 20-30 a looooooong denounement, in a more traditional book structure sense, where the climax of the action would be chapter 27-29... clearly tho, alot of us found the emotional climax of the story plenty powerful...

[Narilka]

To me the pacing is uneven so far. I've ready plenty of books that jump POVs or have flashbacks that feel smooth. In this one, they feel more jarring. I've been assuming it's some early writing kinks by a new author that will work itself out as the story finds its footing. In Ch 6 and I'm still not entirely sure who the main protagonist is going to be. (view spoiler)[We started off with Mamoru but I'm thinking this might really be Misaki's story with an odd way of going about it.

I admit mixed feelings. I like the idea of Misaki being the protag to be different. I was also looking forward to following along with Mamoru at magical ninja school. Maybe they'll blend more soon. Or not. Reading to find out! (hide spoiler)]

What has me frustrated at the moment is all the new fantasy words. This isn't normally something I complain about. I've just had an intense week of trying to understand about 7 new technologies for work that I don't want to have to learn something new in my spare time too. My brain is full :) The glossary at the back would be more helpful if I wasn't on Kindle and it was an easy flip back and forth. I'm debating pausing this and rereading an old favorite for a short break, then coming back.

[Jason]

No stay with this, please.

[Ryan]

Shouldn't be too hard to flip! Bookmark the glossary (or navigate to it through the table of contents, then just press back when you're done. It's a bit more time-consuming than on a regular book, but shouldn't be a big deal.

[Narilka]

Even better, I found the glossary on the author's website: https://mlwangbooks.com/glossary-main/

[Jubby]

i can't find this book to Want to read here in Goodreads

[Katie]

So glad you're enjoying the commentary Chris :D

Ahhhh...that makes sense Timelord, I guess I'll need to continue on and see ~

I hear your struggles with the glossary and wordage for the book. I definately am glad I was able to find the paperback on Amazon ^~^ What I'm really liking is the Japanese and Chinese inspired vocabulary. She might even just be using the languages. Because practicing in a dojo myself I recognize a lot of the Japanese lingo ^^

[Katie]

Random Thoughts up to Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[
-16-
Oh my gosh oh my gosh oh my gosh. Things aren’t looking good!!!! Misaki was thawted in her attempt to subdue the blacked robed woman. And now her life is being sucked from her even in death?!?!

And now Mamoru is as just stabbed by his own sword. Wh-what?!?

I’m still holding out hope for Misaki. Her husband is on the way. Maybe he could save her. I dunno if Mamoru can use his blood technique if his guts are spilling out >_< oh no...

If they die...will the story be about the young brother?! What’s going on >_<

-17-
Thank the gods for Setsuko <3

Hiroshi killed him?!? The five year old boy saved his mother and aunt?!? That’s good...but I have concerns >_<;

...he did it..but...ugh...Mamorou 😢

-18-
This was absolutely heartbreaking. The men and boys who fought for the lives of their province...to never return. Just the intense feeling of loss and hopelessness in that bunker. The young smith loosing his family...the innocent young woman being raped and robbed of her only family...Misaki loosing her son...and so so so much more. This is probably the most accurate representation of war I've read in a book so far :( It really hits you...I remember when Misaki looked at the sky as the planes were bombing her villiage...and her thinking her people were expendable...that they just needed to stop the threat :'(

-19-
Misaki tried to be with Robin?! Even going so far to ask her fathers approval? The poor girl 😞
I can't believe she was given this chance! She really tried for love! But that tradition and culture was so ingrained in her that when her father gave her an order she followed. When he told her to have hope in that her children would make her happier, she believed... It's tragic :(

I wish she had stood up. She had relied on Robin in the very end...but I very much agree with her in that she was a coward. Maybe she wanted to be saved...but then why speak the way she did. She still thought staying with her marriage was the right thing to do. At the time she didn't know...and now she's going to regret it :( (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Chapter 17: How dare ML Wang do this to me? ..."

I was dreading this chapter based on your pre-thoughts to the spoiler... While I'm heartbroken at what befell our beloved characters... I'm kind of okay with this (view spoiler)[ decision on the author's part. In so so so many YA or other ficticious stories with young heroes we see them overcome the odds. Somehow managing to defeat those so so much stronger than them. (I dunno why but Harry Potter is coming to mind right now...I'm sure there are more).

But in this we see it for what it is. A province where they train young men to be soldiers. They are nothing but cannon fodder for the war. They throw down their lives for their country and their people... Kwang wasn't wrong....

Mamoru gave his live to save his friend. To follow the tradition of protecting the blacksmiths. It was a very noble thing to do. He knew he never stood a chance...but he stood his ground...and he drew that Whispering Blood Magic Blade with all his strength. :(

While the cast is diminishing I think there is much yet to be heard. It's going to be about the survivors now...or maybe some new characters will enter the light? (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Katie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Chapter 17: How dare ML Wang do this to me? ..."

I was dreading this chapter based on your pre-thoughts to the spoiler... While I'm heartbroken at what befell our beloved cha..."

Also it just makes me pissed off at the Empire. How dare they (view spoiler)[keep the invasion quiet from the public! To not cause a panic?! My gosh. We saw those news reels. Faked. Hiding things. Families could have retreated to safety. Military precautions could have been more planned out. Just ugh. Bad government bad XP (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I was waiting with bated breath for you to get to these chapters... I agree... still sucks... I felt making a (view spoiler)[Hitchcock reference would have spoiled the main character death early :D (hide spoiler)]

The book is very good, tho, even if the progression is surprising...

[Narilka]

Through Ch 12 and I'm finally feeling hooked. (view spoiler)[At this point I'm fairly sure a main character is going to die in this battle. I'm leaning to Momoru in some way that saves a lot of people. Finally seeing his dad's power was impressive. Dad's been one dimensional otherwise.

I loved the scene where Misaki finally started to teach her son the sword in defiance of all things proper. This is where I started to connect with the story. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Katie wrote: "Random Thoughts up to Chapter 19..."

Just finished Ch 19 too. A lot happened in such a short time. (view spoiler)[Holy crap the body count! Not sure I'm going to have an accurate death tracker for this one. Too many to keep up with.

Wish I hadn't been right about Mamoru. Poor kid.

A lot of people are going to be picking up the broken pieces of their lives. I hope the second half of the book can bring them some hope. This has turned depressing :( Excellent writing, just depressing with all the loss of life and ruined lives.

With this most recent flashback to Misaki's past, I wonder how long until Robin shows up in the present timeline. It feels both like character building and foreshadowing. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Katie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Chapter 17: How dare ML Wang do this to me? ...."

It definitely feels very real (view spoiler)[all the horrors and destruction of war. Even though I am hoping for something uplifting by end, I could see this story ending in full tragedy. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "Katie wrote: "Random Thoughts up to Chapter 19..."

Just finished Ch 19 too. A lot happened in such a short time. Holy crap the body count! Not sure I'm going to have an accurate death tracker for ..."

I didn't know this before reading the story, but Robin (view spoiler)[is actually a character from the main Theonite books, Planet Adyn & Orbit (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

until chapter 23
(view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting mamoru to die! I also didn't expected the fallout of the war to be so long. Though it makes sense, seeing as the government was such an important thing at the beginning.

Misaki was baddas! I wish we could have gotten more time in her past to see her in her prime. And it was awful that she chose to marry takeru even though she was very hesitant about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Katie
(view spoiler)[I also think misaki should have stood up for herself. It's just so sad seeing how she was such a coward and how she will come to regret it.

and yeah, it was horrifying how the government doesn't care about them. They only want to stop the invaders. And they don't even help them survive. They are the awful (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Iain
(view spoiler)[oh yeah, I agree with how the last moments of mamoru reminds you of a certain SA death. Just when he finally learnt to made the whispering blade he died and nobody knew he was the youngest to ever do it (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Paula wrote: "Iain
[spoilers removed]"

I referenced the Forbidden Texts... so hard, when it's so spoilery to an entirely other series...

[Katie]

@Timelord ~ I can only imagine! To see our reactions to all of that >_< oh wow! I had no idea that (view spoiler)[Robin was in the other series! This is my first book of the author's so I'll have to try the others (hide spoiler)]

@Narilka ~ up to chapter 19 ~ (view spoiler)[You were totally right about Mamoru >_< I'm hoping for something uplifting as well...but things seem to be getting worse and worse :( (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Paula wrote: "Katie
..."

I know I know (view spoiler)[she's so strong, but so stuck in her beliefs. Honor and family taking precedence over her own happiness >_<

I'm just really curious what the Empire's plan is in all of this. So many secrets (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

65% in (up to Ch. 22)
I'm really hoping that (view spoiler)[Tekeru has a redeeming quality, but it's so hard to see so far. He's always acted so cold. But do we know the whole story? The guys have it hard too in such a culture, no? Having all of the responsibilities thrust on your shoulders like that. Maybe he never wanted that, but was raised that way? And now that his eldest brother is dead there is so much moreso...

I still can't believe he agreed to the soldiers in the taking of the dead. He had that pause of doubt. But he won't go against an order >_<

What is the Empire planning?! O.o

Oh yeah, and good on him for bringing the elder Kwang into the meeting. Smart move~ (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Katie wrote: "@Timelord ~ I can only imagine! To see our reactions to all of that >_< oh wow! I had no idea that [spoilers removed]

@Narilka ~ up to chapter 19 ~ [spoilers removed]"

Everyone says Wang's earlier Theonite stuff is weaker... and she's put book 3++ on hiatus until she feels stronger as a writer... it sounds like Theonite is Wang's Cosmere... and she started writing it as a pre-teen... but she doesn't have Sanderson's 10 years as an aspiring writer in his 20s improving, thanks to how easy it is to be an indie writer these days...

[Katie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Everyone says Wang's earlier Theonite stuff is weaker... and she's put book 3++ on hiatus until she feels stronger as a writer... it sounds like Theonite is Wang's Cosmere... and she started writing it as a pre-teen... but she doesn't have Sanderson's 10 years as an aspiring writer in his 20s improving, thanks to how easy it is to be an indie writer these days..."

ooooh! I had no idea! Thanks for the info!! That's really cool how she's taking the time to refine her skills ^~^

[Katie]

Thoughts up to Chapter 27
I’m so so mad. (view spoiler)[The reason why they took the bodies wasn’t to examine!!! It was to burn them all together. To have a mass grave. And to cover up the evidence of an invasion. 😡

Those poor families. No markers even. I’m so glad the priests were still able to perform their rites and to give some peace.

So the woman came to Misaki for advise even? And she got to tell them of Mamoru and his conflicted thoughts before the unknown battle 😢

Setsuko is a wonderful person to be helping during all of this. Showing strength when the people need it the most.

I worry about Hyori. I know they’re looking after her.. but I fear she may take her own life with the news of her unborn child. >_<

And finally that night terror. My gosh! And she even hurt her husband in the process!!! Misaki really has to dig deep to find the root of the problem. I really think she’s most angry with herself 😞

It’s hard to be the one in charge. Did Misaki ever consider he struggled with those decisions he had to make? That in conceding he was helping his people? That in bowing so so low, stating that is friends and loved ones had not died as warriors...that this shameful thing might bring their village more aid.

I dunno. Let’s read on. Lol

“The first time it happened to me, I was very young. On that day, the snowfall fell thick, as it does now. My father was beating me for something. He knocked me down in the snow in the courtyard. And with my palms to the ground, I realized that I could disperse myself into the snow, spreading all across the mountains even to the sea below and deeper, deeper… Until the pain diffused through my new being, like a drop of blood in a pool. Maybe the pain and shame were too much for a small boy to hold, but the mountain… The mountain could bear it all, so I became the mountain.” pg484

My gosh. The pain and inner conflict he must have went through from youth and up until now >_<

He became the mountain to escape that hard choice. But in doing so he felt his family die?!?! 😨

“I wish I could explain it – my brother was my shelter in all things. His death left me shaking, flayed, like a nerve and muscle exposed to the air.” pg486 😢

This duel. My gosh. I love it. To make him fight for his resolve <3 And oh my gosh the contrast they have in how they cope. Misaki keeping everything in close and bottled up to a rage, whilst Takeru couldn’t bear the pain and suffering so he cast it to the mountain. Just wow. This is what I was hoping for. I love love love when a character has so many dimensions to their personality, their choices, hardship, and happenings molding them into something more complex. It’s just good writing. If they're just the villain for a villain's sake, that's lame xp

I only hope they can come to a balance. For if they can, if they can grow and respect one another...these hard events will make them even far stronger.

Oh my gosh! For a split second I thought she beheaded him!! But no. It was a test. It was the meaning behind it all. They can get through this. They finally know one another. They can begin again <3

(hide spoiler)]

Sorry I tend to write 'novels' in my thoughts. Just so much happening ^^;

[Tammie]

Katie wrote: "Thoughts up to Chapter 27..."

I'm really enjoying reading all of everyone's thoughts on this book. It's one of my favorites! Katie you said everything I felt when I read it.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Katie wrote: "Thoughts up to Chapter 27..."

And you finally know what all the raving is about... such a great chapter...

[Paula]

I finished!
(view spoiler)[the famous chapter 27 was really good. I'm still not a fan of takeru but I understand him more at least. And I'm glad that misaki didn't wait and took charge in her future. I liked how she confronted takeru and put aside her feelings of hurt and anger.

Sesuko is pretty amazing too. Such resilience is incredible

The last chapter or so I feel that it wasn't necessary. But I guess that if it's a prequel to her other books then that's the link (hide spoiler)]

[Paula]

Katie
(view spoiler)[oh, yeah, it was awful. The government is just awful. Lying about what happened and denying that the people died fighting the ranganese.

setsuko is amazing (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Awww thanks Tammie <3 so many feels

Omg, yes Timelord O.O

Gosh it made me so mad Paula!!!

I literally just finished too!!! Couldn't put it down~