The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story Paperback – February 13, 2019

It has been a very long time since a book floored me like this. And of those books that have affected me, I don't think any other book has ever resonated this much with me on a personal level. In full disclosure, this may be due to my timing of reading this book while going through my own personal issues. But then again, this book still made me question the power of the universe by coming into my life at this particular time. A little over two years ago, I challenged myself to start reading more and mainly what I wanted to read were sci-fi and fantasy novels. At the start of researching the books I wanted to read; The Sword of Kaigen was always at the very top of everyone's lists. Despite its (very well deserved) high praise, I held off reading it for a very long time. I don't know why. I was either not ready to read to something so "heavy," or I doubted that the book could live up to expectations. I was wrong on both counts.The Sword of Kaigen is an incredible human story wrapped in a fantasy adventure. The story mainly follows one family's struggle to protect its village from outside forces and the changing of the times. What makes this book so special are the family dynamics and how they're presented and developed over the course of the book. While the world-building and action are on par with any other great fantasy adventure, the character work and development are uniquely masterful in this book.The author's delicate exploration of the meaning of family, grief, identity, emotional growth, and resilience in the face of devastating hopelessness, places this novel among literary greats, and takes it well beyond its categorizing as a "standalone epic fantasy adventure." There isn't much more I can say about this book because I don't have the ability to articulate my feelings into words on the level this book deserves. All I can say is that, if you've ever loved someone in any capacity, then you should read this book.My final point is simply a personal and selfish lament that the author chose to discontinue this series (for now). As a fan of the book, I would love nothing more than to continue following some of these characters in future stories. But I understand and respect the author's decision. As an ardent fan of this particular book, I very much appreciate that experiencing its greatness is now increased by that fact that it is a standalone, one-off, great novel. There are no sequels to Blood Meridian or Of Mice and Men, and I am OK with that too.

A well thought out and interesting story told from many perspectives. Engaging characters. Fast paced and thrilling action scenes. Strong emotions and an astonishing twist that took me by surprise. I feel like there is more story here and I can't wait for it to continue.

This book had me in awe by the end of the pages I am sad this is a stand alone in this universe. You follow a handful of characters all belonging to the same family and the story is told from their points of view as. I have honestly enjoyed stories written this way. It adds another layer of depth and complexity to bring ideas into the story. You can get more then just one POV in situations and it also just gives you more opportunity to grow a relationship with the characters.People have elemental powers similar to Avatar the last Airbender where people of certain regions or families have control over one aspect. They don't delve too deep into the magic of it all but I have always loved a supernatural edge to a story.You start following Mamoru a young warrior in training from a famous clan Matsuda. You also follow the perspective of his mother Misaki as well they seem to dominate a majority of the major views you see this world from.Following Mamoru you get the sense of a young boy is confident but trying his best to meet the expectations of his powerful and traditional father. He meets a new classmate who has joined his school and this boy eventually shakes the entire foundation of Mamoru's world with truths that have been hidden away for a long time in the remote village his clan resides in. Mamoru struggling with truths he has been taught his whole life and the groundbreaking evidence this boy shows him to start in motion Mamoru's first experience with grappling that he has been lied to his whole life. That his life and the lives of the people in his village serve a darker purpose then what their glorious history shrouds. In these moments of uncertainty Mamoru confides in his mother the revelations he has discovered.Misaki born in another area is privy to the truths that have been hidden from these people for so long but in this world the roles are very traditional so it is not for a woman to voice truths that would tear down the culture of this village of warrior clans. When Mamoru comes to her with his new knowledge of the real reason they have lived and kept the wrong knowledge passed down generation to generation Misaki is struck with the struggle of whether to completely tear the veil from his eyes. Misaki is struggling much with herself. Who she is compared to her younger years and who she had become. She is unhappy but devout in her duty to be a good mother and wife even though it has destroyed any part of who she was. She is lost and while her son is also experiencing that sense of loss she feels a small connection and starts to realize not what she had lost but what she had gained from a cold and uncaring husband.The action in this story is intense. I lost myself everytime I picked the book up in the middle of the turmoil of the plot. There was no hesitating to make a great and heart wrenching scene no matter what characters it affected ( doing my best to avoid any spoilers I apologize about being so vague but you will see) I cried ALOT like just full on sobbing I ot so attached to characters ot the scene was just so emotionally intense I could help but feel my lip tremble and tears slipping down my cheeks. My face was so sore by the end of it all! And when it felt like I had to be close to the end I realized there was still about half of the book to go still.....oh how can this ever be a happy ending? My heart can't take it but I couldn't stop turning pages.After the major action finally calms and we come back to some semblance of normalcy we finally get a break through with Misaki and Takeru ( I will admit Takeru was not my favorite for a majority of the book but he was never so bad I hated his character he was so Stiff and Mean) this softened my heart to Takeru even the strongest have their hearts as well. You finally felt like in some way you could finally understand why he was the way he was and you could relate.The characters all struggle with inner strife finding who they are or accepting things for how they are. Accepting pain and facing it head on. Being true to yourself but also the ones you love and care for. All in all it's a beautiful story and I just wish it wasn't the END. It felt like there was a build up at the end that could have lead to another book maybe two but this is it and it makes me so sad to say goodbye to these characters so soon. What a great story and I just love the eastern theme of itThat said I have read that the other books in this world do not match up and it makes me hesitant to read them. And I do not think they take place in this time so things would be different I am sure. This book is a great read you'll enjoy it!!!!