Review: The Sword of Kaigen

The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story takes place in a decidedly Asian setting. Character names frequently evoke a Japanese culture.

The story centers around an influential family that runs part of an empire. Their clan, the Matsura, has long been known for their fighting prowess. However, they are also quite provincial; preferring to stay close to their mountain and quietly run things.

Young Mamoru is trying to be worthy of his family's reputation by learning their fighting style. His mother, Misaki, had gone away to school at a modern university where she learned to fight. Women were not considered worthy to fight among the Matsura clan. His father is aloof and emotionally remote. Living his life in fulfillment of the role he plays rather than in the enjoyment of his family.

Eventually, conflict comes to their mountain and all of the Matsura must fight. When the battle is won by the narrowest of margins, the Empire comes to wipe away any evidence of the battle. Families are denied the right to mourn as their tradition dictates.

What changes await the Matsura clan at the end of this conflict? Who lives? Who dies? And who learns something new about themselves as well as those around them?

This book offers a number of contrasts; rural vs. urban, men vs. women, old vs. young, individual achievement vs. government policies, tradition vs. change. Just as in real life, there are no easy answers with simple solutions.

This book is a tour de force piece of fantasy fiction. It was the 2020 winner of the Self Published Fantasy Blog Off and establishes M.L. Wang as a force to be reckoned with in genre literature. Miss this book at your own peril.

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