Abi is 74% done with Our Infinite Fates

"For this is the Sword of Kaigen; to charge it, is to die.

Wow. The Sword of Kaigen is an incredible high fantasy story that even weeks later, hasn't let me go yet. In fact, I loved it so much that it took the Top Book of 2025 spot already! The Sword of Kaigen felt like it was made for me; it had all the elements I love in a fantasy book and I was completely consumed by it😭❤️

TSoK is a mix of extraordinary writing, a fascinating magic system, intricate world-building, powerful and flawed characters...it's also one of the most intense fantasy books I've ever read; it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. The story unfolds in the war-torn nation of Kaigen, where elemental magic and martial arts go hand in hand and it was absolutely STUNNING seeing how the characters, called Theonites, manipulated and fought with water, fire, wind...it was probably my favorite part about the book and the fighting scenes were TOP NOTCH! They were powerful, exciting and badass⚔️

Most strong things are rigid. If you are water, you can shift to fit any mold and freeze yourself strong. You can be strong in any shape. You can be anything.

The Matsudas, who are the main focus of the story, are an ancient powerful family of warriors that manipulate water. The dynamics within the family are intricately portrayed, showcasing the love, tension, and unbreakable bonds between them. We follow sixteen year old Mamuro Matsuda who's really powerful for his age. He struggled with identity and living up to his family's legendary legacy and his loyalty resonates deeply. He was so sweet and brave and I LOVED HIM so much and wanted to protect him at all costs🥹We also follow his mother, Misaki, who has a history of being a powerful warrior. She married into the Matsuda family but she had to hide that part of herself because the Matsudas are traditional and they don't think women should fight. Seeing Misaki navigate hiding that part of her identity and the difficulties of motherhood was heartbreaking but awe-inspiring. She's strong, a total badass and very flawed and that made her more real which made me love her more! She has one of the BEST character arcs I've ever seen😍She's also a great portrayal of female rage and motherhood; it was absolutely chilling and powerful👏🏼This book, in general, has incredible character arcs and I loved the way the relationships changed and developed too. It was extremely well-written.

The Whispering Blade met Misaki’s obsidian sheath and sheared through it. Her eyes went wide, and she smiled—Gods in the Deep, she smiled —a raw, open smile, and it was the most beautiful thing in all the Duna.

The Sword of Kaigen is also action packed. The plot focuses on the impending war with a rival nation and touches on themes of propaganda and how a powerful government can lie and control its citizens. The small town of Takayubi, home to the Matsudas, gets highly affected by the war and some of the scene were so heartbreaking. M.L. Wang does not shy away at all from showing us the reality of war and this reminded me so much of The Poppy War. There was something that happened that absolutely WRECKED ME and I still haven't recovered. This book made me cry alright😭❤️‍��

The writing style is poetic, accessible and immersive. The setting was also really intriguing. It's both a blend of science fiction and fantasy where everywhere else in the world has become advanced and they rely heavily on technology but the small of Takayubi is still a piece from the past. It's known for its rich traditions and the practice of elemental magic, particularly water manipulation, which is a hallmark of the Matsuda clan. This connection to elemental magic is deeply ingrained in the community, influencing their way of life, values, and social structures. The town's inhabitants take pride in their heritage which I really admired. There's so much potential for more stories in this world because both the setting and the magic system are really rich and strong.

Wholeness, she had learned, was not the absence of pain but the ability to hold it.

If you do love high fantasy, you MUST MUST MUST read The Sword of Kaigen!!! I devour any well-written high fantasy book with warriors, a complicated magic system, great characters, an intricate world and a story that'll affect me deeply and devour this I did😌🤝🏻It's such a rich, engaging and powerful story you won't regret it😭❤️"

Katlin Lindsay started reading Powerless (The Powerless Trilogy, #1)

Isabella is currently reading Sunrise on the Reaping (The Hunger Games, #0.5)