Author Allen M Werner

The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story by M L Wang is a remarkable epic fantasy tale set in a patriarchal society that embraces their past, their traditions and their heritage as the greater empire they serve continues to grow and advance, embracing technology and shifting cultural norms.

While the villagers might seem backwards to outsiders, they serve as a first line of defense for the Kaigenese empire because their warriors aren’t only trained in swords, their bloodlines give them god-like powers, enabling them to sense the world through water and snow, capable of creating weapons out of ice. Whispering Blades. Even – dragons.

But it takes time, patience and training. The rigidness of the culture is perfect for nurturing and developing this patience and training.

The story is seen through the eyes of two characters chiefly.

Misaki Matsuda and her fourteen-year-old son, Mamoru.

Misaki is a devoted wife and mother, respectful to a fault, honoring the traditions of the village. She is an outsider who, in an arranged marriage, becomes the wife of the second most powerful man in the village, Takeru Matsuda.

As the story develops, we learn through flashbacks that Misaki was not always this meek or humble. In her school days, she ran with a vigilante group who secretly fought for people being mistreated by the empire. She had a temper she had to learn to control in order to become a dutiful wife and mother. She now has four sons by a man she doesn’t really love, but her sons inspire her to hide her sword and never use it again. Her husband knew nothing about her background and never wanted to discuss it.

Takeru, whose skin is always cold, is part of the Matsuda bloodline and considered to be the nearest to the gods mortals can be. Matsuda’s who are trained properly and have the gift and technique, can learn to form something called the Whispering Blade. Not all Matsuda’s have this ability. Takeru and his older brother, Takashi, are considered great warriors and their voices command respect in the village. They hope to pass their skills to the next generation.

Misaki’s eldest son, Mamoru, trains hard and is as skilled and strong already as most grown men. He wants to be like his father and uncle and create the Whispering Blade.

The story is not fast but is perfectly paced, slowly revealing important details of the character’s lives, how they go about their days, their relationships with their family members and other people living in the village as well as some living outside of it. The fisher village. The blacksmiths’ village. And all this character building results in world building as we get to learn through these relationships how the village operates. It’s masterfully done.

And then, sadly, the thing the warriors of the village have been preparing for happens. War comes to their community, to their mountain. It comes by way of mysterious storms. And in those storms rage elemental forces like those of the Matsudas. Elemental, near to god-like beings.

I won’t say too much more about the story, about the secrets that are revealed, the lies and the half truths that get exposed or the way they deal with these new understandings, suffice it to say it is extremely creative. From the simplest moments between friends to the connections between family members. From interaction with characters outside their village world, to the mystical battles that rage later on. It’s an incredible tale and highly entertaining. I honestly had a difficult time putting the book down. I was always on the edge of my seat, looking forward to the next chapter. And strangely enough, there’s a deep heartfelt romantic sense woven into the tale that one just has to read for one’s self. It’s surprising and first rate. Not a fake romance fashioned on shallow concepts. Emotional and tear-jerking and terrifying as well.

The only negatives about this book would be the heavy exposition that hits the reader early on and the manner in which flashbacks were handled. I would advise anyone reading this book to get through the exposition portion and find the heart of the story. Once you’re in the heart of the story, you’ll be locked in. I think a lot of that exposition will make more sense on a second and third reading. And I plan to read this book again one day.

While I have no problem with flashbacks, the ones in this book arrive without warning. They just happen and you have to be mentally prepared to adjust your thinking when you realize you’re in one.

But don’t let any of those negatives deter you. This book is well worth reading if you enjoy fantasy fiction with a good infusion of martial arts, honor, tradition, respect and rebirth.

Life goes on even after tragedy. I give it 5 stars.

Allen M Werner is the author of the epic dark fantasy series
THE CRYSTAL CRUX
and the newly released Greek Mythology novel
ARES IN CHAINS