The Sword of Kaigen, by M.L. Wang

"Fantasy and martial arts aficionados alike should enjoy this emotionally supercharged novel about love and loss, which pierces readers' hearts with the precision of a samurai's razor-sharp blade." - Blue Ink ★ Starred Review

"The Poppy War's darkness meets The Last Airbender's Elemental Magic... I haven't been so emotionally moved by a book in a long while." - JC Kang, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Dragon Songs Saga

On a mountainside at the edge of the Kaigenese Empire live the most powerful warriors in the world, superhumans capable of raising the sea and wielding blades of ice. For hundreds of years, the fighters of the Kusanagi Peninsula have held the Empire's enemies at bay, earning their frozen spit of land the name 'The Sword of Kaigen.' Born into Kusanagi's legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family's fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives and pulls back the curtain on Kaigen's alleged age of peace, Mamoru realizes that he might not have much time to become the fighter he was bred to be. Worse, the empire he was bred to defend may stand on a foundation of lies.

Misaki told herself that she left the passions of her youth behind when she married into the Matsuda house. Determined to be a good housewife and mother, she hid away her sword, along with everything from her days as a fighter in a faraway country. But with her growing son asking questions about the outside world, the threat of an impending invasion looming across the sea, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, Misaki finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface.

When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies even reach their shores?

• We'll begin our meeting by choosing our next upcoming book (we stay two months planned in advance). Then we'll open the table for discussion. Our group doesn't go down a predetermined list of questions, but instead has an open floor for discussing the things that stood out to our members as they read.
• The Creamery has coffee, tea, and energy drink options available as well as a good selection of pastries. We grab a big table in the side room for our group to sit together.
• All we ask is that everyone come into our meetings with respect for each other, and differing thoughts and opinions! Hope to see you there.