Is 'The Sword Of Kaigen' Part Of A Series?

Question

Just binged this epic fantasy novel—totally hooked on its magic system and worldbuilding. Hoping there's a full book series to dive into next.

Zubaida Osman-Crombie · Answer

'The Sword of Kaigen' is a standalone novel set in the same universe as some of Kaibou’s other work. I’m currently reading a long-running cultivation series with interconnected story arcs called ‘Supreme Emperor of Swords’. The whole novel is available online for free. It has a massive power system and the main protagonist’s journey from an outcast to a legend is mainly focused on mastering the ancient sword arts as well as uncovering the hidden political conspiracies happening across the realms.

Hudson · Answer

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed The Sword of Kaigen, and how it relates to the rest of Theonite stories without being actually part of them. It is sort of a parallel universe to our main story, it has the same bloodline but different character. The book explains to us why the culture and ways of fighting of the people of the Kaigenese Empire are so different from the rest of the Theonite stories.

This novel’s development of magic is also distinct from Theonite. Instead of various elemental forms that be expressed through dance, the warriors of Jijakalu harness their abilities through Sword Forms – static representations of that culture locked into steel. This is contrast to the traditions of others in the novel and again gets explored through the character of Mamoru. Interesting “nature vs. nurture” in terms of a culture’s and its magic systems.

Yes, there is potential for a follow up to Kaigen’s future generations and for now we have another beautifully stand alone Theonite novel in “Flying the Storm”.

Mia · Answer

I just finished reading The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang and it was incredibly good. As a prequel to Theonite series (which follows adventures on other continents and in cultures of other parts of the universe), this stands alone as a complete story. However, because The Sword of Kaigen centers so specifically on the history of one family in the Kaigenese Empire, it’s also possible to approach it as a self-contained story that provides all the background information that you need. If, however, you end up loving the world that Wang created for the Kaigenese, you can then read the Theonite books, which follow adventures on other continents and in cultures of other parts of the universe.

Violet · Answer

'Along came a sword'... The Sword of Kaigen, the new stand-alone novel by M.L. Wang, is another wonderful thing that exists between a novel and a series installer. Actually, it is part of Theonite-universe of M.L. Wang, but it reads more like a “spiritual prelude” or an “analogous story” to the main books than an actual prelude set decades before the events described in Theonite books and taking place in a completely different region and with different characters and culture.

It is great for two different audiences. For those new to the book, it is a completely satisfying, stand alone, epic fantasy with complete character development and rich world-building. For fans of the Theonite series, there are many historical connections and themes that are explored in further depth. There are references to fighting styles, governments and even family names from the Theonite universe, all cleverly done so that new readers can enjoy the book without being confused by previous knowledge, but fans will get lots of extra reward from close reading.

As Wang noted, The Sword of Kaigen was written to be a standalone work that also adds to her Theonite universe. As for the rest of the Matsuda family, you can read about the father in The Warrior and his sister in The Orb. Not only do those books further explore the world and characters of The Sword of Kaigen, but they also explore different themes and add to our understanding of the magic system, which in The Sword of Kaigen has roots that branch out in unique ways.

Romanticdudette · Answer

My paperback copy of the book has no 'Book One' or 'Volume One' on the spine. It just says 'The Book'. Publishers usually are keen to denote series of books. The absence of this labeling on my book is a silent comment: it is a complete story. Sometimes the most obvious answer is right there in front of you. The book itself affirms it is a standalone.

Renee Shobe · Answer

So much happens in The Sword of Kaigen. The book is large and expansive and contains so much within the space of one book. There is the story of generations of a family, with elemental magic, war, trauma and responsibility, all set against a backdrop of conflict. And it is a complete story. It is part of a series, but it doesn’t end on a cliffhanger. It doesn’t leave you wondering at some great mystery which will be explained in the next book. Instead, it is a complete and cathartic story, and it is wonderful. I wish so many more fantasy books were written with the same confidence and the same sense of what constitutes a complete story rather than padding out to reach a trilogy.

Liu Machado · Answer

When my book club and I read this novel, we didn’t spend one second trying to figure out if it was part of a series or not. Instead, we obsessed over trying to get inside Takeru’s head, cried over poor Mamoru, and analyzed the book’s many insights into culture. The novel generated so much discussion just on its own, purely thematically and narratively, that the potential for even more in a series felt like it could have waters down the book’s focus.

Atula Aonok · Answer

I see a few wikis & fan sites list Theonite #4, but they’re noted as standalone stories as well. I think this is the best entry point for new readers – instead of directing them to The Theonite Cure or The Theonite Evolution, new readers are sent to Kaigen first. That gives you an idea of just how accessible it is. As a flagship novel for Theonite universe (even though it wasn’t the first written), it’s a great place to start.

Verito Escobar · Answer

I actually see ‘The Sword of Kaigen (Theonite #4)’ listed online sometimes. The ‘#4’ could confuse people into thinking that this is volume 4 of a long narrative, but it’s actually just the fourth story to be published in this universe. Just as some books in Stephen King’s Dark Tower series are direct sequels to each other, and others are entirely tangential, ‘Kaigen’ is a tangential story. And yes, you can read ‘#4’ first without reading ‘#1’ through to ‘#3’ first. That’s how I read it, and it worked just fine. The ‘#4’ merely indicates to the publisher and online retailers how to categorize the story.

Nnod Sodi · Answer

This is a quiet, reflective ending to a story. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger; rather, the main action of the story has been resolved and the story now explores the after effects of what has happened in terms of grief and hope for the future to rebuild. It’s a conclusion. I’ve tried to write a standalone novel and if the last page gives a sense of finality then that’s what I’ve achieved. A series opener would have ended with a new threat or a great mystery. Instead this ends with acceptance. And that in itself is a big tonal statement about it being a standalone novel greater than any author statement.

Is 'The Sword Of Kaigen' Part Of A Series?

10 Answers

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