The Sword of Kaigen: A Theonite War Story

This was recommended to me as a good read and it is all of that. I truly loved this story. It is a kind of Historical/Sci Fi/Elemental Magic composite and what makes it so special is the excellent writing around the world-building and the characters. Misaki wife of a renowned Matsuda Family warrior struggles between the knowledge and skills gathered in her youth versus the rigid, misogynistic attitudes of her husband's traditional family. Good wives are seen and not heard. The Matsudas are the traditional guardians of the Empire and masters of a magical war technique known as 'The Whispering Blades'. I found the writing around the role of the women and Misaki's relationship with her sisters-in-law totally convincing. Her relationship with her sons, her eldest son especially, is strained because she feels suppressed by the expectations of her wifely role but when her eldest boy, Mamoru, needs someone to help him and point out the truth, she surfaces the skills and world knowledge she always had to do that. It is a marvellous story about heritage, propaganda and social manipulation but also love, courage and sacrifice. The Matsuda men are like warlord ciphers until they stand in battle and their true abilities come to the fore. It has meaningful themes about war and inter-ethnic relationships. Most of the warriors are capable of elemental manipulation via wind, water, ice or fire. Misaki is a known blood manipulator and the fantastical elements in the story are beautifully described. It is a brilliant read and I defy anyone not to have a tear in their eye as Mamoru achieves his lone warrior victory.

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars I’ve got to admit, when I first sat down to read this book, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. It had been sitting in my to-read pile for a few years, and I knew from reading a few reviews and the blurbs of the other Theonite books (now discontinued) that it wasn’t just another Japanese-inspired fantasy, but beyond that I hadn’t allowed any real expectations to develop. In effect, I went in blind, and I am so glad I did. The core story revolves around the Matsuda family, a warrior house famed for their control of water and for their legendary Whispering Blade technique that allows them to form swords made of ice that are said to be stronger and sharper than any other known weapon. For the most part the narrative focuses on Misaki, wife to the second son of the family, and her oldest son Mamoru, as they try to come to terms with the world changing around them and adapt to the growing storm of war approaching their otherwise quiet little peninsula. However, there is also a secondary storyline that explores the wider setting of the Kaigenese Empire, and its relationship with its closest neighbours. Stylistically, the book seems to have been influenced by a mix of manga and anime, with a dash of Eastern (particularly Japanese) heroic fantasy thrown in for good measure, and for me this is a good thing. The action sequences are well-written, easy enough to follow, and capture the essence of those influences really well. But there’s also some remarkably well-paced plot growth and character development that gently pulls the reader forward, building in intensity through to the mid-point of the novel, and the first of two crescendos in the story. Without giving away any spoilers, the second half of the novel shows us how the characters deal with the aftermath of certain cataclysmic events, and here we see the true strength of Wang’s writing as those characters are irrevocably changed by what has gone before. And it really is the characters that make this book so captivating. As well as the beautifully written and realised characters, there’s also a lot of gorgeous world building going on here. The principle locale of the Kusanagi Peninsula is described so well that it’s easy to picture it in your mind as you read. Add to that the imaginative and well-thought-out magic systems presented throughout, and you soon feel like what you’re reading is just a small part of a much bigger whole. All-in-all, I absolutely adored this book and will almost certainly have a look at other works by the author. The series that this one was spun out of has been discontinued in the last few years, but she has a few other books out there that look interesting. If you’ve read and enjoyed Ron J Hayes’ Mortal Techniques books, or just like Japanese-inspired fantasy in general, definitely give this one a try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

An epic standalone self-published fantasy novel. Set on the richly imagined planet Duna, we're given just enough information to see the bigger picture while the majority of the novel takes place in one mountain village in the Kaigenese Empire. It's a war novel with incredible samurai action and intense fighting between elemental power wielding superhumans. A manga/anime/X-Men hybrid with Kaigen as an alternate Japan and the enemy nation of Ranga equating to China with their superior size and military might. Let me paint you a picture by drawing your attention to the cover. An image of my new favourite character Misaki, facing away from us. Inspired by the romantic painting by Caspar David Friedrich 'Wanderer above the Sea of Fog'. Emblematic of self-reflection and contemplation of life's path. At it's heart this novel is about Misaki's journey through life and it will make you feel every emotion. The 'Sea of Fog' becomes a literal sea as Misaki looks out from the peninsula, dressed in traditional warrior garb. A nationalistic outfit. Misaki as a symbol of the pride and strength of the Kaigenese Empire. It is sublime. The beauty of the landscape. The total confidence in Misaki's pose, powerful Theonite, a Jijaka, wielding power over water, control of ice, and blood magic. The writing too is sublime. The characters live and breathe in our minds. We experience their loves, losses, the horrors and consequences of war, the dangers of nationalistic propaganda, the growth of a family and the changing dynamics within a marriage. The journey is over. There will always be a place in my heart for Misaki, Mamoru, Takeru, Setsuko, Robin, Kwang and all the others in this martial arts fantasy. Just incredible. ✨✨✨✨✨5 stars

First of all: shout-out to Nils from The Fantasy Hive for organizing a readalong of this book on Instagram. I’d seen people rave about the book left and right but the readalong made me pick up the book and I’m so happy I did. This might be the best self-published books I’ve ever read. It’s also a contestant in the SPFBO! The Sword of Kaigen is a Japanese-inspired military style book. It tells the story of a powerful family, the Matsudas, who live in a secluded village on a mountain. They are Jijakalu and have a special power: they can control water and manipulate it in many different ways, like turning it to ice or snow. The two main characters of the book are Misaki, the wife of the younger of the two Matsuda brothers, and her oldest son Mamoru. Mamoru is very powerful, just like his father Takeru. Takeru however is a very cold person, literally and figuratively. He doesn’t really show any emotions and he’s quite cruel to his wife and his children. He never really bothers with them and when he does it’s usually to berate them. These jijakalu who can control water are not the only ones in the Duna world who have these kind of powers. Throughout the book we learn about other people that can control fire or wind. The powers all seem to be rooted in the elements which is something I really like. I loved the magic system and I thought it really cool how the most powerful of these theonites can manipulate the elements to the extent that they can form it into weapons. Specifically for the Matsudas this is the Whispering Blade. The Matsudas are the only family that has ever been able to produce the Whispering Blade and only certain members of the family have been able to. Both Takeru, Misaki’s husband and Mamoru’s father, and his brother Takashi are able to produce a flawless Whispering Blade. This is testament to their strength and power. The Whispering Blade is a very strong weapon as it’s almost indestructible. It can cut through everything and can be formed whenever needed by someone as skilled as Takeru or Takashi, making it a superior weapon on the battlefield. Mamoru is still young but he is very ambitious and he is struggling to master the Whispering Blade because he sees it as the ultimate form of strength for a Matsuda. He wants to prove that he is worthy of the family name. I thought the world building was vivid and the Japanese-like culture was beautifully brought to life in this new world. I love reading high fantasy books that are not set in the typical mediaeval European world. I was quite taken aback by the fact that the story for the most part feels like it was set in the past but it actually isn’t. It has very modern elements. I guess the reason it feels like this book is set in the past is because the village is so secluded up on the mountain and they are not really in contact with many modern day things. But suddenly there are mentions of a TV or a communication device which is quite jarring when you think that everything is set in the past. It kind of gives it a little bit of an edge because you have to adjust your view of the story setting, which gave a rather fascinating reading experience. I enjoyed reading about both Misaki and Mamoru because they were both very strong characters. Misaki had to endure a lot in her life: she had to abandon her life as a warrior to become a housewife and have children with a husband she didn’t love. Her children remind her of her husband’s cold nature because they have the same cold aura of strength. She has trouble really connecting to her children because of this. As the story progresses there is a lot of character growth for Misaki but also for the other characters, a lot of them letting go of ideas and beliefs they have held on to for a long time opening up a whole new world and confronting them with their own faults. It was quite interesting to read how devoted the warrior families in this village are to the Emperor. His wish is their command and anything that goes against the Emperor or the Empire is treasonous and strictly forbidden. It’s strange because these families have absolutely no contact with any aspect of the Empire or the Emperor, but still they are extremely loyal. It’s so deeply ingrained in their culture and has been passed down from generation to generation that it’s hard for them to imagine their Emperor could do anything wrong. I also loved getting to know the Kotetsu family. They are not warriors but make the most amazing swords for the warrior families. I liked that they were quite revered as well because of their skills. The Matsuda children have to go and apprentice in the forges to learn what it takes to make a good blade. Their shared history and these apprenticeships create an almost unbreakable bond between the two families. I really enjoyed reading about Misaki‘s past and then seeing that coming to the forefront later on in the book. It takes a while but ultimately we get to see her as she really is: fierce, strong and powerful. Finding her true self again came with quite a few revelations about how she had lead her life to that point, making her character development one of the best of this books and one of the best I’ve read in a long time. There is a big chunk of the book where the action just suddenly takes off and throws you into this whirlwind of battle scenes and emotions. I was absolutely glued to the pages because I needed to know what would happen. I was on the edge of my seat for about 10 chapters straight and I can’t remember the last time that has happened to me. It is however also quite heartbreaking. The story deals with the difficult topic of war and the casualties of war. It’s told in a really beautiful, but heart wrenching way. The ending was very satisfactory and we get closure on most of the storylines, however it also introduces a new threat. The Sword of Kaigen is a standalone prequel that takes place 13 years before the main Theonite books, so that might explain the introduction of a new storyline. I’m curious to read those to see what story they tell and if my favourite characters make an appearance. Although the pacing dropped significantly in the last part of the book, providing more padding than actual story development, it didn’t negatively impact my love for this book. Highly recommend this to anyone who likes reading Asian-inspired epic fantasy.

THIS BOOK! It is the surprise of the year for me, up to now. It should not have been. Petrik did tell me to read it. TS loved it too. All my other friends who have read it since have loved it. And yet it still surprised me with it’s AWESOMENESS. I should have read it sooner, but you know how it is - sometimes books just get lost on the mountainous elephant that is your TBR list. So having just finished a book, there I was on Twitter, browsing around when the book cover popped up. Why not I thought, making a spur of the moment decision right there to jump the list and read The Sword of Kaigen next. I am so smart sometimes. *high-fives self and makes a mental note to reward self with a new book The blurbs do a pretty good job of explaining the basic premise, so let’s not taint them with my ramblings, other than to say JAPANESE MILITARY FANTASY! JAW DROPPING ELEMENTAL MAGIC! DEVASTATING BATTLES! SCINTILLATING SWORD FIGHTS! Got your attention? Great! Now forget those things, because while all those things are present, there is another something which elevates this book to magical. That something else is the thing that many of us readers cannot do without, and it makes or breaks a book. Compelling characterization. ML wang has written characters with such depth and humanity, that had the plot completely flown out of the window, I might not even have noticed, so engrossed was I. And there are a bevy to choose from. I mean, we have Mamoru! And Takeru! And Takashi! And Setsuko! And you have no idea who I am shouting about! Ok, let's backtrack slightly - the book takes us to a place called Takayabi whose inhabitants have for centuries been responsible for protecting their small corner of the Kaiganese empire from its enemies. While this is no small task, the warriors are exceptional - unrivalled in their fighting expertise and also wielders of deadly elemental magic, they are a force not to be trifled with. At the head of this village, stands the Matsudas, of whom Misaki and Mamoru Matsuda are the two main characters we follow. This noble house is well known for being without peers in terms of sword fighting, and their almost mythical bloodline technique called the Whispering Blade is a legend all on it’s own. As young Mamoru, son of Takeru & Misaki Matsuda grows up in this peaceful and isolated place, learning to fight and master The Whispering Blade, he tries to figure out his place in the world. Takayabi is steeped in lore and tradition, and there are very clear expectations of him. But his foundations are rocked to the core when he meets an outsider and the possibility comes to light that much of what he believes may be a lie. You learn over time that the world isn’t broken. It’s just… got more pieces to it than you thought. They all fit together, just maybe not the way you pictured when you were young.” The path Mamoru follows as he grows and learns is a joy to behold, and the way the author has written it is something else that elevates the story. Often times we are told to believe that characters have evolved from a to b, without having spent the time or effort validating the change for us readers, but here it is not the case, and character arcs are well thought out and believable. There is a particular character I loathed throughout. If you have read the book you are in no doubt as to whom I am referring. He inspired many a stabby thought. The word irredeemable might not be strong enough, and yet… I was shocked to be proven wrong. *slow clap The most significant example of the sublime characterization is reserved for Mamoru’s mother Misaki, the outright star of the show. She is a housewife, bound by tradition and duty to play the role she has been assigned. Obedient, subservient, loyal. She is so much more though. The ways she has grown from what we get to see of her in the past to present, the choices she has made. Misaki… is probably one of the best female characters I have ever had the pleasure to encounter on the page. To say nothing more may be a huge injustice to the complex characterization captured, but it is also a huge favour to you future reader, for I would prefer you to experience this masterful portrayal for yourself. While the characters are the lifeblood of this story, that's not to say that this fascinating world Wang has built lacks for anything. I know almost nothing about Japanese culture, their way of life, as I have had little exposure to any of it apart from my love of martial arts, but this little microcosm of an age gone by mixed with a fantastical world is just another added element that helped to cast a spell on me. The only thing I struggled with slightly was learning all the unfamiliar foreign words used throughout the book. I did not realise that there was a handy glossary in the back until a friend mentioned it, and by that point I was a fair way through the book already. The glossary made it easier, but it was a mission going back and forth on the Kindle. I have since learned that there is a downloadable pdf on the author’s website, so rather grab that if you can. Eventually though, I did learn most of the words and and was able to read without worrying if I was missing something, adding just another level of immersion for the eastern setting. And even with the learning curve it felt like I had barely picked the book up before story had transported me, bringing that magical whoomph of a rush that you get when a story just whisks you away. You’re with me, right? One minute you're getting a feel for it, yes, this is fascinating and entertaining and how did we end up here, this is the ending, WHEN DID THIS GET SO AMAZING!?!?! Woah. Did ML WANG just get a new fan? Yes, yes she DID. Lastly, it would be very remiss of me to forget to mention the explosive action sequences filled with exhilarating and creative elemental magic, the breathtaking duels and the cutthroat sword fighting that makes up much of the action packed second half of the book. And when the dust settles and the frantic drumbeat of your skewered heart wanes, the story eases you into a denouement that fittingly takes it’s time in assuring you of the final outcome, the future ahead and the power of empathy. Take a bow dear author, for you are a storyteller, and The Sword of Kaigen is a tale, beautifully told.

Overall a fantastic book. The character development is brilliant. I love Misaki as a character. And the fighting parts of the book were really well put together. This would have easily been 5 stars for me, but I knocked a star off as I was expecting (wanted!) a different ending. I’m sure some will love it though, as there’s a lot of heart in it. M. L. Wang is so gifted that I’m looking forward to her future work.

Continuing my read through of the SPFBO winners in no particular order, we have the 2019 winner Sword of Kaigen, this is another epic. Having heard so much about this book, I was quite surprised by the setting straight away. I don't know why, but I just assumed that the world would be a feudal Japan style, and it is but also contains some modern technology which caught me completely off guard. I probably should have done more research 🤣 Anyways M.L. Wang mixes these two seemingly contrasting elements together so well to create a truly unique and vibrant world I really can't compare to any other. Who knew that a world of swords, planes, bows, and cell phones could make so much sense, yet it does! You throw into that a mixture of cultures and lifestyles between rural and urban communities, an extremely fascinating magic system based on family lines, and you have a very complex and diverse high fantasy world like no other. The plot is absolutely gripping from the start and never lets you go from first to last page, but where Wang really excels is her character work. I don't think I've ever felt more than I have for the two main characters here, but not only that, the side/lesser characters all have so much depth too. Every single character goes on a journey, none are left the same by the end, from when you first met them. They are each flawed and must go through struggles that change/challenge their beliefs in some way. But be warned, have tissues on standby, as this is definitely no light-hearted read. There are times it makes you feel uncomfortable with some difficult themes, you'll cry and cheer in equal measure as the characters go through thier journey. Overall, this is a must read for me. It truly is amazing how this is just a standalone; there's so much packed into one story. A part of me is very sad there won't be more to the story, there are definitely some things left that could be expanded further.

If I wasn’t already starting to think that, by not reaching for self-published work, I was missing out on some brilliant novels, The Sword of Kaigen is over 600 pages of proof that that is indeed true. I don’t mean this to invalidate self-publishing in any way, but if this novel doesn’t get picked up by a big SFF publisher like Orbit or Tor, I’ll be very, very surprised. This is such a good book. Shout out to Kaitlin @ Kitty G for bringing it to my attention. In this Japanese-inspired fantasy novel, the community who live on the Sword of Kaigen, named because they are considered the country’s first defence should they be attacked by a rival nation, keep to the old ways. Technology is available in the bigger cities and is starting to creep into their own way of life, but this is a community where learning martial arts and marrying well amongst the wealthy, upper class families is still considered the norm. Misaki is a somewhat unusual woman in that she has experience of the world outside of her own culture when she was at school, but after her schooling has settled into the expected role of wife and mother after she was married into the respected Matsuda family. Throughout The Sword of Kaigen we follow Misaki and the eldest of her four sons, Mamoru, as they try to strike the perfect balance between serving their family and being true to themselves. For Mamoru his struggle is in his discovering that the Empire he’s been raised to serve might not value him and the warriors who’ve come before him as they should, while Misaki, a talented swordswoman in her own right, chafes against the confines of what’s expected of her as a woman. This is such a difficult novel to review because it’s the kind of novel you need to experience. It’s intense and nail-biting and often absolutely heart-breaking, but the depth of research Wang has done for this book is clear from the very first page and her character work is exquisite. Mamoru is the sweetest of beans and Misaki is an absolute triumph of a character. She’s one of the best heroines I’ve ever encountered in fantasy, and one of the best mothers I’ve encountered in SFF since Essun in The Broken Earth trilogy. On the surface The Sword of Kaigen is a military fantasy novel, but it’s so much more than that. There are a lot of fight scenes that go on for pages – I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed while reading a book before in my life – but Wang also explores the horrors of war and the short and long-term impact it has on individuals and entire communities without any of her exploration being gratuitous. One character, for example, is the victim of sexual assault, but Wang handles the topic with great respect and dignity. There’s also a fantastic female friendship in this book between Misaki, her sister-in-law and their shared friend, and their scenes together were some of my favourites to read. Women supporting women is something I love to see in all novels, but especially in novels like this which are set in a patriarchal society. The only reason I knocked off half a star was because, for me, Misaki forgave her husband for his behaviour a little too easily. I can’t say anything else because that would be going into major spoiler territory but, while I do ultimately love how this novel ends, I’d have a few choice things to say to Takeru if I were Misaki. The moments when she does stand up to him are glorious, though. Misaki is the best. If you read one Asian-inspired fantasy novel this year, make it this one.

On the Physical Book: Sturdy and easy to handle. The paper selection could have opted for a paper quality that would allow a more flexible spine. The cover treatment is average, as the outer plastic film shows signs of peeling after a few days at the beach (under shade, no sun exposure). On the Story: The Sword of Kaigen (@mlwangauthor ) is a gut wrenching epic with an amazing set of character arcs with really cool development that show depth and uniqueness . The world building is detailed and immersive with good socio-political nuances. The magic system is well developed and easy to grasp and complements well a martial arts background. The Sword of Kaigen is sadly only 600+ pages and seems to be a standalone. My wish is that the author may eventually bless us with more incursions into Duna and the Matsudas.

The Sword of Kaigen is a deeply moving standalone fantasy. The slow beginning worked perfectly for me, building up the family and setting so that when tragedy struck, it hit incredibly hard. The battle scenes are cinematic, but what truly stands out is the subtle emotional writing — a single quiet line of grief often carried more weight than pages of description. Where the book lost me was in the final act. After such an unforgettable middle, the story seemed to lose focus. The Robin subplot felt forced, and several loose ends felt bolted on, as if the author was preparing for sequels that never came. The wider political threads also faded away, leaving an ending that didn’t provide the closure I had hoped for. Still, this remains one of the most emotional and impactful fantasies I’ve read in a while, and I’d strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a standalone with real depth.

Sometimes when I am about half-way through a book and I am reading something as powerful and impressive as this was, I have a fairly good idea what my review is going to be about. And at that half-way point, I did think I was going to write about the world building, and characterizations, magic and everything else that I found to be notable about this story. But, then I read the last half, and I can say that since reading Stephen King’s Wizard and Glass a few years back- I haven’t been so affected by a story as I was this one, or so emotionally invested in characters as these, that I cried through a good twenty percent of this book. See, I was expecting a regular epic-style fantasy, and when we had that amazing battle midway through, all I could think was holy crap, how is the author going to top this? And where can this possibly go from here with so many pages left? What I didn’t realize was, that the incredibly intense first half the book, was only part of the story and not even the best part. So, this stand-alone book works to set-up a little history of a country, and way of life of a people for a later series. While the front-half gives us this incredible world, people, and epic scale battle, the back-half deals with the aftermath, and is about a community finding strength to survive events that are just too horrifying to even imagine- surviving loss of everything from your loved ones to your home and livelihood. It’s about rebuilding and finding hope in each other, and coming together as people. But, at the core of all of that- was Misaki, and even though it was filled with a community of people that were just as full of life as her, this was really her story. Misaki was the heart of this book. She is a mother and wife, coming to terms with a life that maybe didn’t quite go the way she expected. Her story is about healing, regrets, grief, and feeling like you have no voice but also being scared to have one. And just as importantly, it’s about being responsible for your own happiness. Misaki’s journey is raw and painful but it’s also fulfilling and beautiful. As a mother, daughter and wife- her every fear, joy, and regret, resonated with me, and I applaud her characterisation. Without her this would have been a great book with some very cool fight scenes (I’m still in awe over the Matusda brother’s Ice Dragon) and a good solid base for a later series. With her though- it became an outstanding piece of storytelling that needs to be experienced, and one that is going to stick with me for a long time. Other Notes and small criticisms - Even with the huge amount of subtitled stuff I watch, which most of it is tv and film (where they sometimes tend to drop/change this sort of thing in favor of digestibility) and not print, it took me a while to keep the honorifics straight in my head. Particularly when there were a lot of different characters addressing one character. Misaki for instance, who is an elder, mother, and/or respected member of the community, has a different honor appropriate for each title depending on who is addressing her. There was a handy dandy glossary at the back of the book, which I did use once at the beginning, but kindle makes these things not the funnest things to flip back and forth between, so I rarely end up using them once I get going, and just rely on my bad memory for the rest of the book. Making this quibble more my problem than the authors’. Hey, I had to think of something to criticize. -The ending while I did like it giving Misaki a little closure, and setting up stuff for later books, I also felt it could have been trimmed a lot. At that point, I was happy with her present and didn’t want her past to interfere with the contentment she was beginning to find. c/p from my goodreads

El doloroso viaje de una heroína que debe descubrirse a si misma. Tan apasionante como profundo. Una verdadera lastima que no vaya a haber continuación de este universo que aún tenía mucho para dar.

I’ve been putting off writing this review for months now because this book seriously left me emotionally unprepared and I’m still recovering ❤️‍🩹This book will wreck you. But if you like fantasy that hits on every level: action, emotion, depth, magic, character This book is a must. I laughed, I cried, I screamed. I felt hopeful ❤️‍🩹 This is a Japanese-inspired military fantasy that blends elemental magic, political drama and family dynamics in the most intense way 😮‍💨 It’s set in this unique world thats an alternate Earth with magic and tech co-existing. The worldbuilding is rich as hell! The characters are where this book shines! Misaki is genuinely one of the most compelling female leads I’ve ever read❗️She’s a mother, a wife and a total badass but also deeply human, flawed and dealing with trauma and regret. Misaki owned the story 👑 Her growth was so natural and so powerful. I felt every part of her inner struggle and watching her reclaim her agency and strength was everything! 🙌Also, the female friendships she has? Pure. Wholesome. Needed more of it. 👯‍♀️ Takeru’s arc also deserves a whole moment. I hated him then I understood him then I hated that I understood him?!? 🤪 It’s that kind of book. Everyone’s layered. Nothing is black and white. There’s this constant theme of generational trauma, duty vs. identity, and the cost of silence. It’s deep, and it hurts in the best literary way ❤️‍🩹 The stakes keep rising and the tension is non-stop. The elemental magic is written like you’re watching an anime battle: fast-paced, cinematic and heart-racing. Think Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Code Geass with a dash of Mistborn👌 And when the war hits, it hits 🥺It’s brutal. People die. Families are torn apart. There’s so much loss and pain. Every single chapter felt necessary. No fluff. Every scene moved something forward, be it character-wise or plot-wise. You know that gut-wrenching: “I need to lie down” kind of sadness? Yeah. That. 🥺❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹