Author: Bora Chung
Translated by: Anton Hur
Publisher: Honford Star, 2025
Original title: 붉은 칼, 2019
Link to online store *
Red Sword is the mesmerizing and haunting English-language debut novel by International Booker Prize-shortlisted author Bora Chung. Expertly translated by Anton Hur, this speculative fiction unfolds on a distant, war-ravaged planet where advanced technologies wreak havoc and devastation. Told in sparse, evocative prose, a slave-turned-reluctant hero must traverse the alien terrain to uncover the truth about her identity and that of her enslaved companions. Characteristically borrowing from a plethora of genres, Red Sword blends a poignant exploration of social relations with stunning world-building, and challenges readers to consider what it means to wield power over others. After the successful release of two acclaimed short story collections, Honford Star is thrilled to bring Bora Chung’s remarkable storytelling to an even wider audience with the publication of Red Sword, her debut novel in English.
LKL says:
Afraid I really couldn’t get involved in the storyline or characters, and although I finished the book I was really skim-reading in the final third. An awful lot of fighting against aliens and not much else, though you should read Paul Fulcher’s review to get the historical context for the story.
LKL rating: 
External links:
- Review by Paul Fulcher (PF rating: ).
- Review by Tony Malone.
- Entry on Goodreads.com.
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