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The Spear Cuts Through Water
Two warriors shepherd an ancient god across a broken land to end the tyrannical reign of a royal family in this new epic fantasy from the author of The Vanished Birds.
The people suffer under the centuries-long rule of the Moon Throne. The royal family—the despotic emperor and his monstrous sons, the Three Terrors—hold the countryside in their choking grip. They bleed the land and oppress the citizens with the frightful powers they inherited from the god locked under their palace.
But that god cannot be contained forever.
With the aid of Jun, a guard broken by his guilt-stricken past, and Keema, an outcast fighting for his future, the god escapes from her royal captivity and flees from her own children, the triplet Terrors who would drag her back to her unholy prison. And so it is that she embarks with her young companions on a five-day pilgrimage in search of freedom—and a way to end the Moon Throne forever. The journey ahead will be more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.
Both a sweeping adventure story and an intimate exploration of identity, legacy, and belonging, The Spear Cuts Through Water is an ambitious and profound saga that will transport and transform you—and is like nothing you’ve ever read before.
The people suffer under the centuries-long rule of the Moon Throne. The royal family—the despotic emperor and his monstrous sons, the Three Terrors—hold the countryside in their choking grip. They bleed the land and oppress the citizens with the frightful powers they inherited from the god locked under their palace.
But that god cannot be contained forever.
With the aid of Jun, a guard broken by his guilt-stricken past, and Keema, an outcast fighting for his future, the god escapes from her royal captivity and flees from her own children, the triplet Terrors who would drag her back to her unholy prison. And so it is that she embarks with her young companions on a five-day pilgrimage in search of freedom—and a way to end the Moon Throne forever. The journey ahead will be more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.
Both a sweeping adventure story and an intimate exploration of identity, legacy, and belonging, The Spear Cuts Through Water is an ambitious and profound saga that will transport and transform you—and is like nothing you’ve ever read before.
525 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,930 reviews
May 13, 2023
"this is indeed a love story. down to the blade-dented bone."
one of the most incredible, original, unparalleled books i've ever read in my life.
this is extraordinary storytelling that breaks expectations and conventions to deliver us a fantasy story like it's rarely been told before. the spear cuts through water feels like a love letter to oral storytelling traditions passed down through generations. the narrative is like a performance in every sense - alongside the fact that the story is acted out as a play in a magical theatre, the writing style is raw, atmospheric, visceral, rhythmic. it absorbs you so easily into the magic and horror of this world that i feel like i've lived a lifetime with these characters in the old country.
the main plot is actually fairly straightforward: two young warriors are tasked with a quest to escort a dying god across a fractured land to end the tyrannical reign of an emperor and his sons. but the narrative goes through so many twists and turns and is, at its core, a love story between two violent, broken men. even through all the carnage and brutality, there's a love that continues to root the story in the promise of hope and redemption.
the character work is honestly stunning - i'm in awe of how simon jimenez manages to make us care for characters in just a handful of pages. i'm so attached to our main heroes and i love how we're taken through the lowest, ugliest points of their lives as well as their most joyful moments. keema and jun are going to stay with me for a long time.
and it's not just the protagonists - we get to hear snippets of thoughts from almost every single person who appears in the story, down to the most insignificant villager. these first-person style thoughts are interwoven so naturally into the narrative that it never feels like they're interrupting the tale - instead, they enhance the theatricality of the story, as if an entire cast of performers is narrating the events from the background.
there's a level of unhinged insanity here that i've missed reading in epic fantasy - the climax is heart-poundingly wild and the ending is so satisfying and emotional and beautiful, i could barely contain my feelings when i finished.
however, i can't emphasize enough: this is NOT a book for everyone. it's a heavy, dense story that requires you to be patient and open-minded and is simply not written for mass appeal. the story takes place on multiple layers of a story within a story. the narrative uses all three POVs (first, second and third) often at the same time and it does make for a challenging read. i won't lie, there were times i got frustrated with the narrative and where the plot was going. but ultimately for me, the challenge was worth it and the book rewards your efforts with a truly exceptional reading experience.
simon jimenez is in a league of his own and i can't wait to see what he does next.
cws: gore, torture, genocide, cannibalism, body horror, dismemberment, ableism
thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 16, 2024
“Your lola told stories about the country she had come from; your father told you the stories of himself, his destined for greatness. They are private stories told on stages behind thick curtains, seen only by the teller, and no one else.”
i truly think this is the most impressive book i have ever read. so many risky choices, so many leaps of faith, yet jimenez was able to pull everything together in a way that was able to break and heal my heart in two very different ways. this reading experience is truly unlike anything i've ever had, or even seen, before. But this really is one of the most beautiful, powerful, and just awe inspiring books i have ever had the honor of reading in my whole entire life. (and one i know i will carry with me for the rest of my story.)
this book ended up being very personal to me, and i think me and this author really have a lot in common in our lives, so i was just extra deeply impacted by so many passages in this book. because of this, i don’t want to be too personal in this review, but if we have similar book tastes - pick this book up. if you want a story that you've never read before, in a story that is equal parts beautiful in its own way - pick this book up. if you want a unique reading experience, one you've never seen before in the book world, that is also so expertly crafted - pick this book up. if you want a book that is a love letter to storytelling, and family, and honoring your ancestors - pick this book up. if you want to see inside my heart a little bit - pick this up.
from dedication, to acknowledgments, this was utter perfection. i simply do not have good enough words for what jimenez created here, but i truly will follow his art for the rest of my life. i am so thankful this book exists and i can’t wait to cry over everything all over again when my lola reads it.
trigger + content warnings: violence, gore, death, torture, grief depiction, depression depiction, loss of a loved one, mentions of loss of children, captivity, vomit, talk of defecation, ableist language (negative light), homophobia in past, blood, animal deaths, mentions of suicide, suicide ideations, intrusive thoughts, war themes, colonization, fire, cannibalism, captivity
♡ buddy read with May!
♡ The Vanished Birds ★★★★★
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January 1, 2024
How this book managed to slip under everyone’s radar despite being the best fantasy of the year is a mystery to me.
Part epic folk tale, part meta-narrative exploration of family and identity, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a work of fiction so perfectly conceived and executed that I will be personally offended if it doesn’t swoop up all the awards next season. Jimenez creates a puzzle of intersecting storylines that fit together like Russian dolls, cleverly employing different perspectives, tenses, and settings to obfuscate his intentions before finally revealing his cards to the reader at the most climactic moment.
Nothing is left to chance; from beginning to end, the narrator presents you with the exact amount of information you need to follow the story, without ever revealing too much or too little. The author trusts you to trust him and let yourself be carried away into an ancestral world where the narrative is out of your control. I can’t remember the last time I felt such a sense of wonder while reading a book: the atmospheric writing is reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern and Neil Gaiman, but Jimenez keeps a tight grip on the plot, never allowing the story to meander or the descriptions to veer into self-indulgence.
This book is an ode to storytelling. It’s a tale told by a grandmother to her favorite grandson, in a kitchen filled with smoke and the smells of a country lost to memory. It’s a foundational myth on the value of love and compassion, a family history, and a play re-enacted by ghosts in a dream theater. Above all, it is a love story stronger than gods and time.
Part epic folk tale, part meta-narrative exploration of family and identity, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a work of fiction so perfectly conceived and executed that I will be personally offended if it doesn’t swoop up all the awards next season. Jimenez creates a puzzle of intersecting storylines that fit together like Russian dolls, cleverly employing different perspectives, tenses, and settings to obfuscate his intentions before finally revealing his cards to the reader at the most climactic moment.
Nothing is left to chance; from beginning to end, the narrator presents you with the exact amount of information you need to follow the story, without ever revealing too much or too little. The author trusts you to trust him and let yourself be carried away into an ancestral world where the narrative is out of your control. I can’t remember the last time I felt such a sense of wonder while reading a book: the atmospheric writing is reminiscent of Erin Morgenstern and Neil Gaiman, but Jimenez keeps a tight grip on the plot, never allowing the story to meander or the descriptions to veer into self-indulgence.
This book is an ode to storytelling. It’s a tale told by a grandmother to her favorite grandson, in a kitchen filled with smoke and the smells of a country lost to memory. It’s a foundational myth on the value of love and compassion, a family history, and a play re-enacted by ghosts in a dream theater. Above all, it is a love story stronger than gods and time.
November 11, 2023
4.5⭐️
One of the most singularly unique and well-crafted reading experiences of my life
One of the most singularly unique and well-crafted reading experiences of my life
August 11, 2023
So exquisitely like a dream, told with all the flexibility that entails.
This is a book where time stretches and retracts, where all POVs (1st, 2nd & 3rd) and tenses (past, present & future) hopscotch with each other. You go with the flow, following the threads until you realize what a beautiful, intricate tapestry they've been weaving all along.
But what impressed me the most about The Spear Cuts Through Water was the sense of sonder.
In a fantasy, so often the focus is the hero's journey - their growth and feelings. Most everyone else in the fantasy world is fodder - bit players, wallflowers, NPCs. Commonfolk.
In The Spear Cuts Through Water, these types of characters are given unique voice via asides. A soldier about to be struck down would share with the reader their private dying thoughts, though we wouldn't even learn their name. A father would reveal his silent shame at giving his daughter up for dead right before she was spared. A farmgirl would express her relief after a battalion leaves her land without completely depleting her food stores. A tortoise thinks of how much he'd like to share the joys of sunlight and water with all his kind.
Just so many little moments interjected throughout the story - not interrupting, but adding to it so much. It reminded me of this line from 1987's Moonstruck, where a very minor character makes a huge revelation not to the movie's main characters, but privately, off to the side:
"That is the most tormented man that I have ever known. I'm in love with this man. But he doesn't know that. I never told him, because he can never love anybody since he lost his hand and his girl."
And she'll never tell him. She won't be who he ends up with, and the audience won't remember her name. But it's such a small, beautiful moment.
And The Spear Cuts Through Water is just filled with this kind of magic.
This is a book where time stretches and retracts, where all POVs (1st, 2nd & 3rd) and tenses (past, present & future) hopscotch with each other. You go with the flow, following the threads until you realize what a beautiful, intricate tapestry they've been weaving all along.
But what impressed me the most about The Spear Cuts Through Water was the sense of sonder.
In a fantasy, so often the focus is the hero's journey - their growth and feelings. Most everyone else in the fantasy world is fodder - bit players, wallflowers, NPCs. Commonfolk.
In The Spear Cuts Through Water, these types of characters are given unique voice via asides. A soldier about to be struck down would share with the reader their private dying thoughts, though we wouldn't even learn their name. A father would reveal his silent shame at giving his daughter up for dead right before she was spared. A farmgirl would express her relief after a battalion leaves her land without completely depleting her food stores. A tortoise thinks of how much he'd like to share the joys of sunlight and water with all his kind.
Just so many little moments interjected throughout the story - not interrupting, but adding to it so much. It reminded me of this line from 1987's Moonstruck, where a very minor character makes a huge revelation not to the movie's main characters, but privately, off to the side:
"That is the most tormented man that I have ever known. I'm in love with this man. But he doesn't know that. I never told him, because he can never love anybody since he lost his hand and his girl."
And she'll never tell him. She won't be who he ends up with, and the audience won't remember her name. But it's such a small, beautiful moment.
And The Spear Cuts Through Water is just filled with this kind of magic.
December 17, 2023
Real Rating: 4.75* of five, rounded up for ambition and talent rewarding purposes
FINALIST for the second annual Ursula K. LeGuin Prize for Fiction. Winners were announced on her birthday, 21 October, last year, so might be again this year, but no formal announcement of that was made that I found.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: How do you read your books? Tree book, ebook, ear reading? Where are you when you experience the stories you consume...bed, chair, front seat of the car, public transportation? All of these factors will come into play while experiencing this read.
I myownself am an obligate librocubicularist. It was a little challenging at first, reading this magisterially paced polyphony while within easy reach of the off switches on all my lighting devices. I was lights-out far more than once in the first quarter, maybe because I wasn't sure this story was going somewhere I entirely wanted to go. Especially as there's a hefty salting of second-person narration to endure as the price for learning how love animates and exculpates both lover and belovèd. What one receives for this benison bestowed on the narrative is a story of the impossibility of eternal power, unending dominance, unchallenged imperium. In the end, glory is fleeting because humans are ephemeral.
The roles we accept, and even eagerly seek, aren't unique to us. I think Jung was by far the closest to grasping the eternal truth when he posited archetypes, those massively misunderstood and mischaracterized patterns of being. But each of us seems to seek a pattern, a focus of individuation, and that seems or feels to us and to others as an inevitable end-point of a life-long search. Is it? It is for Jun and for Keema, whose story this (ultimately) is.
Echoes from a distant past? This story is. Explicitly. Designs for a present? This story is, not so explicitly though. It's decolonization writ personal; it's the massive machinery of culture caught in the tsunami of rage arising from inequality. It's deep, and very dark, and shot through with the awful truth of violence. It's just like, in other words, the real world around you.
Jun and Keema, the men whose love animates the story from beginning to end, aren't going to do the wild thing for your amusement. They are going to manifest for you the eternal story of accepting the love patiently offered you, in spite of believing you're not worthy of it. If you believe you're not worthy, you aren't; because the offering is not to you, but to the one you will become with the gift accepted.
That's not a truth I expected to see made so plain in a fantasy novel. A lot gets heaped on all the players in this astoundingly violent tale. It's shocking what hatred, spurned love, multivalent deprivation will drive a person to enact on the world. It's far and away the hardest of life's lessons to see that without one's own rage obscuring the real source of the problem. Othering and disempowering might be the means to gaining temporary, temporal acquiescence. They do nothing to improve the long-term odds of success for those who Other, who disempower, who use their own weapons against those they need to succeed. Those who use the weapon forget the other edge, the power of the spirit.
And that is the ultimate truth of the spear, the artifact and symbol of the disempowered, the metaphor for power as it is transfered in the world of rank and division. It is, in its very nature, a symbol of what enables leaders to become dictators. It is supremely easy to pass the spear on through family lines. It is always the case that the spear is turned against its user.
Never forget that. Who lives by the sword, dies by it as readily.
But Jun? His Keema keeps him safe from the spear. In spite of everything they've seen, they've been to and for and against each other, Keema is the one whose patient offering of love never wavers even when it morphs. That's how you know it's the love Jun needs, and that's how Jun finally knows he is not Jun, but Keema's Jun.
No one who has the patience, the fortitude not to check out of its reality back into ours, to read this uniquely told story will leave it the same person as they entered it. That's the best thing I can thnk of to say about a story.
FINALIST for the second annual Ursula K. LeGuin Prize for Fiction. Winners were announced on her birthday, 21 October, last year, so might be again this year, but no formal announcement of that was made that I found.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: How do you read your books? Tree book, ebook, ear reading? Where are you when you experience the stories you consume...bed, chair, front seat of the car, public transportation? All of these factors will come into play while experiencing this read.
I myownself am an obligate librocubicularist. It was a little challenging at first, reading this magisterially paced polyphony while within easy reach of the off switches on all my lighting devices. I was lights-out far more than once in the first quarter, maybe because I wasn't sure this story was going somewhere I entirely wanted to go. Especially as there's a hefty salting of second-person narration to endure as the price for learning how love animates and exculpates both lover and belovèd. What one receives for this benison bestowed on the narrative is a story of the impossibility of eternal power, unending dominance, unchallenged imperium. In the end, glory is fleeting because humans are ephemeral.
The roles we accept, and even eagerly seek, aren't unique to us. I think Jung was by far the closest to grasping the eternal truth when he posited archetypes, those massively misunderstood and mischaracterized patterns of being. But each of us seems to seek a pattern, a focus of individuation, and that seems or feels to us and to others as an inevitable end-point of a life-long search. Is it? It is for Jun and for Keema, whose story this (ultimately) is.
Echoes from a distant past? This story is. Explicitly. Designs for a present? This story is, not so explicitly though. It's decolonization writ personal; it's the massive machinery of culture caught in the tsunami of rage arising from inequality. It's deep, and very dark, and shot through with the awful truth of violence. It's just like, in other words, the real world around you.
Jun and Keema, the men whose love animates the story from beginning to end, aren't going to do the wild thing for your amusement. They are going to manifest for you the eternal story of accepting the love patiently offered you, in spite of believing you're not worthy of it. If you believe you're not worthy, you aren't; because the offering is not to you, but to the one you will become with the gift accepted.
That's not a truth I expected to see made so plain in a fantasy novel. A lot gets heaped on all the players in this astoundingly violent tale. It's shocking what hatred, spurned love, multivalent deprivation will drive a person to enact on the world. It's far and away the hardest of life's lessons to see that without one's own rage obscuring the real source of the problem. Othering and disempowering might be the means to gaining temporary, temporal acquiescence. They do nothing to improve the long-term odds of success for those who Other, who disempower, who use their own weapons against those they need to succeed. Those who use the weapon forget the other edge, the power of the spirit.
And that is the ultimate truth of the spear, the artifact and symbol of the disempowered, the metaphor for power as it is transfered in the world of rank and division. It is, in its very nature, a symbol of what enables leaders to become dictators. It is supremely easy to pass the spear on through family lines. It is always the case that the spear is turned against its user.
Never forget that. Who lives by the sword, dies by it as readily.
But Jun? His Keema keeps him safe from the spear. In spite of everything they've seen, they've been to and for and against each other, Keema is the one whose patient offering of love never wavers even when it morphs. That's how you know it's the love Jun needs, and that's how Jun finally knows he is not Jun, but Keema's Jun.
No one who has the patience, the fortitude not to check out of its reality back into ours, to read this uniquely told story will leave it the same person as they entered it. That's the best thing I can thnk of to say about a story.
February 12, 2024
SOMEONE GET MIYAZAKI ON THE LINE IMMEDIATELY!!!
Do you ever read something so large, so impactful, that the work itself feels like a tsunami wave cresting over you? Its dazzling mass soaring above your head so that your vision is filled with nothing but its utter majesty, so that even the most blinding sunlight is fractured and scattered by its thick undulating form until everything is blue blue blue?
Well that’s how this book feels. Epic. Mythological. Tremendous. This is a work of art. This is a piece of theater wedged inside a novel. This is storytelling at its most profound.
This is a love story down to its blade-dented bone.
Our tale takes place in the Inverted Theater, a stage that exists between the planes of life, run by the love-child of the Moon and the Water, and upon which the greatest stories and greatest performances are portrayed. Mortals may attend this theater through their dreams and when they visit the theater, they will find themselves witness to the right story at the right time. But. They cannot choose the timing of their visit, and upon waking from their dream, the memories of their experience in the Inverted Theater will have dissolved into nothing but a vague feeling of satisfaction.
And as our main character finds himself in this liminal performance space, he witnesses the story of two boys transporting an ancient god across a broken land, determined to end the tyrannical rule of her descendants.
The story we then witness alongside our main character is unlike any other. Its cruelty is as haunting as its utter beauty. It’s romantic and tender and violent and ethereal. There’s something of a Ghibli quality to it, especially in the way it unravels itself as a gorgeous expression of love for people, land, culture, and the relationships between. I found myself listening to the Princess Mononoke soundtrack while reading it and fantasizing about the breathtaking adaptation Miyazaki would make if someone would do the honor of putting this book in his hands. (I HIGHLY recommend listening to the Mononoke soundtrack when reading this for a transcendent experience. I even more highly recommend telling Miyazaki to read this book.)
My overall experience with THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER was mystifying, like I myself was a dreaming visitor of the Inverted Theater, put in a trance and taken on a journey through a life-defining tale that would forever alter my world.
Thank you Simon Jimenez for reminding me why I love reading. For showing me what it can mean to thread myself into the tapestry of life and lose myself in the rhythm of the world.
As the tsunami of this story crested over my head and broke its way through my tear ducts and flooded down my cheeks, I knew–wracked with heavy sobs–that I would emerge from its depths to find myself forever changed. And for a moment, I was so certain I would find myself brought back to my own plane of existence to have lost the memory of this tale. That this story, like all others told in the Inverted Theater, would be one that only exists in the spaces it’s left behind. That its only relics would be the puddles of toilet paper tissues scattered on the floor of my room, the crowded rows of goosebumps like tiny headstones up and down my arms, and a hunk of negative space in my memory in the shape of something equally yearning and fulfilling. Oh, but how lucky we are, that Simon Jimenez has pressed the Inverted Theater onto paper so we may maintain its memory.
CW: violence, drowning, decapitation, blood & gore, body horror, death, grief, murder, cannibalism, war, animal death, ableism, drug use, emesis, death of grandmother, death of child, death of parent, suicide (mention)
Do you ever read something so large, so impactful, that the work itself feels like a tsunami wave cresting over you? Its dazzling mass soaring above your head so that your vision is filled with nothing but its utter majesty, so that even the most blinding sunlight is fractured and scattered by its thick undulating form until everything is blue blue blue?
Well that’s how this book feels. Epic. Mythological. Tremendous. This is a work of art. This is a piece of theater wedged inside a novel. This is storytelling at its most profound.
This is a love story down to its blade-dented bone.
Our tale takes place in the Inverted Theater, a stage that exists between the planes of life, run by the love-child of the Moon and the Water, and upon which the greatest stories and greatest performances are portrayed. Mortals may attend this theater through their dreams and when they visit the theater, they will find themselves witness to the right story at the right time. But. They cannot choose the timing of their visit, and upon waking from their dream, the memories of their experience in the Inverted Theater will have dissolved into nothing but a vague feeling of satisfaction.
And as our main character finds himself in this liminal performance space, he witnesses the story of two boys transporting an ancient god across a broken land, determined to end the tyrannical rule of her descendants.
The story we then witness alongside our main character is unlike any other. Its cruelty is as haunting as its utter beauty. It’s romantic and tender and violent and ethereal. There’s something of a Ghibli quality to it, especially in the way it unravels itself as a gorgeous expression of love for people, land, culture, and the relationships between. I found myself listening to the Princess Mononoke soundtrack while reading it and fantasizing about the breathtaking adaptation Miyazaki would make if someone would do the honor of putting this book in his hands. (I HIGHLY recommend listening to the Mononoke soundtrack when reading this for a transcendent experience. I even more highly recommend telling Miyazaki to read this book.)
My overall experience with THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER was mystifying, like I myself was a dreaming visitor of the Inverted Theater, put in a trance and taken on a journey through a life-defining tale that would forever alter my world.
Thank you Simon Jimenez for reminding me why I love reading. For showing me what it can mean to thread myself into the tapestry of life and lose myself in the rhythm of the world.
As the tsunami of this story crested over my head and broke its way through my tear ducts and flooded down my cheeks, I knew–wracked with heavy sobs–that I would emerge from its depths to find myself forever changed. And for a moment, I was so certain I would find myself brought back to my own plane of existence to have lost the memory of this tale. That this story, like all others told in the Inverted Theater, would be one that only exists in the spaces it’s left behind. That its only relics would be the puddles of toilet paper tissues scattered on the floor of my room, the crowded rows of goosebumps like tiny headstones up and down my arms, and a hunk of negative space in my memory in the shape of something equally yearning and fulfilling. Oh, but how lucky we are, that Simon Jimenez has pressed the Inverted Theater onto paper so we may maintain its memory.
CW: violence, drowning, decapitation, blood & gore, body horror, death, grief, murder, cannibalism, war, animal death, ableism, drug use, emesis, death of grandmother, death of child, death of parent, suicide (mention)
October 22, 2023
The Spear Cuts Through Water was everything I wanted it to be in more. I went in knowing next to nothing about the plot and that is definitely the reading experience I recommend. I am in awe of this book and there is no way that I can accurately capture my feelings in a review but I will do my best.
The Spear Cuts Through Water is written in a unique narrative style that mimics oral storytelling. This structure is executed beautifully and really elevates the story. Multiple perspectives and times are woven together to create an intricate tapestry of love, sacrifice, power, and godhood. I could write a thesis on the way Jimenez plays with storytelling, perspective, and time in this novel. But I fear that giving any more details would spoil some of the incredible reveals. Every single detail of this story is important and the twists are some of the most satisfying reveals I have ever read. The Spear Cuts Through Water really appealed to my love of The Fifth Season and Harrow the Ninth.
The story is fascinating in its brutality and depiction of suffering. There are scenes that will appear in my nightmares and moments that made my heart ache. But at its core, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a love story. It is not a neat love story and it is not always a happy love story but…
This is a love story to its blade-dented bone.
This book had me almost gagging at the gore and then laughing out loud at the characters’ banter twenty pages later. Despite the intensity and severity of the storyline the book still finds moments of levity and passion.
The Spear Cuts Through Water depicts a world on the precipice. Godly intervention and the greed of mankind have wreaked havoc on the land for centuries. The escape of the moon goddess will either save the world or end it. Our “heroes” are two flawed characters that no one would have picked to save the world. Their dynamic was incredible and it was impossible not to root for them as they faced an impossible quest.
This will not be a book for everybody. The narrative style and lack of chapter breaks can be confusing and overwhelming at times. There is also a considerable amount of gore and difficult-to-read topics so I suggest looking up the content warnings before starting. But if you have ever been intrigued by this book I would highly recommend giving it a try.
The Spear Cuts Through Water is written in a unique narrative style that mimics oral storytelling. This structure is executed beautifully and really elevates the story. Multiple perspectives and times are woven together to create an intricate tapestry of love, sacrifice, power, and godhood. I could write a thesis on the way Jimenez plays with storytelling, perspective, and time in this novel. But I fear that giving any more details would spoil some of the incredible reveals. Every single detail of this story is important and the twists are some of the most satisfying reveals I have ever read. The Spear Cuts Through Water really appealed to my love of The Fifth Season and Harrow the Ninth.
The story is fascinating in its brutality and depiction of suffering. There are scenes that will appear in my nightmares and moments that made my heart ache. But at its core, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a love story. It is not a neat love story and it is not always a happy love story but…
This is a love story to its blade-dented bone.
This book had me almost gagging at the gore and then laughing out loud at the characters’ banter twenty pages later. Despite the intensity and severity of the storyline the book still finds moments of levity and passion.
The Spear Cuts Through Water depicts a world on the precipice. Godly intervention and the greed of mankind have wreaked havoc on the land for centuries. The escape of the moon goddess will either save the world or end it. Our “heroes” are two flawed characters that no one would have picked to save the world. Their dynamic was incredible and it was impossible not to root for them as they faced an impossible quest.
This will not be a book for everybody. The narrative style and lack of chapter breaks can be confusing and overwhelming at times. There is also a considerable amount of gore and difficult-to-read topics so I suggest looking up the content warnings before starting. But if you have ever been intrigued by this book I would highly recommend giving it a try.
March 27, 2024
Never gone to log 5 stars so fast in my goddamn life
September 10, 2022
Thanks to the publisher (Del Rey) for the ARC of this book.
Finally, finally, after nearly two weeks of struggling, I am done with this book. I don’t think I’ve ever had such complicated feelings before, or struggled as much with a book I couldn’t help but see as excellent in many ways. I wonder if perhaps I might have loved it in another mood and another time, if it’s me or the book, but in the end, it’s no use.
This is a story with many layers. It’s a story of a goddess fallen from the sky trying to right the wrongs she caused. It is the mythical story of two young men and their quests. It is the story of the person invited to the Inverted Theater to witness and then forget it. It is ambitious and experimental and beautifully told, masterfully intertwining first, second, and third person POV. It attempts to touch on themes of of redemption and identity and imperialism and family. It should have been just up my alley.
And I hated almost every second of it.
The story may have been enough for a standalone volume but it still collapsed a little under the weight of its ambition. It was such a slog I nearly DNF’d about three times. The last of those, at 60% or so, I finally caved and skipped forwards to catch a glimpse of the ending. Satisfied and curious to see that, I went back to where I left off and read on. A drastic measure for me – but I finished it. The ending was quite good (though again, not without hiccups) and a far smoother ride, but it did not make up for the resentment of having had to drag myself though the rest, fighting every step of the way. Perhaps I should have DNF’d after all.
Ultimately, this is a book I respect more than liked, or enjoyed.
Enjoyment: 2/5
Execution: 4/5
Recommended to: I don’t even know, man, I really don’t – read an excerpt and see
Not recommended to: those who hate omniscient narrative style or get easily confused, anyone sensitive to violence and torture
Content warnings: lots of extremely graphic gore, body horror, torture, ritual cannibalism, scenes of someone being eaten alive and so on and so forth
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
Finally, finally, after nearly two weeks of struggling, I am done with this book. I don’t think I’ve ever had such complicated feelings before, or struggled as much with a book I couldn’t help but see as excellent in many ways. I wonder if perhaps I might have loved it in another mood and another time, if it’s me or the book, but in the end, it’s no use.
This is a story with many layers. It’s a story of a goddess fallen from the sky trying to right the wrongs she caused. It is the mythical story of two young men and their quests. It is the story of the person invited to the Inverted Theater to witness and then forget it. It is ambitious and experimental and beautifully told, masterfully intertwining first, second, and third person POV. It attempts to touch on themes of of redemption and identity and imperialism and family. It should have been just up my alley.
And I hated almost every second of it.
I had seen what happened to all of those sons I gave birth to. How they were molded by the world they had been given, for even the man who had started it all did not know why he made the choices he did. It is all a spiral that feeds into itself with the gathering weight at the center that we call Power.The beginning was unengaging, but then, beginnings often are, especially when I’m in no particular mood. I thought it’ll get easier and hook me eventually, but it never did. I was never particularly confused by what was going on, I’m used to confusing literary fantasy and going with the flow, but the main plot was incredibly boring until about 70% in and mediocre from there on, and the opaqueness of the style got in the way of even remotely connecting to the characters. The almost-grimdark level of graphic violence (though the book is, ultimately, in no way nihilistic) didn’t help my enjoyment either.
The story may have been enough for a standalone volume but it still collapsed a little under the weight of its ambition. It was such a slog I nearly DNF’d about three times. The last of those, at 60% or so, I finally caved and skipped forwards to catch a glimpse of the ending. Satisfied and curious to see that, I went back to where I left off and read on. A drastic measure for me – but I finished it. The ending was quite good (though again, not without hiccups) and a far smoother ride, but it did not make up for the resentment of having had to drag myself though the rest, fighting every step of the way. Perhaps I should have DNF’d after all.
Ultimately, this is a book I respect more than liked, or enjoyed.
Enjoyment: 2/5
Execution: 4/5
Recommended to: I don’t even know, man, I really don’t – read an excerpt and see
Not recommended to: those who hate omniscient narrative style or get easily confused, anyone sensitive to violence and torture
Content warnings: lots of extremely graphic gore, body horror, torture, ritual cannibalism, scenes of someone being eaten alive and so on and so forth
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
June 17, 2023
This is, quite simply, a gorgeously written, wildly imaginative, and beautifully constructed novel. I’ve been longing to find a contemporary work of fantasy literature that would impress and inspire me to this degree, and the hugely gifted Simon Jimenez has done so, with a confidence and daring and heady romanticism that soars.
I will read everything that he writes from here on out.
I will read everything that he writes from here on out.
Shelved as 'on-pause'
January 17, 2024fantasy slump is finally over so i'm excited to read this and hopefully i start getting back into my high fantasy era🤞
also thank u liv for inspiring me to read this !!
also thank u liv for inspiring me to read this !!
March 27, 2024
The writing here is deep and multifaceted, soaking the reader inevitably until one blinks and realizes that the story has taken root deep inside one's imagination, not unlike that in his Literary Sci-Fi, Vanished Birds.
Read I: 2022
“The tale is for you,” she said.The tale is told in a convoluted second person perspective with random jumps between characters as much as three times within a single paragraph. Nevertheless, it is executed with utter perfection and in no way confuses the reader.
The tobacco burning in her lungs.
“So let the dreaming body go.”
She exhaled.
And the smoke, blown in from the dark, envelops you until all you can see are the curls of gray matter swirling around you, the thick fog seeming to lift you, to cradle you, bearing you gently downward until you light upon a smooth, hard surface, and the smoke clears—the memory of your lola in the kitchen fading as day does to dusk, before you find yourself standing before the very place she had once spoken of, all those years ago.
Welcome to the Inverted Theater.
You step out of the smoke and you see it: the towering pagoda on a still lake at night, its reflection in the water perfect, its many levels at once rising high above you and, in its watery likeness, falling endlessly below. Lanterns hang off its curved eaves like earrings, lighting up its ornate facade against the darkness of the black-carpet sky.
Their cups clapped to Jun Ossa, the twenty-fifth Peacock, who had for six months been guarding the fabled Wolf Door beneath the palace mountains, the sole protector of the empress. The Terror wiped his eyes, moved by this imagined scene: Jun’s six-month rotation, spent alone in the cold and the dark of that deep mountain cavern with nothing but one’s blade, and one’s thoughts, and a locked door to protect, to keep one company. This image weighed on him for the rest of the day, until later, at camp, his other sons placed hands on him in comfort, and we told him it wouldn’t be long now, the prince then smiling at his boys, grateful for all of them.I honestly am stumped as to whom to recommend this particular book too. Even while I certainly enjoyed the uniqueness of the story telling, it wasn't something I found as "page turning fun". It is certainly an interesting piece of surreal fantasy.
Read I: 2022
August 31, 2022
read this review on my my blog!
I genuinely don’t know where to start or how to review this book. The Spear Cuts Through Water is a book unmatched in storytelling and delivery and definitely my favourite book of the year. Despite it being told in a way I’m not accustomed to or done in other books, I’m in awe of how everything blended together to form a gripping story after a couple of pages.
This book releases today and I’m hoping my review urges you to pick up this book and be immersed into this fresh world. Albeit it will not be everyone’s cup of tea but I do ask you to be patient with the story and let it guide you with the flow.
“For you are the Moon who cursed us with this gift.”
story within a story
I’m honestly a huge fan of this form of storytelling done right. It sets up the right stakes and there’s so much to explore, like peeling off layers of the story. Conveying multiple nested stories until it all clicks together is an art, one Simon Jimenez has mastered. There are several perspectives involved along with the use of 1st, 2nd and 3rd person to provide for all the twists and emotional impacts in the story. The summary doesn’t do this book justice, because as you’re introduced to the Inverted Theater, it’s as if you as a reader are witnessing the story unfold in that theater along with the unnamed narrator who is being told these stories about the Old World. And even though we hear from the minor characters, it doesn’t seem unnecessary, just something to help solidify the gravity of events.
an epic fantasy at it’s core
Through the unnamed narrator we witness the main storyline, about two warriors Jun, the grandson of the emperor and Keema, the disabled guard, who are roped into a quest to rescue a god from The Moon Throne, the tyrannical rulers of their land. With folklore woven effortlessly into the magic, action and setting of the story, The Spear Cuts Through Water has all elements of a fantasy world but the kind that’s surreal and unhinged in all those aspects. And a violent kind too, as the book definitely has gory themes but they perfectly fit into the characterization and world of the novel.
Speaking of characters, I was immediately invested in Jun and Keema’s dynamic and the pure yearning they develop for each other. I loved being opened up to their complicated personalities, from reluctant travel companions to their love for each other.
In fact most of the characters are very clearly imagined with necessary contributions to the plot, Simon Jimenez definitely has a knack for rooting characters into the reader’s brain within a short time.
observes the manifestation of love
We’re hit with the quote above at a point in the story where the narrator’s grandmother tells it to him and it accurately pierces the core of the story. We not only have a compelling and violent love story between the two protagonists but also see how love drives people’s actions, good and bad, and serves as a ray of hope. It’s brilliant how most of the characters are motivated by their want or scorn for love and Jimenez’s mind portrays the consequences for both in a fabulous way.
brilliantly imagined
As a huge lover of mythology and folklore in novels, I found the narrative of The Spear Cuts Through Water so engaging. It has an incredible and expressive prose, and with all the plot twists incoming reading this book was nothing short of a cinematic experience. Even though there was a lot to absorb, at times I was just left stunned by the writing and the emotion behind the sentences. Stunning imageries littered here and there left me in awe.
I was so intrigued by the history of the world and the glimpses we get of it through Jun and Keema’s five day journey — and it’s not just a couple of perspectives but we get insights from the most insignificant characters in first person. I would normally be put off by it but I realised how well this structure worked for the novel as I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I loved Simon Jimenez’s previous work, The Vanished Birds, and I’m happy to say that this too is a masterpiece and I hope he keeps serving. The Spear Cuts Through Water is an exhilarating and glorious tale, that if you’re hooked onto, will have you at the edge of your seat. It’s an ambitious and unconventional fantasy novel with heavy themes (check CWs) and a strange exploration of perspectives that might challenge readers, but I truly hope it finds its way to the ones who would appreciate the substance of the story!
Also, if you want another glimpse into the author’s brilliant mind, read this post about the mapmaking of his book.
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey Books for the ARC!
I genuinely don’t know where to start or how to review this book. The Spear Cuts Through Water is a book unmatched in storytelling and delivery and definitely my favourite book of the year. Despite it being told in a way I’m not accustomed to or done in other books, I’m in awe of how everything blended together to form a gripping story after a couple of pages.
This book releases today and I’m hoping my review urges you to pick up this book and be immersed into this fresh world. Albeit it will not be everyone’s cup of tea but I do ask you to be patient with the story and let it guide you with the flow.
“For you are the Moon who cursed us with this gift.”
story within a story
I’m honestly a huge fan of this form of storytelling done right. It sets up the right stakes and there’s so much to explore, like peeling off layers of the story. Conveying multiple nested stories until it all clicks together is an art, one Simon Jimenez has mastered. There are several perspectives involved along with the use of 1st, 2nd and 3rd person to provide for all the twists and emotional impacts in the story. The summary doesn’t do this book justice, because as you’re introduced to the Inverted Theater, it’s as if you as a reader are witnessing the story unfold in that theater along with the unnamed narrator who is being told these stories about the Old World. And even though we hear from the minor characters, it doesn’t seem unnecessary, just something to help solidify the gravity of events.
an epic fantasy at it’s core
Through the unnamed narrator we witness the main storyline, about two warriors Jun, the grandson of the emperor and Keema, the disabled guard, who are roped into a quest to rescue a god from The Moon Throne, the tyrannical rulers of their land. With folklore woven effortlessly into the magic, action and setting of the story, The Spear Cuts Through Water has all elements of a fantasy world but the kind that’s surreal and unhinged in all those aspects. And a violent kind too, as the book definitely has gory themes but they perfectly fit into the characterization and world of the novel.
Speaking of characters, I was immediately invested in Jun and Keema’s dynamic and the pure yearning they develop for each other. I loved being opened up to their complicated personalities, from reluctant travel companions to their love for each other.
In fact most of the characters are very clearly imagined with necessary contributions to the plot, Simon Jimenez definitely has a knack for rooting characters into the reader’s brain within a short time.
observes the manifestation of love
We’re hit with the quote above at a point in the story where the narrator’s grandmother tells it to him and it accurately pierces the core of the story. We not only have a compelling and violent love story between the two protagonists but also see how love drives people’s actions, good and bad, and serves as a ray of hope. It’s brilliant how most of the characters are motivated by their want or scorn for love and Jimenez’s mind portrays the consequences for both in a fabulous way.
brilliantly imagined
As a huge lover of mythology and folklore in novels, I found the narrative of The Spear Cuts Through Water so engaging. It has an incredible and expressive prose, and with all the plot twists incoming reading this book was nothing short of a cinematic experience. Even though there was a lot to absorb, at times I was just left stunned by the writing and the emotion behind the sentences. Stunning imageries littered here and there left me in awe.
I was so intrigued by the history of the world and the glimpses we get of it through Jun and Keema’s five day journey — and it’s not just a couple of perspectives but we get insights from the most insignificant characters in first person. I would normally be put off by it but I realised how well this structure worked for the novel as I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I loved Simon Jimenez’s previous work, The Vanished Birds, and I’m happy to say that this too is a masterpiece and I hope he keeps serving. The Spear Cuts Through Water is an exhilarating and glorious tale, that if you’re hooked onto, will have you at the edge of your seat. It’s an ambitious and unconventional fantasy novel with heavy themes (check CWs) and a strange exploration of perspectives that might challenge readers, but I truly hope it finds its way to the ones who would appreciate the substance of the story!
Also, if you want another glimpse into the author’s brilliant mind, read this post about the mapmaking of his book.
Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey Books for the ARC!
November 11, 2022
i don't know how else to say but THE SPEAR CUTS THROUGH WATER changed my DNA. this book touched my soul. it chewed me up and spit me out. it's transcendent.
i've never read ANYTHING as unique and as perfect as this book. i feel like i'm grieving. i don't even know how to explain this book to a stranger. it's not going to be for everyone but i encourage you to try this if you want to read something tender yet ABSOLUTELY BONKERS. THIS BOOL DESERVES TO BE IN YHE LOUVRE. ok i'm done now. brb going to lie down in a state of eternal melancholy ✌🏻
i've never read ANYTHING as unique and as perfect as this book. i feel like i'm grieving. i don't even know how to explain this book to a stranger. it's not going to be for everyone but i encourage you to try this if you want to read something tender yet ABSOLUTELY BONKERS. THIS BOOL DESERVES TO BE IN YHE LOUVRE. ok i'm done now. brb going to lie down in a state of eternal melancholy ✌🏻
April 25, 2024
“I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more it surprises me, and saddens me, how wise the young must become to live in this world.”
In a theatre between worlds, you are shown the tale of the destruction of the Moon Throne - a powerful family dynasty who caused extreme pain to pretty much everyone. You follow Jun, beloved son of the First Terror, the heir to the Moon Throne, and Keema, a one armed man who has spent many days working at a gate outside of the city as they work to fulfill the Moon Goddesses last request - that they help her destroy her sons (The Three Terrors) and then lay her to rest in the East so that a new Moon may rise.
We see this journey unfold in 3 points of view. First person - during the play, actors stop and tell the thoughts of the civilians, many of whom are suffering the most during this brutal rule. Second person - You are the one who has come to the theatre with the family spear, and you are here to watch the performance with the other shades. During this time you also have flashbacks with your family in your present day, allowing readers to gain knowledge on who you are and how this myth has survived for thousands of years. Third person - this is how we see the story of Keema and Jun unfold.
I was pleasantly surprised to see sections with second person pov as it is by far my favorite perspective, even though I very rarely come across it. The way this story weaves in the povs is so unique and wonderfully done, the writing is really such a big part of the plot in this way.
“This is a love story to its blade-dented bone.”
The relationship between Jun and Keema is such a beautiful and human thing to witness. We see as this mistrustful pair eventually ends up having a true love story, even if it is in the background of the myth.
“Why is this my story?”
This book is an experience more than anything else as we’re dropped into a story stumbled upon in a theatre in a dream of a man who was told stories by his lola years ago. It’s magical in an all consuming way, reminiscent of a story that belongs to a ghibli movie. It feels like you are reading a myth. I won't say more than that because this is a book you truly have to experience (which is why I’m being so vague with everything in general). It is one of the most immersive books I have ever read and was by far the most beautiful fantasy book I have ever read. This book is truly a masterpiece of this generation and I am so glad I took my sweet time reading it.
4.5/5
In a theatre between worlds, you are shown the tale of the destruction of the Moon Throne - a powerful family dynasty who caused extreme pain to pretty much everyone. You follow Jun, beloved son of the First Terror, the heir to the Moon Throne, and Keema, a one armed man who has spent many days working at a gate outside of the city as they work to fulfill the Moon Goddesses last request - that they help her destroy her sons (The Three Terrors) and then lay her to rest in the East so that a new Moon may rise.
We see this journey unfold in 3 points of view. First person - during the play, actors stop and tell the thoughts of the civilians, many of whom are suffering the most during this brutal rule. Second person - You are the one who has come to the theatre with the family spear, and you are here to watch the performance with the other shades. During this time you also have flashbacks with your family in your present day, allowing readers to gain knowledge on who you are and how this myth has survived for thousands of years. Third person - this is how we see the story of Keema and Jun unfold.
I was pleasantly surprised to see sections with second person pov as it is by far my favorite perspective, even though I very rarely come across it. The way this story weaves in the povs is so unique and wonderfully done, the writing is really such a big part of the plot in this way.
“This is a love story to its blade-dented bone.”
The relationship between Jun and Keema is such a beautiful and human thing to witness. We see as this mistrustful pair eventually ends up having a true love story, even if it is in the background of the myth.
“Why is this my story?”
This book is an experience more than anything else as we’re dropped into a story stumbled upon in a theatre in a dream of a man who was told stories by his lola years ago. It’s magical in an all consuming way, reminiscent of a story that belongs to a ghibli movie. It feels like you are reading a myth. I won't say more than that because this is a book you truly have to experience (which is why I’m being so vague with everything in general). It is one of the most immersive books I have ever read and was by far the most beautiful fantasy book I have ever read. This book is truly a masterpiece of this generation and I am so glad I took my sweet time reading it.
4.5/5
March 10, 2024
The Emperor and his three sons, referred to as the Terrors, are monsters with powerful magic gained from imprisoning the Emperor's wife and mother of his sons. Jun is a guard for the Emperor's wife's prison who she subverts and they both flee together after killing the Emperor. Joining them in their flight from the three Terrors is a one-armed warrior, Keema of the Daware Tribe, who's on his own mission to deliver a very special spear.
This book is told in a very strange way, with alternating omniscient second person and omniscient third person narration constantly interrupted by first person interjections from just about every side character that the principal players encounter, including some very obscure ones like the thoughts of the painter's models of a painting that the main characters are viewing. There's an in-story reason for this, and it's an interesting concept, but it didn't work for me at all.
A little on that in spoiler tags:
It's actually a clever way to tell this story, but it has two major detrimental effects on my reading experience. Firstly, it makes the book way too long for what it is, which is fairly simple: two warriors flee from powerful magical enemies, falling in love in the process. All of which forces them both to grow as characters. With the constant interruptions and the extended gruesome illustrations of how horrible the Terrors are (see the spoiler section above as to why), the tale is extended beyond my patience.
Secondly, this style of storytelling breaks my immersion completely. At no stage am I not completely aware that this is a story being told to me .
Basically I want to give it 4 or 5 stars for literary cleverness and 1 star for actual enjoyment of the reading experience.
I can't recommend it, and it should also be noted that it has quite a lot of disturbing content, including torture, cannibalism and some fairly extreme gore.
This book is told in a very strange way, with alternating omniscient second person and omniscient third person narration constantly interrupted by first person interjections from just about every side character that the principal players encounter, including some very obscure ones like the thoughts of the painter's models of a painting that the main characters are viewing. There's an in-story reason for this, and it's an interesting concept, but it didn't work for me at all.
A little on that in spoiler tags:
It's actually a clever way to tell this story, but it has two major detrimental effects on my reading experience. Firstly, it makes the book way too long for what it is, which is fairly simple: two warriors flee from powerful magical enemies, falling in love in the process. All of which forces them both to grow as characters. With the constant interruptions and the extended gruesome illustrations of how horrible the Terrors are (see the spoiler section above as to why), the tale is extended beyond my patience.
Secondly, this style of storytelling breaks my immersion completely. At no stage am I not completely aware that this is a story being told to me .
Basically I want to give it 4 or 5 stars for literary cleverness and 1 star for actual enjoyment of the reading experience.
I can't recommend it, and it should also be noted that it has quite a lot of disturbing content, including torture, cannibalism and some fairly extreme gore.
January 25, 2024
This is a remarkable book.
It’s not often that I start a book and think, “I’ve never read anything like this before.” I love that feeling. It’s not so much that the story is crazy original - don’t get me wrong, it’s excellent - but it’s HOW it’s written that stunned me.
This book switches constantly between 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives. It jumps from one time to another, to another, and back. It wraps a story inside a story inside one or three other stories, and bounces freely between them all.
That sounds confusing, yeah? I’ll admit it does take some getting used to, but once you do, it flows smooth as silk, and you begin to realise that Jiminez is juggling 20 very sharp knives, he never once cuts himself, and it’s pure joy to watch him do it. I’m floored that this is only his 2nd book.
If you’re looking for a comfy, typical fantasy story structure, keep looking. But if you’re keen on a unique storytelling experience, look no further. I’ll be surprised if this doesn’t end up as my Book of the Year for 2023.
Yeah, as expected:
https://youtu.be/cwfEYt0egKw
It’s not often that I start a book and think, “I’ve never read anything like this before.” I love that feeling. It’s not so much that the story is crazy original - don’t get me wrong, it’s excellent - but it’s HOW it’s written that stunned me.
This book switches constantly between 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives. It jumps from one time to another, to another, and back. It wraps a story inside a story inside one or three other stories, and bounces freely between them all.
That sounds confusing, yeah? I’ll admit it does take some getting used to, but once you do, it flows smooth as silk, and you begin to realise that Jiminez is juggling 20 very sharp knives, he never once cuts himself, and it’s pure joy to watch him do it. I’m floored that this is only his 2nd book.
If you’re looking for a comfy, typical fantasy story structure, keep looking. But if you’re keen on a unique storytelling experience, look no further. I’ll be surprised if this doesn’t end up as my Book of the Year for 2023.
Yeah, as expected:
https://youtu.be/cwfEYt0egKw
January 14, 2024
Every so often there’s a book the changes your perception on what good writing/storytelling is. Without a doubt, this is one of them.
RTC.
RTC.
May 28, 2022
thanks to the publisher for granting my (first ever) wish on NetGalley! i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
that was fucking excellent. i love the unconventional and ingenious storytelling. it's nothing like you've ever read before. NOTHING. and so i will say that if you are not a patient and open-minded person, i beg you to stay away from this book. this will not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine.
the narrative structure fits so perfectly, only Simon Jimenez can think of this and execute it so; the storytelling was amplified, the emotions heightened by various sensory experiences, and yet again Jimenez shows us his writing and storytelling skills. the concept was so unbelievably creative, you would not know what to expect even if i told you. Simon Jimenez delivers such an amazing and unique reading experience, it's actually fucking insane if you get what he's doing here.
as with Jimenez's previous work, saying less is more. so, i will only say two more things:
1. the storytelling is phenomenal, unlike any other, and inviting. it pulls you into the story and enchants you and you will not leave wanting after
2. the prose is absolutely insane. it's actually fucking hysterical how Jimenez puts together words like this. he shows fantastic control and mastery of the language, i will read anything he writes
anyway, you will still not get what i'm saying until you read this yourself and experience what i'm trying to describe. this novel is exceptional and i don't think i can ever do it justice even if i try. this is my first 5 star of the year, thank you Simon Jimenez!
that was fucking excellent. i love the unconventional and ingenious storytelling. it's nothing like you've ever read before. NOTHING. and so i will say that if you are not a patient and open-minded person, i beg you to stay away from this book. this will not be everyone's cup of tea, but it is mine.
the narrative structure fits so perfectly, only Simon Jimenez can think of this and execute it so; the storytelling was amplified, the emotions heightened by various sensory experiences, and yet again Jimenez shows us his writing and storytelling skills. the concept was so unbelievably creative, you would not know what to expect even if i told you. Simon Jimenez delivers such an amazing and unique reading experience, it's actually fucking insane if you get what he's doing here.
as with Jimenez's previous work, saying less is more. so, i will only say two more things:
1. the storytelling is phenomenal, unlike any other, and inviting. it pulls you into the story and enchants you and you will not leave wanting after
2. the prose is absolutely insane. it's actually fucking hysterical how Jimenez puts together words like this. he shows fantastic control and mastery of the language, i will read anything he writes
anyway, you will still not get what i'm saying until you read this yourself and experience what i'm trying to describe. this novel is exceptional and i don't think i can ever do it justice even if i try. this is my first 5 star of the year, thank you Simon Jimenez!
May 8, 2024
a mass murderer, a talking tortoise, Some Guy, and the shriveled corpse of the Moon Herself take a boat ride for ~520 pages.
౿ ִ ִ꒱
i wish i had the words to describe this book, but it's genuinely one of those stories that can't be supplemented by pretty songs of praise: it is sweet and confusing and viscerally gross all in itself. the spear cuts through water is a complex ode to the delicate legacy of stories told through tradition and spoken word.
— it's a love story (down to its blade-dented bone, of course :3) between jun and keema, who fall into the particularly complicated fate of transporting the Moon and combating the atrocities that question their humanity .
౿ ִ ִ꒱
i wish i had the words to describe this book, but it's genuinely one of those stories that can't be supplemented by pretty songs of praise: it is sweet and confusing and viscerally gross all in itself. the spear cuts through water is a complex ode to the delicate legacy of stories told through tradition and spoken word.
— it's a love story (down to its blade-dented bone, of course :3) between jun and keema, who fall into the particularly complicated fate of transporting the Moon and combating the atrocities that question their humanity .
Shelved as 'don-t-count'
September 22, 2023
December 28, 2022
some books feel like they've reinvented language, like they speak a tongue unknown to you because of how excellently they wield language to create beautiful works. The spear cuts through water is my favorite book of the year, it understands the intimacy that exists between the story and the listener, the relationship between the theatrical performance and the viewer.
The story uses first, second and third person pov and we listen to this story being told by a grandmother to her granddaughter, we follow keema and jun as they bring an ancient god to destroy the legacy of a king and his sons as they leave terrors in their wake but we also hear from the seemingly insignificant people, every villager and animal who shapes these events in their own way.
The story itself is so magical and evokes that wonder in me that fantasy rarely does anymore and I cherished this book which was so creative in the true sense of the word.
The story uses first, second and third person pov and we listen to this story being told by a grandmother to her granddaughter, we follow keema and jun as they bring an ancient god to destroy the legacy of a king and his sons as they leave terrors in their wake but we also hear from the seemingly insignificant people, every villager and animal who shapes these events in their own way.
The story itself is so magical and evokes that wonder in me that fantasy rarely does anymore and I cherished this book which was so creative in the true sense of the word.
July 28, 2023
Actual rating 3.5 stars
This is a very difficult book for me to rate. It was masterfully written, complex, and unlike anything else I've read. The narrative structure was quite unique and really makes this story standout from other fantasy novels.
I enjoyed the story and reading experience. The plot was engaging and I liked the characters well enough. I also thought the book had some meaningful thematic content. Sadly, I can't say that I was invested in the story on an emotional level. I really wanted to be, but it just never happened.
Overall, I was very impressed with the author's mastery of prose and skillful storytelling. I will say this book will not be for everyone. I think if you are an adventurous fantasy reader looking for something different, this book is worth picking up.
This is a very difficult book for me to rate. It was masterfully written, complex, and unlike anything else I've read. The narrative structure was quite unique and really makes this story standout from other fantasy novels.
I enjoyed the story and reading experience. The plot was engaging and I liked the characters well enough. I also thought the book had some meaningful thematic content. Sadly, I can't say that I was invested in the story on an emotional level. I really wanted to be, but it just never happened.
Overall, I was very impressed with the author's mastery of prose and skillful storytelling. I will say this book will not be for everyone. I think if you are an adventurous fantasy reader looking for something different, this book is worth picking up.
November 17, 2023
I have made a beautiful mistake. I stayed up waaaaay past my bedtime to finish this and my middle-aged body is so mad rn, but this book was so very good.
[4 months later]
I'm REVIEW AMNESTYing a bunch of books right now, but I really want to write a review for this one, because a) I loved it so much, and b) I want more people to read it so I should say some stuff to convince them, and c) I think it will actually be pretty easy to churn out some thoughts because this book has really stuck with me, and will keep sticking with me.
I added this to my TBR when it was first announced because the cover was so pretty, but if I ever knew the premise, it quickly fell out of my head. So last December when I was putting together my annual Read Harder challenge TBR and one of the prompts was to pick a book by the cover alone, knowing absolutely nothing about the book, this immediately caught my eye. Again. Especially when I was visiting a bookstore one day and saw this on the endpapers:
neat article from Tor about this "map"
I am extremely happy to say that not only does the book live up to how beautiful the cover and those unique endpapers are, it actually exceeded my expectations. By a lot.
Okay, so this book is really hard to talk about, so bear with me. Nominally, this is a book about a pair of fugitive young men who are tasked with shepherding a dead god (who still talks) across a fantasy landscape filled with obstacles, and it is also a love story. But that very brief summary in no way conveys the actual *experience* of reading this one. The style it's written in, aside from the actual prose, is pretty experimental and a little hard to get ahold of at first. But once you do, it is so incredibly effective at playing on your emotions and telling the story in a way that makes your brain light up in pleasure. Jimenez structures his story like a matryoshka doll, nesting one story in another, in another. And the way he navigates between them is like this fluid little magical dance. I don't even know what that means, but it's what came out as I was typing this, and it seems right.
This is not a book to rush through. Firstly because you can't, really. And secondly because it deserves to be relished as you read. To really let the imagery and the characters, and the world roll through your mind at a leisurely pace, just so you can get the full effect. It is also a book that begs to be re-read. It's definitely one of my favorite books of the year, and probably with time it might be one of my favorite books full stop. Seriously, if you like fantasy or beautiful writing, or queer stories, you should really check this one out.
Read Harder Challenge 2023: Read a book you know nothing about based solely on the cover.
[4 months later]
I'm REVIEW AMNESTYing a bunch of books right now, but I really want to write a review for this one, because a) I loved it so much, and b) I want more people to read it so I should say some stuff to convince them, and c) I think it will actually be pretty easy to churn out some thoughts because this book has really stuck with me, and will keep sticking with me.
I added this to my TBR when it was first announced because the cover was so pretty, but if I ever knew the premise, it quickly fell out of my head. So last December when I was putting together my annual Read Harder challenge TBR and one of the prompts was to pick a book by the cover alone, knowing absolutely nothing about the book, this immediately caught my eye. Again. Especially when I was visiting a bookstore one day and saw this on the endpapers:
neat article from Tor about this "map"
I am extremely happy to say that not only does the book live up to how beautiful the cover and those unique endpapers are, it actually exceeded my expectations. By a lot.
Okay, so this book is really hard to talk about, so bear with me. Nominally, this is a book about a pair of fugitive young men who are tasked with shepherding a dead god (who still talks) across a fantasy landscape filled with obstacles, and it is also a love story. But that very brief summary in no way conveys the actual *experience* of reading this one. The style it's written in, aside from the actual prose, is pretty experimental and a little hard to get ahold of at first. But once you do, it is so incredibly effective at playing on your emotions and telling the story in a way that makes your brain light up in pleasure. Jimenez structures his story like a matryoshka doll, nesting one story in another, in another. And the way he navigates between them is like this fluid little magical dance. I don't even know what that means, but it's what came out as I was typing this, and it seems right.
This is not a book to rush through. Firstly because you can't, really. And secondly because it deserves to be relished as you read. To really let the imagery and the characters, and the world roll through your mind at a leisurely pace, just so you can get the full effect. It is also a book that begs to be re-read. It's definitely one of my favorite books of the year, and probably with time it might be one of my favorite books full stop. Seriously, if you like fantasy or beautiful writing, or queer stories, you should really check this one out.
Read Harder Challenge 2023: Read a book you know nothing about based solely on the cover.
December 27, 2022
One of my favourite books of the year. I love it with my entire heart.
It is all I love in fantasy: it's whimsical, epic yet intimate, queer and emotional.
Painting a world like I've never seen before, Simon Jimenez wrote one of the most immersive books out there.
We experience a beautiful quest through the eyes of a boy seeing it on stage in a theatre outside of time who heard these stories first from his lola who told them to him as he was younger. Withing the story, we sometimes can also read the thoughts of characters we meet. Sound complicated? Well, it is. But it is worth it, trust me.
From the point you get into it onwards, you never want the book to end. It is beautiful yet dark, thought-provoking, and tear jerking. I spent much time reading with my mouth agap, so filled with wonder was it. The characters were amazing: dynamic and heartbreakingly human.
Even months after finishing this book I can't let go of it. The Spear Cuts Through Water will stay in my heart forever.
It is all I love in fantasy: it's whimsical, epic yet intimate, queer and emotional.
Painting a world like I've never seen before, Simon Jimenez wrote one of the most immersive books out there.
We experience a beautiful quest through the eyes of a boy seeing it on stage in a theatre outside of time who heard these stories first from his lola who told them to him as he was younger. Withing the story, we sometimes can also read the thoughts of characters we meet. Sound complicated? Well, it is. But it is worth it, trust me.
From the point you get into it onwards, you never want the book to end. It is beautiful yet dark, thought-provoking, and tear jerking. I spent much time reading with my mouth agap, so filled with wonder was it. The characters were amazing: dynamic and heartbreakingly human.
Even months after finishing this book I can't let go of it. The Spear Cuts Through Water will stay in my heart forever.
June 23, 2023
What a magical experience!
This book. Magical. Beautiful on so many levels, even though much of the story is bleak.
The inner lives of the characters and insights received from the thoughts of other personages populating the story (dead and alive!) is what makes this novel so deeply moving.
I will definitely be reading Jimenez’ other novel and his future books will be auto buys.
I have little time for eye-reading these days, so I bought the ebook and audiobook bundle through Amazon. I did listen to it, and the narrator is fantastic, but I am glad I had the ebook as well. I had a look at the structure, which while done so well by the narrator, is still worth seeing.
This book. Magical. Beautiful on so many levels, even though much of the story is bleak.
The inner lives of the characters and insights received from the thoughts of other personages populating the story (dead and alive!) is what makes this novel so deeply moving.
I will definitely be reading Jimenez’ other novel and his future books will be auto buys.
I have little time for eye-reading these days, so I bought the ebook and audiobook bundle through Amazon. I did listen to it, and the narrator is fantastic, but I am glad I had the ebook as well. I had a look at the structure, which while done so well by the narrator, is still worth seeing.
June 15, 2023
what the hell did I just read..........
(Simon Jimenez is so good of a writer that I cried over his acknowledgments like can we please not do this for the sake of my dignity. please.)
4.5 stars? 5 stars?? again?? rtc
(Simon Jimenez is so good of a writer that I cried over his acknowledgments like can we please not do this for the sake of my dignity. please.)
4.5 stars? 5 stars?? again?? rtc
// buddy read with melanie <3
April 25, 2024
an incredible read that will stick with me for a while. genuinely, my only complaint is with the writing; while i did like it (each sentence was crafted with such care and precision and just resonated with raw emotion, and i did read almost every single word with no regrets. and i also just have to mention how brilliant the usage of italics was — the emotion it conveyed added so much and was just pure genius) and it's simply an ingenious way to tell a story, the plot was too simple for me to fully enjoy the writing since it made the book feel much longer than necessary. anyways, absolutely nothing i say will do this book justice — it's truly unlike anything i've ever read before.
honestly, for me this book was actually a solid 4-star, and then at the climax it was 5-stars, and then at the end it felt like a 4-star again, but fuck it i'm giving this 5 stars because i fear i may never get over this.
honestly, for me this book was actually a solid 4-star, and then at the climax it was 5-stars, and then at the end it felt like a 4-star again, but fuck it i'm giving this 5 stars because i fear i may never get over this.
June 6, 2023
I've just seen that I never wrote a proper review here. And of course now too much time has passed for my cheese brain.
So I keep it simple: I re-read the book the moment I finished it, which happened perhaps 3 times in my reading life so far. It was the best book of last year by far and one of the best Fantasy books I have ever read.
It is a work of art, skillfully playing with first, second and third person POVs, merging dream and reality. Presenting a play within a play and even in its most gruesome descriptions (and there are several of those) it always possesses a poetic beauty that matches little I've read so far.
A masterpiece.
So I keep it simple: I re-read the book the moment I finished it, which happened perhaps 3 times in my reading life so far. It was the best book of last year by far and one of the best Fantasy books I have ever read.
It is a work of art, skillfully playing with first, second and third person POVs, merging dream and reality. Presenting a play within a play and even in its most gruesome descriptions (and there are several of those) it always possesses a poetic beauty that matches little I've read so far.
A masterpiece.
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