Scan barcode
A review by titalindaslibrary
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Genuinely upset this doesn't have more recognition and awards.
Vibes: Studio Ghibli meets Game of Thrones in a stunning display of masterful storytelling.
How does one wake up from a dream and describe it adequately? I did not realize it was possible to use writing in such a way, and I fear I will be forever chasing this feeling Jimenez has gifted us. This book simultaneously sent me into a reading slump and took me out of it. Honestly I do not feel smart enough to properly share how intricate this story is...but for the sake of getting more people to pick it up, I’ll do my best!
The Spear Cuts Through Water is a nesting doll of stories, inviting the reader to attend the Inverted Theater where we experience this book through the audience, the actors, gods, and more. I’ve never read a book that executed using first, second, AND third person narratives so seamlessly, and I felt a sense of awe watching it all unfold.
While I’ve read and loved many fantasy books, this one blows everything away in terms of craft, technique, and narration. It’s a love letter to folklore, oral traditions, queer love, and complex family dynamics. It’s tender, romantic, violent, gory, and incredibly human. It is a masterpiece.
Several trusted reviewers have made thoughtful comparisons to Studio Ghibli, and it’s true! This would make a beautiful transition to Miyazaki’s work, which speaks to the quality of story and magic contained within.
I recommend hybrid reading this with the audiobook because the narrator is INCREDIBLE! It might help with all the POV jumps that I noticed other reviewers felt frustrated by. And a pro tip: listen to the Princess Mononoke soundtrack if you’re reading on print. It’s a transcendent experience 🤩
Vibes: Studio Ghibli meets Game of Thrones in a stunning display of masterful storytelling.
How does one wake up from a dream and describe it adequately? I did not realize it was possible to use writing in such a way, and I fear I will be forever chasing this feeling Jimenez has gifted us. This book simultaneously sent me into a reading slump and took me out of it. Honestly I do not feel smart enough to properly share how intricate this story is...but for the sake of getting more people to pick it up, I’ll do my best!
The Spear Cuts Through Water is a nesting doll of stories, inviting the reader to attend the Inverted Theater where we experience this book through the audience, the actors, gods, and more. I’ve never read a book that executed using first, second, AND third person narratives so seamlessly, and I felt a sense of awe watching it all unfold.
While I’ve read and loved many fantasy books, this one blows everything away in terms of craft, technique, and narration. It’s a love letter to folklore, oral traditions, queer love, and complex family dynamics. It’s tender, romantic, violent, gory, and incredibly human. It is a masterpiece.
Several trusted reviewers have made thoughtful comparisons to Studio Ghibli, and it’s true! This would make a beautiful transition to Miyazaki’s work, which speaks to the quality of story and magic contained within.
I recommend hybrid reading this with the audiobook because the narrator is INCREDIBLE! It might help with all the POV jumps that I noticed other reviewers felt frustrated by. And a pro tip: listen to the Princess Mononoke soundtrack if you’re reading on print. It’s a transcendent experience 🤩