sunjaybooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
5.0
This book has it all! Gender, family trauma, psychic tortoises, ableism, gay sex, moral ambiguity, genocide, the broad scope of history, magic and myth. It's beautifully written and also deeply deeply violent and yet still humanistic in its portrayal of the aggressors, victims, and all the morally ambiguous people in between.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Excrement, War, Ableism, Alcoholism, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Classism, Self harm, Suicide, and Genocide
2treads's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
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? No
5.0
"This place, which lies between your world and the next, is the theater where stories like yours are told" — This moonlit body
Jimenez's The Spear Cuts Through Water is a testament and tribute to oral storytelling and all its complexities. This story incorporates the grandness that lies within a tale being told to the reader and main character alike. Where animals have central roles and play their part in pushing the plot forward and even the smallest character has their own time on the page leaving a mark in the weaving of a sweeping tapestry.
In a land where power and fear is used to secure a kingdom and tribute, a one-armed warrior is swept up in the theatre of betrayal, murder, escape, and rebellion.
I do believe I would have struggled to read this physically, not being able to give another book any attention, but the narrator infuses the story and each character with such control and animation that the listening experience unfolded like a play. I could pick out the influences of puppet shows, stage work, word of mouth retellings, familial memory and recall.
Jimenez's The Spear Cuts Through Water is a testament and tribute to oral storytelling and all its complexities. This story incorporates the grandness that lies within a tale being told to the reader and main character alike. Where animals have central roles and play their part in pushing the plot forward and even the smallest character has their own time on the page leaving a mark in the weaving of a sweeping tapestry.
In a land where power and fear is used to secure a kingdom and tribute, a one-armed warrior is swept up in the theatre of betrayal, murder, escape, and rebellion.
I do believe I would have struggled to read this physically, not being able to give another book any attention, but the narrator infuses the story and each character with such control and animation that the listening experience unfolded like a play. I could pick out the influences of puppet shows, stage work, word of mouth retellings, familial memory and recall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Forced institutionalization, and Violence
Minor: Classism
boglord's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
(Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Spoiler Free Summary: “You” are pulled out of your day to day world and into the Inverted Theater, carrying only memories of your lola’s stories, and a spear that has been passed down for generations. The show? The 5 day journey of Keema of the Daware Tribe and Jun the Red Peacock as they cross the country carrying precious cargo and running from the Terrors of a crumbling empire. Along the way, they must contend with a magic like they’ve never seen before, talking telepathic tortoises, the unbearable pressure of family and legacy, and the very Rhythm of the World itself.
Where do I even start with this book?
First of all, I loved it. The book takes its reader through dreams, into a magical theater, across countries, into the spirit world and out again. It spans lifetimes but also only five days. It’s language is lyrical and poetic but also incredibly blunt, gory, and gruesome. Its genre bending in its style, use of multiple perspectives and constant shifting through time and space, but also solidly Epic Fantasy in nature. And I was hooked with every page. The characters are tragic but joyful through so many terrible things that happen to them. It is a love story.
However, it may not be for everyone! That isn’t even necessarily a bad thing; this book knows who it’s ideal audience is. The “chapters” read more like sections or Books within the book itself. If you are the kind of reader who likes to finish a chapter before setting the book down, be prepared for long stretches of reading. The story itself is intricate and can sometimes be confusing! Because the point of view can change at a moments notice between paragraphs (and even sometimes in the middle of a sentence), it took me a moment to settle into the writing while also paying attention to who’s thought I was hearing. After the first fourth of the book however, it became natural to hear the important passing thoughts of those our main character pass during their journey—it fleshed out the world and made every experience in the Smiling Sun’s empire all the more real. That being said, definitely confusing at times!
Overall, this book touched me deeply. I admit to crying at least twice while reading this book. The themes of family, legacy, redemption, and love were poignant and left me thinking every time I managed to put the book down. If you are looking for a rollercoaster of a book that will never go the direction you think it will, I highly recommend this upcoming release!!
Spoiler Free Summary: “You” are pulled out of your day to day world and into the Inverted Theater, carrying only memories of your lola’s stories, and a spear that has been passed down for generations. The show? The 5 day journey of Keema of the Daware Tribe and Jun the Red Peacock as they cross the country carrying precious cargo and running from the Terrors of a crumbling empire. Along the way, they must contend with a magic like they’ve never seen before, talking telepathic tortoises, the unbearable pressure of family and legacy, and the very Rhythm of the World itself.
Where do I even start with this book?
First of all, I loved it. The book takes its reader through dreams, into a magical theater, across countries, into the spirit world and out again. It spans lifetimes but also only five days. It’s language is lyrical and poetic but also incredibly blunt, gory, and gruesome. Its genre bending in its style, use of multiple perspectives and constant shifting through time and space, but also solidly Epic Fantasy in nature. And I was hooked with every page. The characters are tragic but joyful through so many terrible things that happen to them. It is a love story.
However, it may not be for everyone! That isn’t even necessarily a bad thing; this book knows who it’s ideal audience is. The “chapters” read more like sections or Books within the book itself. If you are the kind of reader who likes to finish a chapter before setting the book down, be prepared for long stretches of reading. The story itself is intricate and can sometimes be confusing! Because the point of view can change at a moments notice between paragraphs (and even sometimes in the middle of a sentence), it took me a moment to settle into the writing while also paying attention to who’s thought I was hearing. After the first fourth of the book however, it became natural to hear the important passing thoughts of those our main character pass during their journey—it fleshed out the world and made every experience in the Smiling Sun’s empire all the more real. That being said, definitely confusing at times!
Overall, this book touched me deeply. I admit to crying at least twice while reading this book. The themes of family, legacy, redemption, and love were poignant and left me thinking every time I managed to put the book down. If you are looking for a rollercoaster of a book that will never go the direction you think it will, I highly recommend this upcoming release!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Emotional abuse, Murder, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Excrement, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Incest
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