A poetically written fantasy following the epic journey of a band of misfits to save the kingdom. Uniquely styled as a story within a story, with a focus on family, identity and duty. Imaginative and clever, although the writing style added so many extra pages to the book it started it feel like a slog to get to the end.

— 4.5 stars rounded up for sheer ambition and unparalleled originality.

When you’re forced to begin your review with “I don’t even know what to say, just read this” you’re either a really bad reviewer because duh- or the book you’re reviewing really is one of those comes-along-once-a-year reads that are just that hard to describe. I think of myself as a pretty ample reviewer, so I’ll cut myself some slack here and shift the entire blame on the genius that is Simon Jimenez. I don’t think there is any single book out there quite like THIS one.

So maybe, instead of saying “I have no words”, I shall say “compels you to experience emotions which you lack the vocabulary to describe”.

Yes, I could tell you about the basic premise of this; I could tell you how this set simultaneously very long ago and very far ahead, taking place in a fictional Asian-inspired land whose inhabitants have for years been suffering under the terror reign of the dynasty of the Moon Throne as represented by the Emperor and his three sons, the Terrors. I could tell you that it’s about two young warriors, both a disgrace in the eyes of the empire, who must bring a lost god across the country to restore her power and help end the terror reign once and for all. And all this would still not even give you an idea of what it’s like to read this novel.

Written in a non-linear way and told through multiple different narrative perspectives mimicking oral storytelling, Jimenez tells an Achillean story, filled with burning longing and of a whole people’s desire to live again, through three narrative structures, carefully interwoven and superimposed on each other. In essence a story within a story within a story, this fable’s layers unfurl like flowers; the narrator and his storyteller Lola representing the outermost layer, the narrator’s dream of visiting a theatre under the sea, where a play is performed, representing the next layer, and finally, the main narrative of the two young warriors whose story IS the play the narrator is watching.

Additional thoughts from almost every person/group/people who appear in the story find their way into the narrative, their voices represented by first-person POV sentences embedded in cursive in the main text. It’s certainly not an easy balance to keep: Jimenez knows this and demands his readers pay attention. When you do, the reward is great.

There is something about this high-fantasy tightrope walk in all its grandeur, spectacularity, its utter originality, and unhinged insanity to go big big big, that makes it clear a story such as this one could have only been penned by a queer author. Maybe it’s the ability to think across boundaries and borders, maybe it’s the kind of being-shoved-outside-the-box you are forced to live in in our world, but there is magic in this that could only have come from a LGBTQIA+ mind. I wouldn’t hesitate to ascribe the reason Keema and Jun’s relationship feels so organic to the author’s sexuality. Their mutual yearning, the disabled boy’s longing for a touch, a hug, for intimacy found outside monetary means, the warrior son’s yearning for human connection not tainted with blood, sweat, and tears, well up through the pages like wet ink.

Not only an ode to storytelling and intergenerational family structures, but to the story of overlooked peoples too, Jimenez handles the topic of disability representation thoughtfully, respectfully, and without ever patronising his disabled characters. Keema moves through a society in which a missing left arm is seen as bad luck, so much so that people are afraid of accidentally touching him lest they “catch” his bad luck. At no point in the book does he either truly wish to be “healed”, nor is he “magically saved” from living with a disability. When a character comments on his “incompleteness” due to his missing arm, his response is “I am whole”, which is such a small moment that speaks such volumes.

There are definitely trigger warnings to consider before picking this up (I went into this knowing nothing about the plot, and I LOVED that for me), such as cannibalism, massive gore, torture, body horror, animal death, and more, but I personally thought Jimenez wielded these (unlike other known authors) so skilfully and used them to contribute to the plot rather than distract from it, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.

Given that this novel is so far from the fast fashion writing and publishing trend we’re currently experiencing and thus not written for mass appeal, this won’t be for every reader out there, but I am confident that most readers who DO pick this up will find themselves a changed person afterwards.

As always, thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

🎬 After reading this, you should watch that: Nimona (2023)

ORIGINAL REVIEW: — 4.5 i don’t even know what to say

The first quarter of this book I was pretty lost. It's not easy to get into and I had to trust the process, but I'm so glad I did. Such a unique story and in the end I loved the complexity and the way it was all interwoven. Just a beautiful book and one that I think will linger with me for a while. Very grateful to have received an e-arc of this from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my review.

Super interesting magic system, and the whole novel feels refreshing and original in the genre space. The ghost dream theater frame/side narrative was especially pleasing, as were the turtles.

Also nice to see two very well rounded male characters being so open with their feelings and working through their damage - "dudes rock" was my husband's whole review. The stories plaited together satisfyingly and overall this was a joy.

The Spear Cuts through Water is one of the most uniquely creative books I have ever come across. The writing is an artwork in itself but unfortunately this was what prevented me from being able to finish this book as I found the language held my complete focus and took me away from the story. This is absolutely a me problem! I have no doubt that many readers will be able to enjoy the magic that is the reading experience of this book.

Without a doubt one of the best books I've ever read. Simon Jimenes is a writing genius, and I do not say that lightly.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I enjoyed this one! I was at first a bit thrown by the unusual writing style, but I soon fell right in. There is quite a lot of graphic gore/horror in this, so bear that in mind when deciding to pick this one up! The story itself is beautifully written, and very immersive. One thing that I really liked that is the accounts of what happens after the main plot is resolved. Not many fantasy books do this, but for me it really helps with the immersion and makes for a much more satisfying ending. Highly recommend reading this if you are looking for an epic fantasy that's a bit different!

An epic story, told in so many ways and with so many meta-levels, that at times I was sure I would not be able to get to the end. It reminded me of everything from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the Luisiads via the Odyssey. Beautiful, difficult but very beautiful.

Uno storia epica, raccontata in talmente tanti modi e con talmente tanti metalivelli, che a volte ero certa non sarei riuscita ad arrivare in fondo. Mi ha ricordato di tutto, da l'epopea di Gilgamesh alle Luisiadi passando per l'Odissea. Bello, difficile ma molto bello.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

certainly imaginative and vividly rendered, this is the type of novel were storytelling itself takes the centrespace which certainly pays-off in terms of the novel's story-within-story framework but the characters themselves feel secondary to it all.

This book is completely insane in the best way possible.

The story about the downfall of an empire told to you by a fallen goddess who constantly gets interrupted by the spirits of the background characters.
Not gonna lie the first 10% were confusing as fuck but then everything came together until around 60% when everything made sense with the established rules but also everything goes crazy but in a very satisfying and fun way. Content Warning for cannibalism - If you think eating gods is cannibalism I guess.

Multiple timelines are interweaved in a way that is confusing at first but with such a good payoff.

The Lore of this world is beautiful and complex, as are the characters that inhibit it.

What the author does with words and the use of different POVs (First, second and third Person usage) is incredible and absolutely breathtaking and there were multiple moments where I went "Thats sooo smart"

Just read this book If you like hero stories even in the slightest!

This is an epic tale that takes place over 5 days. It's a story within a story, unveiling itself as a play performed in a spirit realm outside of time and place. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Keema and Jun as they take part in their hero's journey across the land.

All of the characters felt well developed and fleshed out, their motivations and struggles felt realistic. The villains were also enjoyable to read, each of them vile in their own way, definetly not for the faint of heart!

I liked the snippets of thought that were interspersed from background characters not involved in the main storyline, especially when they spoke to the struggle of the everyday workers that built and propped up the empire, a perspective that is often missing in epic fantasies.

The world building was really comprehensive and immersive, I haven't read a story with this kind of setting before but I really loved it and feel like it will stick with me.

The length is on the longer side, but I didn't mind because It allowed for even pacing throughout the story, and I love that it's a stand alone novel.

The only thing I was slightly let down by was the epilogue which I felt focused too much on a lineage I didn't really care about and the politics of what happened after. I also wished, maybe unrealistically, for there to be more of a popular uprising than there was.

It would become a thing he could return to in his mind when he pleased, elaborating on the details, giving life to the still image, and in this way it would become his, for this was the fate of all fantasy.

This is the tale of your land, And the spear that cut through.
This is the tale of the stolen Moon known as the god Empress, and Her journey to reclaim Her country. Accompanied by a broken tortoise, an ex-mercenary with only one arm following a prophecy to deliver a spear, and a masked prince's son at cross-purposes, they set off on a doomed expedition chased by the First Terror and his brigade.

Jimenez utilises unconventional writing styles to convey fables, morals, and beauty.
Her use of meta-narrative was wondrous to experience as a literature nerd and student. A story told within a dream of a play taking place on the stage of the Inverted Theatre interlaced with stories from the narrator’s childhood. It sounds complicated, but is utterly immersive.

The use of italics to include insertions of whatever and whoever other than the main narrator (ghosts, animals, random bystanders), may seem strange, but demonstrates how our feelings about life and what is worth our attention differs from person to person.
It also emphasises the idea that much is happening, just out of our sight.

“This one does not need to be told how to see the world."

Why wasn’t this five stars as seems to be the consensus?
I just was absolutely blown away. I wasn’t left heartbroken. Left going oompf.
I loved the unique storytelling style and think I’ve been convinced to pick up The Vanished Birds by her. Yet, I think I just wanted something slightly more.

Also, expect cannibalism. A love story. Yearning. Heartbreak. A spear that cuts through the tale. A spear that cuts through water.

If you enjoyed this, for some reason, I think you would enjoy The Sword of Kaigen or the Dandelion Dynasty.