A review by claragweny
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

adventurous challenging mysterious tense slow-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

5.0

“This is a love story to its blade-dented bone.”

If this book is what 5/5 is for me then I may need to reevaluate every other rating I’ve given. While it took me several months to get back and finish this book, I can’t even remember why I paused reading in the first place. The Spear Cuts Through Water is such a vivid and lush story. We follow Jun and Keema along in this tragically violent, beautiful, mysterious, and magical world. But it’s also a moving picture of repressed desire, queerness, and disability. Truly, truly gorgeous. That ending had silent tears running down my cheeks. I think Jimenez may have written what will one day be known as a fantasy classic. 

Note: This is likely a difficult read if you are inexperienced with a second person narrative or frequent narrative switching. The audiobook is GREAT and I highly recommend it.  But I think having an ebook or physical copy to follow along with is a good idea.

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