Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

20 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Here’s the thing: I can tell this is a wonderful book, but I just couldn’t pay attention. The characters did not click for me, and the structure was difficult to understand via audiobook. I also think, half of the middle section could have been cut out. 

The setting was vivid and complex, the characters, diverse, and the plot mysterious. But overall, not for me. 

I wouldn’t say no to trying it again in print, we will see. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Okay, so this is one of the best books I've ever read. Granted, I just finished it, so I'm sure I'll come up with criticisms at some point. However, anything I expected to have a problem with while I was reading ended up getting wrapped up by the end. 

The book even calls the reader out at one point. Early on in the story, the frame character's lola says that the book is a love story. Then, at the end, Keema and Jun supposedly die. I was really disappointed! It just went into geneology of how the spear got into the frame narrator's hands. I spend the whole time skimming and mourning the supposed love story. But then the moonlit body literally says that "you" are unsatisfied. And it shows what happened to Keema and Jun, that they didn't die, and I was like wtf! I *was* unsatisfied and no longer am; it's true!


I can't think of something I didn't love about this book. The way that it's written is so interesting. The worldbuilding felt so complete. I felt less like I was reading a story and more like I was reading a history book from another world. In the best possible way. I love how the author took the time to explain little details, stuff that might not have mattered narratively but really helped the reader understand the nature of the world we stepped into. One of my favorite stylistic decisions was
how we would randomly hear the thoughts of people the characters encountered. When they received the Moon's power and were able to hear everyone's inner monologues, it didn't come out of nowhere because we had been able to do that the whole time!
That was so freaking cool to me.

The way things were described were just beautiful. Even the grisly parts were in their own way. It was such vivid imagery, and I ate it up truly. God, and the relationship between Keema and Jun was written so well. It evolved so naturally considering who they were and how they came together. Absolutely masterful work

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-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: No

I am at a loss of words to describe this book. I haven't read a book this good since...I don't even know.
I feel something moved inside me. 

I will absolutely check out the author's other book(s) 


Wow. 
Just wow. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-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: No

I am utterly speechless. This is the best thing I ever read

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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: Complicated

I read this and then immediately started the audio book. I felt completely immersed in this story. I enjoyed the constant back and forth between 3 perspectives. I also found it interesting that as much violence as there was, I could find empathy with the worst of the abusers. It was also a unique experience for every single character, background included, to have a voice. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Wow, just wow. Once in a life time books. I hope they study this, I’m sure they will. Had such an intense feeling of déjà vu, when reading this. Very spiritual about stories- should I tell Morgan about this book? Yeah I’m probably going to. “We have such raw power to tell our own story.”  changed how I view the world. I didn’t find the switches confusing, sometimes we just don’t know a whole story and we never will. Like the story of how Keema lost his arm, “believe whatever lie you want.” And when the pieces do fit into place it made me gasp and sit on the edge of my seat. Was I lost for the first 50 % yes. Did I need to read lots of summaries? Yes. Was it low stakes? Yes. But sometimes it just be goofy. Maybe the story doesn’t make sense, what important is that it’s told at all. I was trying to figure out so the moon is mom and wife? Ewwwwwwww. But I’m sure myths did that before. Kronos did that. Eating people?? Ewwwww. But hey not every part is right.not every part is nice. Not every part makes sense. And that’s the point. Loved this book so much! Lessons I have learned will live on in my spiritual life. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings