Reviews with content warning for Animal death - The Spear Cuts Through Water

Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez

115 reviews

ren_the_hobbit's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I did like this book. The way it’s written, it felt like I was really there for the whole play. It’s just one of those books that’s all vibes and not as much plot and that’s not my thing. But beautiful imagery and creative way of telling the story.

Content Warnings

black_cat_iiix's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious 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

Content Warnings

random19379's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-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

Content Warnings

babewiththepower's review against another edition

5.0

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.

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takarakeireads's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional 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

The storytelling style is very unique and unlike anything I've read before. You'll know by the first ~50 pages whether it's for you or it's not. I will say I would not recommend reading this exclusively on audiobook because there aren't really chapters, the pov changes frequently, and there are interjections from random people that are just italicized to indicate their thoughts. The physical text, the way it's printed helps a lot with comprehending what's going on. Despite all of that once I got into a rhythm with the unique style of storytelling I did get used to it and even enjoy it.

However, I did feel like this book really leaned on that storytelling style and there were some things lacking from the world building. I don't enjoy when magic isn't really explained (like being a god just gives you ultimate power? ok...well that's kinda lazy imo). The pacing of the plot is also a little all over the place. It meanders in parts, but then has really great sections that are super engaging. The final 'conflict' really did kinda throw me for a loop which I think came back to a bit of lacking in the world building and it felt like we got a lot of explanations at the end because they had to be included for it to remotely make sense.

I did really enjoy our central two characters Keema & Jun, and their journey/relationship. So the very very end resolution with them was satisfying.

Overall I'm glad I read it for the experience! I don't think this book is for everyone, but is worth a try if you're looking for a really unique standalone fantasy.

Content Warnings

chelly_reads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

Content Warnings

gbeene's review against another edition

2.5

adventurous challenging dark 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

very, very beautiful writing style, but quite difficult to fully understand and process. I loved the pov. parts of the story were really fast paced, while others felt like a terrible slog. tw: graphic cannibalism

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hamstringy's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional fast-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

Absolutely singular experience. This book demands your full focus and it rewards you so much. I have never read a book structured like this—the usage of POV and its wholehearted dedication to performance and rhythm push it into a league of its own. I think Keema and Jun’s ending scenes will live in my heart for a while—I hope forever.

Content Warnings