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The Spear Cuts Through Water

A Novel

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The Spear Cuts Through Water

Written by: Simon Jimenez
Narrated by: Joel de la Fuente
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About this listen

Two warriors shepherd an ancient god across a broken land to end the tyrannical reign of a royal family in this epic fantasy from the author of The Vanished Birds.

“A beguiling fantasy not to be missed.”—Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game

WINNER OF THE IAFA CRAWFORD AWARD WINNER OF THE BRITISH FANTASY AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE URSULA K. LE GUIN AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE IGNYTE AWARD

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR:
Oprah Daily, Vulture, Polygon, She Reads, Gizmodo, Kirkus Reviews, The Quill to Live

The people suffer under the centuries-long rule of the Moon Throne. The royal family—the despotic emperor and his monstrous sons, the Three Terrors—hold the countryside in their choking grip. They bleed the land and oppress the citizens with the frightful powers they inherited from the god locked under their palace.

But that god cannot be contained forever.

With the aid of Jun, a guard broken by his guilt-stricken past, and Keema, an outcast fighting for his future, the god escapes from her royal captivity and flees from her own children, the triplet Terrors who would drag her back to her unholy prison. And so it is that she embarks with her young companions on a five-day pilgrimage in search of freedom—and a way to end the Moon Throne forever. The journey ahead will be more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

Both a sweeping adventure story and an intimate exploration of identity, legacy, and belonging, The Spear Cuts Through Water is an ambitious and profound saga that will transport and transform you—and is like nothing you’ve ever read before.

©2021 Simon Jimenez (P)2021 Random House Audio
Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Royalty

What the critics say

“The Spear Cuts Through Water is many, many things. It’s a spellbinding tribute to oral storytelling and folklore. It’s a thoughtful exploration of identity and family. But more than anything, The Spear Cuts Through Water is a love story, and one unlike anything you’ve read before.”—Polygon “Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Books of 2022”

“[The Spear Cuts Through Water] is a marvel. Jimenez’s command of prose and playfulness of thought is used to incredible effect to show how oral traditions can transform a tale. This book must be read to be believed.”Vulture

The Spear Cuts Through Water is remarkably rich. . . . This novel is an astonishing feat, one that lovers of sophisticated story won’t want to miss.”—Chicago Review of Books

All stars
Most relevant
Now that I've finished this book I'm still not sure where I stand with it. I saw many reviews on book tok raving about this book, so I purchased it. The narrator was fantastic and for me, it was the narrator that made this book worth listening to. The story itself, read for the most part as if it were a play on a stage, is about two young men and there journey of self discovery and redemption, while trying to save the aging empress, who is also a goddess and the moon. Like I said, a strange tale. I can't really say that I liked it or disliked it, it was just strange. If you like strange then it will be right up your alley.

A strange take

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what a performance. a mood, in and of itself. well-crafted. will probably think about it for a while

fascinating storytelling method

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I can't remember the last time a book left me breathless. it's tied up nicely and though I wish to know more to visit the inverted theater myself. I am throughly satisfied with this story.

breathless

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author uses purple prose, different povs, story frame device, and switches first second and third tende, to confuse reader into thinking it has a deep message. if he told it simple and straight, would anyone like it?

great introduction then flowery prose

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I was a bit bored listening to this one. Not my cup of tea. Also not really a romance

A bit boring

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Quite possibly the best fantasy novel of the last 40 years. Absolutely blown away by this book.

Stunning

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A lot of people have been recommending this, and usually with some caveats about the writing style.

I listened to this while reading the e-book, and the narrators performance definitely helps make some of the stranger quirks more understandable.

The story is singular, emotional, beautiful, and disturbing. It will stick with me forever, I think.

Unusually amazing

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Did not finish. Narration is dry, plot and style is unfocused. Three graphic depictions of defecation in the first half alone... I found myself dreading the moments where I usually listen to audiobooks and eventually unconsciously started preferring music.

Thats a lot of shit!

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This style is hard to follow for one. You can’t tell when something is said in someone’s head or out loud. I really didn’t like the constant changing of prospective. The overly flowery descriptions get tiresome. The story itself was interesting but not worth it. Last the narrator was mediocre.

I really didn’t like the writing style

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