After reading The Vanished Birds in 2020, I was excited to see what author Simon Jimenez would come up with next, so it was an easy decision to pick up The Spear Cuts Through Water. Though I rarely read fantasy written for adults, I took a chance on a story that was described as an epic fantasy adventure.
The Situation: When Jun is tasked with assisting his grandmother on a journey for freedom, he knows it will not be easy. His grandfather insisted on keeping her contained, and Jun knows his actions will disappoint his power-hungry father. But the magnificent - and bloody - escape is only the first of many intense events that will occur over the five-day pilgrimage. And on their way, the grandson and grandmother will encounter and sometimes travel with an ailing tortoise, a previously imprisoned bird, a severed head, and a one-armed man intent on keeping an oath he made to the woman who gave him a home and a job when he had nowhere else to go. The journey will be dangerous and difficult, with little chance of ending well.
The Problem: The trip will prove dangerous because the grandmother happens to be a god, the Moon fallen to Earth to be exact, attempting to escape her three sons, known in the land they rule as the Three Terrors. As powerful as she is, she knows she cannot outrun the sons that chase after her, even with Jun's help. But she is determined to end the rule of the Moon Throne, which she initially helped bring about. Each day brings new dangers, new side missions, but also new allies, as the group embarks on a mission that becomes more strange and more dangerous the longer it goes. It also does not help that Jun is hated in every land, as he is both a son of the First Terror, and has blood on his hands from his past.
Genre, Themes, History: This book is an epic fantasy initially presented as a story being told by a mother to her son, through a memory. Then it eventually moves to being a performance done on a stage, that the same son is now watching as an adult. Occasionally, the narrative will pause to add more details about the watcher's own story, before returning to the adventure and what new obstacle the Moon, her grandson, and the one-armed warrior must face next. There are beasts that talk; a network of nearly all-seeing tortoises that spread the news; a man who can control others through the power of his words; another who has the head of a wolf; and a good deal of commentary from witnesses who are never named, some of which even died during the events.
My Verdict: This book is perfect for those looking to settle into a story of a long journey full of incredible events and magical creatures. It is an adventure that only spans five days, but more life is lived for those involved in those five days than many have experienced in five years. Readers who pick up fantasy books on a regular basis may love it, and while I enjoyed most of it a great deal, I only found myself becoming invested after reaching the last 100 pages or so (the book clocks in at over 500 pages). I am not entirely sure if I was simply excited to be near the end, but something changed in the story for me at that point, making the adventure more engaging and interesting. The book certainly is not lacking in imagination and creativity, and nearly every thread is followed through to the end.
Favorite Moment: When the Third Terror makes his appearance, his circumstances are so fascinating - as well as horrifying - that I wish the reader had been allowed to stay in that environment a little while longer, despite how dreadful and grim it is.
Favorite Character: Keema is the one-armed outcast that joins the adventure, albeit for his own reasons, be he proves to be essential despite his limitations.
Recommended Reading: Jimenez's previous book, The Vanished Birds, is more science fiction than fantasy, and also much shorter. But I recall it being full of as much adventure and detail as this one.
No comments:
Post a Comment