The Spear Cuts Through Water Paperback – 14 Mar. 2024

I think this might be the best book I’ve ever read. The author tells a thought-provoking and impactful story through many different lenses, dipping into different perspectives in a way that keeps you fully immersed but also makes you feel beyond omnipresent. It is a boldly unique way of presenting a story in many different aspects and I absolutely loved it. Every part of the book feels purposeful and intricately detailed. The author has a masterful grasp of the art of writing and it was joyous to witness. This is the sort of book that I will think about whenever there is a lull in the bonbardment of everyday life.

The storytelling will enchant you and pull you into its' unique narrative, whilst its tale explores love, identity, legacy and belonging.The Spear Cuts Through Water is one of the most unique fantasy reads I think I've ever read. It's writing style beautifully mimics oral storytelling and honestly gives the vibes of hearing a tale from your parents, who heard it from their parents. It's a tale filled with layers, and timelines from the time of the origin of the myth being told to "present" day and the descendants learning about the land they had to leave.

Ancient folklore, meets dreamstate, meets real life and its mundane heartbrake and dissapointments.But much more of the first two which makes it a lot more fun. Shocking at times, very refreshing, not really like anything else I've read and one I will not forget.

Daringly different and beautifully written. Unfortunately, I did not find the plot or the characters very interesting.

A rare novel encompassing myth and modernism that flowed whilst constantly keeping you guessing about where it was going. Excellent writing and storytelling.

This writer can WRITE and they are writing something NEW.This book doesn't have a hooky start. Rather there is a slow immersion into the story. But the publisher released a long sample and if you're not entirely engrossed by the end of that the book probably isn't for you.I can't compare it to other books, it's too original but I feel strongly that a lot of fantasy readers, from all different sub genres, would love this. Because it is has so many layers there is something for everyone. Terrible dark things happen but it is never depressing. There is always beauty, love and hope to lift it. But neither is it filtered through rose colored lenses. There is a realism, a grit to the characters reactions. Even things I might shy away from like multi POV are executed so well and with such clear intention that it feels like the only choice.Writing style, unique and absolutely beautiful.World building, superb, feels like a real myth.Characters, excellent, the main characters are great but the author has a talent for making even minor characters memorable.Plot had no idea what was going to happen. Every time we were on a typical story beat, something entirely unexpected would happen.This is as near to a perfect book as humans are capable of. I LOVE it.

Surreal storytelling.The writing flows beautifully just as thoughts in the mind often do giving this book a dream like quality.Multifaceted and clever.Among the gore, torture and death there is love, yearning and tender characters. I enjoyed the romance and connections the characters make.The characters are whole.The changing narratives meant I was never fully immersed. This is a book I think I will have to re-read at some point when I have no distractions and can just be.Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Expertly and excitingly written, playing with the perspective of the reader in ways I have never seen before.And yes, it really was a love story.