Sounds like a must read for me! “Playing jazz with the fantasy genre” - I’m in. I do have a copy of the book thanks to Evie, but I won’t be able to read it until later this year. Thank you for the excellent review, Johanna!
Thank you, Philip! I think you would love the innovative things Jimenez does with storytelling but in a modern way. You'd probably get to use all those fancy terms A.P. uses, which I should've looked up before doing this review. 😅
I've been looking forward to this review for a while. I adored this book and I can't wait to reread it. Love the different pronouns and shift in diagetic levels and PoV switches as well as the love story, world, and that gorgeous prose
This seems like a super creative book that Jimenez has crafted. Great job laying this out! It seems like a book that is pretty hard to talk about spoiler free.
Reminds you of the Neverending Story?! You could have just said that! But I'm glad you said more, cause this sounds so interesting. I love intertextual stories within stories like the Princess Bride - that make the reader feel included - and then throw in trippy ideas like smoking apes and telepathic turtles and demon brothers, via a capable writer, and you have a must read.
This review was magnificent! I was already excited to get to this book, but you bumped it even higher up my priority list. It just truly sounds like a once in a lifetime experience, and I love that. Even though it wasn't a complete new favourite for you, I am glad it was still such a solid read. Jimenez is honestly just on another level!
Thank you, Esmay! This book was so well-executed. I had a spoiler-filled discussion with Evie and Sarah yesterday, and my appreciation (which was already high) shot through the roof! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Thank you for the review! I agree about the audiobook - I usually switch between the book and audio, and I found it difficult to follow in audio. I really enjoyed it!
Neat comparison to The Neverending Story. I definitely see that. Also, I'll say that I have friends who had no problem with the "Greek chorus" passages while listening to the audio. They felt the narrator did a good job differentiating them. So yeah, everyone is different.
Thank you! Glad those passages worked via audio for some readers. Agree that everyone is different when it comes to audio. Glad it worked for those friends!
Quite a review right there! I think you've been the most detailed, and as usual in your impressive style of covering of everything on the book. I had purchased the audiobook actually, because I didn't know about the details, so I think I'll wait to get the ebook and do immersive. I have read some books with non-traditionally printed text, and I know they can be difficult in audio only. Great review, thanks!
I own both of his books and planned on supplementing with the audio books, but will skip that now. Thanks for the advice on staying with the written format and looking forward to reading it. Also, will have to circle back to the conversation with Evie, but can’t wait! Thanks, Johanna!
Great review Johanna! I’m reading this now and loving it. I can totally understand having difficulty getting grounded in the story. Playing jazz with fantasy is such a great way to describe this book. Can’t wait to finish and watch you guys spoiler discussion.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this book! I had such a mismatch between my reading experience and how well-written it was.😅 The spoiler discussion added to my appreciation of it. Can’t wait to hear your review!
I think I'm the only person who Evie didn't send this book to ;-) I got it from the library and read it last month. Such a wonderfully unique writing style. First I bought it on audio but had to switch to the kindle version so I agree with your assessment in that regard and other regards too. Great review.
I can't wait to hear what his next book is. This could've easily been written without that framing device, but he's not afraid to take some literary risks. I think I preferred Vanished Birds, but this was wonderful too.
That’s a great point about the framing device. He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long as a story teller, so it offered a good contrast. I also preferred The Vanished Birds, but I wouldn’t argue if someone claimed The Spear is superior.
After watching this video, I read the sample, and got the book. I didn't pick up on this until I was almost done with the sample, but I think Jiménez is trying to emulate theater plays, and dreams to some extent, with the narrative style. When the supporting cast of characters speak in italics, I imagine it to be one of those moments in plays in which either everything goes dark, or the cast freezes. Then, the spotlight falls on the person talking to the audience while all the others remain motionless. I'm not so much a fan of being inserted in the place of a character, though. I don't mind the second person point of view, but I would have prefered to be included in the story as a ghostly presence witnessing the youth, their lola, and the rest of the family. The story captured me, however. And in the end, that's what one is there for.
That's a great point about emulating theater plays! The italicized passages made me think of a chorus in Greek dramas (I know I'm not the only one who had that thought). I can imagine this adapted with that dreamlike, theatrical setup. I completely agree about the 2nd person narration! It was a creative choice, but I think it would’ve worked to make the reader a ghostly presence. I think I did that anyway since I personally didn't feel a strong connection to the “you” character. So glad you enjoyed it!
"Playing Jazz with the Fantasy genres" Ugh I LOVE that description Johanna. This was such an excellent review.
I wanted to put that in the thumbnail, but it didn't fit! 😂 Thank you, my friend! I loved your review as well!
Sounds like a must read for me! “Playing jazz with the fantasy genre” - I’m in. I do have a copy of the book thanks to Evie, but I won’t be able to read it until later this year. Thank you for the excellent review, Johanna!
Thank you, Philip! I think you would love the innovative things Jimenez does with storytelling but in a modern way. You'd probably get to use all those fancy terms A.P. uses, which I should've looked up before doing this review. 😅
I've been looking forward to this review for a while. I adored this book and I can't wait to reread it. Love the different pronouns and shift in diagetic levels and PoV switches as well as the love story, world, and that gorgeous prose
Thank you! Jimenez did an incredible weaving all these narrative layers together. I bet this one would be rewarding to reread!
This seems like a super creative book that Jimenez has crafted. Great job laying this out! It seems like a book that is pretty hard to talk about spoiler free.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad that something so unusual exists in modern-fantasy, especially as a standalone!
Reminds you of the Neverending Story?! You could have just said that! But I'm glad you said more, cause this sounds so interesting. I love intertextual stories within stories like the Princess Bride - that make the reader feel included - and then throw in trippy ideas like smoking apes and telepathic turtles and demon brothers, via a capable writer, and you have a must read.
I would love to hear your thoughts once you finish! It is a wild ride of a book. I hope you enjoy it! 😁
Depth without description?? Sign me up! Second person narration is fascinating, I may need to check this one out!
There are excellent descriptions, but the prose feels like it “moves,” so those passages never bog down the flow of the story. Hope you enjoy it!
The more I hear about this book, the more excited I am to read it! Definitely getting to it this year! Love me some existentialism
I hope you love it! I thought it incorporated an existential tone without being heavy-handed with that perspective.
Hi Johanna. You've put Jimenez on my reading radar now. I'm looking into adding The Vanished Birds to my TBR later this year. Happy reading.
Hi Curt! I hope you enjoy Jimenez’s writing!
This review was magnificent! I was already excited to get to this book, but you bumped it even higher up my priority list. It just truly sounds like a once in a lifetime experience, and I love that. Even though it wasn't a complete new favourite for you, I am glad it was still such a solid read. Jimenez is honestly just on another level!
Thank you, Esmay! This book was so well-executed. I had a spoiler-filled discussion with Evie and Sarah yesterday, and my appreciation (which was already high) shot through the roof! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
@@Johanna_reads Oh I love to hear that! Not surprised that that happened, Evie's passion for this book is so infectious hahah
@@esmayrosalyne It really is! 😄
Thank you for the review! I agree about the audiobook - I usually switch between the book and audio, and I found it difficult to follow in audio. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you, Jessica! Glad you enjoyed the book and were able to access it physically!
This sounds really good. I’m looking forward to getting into it eventually. Thanks for sharing your pros and cons with it.
Thank you, Chas! I hope you enjoy it and would love to hear your thoughts!
Neat comparison to The Neverending Story. I definitely see that. Also, I'll say that I have friends who had no problem with the "Greek chorus" passages while listening to the audio. They felt the narrator did a good job differentiating them. So yeah, everyone is different.
Thank you! Glad those passages worked via audio for some readers. Agree that everyone is different when it comes to audio. Glad it worked for those friends!
A very nice review! You and Evie have convinced me that I should find the time to read it.
Thank you, Mike! It's very different than any modern fantasy I've read. I hope you enjoy it!
@@Johanna_reads thank you! I hope to get to it soon.
Quite a review right there! I think you've been the most detailed, and as usual in your impressive style of covering of everything on the book. I had purchased the audiobook actually, because I didn't know about the details, so I think I'll wait to get the ebook and do immersive. I have read some books with non-traditionally printed text, and I know they can be difficult in audio only. Great review, thanks!
I'm so glad you found the review helpful! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one. Happy reading!
Awesome review! I'm not quite done yet, but am enjoying it very much. Looking forward to the discussion!
Thank you, Jarrod! Hope you enjoy the rest of the book!
I own both of his books and planned on supplementing with the audio books, but will skip that now. Thanks for the advice on staying with the written format and looking forward to reading it.
Also, will have to circle back to the conversation with Evie, but can’t wait! Thanks, Johanna!
I'm glad that was helpful! I hope you enjoy The Spear Cuts Through Water!
Great review Johanna! I’m reading this now and loving it. I can totally understand having difficulty getting grounded in the story. Playing jazz with fantasy is such a great way to describe this book. Can’t wait to finish and watch you guys spoiler discussion.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this book! I had such a mismatch between my reading experience and how well-written it was.😅 The spoiler discussion added to my appreciation of it. Can’t wait to hear your review!
I really loved The Vanished Birds and look forward to reading this one. Did you have a preference between his two books?
I preferred The Vanished Birds, but I could understand this being the favorite choice for most readers!
I think I'm the only person who Evie didn't send this book to ;-) I got it from the library and read it last month. Such a wonderfully unique writing style. First I bought it on audio but had to switch to the kindle version so I agree with your assessment in that regard and other regards too. Great review.
I’m so glad you were able to access it through your library! Jimenez really is extraordinary. Thank you so much!
I can't wait to hear what his next book is. This could've easily been written without that framing device, but he's not afraid to take some literary risks.
I think I preferred Vanished Birds, but this was wonderful too.
That’s a great point about the framing device. He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long as a story teller, so it offered a good contrast. I also preferred The Vanished Birds, but I wouldn’t argue if someone claimed The Spear is superior.
After watching this video, I read the sample, and got the book.
I didn't pick up on this until I was almost done with the sample, but I think Jiménez is trying to emulate theater plays, and dreams to some extent, with the narrative style.
When the supporting cast of characters speak in italics, I imagine it to be one of those moments in plays in which either everything goes dark, or the cast freezes. Then, the spotlight falls on the person talking to the audience while all the others remain motionless.
I'm not so much a fan of being inserted in the place of a character, though. I don't mind the second person point of view, but I would have prefered to be included in the story as a ghostly presence witnessing the youth, their lola, and the rest of the family.
The story captured me, however. And in the end, that's what one is there for.
That's a great point about emulating theater plays! The italicized passages made me think of a chorus in Greek dramas (I know I'm not the only one who had that thought). I can imagine this adapted with that dreamlike, theatrical setup.
I completely agree about the 2nd person narration! It was a creative choice, but I think it would’ve worked to make the reader a ghostly presence. I think I did that anyway since I personally didn't feel a strong connection to the “you” character.
So glad you enjoyed it!
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