titalindaslibrary's Reviews (687)

A manga unlike any other I’ve read before. This long form pondering on motherhood was melancholy, realistic, and contained brief glimpses of joy. It felt like real life. I’ve found this feeling with all of the translated Japanese litfic I’ve read, and this manga contains that same essence. 

Look, it’s clear Ng is a talented writer. But it’s a shame this was my intro to her work, because I don’t think I’ll pick up anything else by her. While the first third from Bird’s POV was intriguing and built compelling tension, once we switch to Margaret’s POV it all falls apart for me. Any sort of nuance or potential excitement was ruined by the heavy handed exposition and lackluster characters. 

But my biggest frustration? The lack of NUANCE. Especially in a politically-driven dystopian novel. Any discussion about other marginalized groups that would be most impacted by right-wing extremism are practically nonexistent. It felt bizarre to only read about Sinophobia and anti-Asian hate crimes. Yes, these are real problems, but it lacked an intersectional lens. Not only that, but the co-opting of Indigenous and Black issues and melting them into Asian American issues?? It felt icky to me for reasons it took a while to identify. 

This is a problem I think arises when Asian Americans try to have our pain recognized while lacking an intersectional understanding of oppression. We can leave behind other communities while trying to have our experiences validated. There were some side characters towards the end that I think were meant to address this, but unfortunately it’s just not handled well and still read as a poor attempt to correct plot points the author had already firmly established. So instead, these important differences between communities of color become flattened without care for how it affects them. Ultimately, Ng wrote a sanitized dystopian novel for white audiences to read, feel sad, and pat themselves on the back for reading.

ALSO THAT ENDING WAS RIDICULOUS????

What exactly did Margaret accomplish with that, huh? She finally takes a stand just to do the most ineffective gesture??UGH. That's the big achievement she's thrown away her family and years of her life for - a brief address that let her feel like a hero that only a limited number of passersby could have even heard, and which could have been EASILY printed or distributed online to a wider audience with a fraction of the risk.

Lesson learned: I should know better than to pick up something with a Reese Book Club sticker. 

1.5 stars for Sadie and the rebel librarians though, they were pretty cool. 

Would’ve loved a full length novel of this, but it’s a pretty solid short story. It feels like a blend of Midsommar and Bunny vibes! 

Genuinely upset this doesn't have more recognition and awards. 

Vibes: Studio Ghibli meets Game of Thrones in a stunning display of masterful storytelling.

How does one wake up from a dream and describe it adequately? I did not realize it was possible to use writing in such a way, and I fear I will be forever chasing this feeling Jimenez has gifted us. This book simultaneously sent me into a reading slump and took me out of it. Honestly I do not feel smart enough to properly share how intricate this story is...but for the sake of getting more people to pick it up, I’ll do my best!

The Spear Cuts Through Water is a nesting doll of stories, inviting the reader to attend the Inverted Theater where we experience this book through the audience, the actors, gods, and more. I’ve never read a book that executed using first, second, AND third person narratives so seamlessly, and I felt a sense of awe watching it all unfold. 

While I’ve read and loved many fantasy books, this one blows everything away in terms of craft, technique, and narration. It’s a love letter to folklore, oral traditions, queer love, and complex family dynamics. It’s tender, romantic, violent, gory, and incredibly human. It is a masterpiece.

Several trusted reviewers have made thoughtful comparisons to Studio Ghibli, and it’s true! This would make a beautiful transition to Miyazaki’s work, which speaks to the quality of story and magic contained within. 

I recommend hybrid reading this with the audiobook because the narrator is INCREDIBLE! It might help with all the POV jumps that I noticed other reviewers felt frustrated by. And a pro tip: listen to the Princess Mononoke soundtrack if you’re reading on print. It’s a transcendent experience 🤩

Oof, this one was painful but honest 🥲

The first half of this book was riding a solid 3.5 rating, but then the last half was a 4 star read! Lina’s development as a character and the alternating flashbacks to her past sucked me in. Also, Rui is just so deliciously intriguing! I ended up really enjoying their progression as enemies to something more.

I’m excited to pick up the second book and find out what happens. 
I need the K-drama adaptation NOW!!!