I read this book as a horror rec but found that prob the only people who see it as horror are those that come from stable families and don't struggle with mental illness or disability. It's very easy to understand the main character if you've ever felt like an outcast, although I wouldn't exactly call him relatable. If it is a horror, it's the horror of the rich inner world of the self never being understood by others.

Was this book good? I don't think it's a book that can be quantified as good or bad. That would be like saying your grandfather's life was good or bad. It was a deep experience into someone else's world and I'm happy to be out of it, but I'm also glad I experienced it.

To quote myself: I think anyone with neurodivergence or an abusive family can find a piece of themselves in it. But what you find is very dark and hopeless, yet also light. All your struggles really are your own and no one else's.

The Spear Cuts Through Water isn't a 5 star book, all the stars in the universe aren't enough to express how much I love it. This book tastes like art. Each sentence is a painting that I can breath in and savor. It's funny, it's thoughtful, it's action packed, it's heartbreaking. I laughed so hard that I had to pause because my stomach hurt, I cried real tears because my own heart was breaking. I was on the edge of my seat because NO they just HAVE to make it. I've never been so invested and so in love with a book.

If I could eat this book, I would. If I could put every page in a frame and hang it on my wall, I would. This book changed what I think a good book should be. If you read one book, it should be this one. I especially rec the audiobook, it is a masterpiece.

Also once you've read it, I highly rec: The Spear Cuts Through Water [fanvid] by Scribe on AO3. It was that fanvid that pushed me to read it in the first place and I'm SO glad I did.