Fans of the fantasy genre are spoiled for choice in today’s market. Each year, a million new epic sagas emerge, with kingdoms on the verge of implosion and chosen heroes meant to save the world. Making the mark in a genre that thrives on clichés and stereotypes is a challenge that makes The Spear Cuts Through Water stand out even more.

The 2022 novel by Simon Jimenez kicks off with familiar elements: a cruel emperor, a god imprisoned, and two heroes ending up in a dangerous situation together. Some chapters later, it becomes evident that this work is not another epic fantasy based solely on maps and battles. Jimenez draws on familiar foundations to craft an engaging tale centered on memory, history, love, and the survival of the stories themselves.

‘The Spear Cuts Through Water’ Reinvents the Way Fantasy Stories Are Told

Image via Penguin Random House

At its heart, the novel follows Keema, a one-armed warrior, and Jun, the grandson of an imprisoned moon goddess. Together, they escort the dying deity across the Old Country while an empire collapses around them. Truthfully, it sounds like the setup for a classic fantasy quest, but the execution is anything but conventional.

Rather than presenting events in a straightforward timeline, Jimenez layers multiple stories one inside the other. The central adventure is framed as a tale passed down through a family, a mysterious theater stages the story like a living performance, and the narration shifts among first-, second-, and third-person perspectives, inviting readers to become part of the story rather than simply watching from the outside.

Though it can be perplexing, Jimenez does not forget about the emotional background. Each change of narration creates a new layer of the world rather than destroying it. It contributes to an amazing feeling of witnessing ancient folklore passed down through our memories after many retellings. The novel also considers storytelling as a question of why people love stories so much.

Experimental storytelling often comes with a tradeoff. The structure becomes the star while the characters fade into the background, but that never happens here. Keema and Jun anchor every page, and their relationship gives the novel its emotional weight. Keema projects confidence, even when circumstances strip away his pride, and Jun carries the burden of a violent past he can’t simply outrun. Their growing trust feels deserved, developing through shared hardship rather than grand declarations.

Romance unfolds with similar restraint; it doesn’t act as a side story, interrupting the main plot, but rather as an extra dimension of the book’s central issue: Can a person free themselves from past stories, or will they always be determined by them?

This emotional base also influences how the author depicts violence. Wars have consequences, and minor characters are not disposable barriers to be overcome. The author often interrupts the narration to speak about the people involved in the war, saying that every heroic deed or injustice has its repercussions. Despite featuring gods, monsters, and magic, the book is about human beings.

Why ‘The Spear Cuts Through Water’ Already Feels Like a Modern Fantasy Classic

Image via Penguin Random House

Jimenez expects readers to surrender to the rhythm of the novel rather than demand immediate explanations. Questions linger, perspectives shift, and scenes flow into one another with a dreamlike quality that can feel disorienting at first. Many fantasy novels explain every corner of their worlds as quickly as possible. Jimenez does the opposite. He lets readers discover the Old Country piece by piece, trusting them to assemble the larger picture themselves.

It’s also remarkably visual. The Inverted Theater, the mythic imagery, and the larger-than-life figures all create scenes that linger long after the final page. Few novels capture the feeling of sitting around a fire, listening to an old legend, while making that legend feel immediate and alive, and the result is a book that invites rereading. Once you know where the story is headed, small details take on entirely new meaning, making the experience richer the second time around.

Classic fantasy isn’t defined by age. It’s defined by influence, ambition, and the ability to leave readers thinking differently about what the genre can accomplish, and The Spear Cuts Through Water checks every one of those boxes. Since its publication, the book has received considerable critical attention and won significant awards; however, awards do not tell the whole story. The main feature of Jimenez’s novel is the fact that it is absolutely true to its own vision. The novel uses traditional elements of fantasy but transforms them into something truly original.

It is exciting but does not rely on spectacle; it is romantic but not sentimental; it is experimental yet still emotional. Most importantly, the novel trusts its readers. It invites them to slow down, deal with uncertainty, and take an active part in the narrative.

For readers looking for another sprawling fantasy series, there are plenty of options. But for anyone searching for a book that genuinely expands the possibilities of epic fantasy, The Spear Cuts Through Water deserves to be near the top of the list—and it’s long past time more people discovered it.

Kristin Cavallari is teaching her kids the value of a dollar — by restricting their access to luxe travel.

While appearing on the “Aspire with Emma Grede” podcast on Tuesday, July 7, the Hills alum, 39, explained that she typically makes her children fly economy when she opts for first class when they travel.

Cavallari, who shares three kids, Camden, 13, Jaxon, 12, and Saylor, 10, with her ex-husband Jay Cutler, insisted there are good reasons behind her parenting choice.

“I really value how my mom raised me with money,” Cavallari told Grede. “So my kids don’t just get whatever they want. And if they want something, they have to work for it.”

Related: Kristin Cavallari Says Her Kids Will Make an Appearance on New Reality Show

Kristin Cavallari’s new reality series, Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, will be made even more special with appearances by her three kids. “[Cameras] would come over at 6 a.m., and they would get our normal morning routine of me making breakfast and packing their lunches and taking them to school,” Cavallari, 38, shared in a […]

The “Let’s Be Honest” podcast host said it was important for her kids to develop the same work ethic that she was taught.

“So, a good example is last summer, both of my boys created their own little businesses. So, one of my boys was washing windows, people’s windows,” she said. “And the other one was washing people’s garbage cans because if they want something, they got to go work for it. They got to make it happen.”

Acknowledging that her three kids have been born into privilege, Cavallari added she didn’t want her kids to take advantage of the wealth and opportunities that not everyone is blessed with.

“I try to be very hyper aware of that because they are growing up in a very fortunate situation and I want them to know this is my money, this is not your money,” Cavallari continued. “And you know, something as small as they fly coach and I’m flying in first class, that was important to me when they became old enough that they could.”

Cavallari isn’t the first celebrity to speak candidly about taking a stance against buying first class tickets for their family members, even if they theoretically can afford it. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay previously echoed a similar sentiment.

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Speaking to The Telegraph in 2017, Ramsay, 62, said he never lets his children fly first class either. (Ramsay and his wife, Tana, share six kids: Megan, 28, Holly, 26, Jack, 26, Tilly, 24, Oscar, 7, and Jesse, 2.).

“I have got to keep it real with the kids, and also I think just getting kids at the age of five, six and seven, used to first class and those big seats, they do not need the space, they get entertainment on their iPads,” he told the outlet at the time.

He added, “I do not want them sat there with a 10-course f**king menu with champagne. I am not embarrassed. It is my wife and I’s choice to discipline them and to keep them real.”

Almost everyone can agree that war is a bad thing, but at the same time, it is such an interesting subject despite the despair surrounding it. This intrigue shows its form in many ways, mainly through the media, like movies, where some of the most popular war stories take place, such as Apocalypse Now and Saving Private Ryan. However, there are just as many incredible war shows, ready to watch whenever.

While there are hundreds of war TV shows, most of the greatest and most influential come from the United States of America, which should be no surprise. That is why this list will rank the greatest American-produced war shows of all time based on writing, directing, acting, originality, influence, importance, depiction of war, and overall quality. This list will only feature American-produced shows, meaning titles like Vikings and Rome will not be present.

10

‘Turn: Washington’s Spies’ (2014–2017)

Image via AMC

There have been a lot of wars throughout history, and while most of this list features battles from the First World War onward, there are a couple of more historic battles. Set during the Revolutionary War under the command of George Washington, Turn: Washington’s Spies chronicles the real-life events of the Culper Ring, detailing America’s first spy network.

Turn: Washington’s Spies is one of the most unique shows on this list, not only because it follows the Revolutionary War, but also because it highlights a fascinating and underutilized point in the history of America’s first spy network. There may not be a lot of action, but the intrigue comes through the tension of intelligence gathering, betrayal, and sociological maneuvering.

9

‘Catch-22’ (2019)

Image via Hulu

A lot of war stories and TV shows are based on books, such as Catch-22, inspired by the 1961 novel of the same name by Joseph Heller. Captain John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) is a U.S. Air Force bombardier in the Second World War who wants to be grounded due to insanity. However, a rule states that any soldier wanting to avoid combat is sane, meaning he is forced to fly.

There have been a couple of adaptations of the novel before, but the show can build on the suspense with each episode, making it one of the best versions. With Kafkaesque storytelling, Catch-22 is a remarkable war TV show that highlights the maddening state of military bureaucracy and war logic. Through satire and sharp dialogue, Catch-22 becomes one of the best modern war series.

8

‘Masters of the Air’ (2024)

Image via Apple TV

Everyone loves a dogfight here and there, but unfortunately, air force shows are rare to come by, which is why fans should appreciate Masters of the Air. The 100th bomb group is an American Air Force unit that continues their daily raids on the Nazis.

The reason there aren’t many Air Force TV shows is that it is incredibly difficult for them to translate to screen without spending a lot of money on visual or practical effects. However, Masters of the Air pushes aerial combat to its limits, creating a gorgeous TV series that also captures the claustrophobia, freezing temperatures, and attrition of sky warfare. In the end, Masters of the Air is more about a psychological battle than a physical one.

7

‘China Beach’ (1988–1991)

Image via ABC

War isn’t just about guns, explosions, and what happens on the front lines, even if that is mainly what TV series depict. Taking place during the Vietnam War in Da Nang, China Beach follows the female nurses and staff who make up an evacuation hospital and USO entertainment center.

China Beach takes the focus away from the infantry and delivers an emotionally complex tale about second-hand grief and trauma, depicting the lives of the women during the Vietnam War. This critically acclaimed war show was praised for its distinct take on the war and the underrepresented women who played a major part in it, truly being a unique war drama more people should watch.

6

‘The Pacific’ (2010)

Image via HBO

The Pacific is the spiritual successor of a renowned war show that will appear later on this list. Based on the real-life struggles of three U.S. soldiers, this series documents their struggle to survive. The trio of Marines endures an island-hopping campaign in the Pacific theater during the Second World War, only trying to make it out alive.

As opposed to a triumphant march towards victory, The Pacific is a grueling journey for survival. Boasting deep psychological trauma and bleak storytelling, every episode is hard to watch, yet viewers can’t take their eyes away. The battle isn’t just on the battlefield, but The Pacific also explores the dehumanization of the soldiers and the difficulty of reintegrating into normal life again, proving to be one of the best World War II shows.

5

‘Combat!’ (1962–1967)

Image via ABC

This list features a handful of shows from a bunch of different time periods, but the oldest is Combat! This procedural war drama is about infantrymen on the European front after D-Day during the Second World War. Even after the major attacks, these soldiers travel across France for survival, battling it out until the hopeful end of the war.

As the oldest show on this list, Combat has done a fantastic job of remaining influential and engaging, proving it is a timeless war TV show. For its time, Combat was groundbreaking, being one of the first shows to cover the Second World War, and it does it with extreme authenticity. It is more of a character-driven series about survival and the psychological toll, which isn’t novel now, but it was for the time.

4

‘Generation Kill’ (2008)

Image via HBO

The Wire is one of the greatest TV shows of all time, and its creators returned to deliver a standout war show based on a book by a Rolling Stones reporter, Generation Kill. Written through the eyes of the reporter, it chronicles the first 40 days of the Iraq War in 2003. Following the US Marine Corps 1st Battalion, it details their invasion and the war culture among the soldiers.

Sometimes, war shows glorify the tragedy; others make a point to actively protest it, and Generation Kill does neither, instead focusing on making it realistic, leaving the audience to take away their own thoughts. Without making a stance, it simply lets viewers experience the profane culture of soldiers. Generation Kill is authentic and immersive, trusting viewers’ intelligence by making everything as realistic as possible, even the disconnect between elite soldiers and the incompetence of their officers.

3

‘Shōgun’ (2024–Present)

As mentioned earlier, war comes in many shapes and sizes, and even though this list features American-produced shows, that doesn’t mean all of them are about the country. Shōgun is a recent war show set during 17th-century Japan when an English sailor reaches the country. He rises from a prisoner to an ally to aid in the political warfare between warring clans, leading to the iconic Battle of Sekigahara.

While not about the American military, Shōgun is an American-produced war drama that instantly became a modern classic. The heart of this story is its characters, each with their own goals, motivations, and dynamics, all of which are used in the grand political chess match between factions. Shōgun is a stunning war series that delivers its intrigue through character development, mystery, and political mind games instead of massive battles.

2

‘M*A*S*H’ (1972–1983)

Image via CBS

War isn’t funny, but there are plenty of satirical comedies that cover the topic, including one of the best war TV shows of all time, M*A*S*H. Set during the Korean War, this series is about the medical staff and doctors of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, following them as they journey across the country, saving patients while having fun as they do it.

M*A*S*H is a rare type of show that is both dramatically tragic and hilarious, proving war can be used for comedy if handled with nuance. The M*A*S*H finale is still the most-watched episode in American TV history, proving its legacy goes beyond simply being a war show. Not only is it a great American war series, but M*A*S*H is also one of the greatest American sitcoms of all time.

1

‘Band of Brothers’ (2001)

Image via HBO

This list features a lot of excellent war series, proving America is home to the best of the genre, but when it comes to the greatest, the answer is obvious: Band of Brothers. This prestigious miniseries follows Easy Company during the Second World War, chronicling their history from their very first training session all the way to the end of the war.

No war series gives fans a better look at the battle and the personal state of the soldiers like Band of Brothers, which gives an intimate view of the life of a soldier during the war. The ground-level cinematography makes things even more immersive, yet harder to watch. Band of Brothers is a technical and narrative achievement that brutally and accurately depicts the war in all respects, and with some of the best episodes in TV history, it proves to be a landmark of American television.

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Band of Brothers

Release Date

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2001 – 2001

Network

HBO

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Directors

David Frankel, David Nutter, Mikael Salomon, Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Tom Hanks

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• 
• 

  Donnie Wahlberg

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  C. Carwood Lipton

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A month has passed since one of Prime Video’s best fantasy series returned with a new installment, and it continues to dominate streaming. The series was highly praised for its characters, animation, and the way each new season increased the stakes, and with the final season currently in production, it’s no surprise that fans are still tuning in to this show.

The title in question is The Legend of Vox Machina, an animated series based on Critical Role‘s first campaign, which was livestreamed between 2015 and 2017. The show follows a group of heroes called Vox Machina — Vex’ahlia (Laura Bailey), Vax’ildan (Liam O’Brien), Percival de Rolo (Taliesin Jaffe), Pike Trickfoot (Ashley Johnson), Keyleth (Marisha Ray), Scanlan Shorthalt (Sam Riegel), and Grog Strongjaw (Travis Willingham). Season 4 introduces a new big bad, The Whispered One, and follows his ascension to godhood. It’s up to our heroes, who’ve split up for a year after the events of Season 3, to get back together and stop him and his cult followers.

The Legend of Vox Machina continues to find a place on the streaming charts, now at #10 on Prime Video’s Top 10 TV shows in the United States, just below The Summer I Turned Pretty. Upon its release last month, Season 4 earned a perfect 100% score on the Tomatometer and 90% on the Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes, proving the series continues to impress both audiences and critics.

What Else To Watch if You Like ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’

The Legend of Vox Machina has confirmed that Season 5 is in the works and will be the show’s final season. So, while waiting for the final installment to arrive, there are other shows worth watching that should suit your fancy. One recommendation is The Mighty Nein, another Prime Video animated series based on Critical Role’s livestreams, this time adapting their second campaign, which aired between 2018 and 2021. The show follows a new team of heroes, The Mighty Nein, and takes place about 20 years after the events of Campaign One. Just like The Legend of Vox Machina, The Mighty Nein also received a perfect critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Another high fantasy anime worth watching is Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End. Based on the manga of the same name, the series follows the elven mage Frieren (Atsumi Tanezaki/Mallorie Rodak) as she embarks on a new journey years after her party defeated the Demon King and brought peace to the world. She is joined by Fern (Kana Ichinose/Jill Harris) and Stark (Kana Ichinose/Jill Harris) — a mage and warrior who were former apprentices of her old team members — as they embark on a long trip to Aureole, a place said to be where souls reside. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End has aired its first two seasons, with Season 3 set to premiere in October 2027.

Seasons 1 to 4 of The Legend of Vox Machina are available to stream on Prime Video. Follow Collider for more updates.

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Release Date

January 27, 2022

Network

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Prime Video

Showrunner

Brandon Auman

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Directors

Young Heller, Eugene Lee, Alicia Chan

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Writers

Eugene Son, Travis Willingham, Chris Wyatt, Kevin Burke, Suzanne Keilly, Mae Catt, Todd Casey, Ashly Burch, May Chan, Marc Bernardin

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By Brian Myers
| Published 29 seconds ago

Harrison Ford might be best known for Indiana Jones and Han Solo, but the veteran actor has turned in plenty of unforgettable performances outside of those iconic roles. The 2000 thriller What Lies Beneath is one of the best examples, proving Ford could deliver a massive box office hit without cracking a whip or saving the galaxy. More than two decades later, it remains one of the most suspenseful thrillers of its era, and you can stream it without a Netflix subscription.

And Empty Nest And New Neighbors

What Lies Beneath begins with Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Norman Spencer (Harrison Ford), a seemingly happy married couple who have just sent Claire’s daughter off to college. Now an empty nester married to a busy scientist/professor, a bored and listless Claire comes off as lonely and maybe a little desperate for attention.

When new neighbors Mary (Miranda Otto) and Warren Feur (James Remar) move in next door in their lakeside Vermont neighborhood, Claire becomes convinced that Warren is abusive and has killed off his young wife.

A Ghostly Presence Lurking

After Claire notices that Mary has disappeared without a trace, she begins to experience odd things that she believes are supernatural in origin in and around her house.

At one point, she sees the face of a woman submerged under the water of the lake. Other occurrences include a framed photo being knocked over from its place on her husband’s desk, the image of a woman in her bathroom mirror, and the message “You know” written on her steamed-up mirror.

In Need Of A Sanity Check

Of course, Norman behaves just like any other science type and tries to convince Claire that she’s either imagining things or perhaps beginning to suffer a nervous breakdown.

The latter is amplified when, after a confrontation with Warren at a university party, Claire sees Mary in the flesh and realizes that her suspicions were way off base. But what happens soon after in What Lies Beneath makes Claire question her sanity even more.

What Lies Beneath takes audiences on several rides throughout its 130-minute run time. While at first you’re sure that you’re seeing a film reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock‘s Rear Window, the film pivots and changes direction entirely.

And just when you’re sure of the inner workings of Michelle Pfeiffer and Harrison Ford’s characters, the storyline fills in a lot more of the backstory of their relationship, changing the plot in the most chilling of ways.

Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer are both at the top of their game in What Lies Beneath, and it’s fascinating to watch their chemistry evolve as each new piece of the puzzle falls into place. Ford’s gradual transformation as long-buried secrets come to light is handled masterfully, while Pfeiffer convincingly evolves from a meek and lonely housewife into a woman fighting for her survival.

As of this writing, you can stream What Lies Beneath for free with ads on Pluto TV. The title can also be rented or purchased on-demand through YouTube, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video.