Review by Bretagne -- Fish Wielder
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Bretagne
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Review by Bretagne -- Fish Wielder
[Following is a volunteer review of "Fish Wielder" by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison.]
4 out of 4 stars
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How do I even begin to describe Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison? This bizarre tale is a high-fantasy adventure that pokes fun at classic tropes, covering everything from picturesque heroes with flowing locks to convoluted plots that magically fall into place. If you’re looking for a book that accurately captures the spirit of fantasy novels while also acknowledging their flaws, this is a great place to start.
The story follows Thoral Mighty Fist as he quests across the land of Grome with his companions, Bradfast the talking koi fish and Warlordhorse the warrior steed. Along the way they encounter indescribable characters, mindboggling plots, and plenty of reasons to drink, especially since Thoral “always got so emotional when people died”. While the first portion of the book focuses on Thoral’s desire for a good fight, and possibly a heroic death, this quickly evolves into something more pressing as the Heartless One begins to seek the Pudding of Power and all it promises. The reader is left wondering many times if this incredulously lucky and reckless barbarian is up to the task of saving the day or if he’ll die for real this time.
The humor in this story is sublime. Even the title is a play on the protagonist’s actual name. The entire book read like an anecdote from someone’s fantasy role-playing game night, right down to the ludicrous villains and the occasional fart joke. While the comedy may sometimes be a bit low-brow, it’s a great joy to find a fantasy book that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Perhaps even more noteworthy than the general hilarity of Fish Wielder was the character building. No character was one-dimensional; they all possessed dynamic strengths and weakness that evolved from one page to the next. Each chapter revealed more explanation for why the characters acted as they did, and as the story went on, each became more human and relatable. And yes, that even includes the talking fish. This is truly my favorite part of this story.
I easily rate Fish Wielder 4 out of 4 stars, for it is a nearly flawless example of satire. It was certainly well edited; I only began to notice slight errors towards the last couple of chapters of the book. For persons who have difficulty with alcohol use, gruesome battle scenes, or crude humor, I would move on, as all are reoccurring themes. If you enjoy fantasy and satire that borders on being just plain silly, this is a must read.
******
Fish Wielder
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
How do I even begin to describe Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison? This bizarre tale is a high-fantasy adventure that pokes fun at classic tropes, covering everything from picturesque heroes with flowing locks to convoluted plots that magically fall into place. If you’re looking for a book that accurately captures the spirit of fantasy novels while also acknowledging their flaws, this is a great place to start.
The story follows Thoral Mighty Fist as he quests across the land of Grome with his companions, Bradfast the talking koi fish and Warlordhorse the warrior steed. Along the way they encounter indescribable characters, mindboggling plots, and plenty of reasons to drink, especially since Thoral “always got so emotional when people died”. While the first portion of the book focuses on Thoral’s desire for a good fight, and possibly a heroic death, this quickly evolves into something more pressing as the Heartless One begins to seek the Pudding of Power and all it promises. The reader is left wondering many times if this incredulously lucky and reckless barbarian is up to the task of saving the day or if he’ll die for real this time.
The humor in this story is sublime. Even the title is a play on the protagonist’s actual name. The entire book read like an anecdote from someone’s fantasy role-playing game night, right down to the ludicrous villains and the occasional fart joke. While the comedy may sometimes be a bit low-brow, it’s a great joy to find a fantasy book that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Perhaps even more noteworthy than the general hilarity of Fish Wielder was the character building. No character was one-dimensional; they all possessed dynamic strengths and weakness that evolved from one page to the next. Each chapter revealed more explanation for why the characters acted as they did, and as the story went on, each became more human and relatable. And yes, that even includes the talking fish. This is truly my favorite part of this story.
I easily rate Fish Wielder 4 out of 4 stars, for it is a nearly flawless example of satire. It was certainly well edited; I only began to notice slight errors towards the last couple of chapters of the book. For persons who have difficulty with alcohol use, gruesome battle scenes, or crude humor, I would move on, as all are reoccurring themes. If you enjoy fantasy and satire that borders on being just plain silly, this is a must read.
******
Fish Wielder
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Bretagne's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Message? by Avam Hale
