Review by salbs -- Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison

salbs · Post by **salbs** » 16 Apr 2018, 18:56

[Following is a volunteer review of "Fish Wielder" by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Well Mr J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison, this is the second of your novels that I have reviewed, and I have learned a few things. You certainly love a good twist or two, in fact I think you may even thrive on them. I have an image of you sitting at your laptop giggling maniacally as the latest convolution presents itself to your creative hub, and you treat your audience to yet another shock. It's brilliant!

If you enjoy Terry Pratchett's Discworld, or Stephen King's The Dark Tower, I would be fairly confident that you will also like this. The author writes characters whom one does not struggle to become familiar with or get attached to, whatever their species.

Our tale follows the Fish Wielder of the title, one Thoral Mighty Fist, also know as the Fist Wielder, as he treks through the land of Grome, seemingly with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He clearly has a history which he is attempting to escape through a combination of impossible quests and plentiful alcohol. His best friend, a talking Koi called Brad whom he rescued from drowning as he can't swim (obviously), attempts to keep him on the straight and narrow, but is often (literally) thrown - or one might say wielded - in the midst of battle. His other constant allies are a (non-talking) horse called Warlordhorse, and a magnificent blade named Blurmflard, both of whom were loaned to him by his now deceased wizard mentor, Yiz.

Ultimately our hero must tackle the Dark Brothers of the Bad Religion and their leader, The Heartless One who wants to eat The Pudding of Power (a chocolatey delight) and take over the world. Thoral, along with several elven comrades, form the Fellowship of the Pudding, travel the yellow road to traverse the Great Wall of Chowder, in their quest (honestly, nothing's sacred!).

I very much enjoy this author's work, however in this novel I found some elements of the gore to be a little extreme. Having said that, one can read over these brief passages fairly quickly if one desires, without interrupting the flow of the tale. I also found some of the devices used a little clumsy at times. For example, the regular serious battle in which Thoral is definitely going to die and then doesn't, but even this is used ironically by the author. I did enjoy the breaking of the literary equivalent of the fourth wall on occasion, as it made the reader feel very much a part of the story.

On the scale provided, I rate this book 4 out of 4. I didn't find any significant typographical or grammatical errors. But I did find that I couldn't put it down and am eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Read this if you enjoy tongue -in-cheek, other worldly fantasy, with plenty of twists and turns in the narrative. I loved it!

******
Fish Wielder
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Bianka Walter · Post by **Bianka Walter** » 17 Apr 2018, 07:50

When I was making notes on this book, I also noticed the impending death that Thoral constantly found himself facing. But after a while, it kind of works, doesn't it? I totally agree with you - this book was great

Thanks for your review, I really enjoyed it!