Review by Helga Leena -- Fish Wielder
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Helga Leena
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Review by Helga Leena -- 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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Fish Wielder is undoubtedly one of the best novels I have read this year. Although it deals with adult subjects such as war, love, and government, it is rendered in a style which makes such weighty topics palatable to younger readers.
This book has it all-- fearsome horror, deep tragedy, thrilling action, ongoing suspense, bedeviling mystery, and irreverent humor. The characters could have been flat and stereotypical, but they instead snap into plausible perspective as individuals of admittedly supernatural life.
My editing eye constantly seeks for text errors, or lacunae of grammar; I could find none. This was even though the author makes use of plenty of dialect, including manufactured idioms, as the fantasy genre requires complete world-building from scratch of a plausible alternate universe. And this universe makes some fabulous frozen desserts, which means it has automatic merit.
We are faced upon the first page with an epic hero who is having a bad day, one of many in a number of bad seasons. But even at his lowest and most hung-over, Thoral of the Mighty Fist cannot be brought down by his surroundings, however poorly he suits them. For indeed, he has attributes which were hitherto unknown in this world, such as violet eyes.
On his epic adventures he has the aid of an enchanted blade, a noble steed, and a steadfast companion, Brad the Talking Koi. Unlike the fish in our world, Brad was saved from drowning by our hero, having never learned to swim. This is but one of the many peculiarities which keep the world of the Fish Wielder a constant surprise to readers from our world.
There are many interwoven plots by multiple factions in this uncanny world-- Elven royalty, evil masterminds, crafty mages, bumbling minions, ravenous monsters, as well as tropes lifted wholesale from the imaginations of many a fantasist. And when the level of chaos is greatest, everything seems to vanish like a popped balloon. But does it?
Even as our hero is tossed about by his singular fate, by the end having lost every gift he had at our tale's beginning, the key to his true strength remains. No matter what else, he remains Thoral of the Mighty Fist, who knows what he knows. This hero is even an inspiration.
It doesn't hurt that you will also be spluttering with helpless laughter throughout the thrilling adventure. I have no choice but to give this tale four out of four stars.
******
Fish Wielder
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Fish Wielder is undoubtedly one of the best novels I have read this year. Although it deals with adult subjects such as war, love, and government, it is rendered in a style which makes such weighty topics palatable to younger readers.
This book has it all-- fearsome horror, deep tragedy, thrilling action, ongoing suspense, bedeviling mystery, and irreverent humor. The characters could have been flat and stereotypical, but they instead snap into plausible perspective as individuals of admittedly supernatural life.
My editing eye constantly seeks for text errors, or lacunae of grammar; I could find none. This was even though the author makes use of plenty of dialect, including manufactured idioms, as the fantasy genre requires complete world-building from scratch of a plausible alternate universe. And this universe makes some fabulous frozen desserts, which means it has automatic merit.
We are faced upon the first page with an epic hero who is having a bad day, one of many in a number of bad seasons. But even at his lowest and most hung-over, Thoral of the Mighty Fist cannot be brought down by his surroundings, however poorly he suits them. For indeed, he has attributes which were hitherto unknown in this world, such as violet eyes.
On his epic adventures he has the aid of an enchanted blade, a noble steed, and a steadfast companion, Brad the Talking Koi. Unlike the fish in our world, Brad was saved from drowning by our hero, having never learned to swim. This is but one of the many peculiarities which keep the world of the Fish Wielder a constant surprise to readers from our world.
There are many interwoven plots by multiple factions in this uncanny world-- Elven royalty, evil masterminds, crafty mages, bumbling minions, ravenous monsters, as well as tropes lifted wholesale from the imaginations of many a fantasist. And when the level of chaos is greatest, everything seems to vanish like a popped balloon. But does it?
Even as our hero is tossed about by his singular fate, by the end having lost every gift he had at our tale's beginning, the key to his true strength remains. No matter what else, he remains Thoral of the Mighty Fist, who knows what he knows. This hero is even an inspiration.
It doesn't hurt that you will also be spluttering with helpless laughter throughout the thrilling adventure. I have no choice but to give this tale four out of four stars.
******
Fish Wielder
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like Helga Leena's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Sword Swallower and a Chico Kid by Gary Robinson
