Review by jdigiovanni923 -- Fish Wielder

[jdigiovanni923]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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Thoral the Mighty Fist Wielder, along with his sidekick Bradfast, defends the helpless and triumphs over evil in Fish Wielder. The hero’s qualities pay homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs, and the writing style is complimentary of Jasper Fforde. This story is for all, from the fantasy lover to the fantasy dabbler. I rate J.R.R.R. Hardison’s first novel 4 out of 4 stars.

We first meet Thoral at a pub in Grome, a land with talking animals, elves, bartending gnomes, and villains lurking around every corner. He is everything a hero should be: large muscles, long, flowing hair, and eyes that can pierce a hole into a wicked heart or a maiden’s loins. The hero is drinking with his buddy, Brad, a koi fish that Thoral saved years ago from drowning. Thoral’s past is as much a mystery as how he is able to drink the warm, stale beer at the pub. He drinks over the loss of his wife and child, but no one knows how the foreigner came to the magical land of Grome.

Along with is magical sword, Blumflard, and his extraordinary horse, Warlordhose, he goes on a quest and saves an elfish princess. This leads to going on another quest to help the elves, then a quest to conquer the forces of Bad Religion and beat The Heartless One, which leads to another quest, then another. You get the idea. In between escapades, he can be found right back at the pub, warm ale in one hand, moaning into another, all the while Brad trying to curtail his woes.

This fantasy novel is wonderfully crafted. The plot is deceptively simplistic, and the reader is moved from one event to another with ease, until the reader gets to the end and realizes, along with Thoral and his companions, how complicated the plot truly is. It follows the classic hero story that is recognizable, while creating a unique world with ominous geography like the “Externally Deep Abyss” and the “Cavern Made Mostly of Bones.” The tongue in cheek writing adds to story without overpowering it, and laughing aloud is not required, but certainly a side effect.

Anyone looking for a hilarious story will not be disappointed. This book is a page turner, from the plot to the snappy dialogue it has something for everyone. It may be the first we have seen of J.R.R.R. Hardison, but hopefully it is the beginning of a wonderful collection of stories of Thoral in Grome.

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Fish Wielder
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