Review by Gfish58 -- Fish Wielder
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Gfish58
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- Latest Review: Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison
Review by Gfish58 -- Fish Wielder
[Following is a volunteer review of "Fish Wielder" by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison was described in the book preview as a mix of fantasy and comedy, specifically satire. It was compared to two of my favorite series, and I looked forward to having a relaxing fantasy break from reality while reading the book. Sadly this book had a rough time of finding the same authenticity of the other two series. While Fish Wielder, made a valid attempt at poking fun of the fantasy tropes we know and love, it instead fell flat and came off more as a sad attempt at ill humor.
There were several parts of this book that I was both pleased and annoyed by. J.R.R.R. Hardison manages to create a world that is both easy to understand and build in our imagination. This was done however by over saturating every sentence with fluffy adjectives. He over described his main character in such a way that I felt I was constantly thrown out of the stories main story line but instead having a photo of Fabio thrown into my face. At times, his descriptions led to a vivid world, but instead of concentrating on describing those pieces of the world that mattered. Mr. Hardison seemed to spend equal amounts of time on those that did not. While it was interesting to know that the inn keeper was gruesome to behold, it did not add any depth to the main story and acted as a distraction from what the author was truly trying to convey.
While the characters were very well described the author seemed to fall back on certain tropes, instead of coming up with interesting and new ideas. He had the ever present hero, with a tragic and secret past, the funny and lovable companion and the beautiful damsel who he fell in love with. These characters did not seem to have any large growth within the story. Motivations where hinted at, but never truly developed. While Brad, and Thoral’s, the two main heroes relationship was described it was barely developed. There were moments, for example when Brad feels he will be replaced and that their life of Adventure will end, due to Thoral’s upcoming possible marriage, that begin to show a glimpse at this friendship. But just when we begin to feel something for these two, as a duo, the author ignores Brad’s feelings and goes on about how Thoral is too occupied by his promise than listening to Brad, something that is a common theme.
This story was not all bad however. There were moments that were so silly they did come off refreshingly funny. One moment that stands out to me was when Thoral was fighting a large monster. He is being crushed to death, without a weapon and all seems lost. However, just as we finally feel that Thoral will die, he “Flexes and the beast explodes”. This was so improbably and silly that it did make me laugh. However, it did not add necessarily to the story.
The authors continued use of childish situations, made a joke out of the life and death moments within the story. Constantly pitting Thoral against creatures who in all rights should have beaten him, and just when it seemed this would happen. Thoral would magically win. Thoral came off as a silly boy who was too absorbed in his own self-pity that he did not really see the world around him. He blinds a fellow hero who is on an important quest because he felt like it.
My favorite part of the whole story was the surprise end. I felt that the best character was actually one of the villains. Thoral’s wife, was both clearly mad and yet a pitiful creature. Because she was supposed to be a mysterious villain, the author did not go into overly flowy and unnecessary exposition about her, making her feel real and more interesting. As the book comes to a cliff hanger close, you almost root more for her than for Thoral. Completely understanding that sometimes, pretending something isn’t real is easier than accepting the horrors of it, if was.
Overall, this book was entertaining but I often found myself annoyed and wishing it was not so silly. I love a good fantasy and this felt like it was trying to make a joke but the joke continuously fell flat. When comparing it to other series of the satire, comedic fantasy ilk, it rates much lower than its comparisons. I would rate this book a 2 out of 4.
******
Fish Wielder
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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2 out of 4 stars
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Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison was described in the book preview as a mix of fantasy and comedy, specifically satire. It was compared to two of my favorite series, and I looked forward to having a relaxing fantasy break from reality while reading the book. Sadly this book had a rough time of finding the same authenticity of the other two series. While Fish Wielder, made a valid attempt at poking fun of the fantasy tropes we know and love, it instead fell flat and came off more as a sad attempt at ill humor.
There were several parts of this book that I was both pleased and annoyed by. J.R.R.R. Hardison manages to create a world that is both easy to understand and build in our imagination. This was done however by over saturating every sentence with fluffy adjectives. He over described his main character in such a way that I felt I was constantly thrown out of the stories main story line but instead having a photo of Fabio thrown into my face. At times, his descriptions led to a vivid world, but instead of concentrating on describing those pieces of the world that mattered. Mr. Hardison seemed to spend equal amounts of time on those that did not. While it was interesting to know that the inn keeper was gruesome to behold, it did not add any depth to the main story and acted as a distraction from what the author was truly trying to convey.
While the characters were very well described the author seemed to fall back on certain tropes, instead of coming up with interesting and new ideas. He had the ever present hero, with a tragic and secret past, the funny and lovable companion and the beautiful damsel who he fell in love with. These characters did not seem to have any large growth within the story. Motivations where hinted at, but never truly developed. While Brad, and Thoral’s, the two main heroes relationship was described it was barely developed. There were moments, for example when Brad feels he will be replaced and that their life of Adventure will end, due to Thoral’s upcoming possible marriage, that begin to show a glimpse at this friendship. But just when we begin to feel something for these two, as a duo, the author ignores Brad’s feelings and goes on about how Thoral is too occupied by his promise than listening to Brad, something that is a common theme.
This story was not all bad however. There were moments that were so silly they did come off refreshingly funny. One moment that stands out to me was when Thoral was fighting a large monster. He is being crushed to death, without a weapon and all seems lost. However, just as we finally feel that Thoral will die, he “Flexes and the beast explodes”. This was so improbably and silly that it did make me laugh. However, it did not add necessarily to the story.
The authors continued use of childish situations, made a joke out of the life and death moments within the story. Constantly pitting Thoral against creatures who in all rights should have beaten him, and just when it seemed this would happen. Thoral would magically win. Thoral came off as a silly boy who was too absorbed in his own self-pity that he did not really see the world around him. He blinds a fellow hero who is on an important quest because he felt like it.
My favorite part of the whole story was the surprise end. I felt that the best character was actually one of the villains. Thoral’s wife, was both clearly mad and yet a pitiful creature. Because she was supposed to be a mysterious villain, the author did not go into overly flowy and unnecessary exposition about her, making her feel real and more interesting. As the book comes to a cliff hanger close, you almost root more for her than for Thoral. Completely understanding that sometimes, pretending something isn’t real is easier than accepting the horrors of it, if was.
Overall, this book was entertaining but I often found myself annoyed and wishing it was not so silly. I love a good fantasy and this felt like it was trying to make a joke but the joke continuously fell flat. When comparing it to other series of the satire, comedic fantasy ilk, it rates much lower than its comparisons. I would rate this book a 2 out of 4.
******
Fish Wielder
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
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Latest Review: Fish Wielder by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison
