Review by jdmeeks -- Fish Wielder

[jdmeeks]

[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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J.R.R.R. Hardison's The Fish Wielder is a wonderfully nostalgic and hilarious fantasy that explores the mystical world of Grome through the adventures of Thoral Mighty Fist. This mighty man and his fish friend, Brad, are the stereotypical heroes who stumble upon the Bad Religion and the evil Heartless One. As Thoral and Brad make friends with the elves, navigate romantic relationships, and seek to destroy the Bad Religion's wicked minions, they are constantly haunted by the specters of the past. This epic novel will have you both guessing where the story will turn next and rolling on the floor laughing.

While Jim Hardison is able to create his own new world, he consistently interacts with the larger infamous corpus of fantasy. Hardison nods to stories such as The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Wizard of Oz, just to name a few. These recollections enhance the story's overall appeal and contribute significantly to Hardison's use of humor. Hardison also humorously connects the fantasy realm to modern life, including minor hints at contemporary technology and music. Everything from the names of people and places to the character tropes and plotline, create opportunities for a laugh, as the reader enjoys Jim Hardison's creativity and silly attitude.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The Fish Wielder is an excellent novel that blends humor and narrative in a unique way that I have never found in any other book. Jim Hardison clearly does not take himself too seriously, yet he does not lose one ounce of narrative power in delivering this fantastic story. I did not rate this book a 3, because I did not find any glaring editorial errors. The overall quality of the work was top of the line and is everything a reader could ask for.

The Fish Wielder caters to a specific audience but can be enjoyed by many. Its references to other fantasy works may be lost on some who have not read these other stories, but the humor is still accessible to most any reader. Jim Hardison's novel is also accessible to most ages. Young adult readers and old adult readers alike who share an enthusiasm for the fiction genre will definitely appreciate this book. This book would least appeal to those who simply do not enjoy epic fantasy novels with heroes, elves, and magic.

The thing I most liked about this book is the writing style. It is both narratively sophisticated while conversational. Hardison is able to make the reader engage the story on its own terms while letting the reader laugh at it along the way. What I most disliked about the book is the ending. Although it was a neat resolution, it was far too quick and left too many loose ends. All in all, though, J.R.R.R. Hardison's' The Fish Wielder was a thoroughly enjoyable and unique book that captivates and entertains until the end.

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Fish Wielder
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