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Heretical Fishing #1
Heretical Fishing
A world abandoned by the gods, mystifying cosmic forces, unimaginable power for those willing to ascend, and a hero who would rather . . . go fishing???
When summoned to a fantastical world and granted powers by a broken System, most freshly minted protagonists would strap on their big-boy boots and get ready for their stats to start climbing. But Fischer isn’t like most MCs. In fact, he doesn’t want to be a hero at all.
Fame? Fortune? Power? He had enough of all that in his old life. Discovering forbidden fishing techniques and petting every cute animal that comes within scritching distance? Now that’s a good time.
Unfortunately for Fischer, cosmic forces rarely care for mortal feelings. He’s hounded on all sides by inept cults, conspiring nobles, and more magical misunderstandings than those of a preteen relationship. Even his dutiful pet crab is firing energy blades like an anime antagonist.
So grab your fishing rod and a good snack, and pet your dog for me. The catch of a lifetime awaits!
The first volume of the laugh-out-loud LitRPG adventure series—a #1 Rising Star on Royal Road with over three million views—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
When summoned to a fantastical world and granted powers by a broken System, most freshly minted protagonists would strap on their big-boy boots and get ready for their stats to start climbing. But Fischer isn’t like most MCs. In fact, he doesn’t want to be a hero at all.
Fame? Fortune? Power? He had enough of all that in his old life. Discovering forbidden fishing techniques and petting every cute animal that comes within scritching distance? Now that’s a good time.
Unfortunately for Fischer, cosmic forces rarely care for mortal feelings. He’s hounded on all sides by inept cults, conspiring nobles, and more magical misunderstandings than those of a preteen relationship. Even his dutiful pet crab is firing energy blades like an anime antagonist.
So grab your fishing rod and a good snack, and pet your dog for me. The catch of a lifetime awaits!
The first volume of the laugh-out-loud LitRPG adventure series—a #1 Rising Star on Royal Road with over three million views—now available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
533 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2024
2180 people are currently reading
5990 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 575 reviews
April 20, 2024
I have read some of the other criticism about the book and will give a tangential nod of agreement while also disagreeing that it makes the book bad. If you want a serious book about cultivation, this book is not it. The main character's main form of communication is Aussie-isms and I find this hilarious but it is not for everyone. The final boss fight is a joke. The nobles are fat, vain, and terrible and it's insinuated they've gotten worse over time. The mayor constantly thinks the Mc is up to something when he really isn't which I also find funny. Read it all in 2 days, giggled many times, would read again.
June 21, 2024
Book one
This is one that I started reading on Royalroad. I'm going to be honest and say I find the story and the MC and his pets to be way to nice.
In the original things weren't that nice and the crab was a stone cold killer.
I'm just not sure if I want to keep reading the series.
I'm not saying it's badly written because it's very well written. It's just to cute for my taste.
It's on Royalroad and I will test out more of the story to see if it becomes a little less sunshine and rainbows.
7/10
This is one that I started reading on Royalroad. I'm going to be honest and say I find the story and the MC and his pets to be way to nice.
In the original things weren't that nice and the crab was a stone cold killer.
I'm just not sure if I want to keep reading the series.
I'm not saying it's badly written because it's very well written. It's just to cute for my taste.
It's on Royalroad and I will test out more of the story to see if it becomes a little less sunshine and rainbows.
7/10
March 30, 2024
Fantastic! I recommend to all Beware of Chicken fans
99% of the time you go chasing a substitute for a one of a kind thing that you want more of, you are in for major disappointment.
...but... I've been jonesing for my BoC fix, so I gave this a try. I figured if it was half as good I'd be in a good place. Well let me tell you that I was not disappointed. I'm impressed!
This book is two thirds Beware of Chicken, one third Oh Great, I Reincarnated as a Farmer, and it has most of the charms of both.
Even if you've never read, or heard of those books... This is a great book all on it's own. If you like stories of good people, talking animals, and lots of charm this book is a treat.
(no, this is not a paid review.)
99% of the time you go chasing a substitute for a one of a kind thing that you want more of, you are in for major disappointment.
...but... I've been jonesing for my BoC fix, so I gave this a try. I figured if it was half as good I'd be in a good place. Well let me tell you that I was not disappointed. I'm impressed!
This book is two thirds Beware of Chicken, one third Oh Great, I Reincarnated as a Farmer, and it has most of the charms of both.
Even if you've never read, or heard of those books... This is a great book all on it's own. If you like stories of good people, talking animals, and lots of charm this book is a treat.
(no, this is not a paid review.)
April 11, 2024
A Fun Read
This was great. Pacing and tone were excellent and the worldbuilding was stellar. Just enough mystery to hint at great things to come.
This was great. Pacing and tone were excellent and the worldbuilding was stellar. Just enough mystery to hint at great things to come.
March 13, 2024
This was a joy to read.
It was cozy and wholesome.
I don't even like fishing and I loved every second of this.
It was cozy and wholesome.
I don't even like fishing and I loved every second of this.
April 2, 2024
A delightful slice of life.. proto-LitRPG. Looks like book 2 will be properly litRPG (the system needs energy first!) but book 1 was more like.. unconscious/accidental cultivation? idk, but any fan of LitRPG who likes Beware of Chicken absolutely must read this one, as it hits the same spot, but I didn't find it derivitive. While the overarching idea is very similar (if you switch farming for fishing), the characters are different enough (but equally lovable!) to not feel like "oh this is a copy" or anything like that. More like both authors wrote their books from the same genre prompt, if that makes sense?
I feel bad because this book deserves it's own review that's not just comparing it to Beware of Chicken, BUT, people comparing it on FB is *why* I picked it up, and I'm 1000% glad I did. My only complaint is that I've read this too early and now I'll have to wait for the next installment!
I feel bad because this book deserves it's own review that's not just comparing it to Beware of Chicken, BUT, people comparing it on FB is *why* I picked it up, and I'm 1000% glad I did. My only complaint is that I've read this too early and now I'll have to wait for the next installment!
March 18, 2024
I don't know what to say to get people to read this story, but I think everyone that is into this genre should absolutely pick up this book.
If you listen to audiobooks, be aware that it has the same narrator as HWFWM's Jason Asano.
If you listen to audiobooks, be aware that it has the same narrator as HWFWM's Jason Asano.
May 8, 2024
Like a warm hug.
April 1, 2024
A very good start.
With one tiny caveat. Trying to be hard near the end doesn't work so well with such soft characters. The sudden shift causes a bit of dissonance.
With one tiny caveat. Trying to be hard near the end doesn't work so well with such soft characters. The sudden shift causes a bit of dissonance.
March 31, 2024
This hit my radar as being "similar to Beware of Chicken". Which did this a disservice as I was expecting charm, wit, and heart. It has none of these things.
I knew I was in trouble when we started meeting the people in charge. The "nobles" are obese. Not Rubenesque, obese. Morbidly obese and they code that as attractive. Which fine, that can be a thing. Only it makes no sense in the setting. The problem is that nobles, particularly in a feudal society like this one is, are the warrior caste. So having them be not just obese, but desperately venal as well had me looking around for where the power structure lay that would underpin this gross (heh) imbalance (heheh) in privilege.
I wish it hadn't turned out to be slavery of the "cultivators". There's this collar thing that subverts their power, somehow. Because magic or something. And that made everything fifteen times worse because these gross, venal, self-involved, self-indulgent cretins are lounging on the back of super-slaves. And I'm sorry, but that makes every other cue for a light-hearted tone into something desperately tone-deaf. At least for this reader.
And since I had already realized that Fischer's interactions with people were pretty much all surface anyway, and that his version of "charm" is using Aussie colloquialisms non-stop despite nobody understanding them, and that the author's view of how economics works is, in a word, limited, well, it added up to a big fat dnf with a one-star chaser.
Slavery is a big fat hairy deal. And that puts it at odds with the tone/direction of this story at its start. Fischer is defined by his desire to maintain a laid-back lifestyle centered around fishing. Slavery is a hard counter to that tone and in a major way. Even if this story shifts to Fischer becoming a big ole abolitionist and freeing all the slaves, that's tone-whiplash from where we started. And if the story is anything else, it's a stupid travesty and Fischer is a waste of space who doesn't the deserve leisure, rest, or good times that are his chief preoccupation.
I knew I was in trouble when we started meeting the people in charge. The "nobles" are obese. Not Rubenesque, obese. Morbidly obese and they code that as attractive. Which fine, that can be a thing. Only it makes no sense in the setting. The problem is that nobles, particularly in a feudal society like this one is, are the warrior caste. So having them be not just obese, but desperately venal as well had me looking around for where the power structure lay that would underpin this gross (heh) imbalance (heheh) in privilege.
I wish it hadn't turned out to be slavery of the "cultivators". There's this collar thing that subverts their power, somehow. Because magic or something. And that made everything fifteen times worse because these gross, venal, self-involved, self-indulgent cretins are lounging on the back of super-slaves. And I'm sorry, but that makes every other cue for a light-hearted tone into something desperately tone-deaf. At least for this reader.
And since I had already realized that Fischer's interactions with people were pretty much all surface anyway, and that his version of "charm" is using Aussie colloquialisms non-stop despite nobody understanding them, and that the author's view of how economics works is, in a word, limited, well, it added up to a big fat dnf with a one-star chaser.
Slavery is a big fat hairy deal. And that puts it at odds with the tone/direction of this story at its start. Fischer is defined by his desire to maintain a laid-back lifestyle centered around fishing. Slavery is a hard counter to that tone and in a major way. Even if this story shifts to Fischer becoming a big ole abolitionist and freeing all the slaves, that's tone-whiplash from where we started. And if the story is anything else, it's a stupid travesty and Fischer is a waste of space who doesn't the deserve leisure, rest, or good times that are his chief preoccupation.
January 28, 2025
Trochę nie tego się spodziewałem, ale to dobrze, bo inaczej nigdy bym po tę książkę nie sięgnął. Nie sądziłem, że gatunek "cozy" jest dla mnie, a ostatecznie bawiłem się super.
Historia pokroju "Slice of life" z perspektywy gościa, który został przeniesiony do pseudo-średniowiecznego świata i postanawia przez resztę życia czilować przy łowieniu ryb. Przy okazji zmienia życie wszystkich dookoła. W grę wchodzą elementy LitRPG, ale w baaardzo ograniczonej formie, co pewnie zmieni się w późniejszych tomach (po które na pewno sięgnę).
Bohater, którego nie da się nie lubić, narrator audiobooka, który potęguje już i tak uroczy charakter tej historii i w efekcie mamy książkę, przy której ani na moment nie schodzi uśmiech z twarzy.
Historia pokroju "Slice of life" z perspektywy gościa, który został przeniesiony do pseudo-średniowiecznego świata i postanawia przez resztę życia czilować przy łowieniu ryb. Przy okazji zmienia życie wszystkich dookoła. W grę wchodzą elementy LitRPG, ale w baaardzo ograniczonej formie, co pewnie zmieni się w późniejszych tomach (po które na pewno sięgnę).
Bohater, którego nie da się nie lubić, narrator audiobooka, który potęguje już i tak uroczy charakter tej historii i w efekcie mamy książkę, przy której ani na moment nie schodzi uśmiech z twarzy.
November 15, 2024
Heretical Fishing by Haylock Jobson is a slice-of-life portal fantasy novel with LitRPG elements and the type of story that takes a light hearted and humorous approach to the genre.
The story follows Fischer, a former businessman who is tired of his life of fame and power on Earth, who is “isekai-ed” into Kallis Realm. Unlike most folks that get sucked into a fantasy world, Fischer wants nothing more than to enjoy the simple life, especially fishing, despite the cultural taboo against it in this new world. The novel blended light-hearted humor, quirky world-building, and heartwarming character interactions, making it a charming, low-stakes slice of life story.
There was a big focus on community, as Fischer built relationships with the villagers and even formed bonds with numerous animal companions. The pick of the bunch being a sentient crab named Sergeant Snips! Slice of Life LitRPGs are becoming fairly common nowadays and this was a solid entry. I enjoyed the focus on personal growth over combat and its humorous yet often touching portrayal of daily life and friendship in a fantasy setting. There is definitely more to life than power and ambition!
If this book has a flaw it was the fact that my interest in the story lulled just a bit in the final 20%. I fear some of the novelty was wearing off and some of the character interactions were getting a tad repetitive. I’ll read the next instalment and hope it can find a way to keep things fresh without ruining the things that made the bulk of first instalment a fun read.
All in all this was a solid Slice of Life LitRPG.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Heath Miller did a solid job with the audio.
The story follows Fischer, a former businessman who is tired of his life of fame and power on Earth, who is “isekai-ed” into Kallis Realm. Unlike most folks that get sucked into a fantasy world, Fischer wants nothing more than to enjoy the simple life, especially fishing, despite the cultural taboo against it in this new world. The novel blended light-hearted humor, quirky world-building, and heartwarming character interactions, making it a charming, low-stakes slice of life story.
There was a big focus on community, as Fischer built relationships with the villagers and even formed bonds with numerous animal companions. The pick of the bunch being a sentient crab named Sergeant Snips! Slice of Life LitRPGs are becoming fairly common nowadays and this was a solid entry. I enjoyed the focus on personal growth over combat and its humorous yet often touching portrayal of daily life and friendship in a fantasy setting. There is definitely more to life than power and ambition!
If this book has a flaw it was the fact that my interest in the story lulled just a bit in the final 20%. I fear some of the novelty was wearing off and some of the character interactions were getting a tad repetitive. I’ll read the next instalment and hope it can find a way to keep things fresh without ruining the things that made the bulk of first instalment a fun read.
All in all this was a solid Slice of Life LitRPG.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: Heath Miller did a solid job with the audio.
May 16, 2024
Unfortunately for me, I think I would have enjoyed this much more if I hadn't read it immediately after Beware of Chicken. The books were very similar but the former is a new favourite so this book didn't get it's fair shot!
If you really love the BoC vibes though, this book had a lot of similar elements. We did get to learn a lot about the main characters backstory, see him collect some fishy beast friends, navigate weird cults and make friends. My favourite parts were George constantly misunderstanding Fischer's motives, I loved it a lot.
I very much have to agree with another reviewer though - once you introduce slavery you leave cozy fantasy behind. Either the main character has to fight the system, which isn't cozy; or they are going to ignore the problem which makes them someone to despise. I am looking forward to book 2, but I will have less cozy expectations!
If you really love the BoC vibes though, this book had a lot of similar elements. We did get to learn a lot about the main characters backstory, see him collect some fishy beast friends, navigate weird cults and make friends. My favourite parts were George constantly misunderstanding Fischer's motives, I loved it a lot.
I very much have to agree with another reviewer though - once you introduce slavery you leave cozy fantasy behind. Either the main character has to fight the system, which isn't cozy; or they are going to ignore the problem which makes them someone to despise. I am looking forward to book 2, but I will have less cozy expectations!
March 17, 2024
The MC used to be an outstanding entrepreneur, master of negotiation. In his new life he decided to follow his shrink advice to "trust people". Got scammed during the first transaction.
Train of thought and conversations with other characters felt too simplistic. Dropped at 6%
Train of thought and conversations with other characters felt too simplistic. Dropped at 6%
November 29, 2024
Heretical Fishing is the best new release of 2024.
Haylock Jobson understands the nuance of what the cosy genre requires to be successful and gives much more, besides.
The things the cosy genre requires for success:
1. Endearing characters that have noble and moral desires. This includes exclusive dialogue isms, inner monologues, backstory and philosophical ground to stand on. Most of the characters have all of this.
2. Mystery or other forms of tension. In a book where you know everything is going to be ok, it’s important to build tension in one or multiple ways. This story is essentially Winnie the Pooh. Pooh follows the way, established in virtue, and everything ends up resolving itself with little to no effort from Pooh. Replace Pooh with Fischer, then add a tragic past. Throughout the story, there are multiple mysteries, as well as deviously-planning atagonists’ schemes that lead the reader on morishly and keep the pages flying by.
3. Emotional connection and character development. Multiple pov characters have things in their past that allow them to evolve with the resolution of their personal stories and attaining of personal growth and power. This is a special mix where the themes of the book allign not only with the character development but also the plot of the story. Heretical Fishing is peak progression fantasy for this reason. The gelling of all the parts of this fiction into a single point is truly special.
The other things Jobson adds on top here are some wonderful spiritual messages, various diagnoses of societal ills (as well as obvious solutions given), clear & quick-flowing prose, and a masterful use of subtext and leading the reader to conclusions without having to outright explain anything (often called respecting the readers intelligence, which is very impressive in a debut author). These are the biggest attributes. But personally, I also just REALLY had fun with this. I laughed outloud probably seven or eight times.
This is masterful popcorn reading. Regardless of the attention this is getting on the independent litrpg scene, I think that this book is still heavily underrated and underread. This is the best thing Ive read in the genre , surpassing other far more popular series like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Cradle and (most of) The Wandering Inn.
Heretical Fishing is what I wanted Beware of Chicken to be and I give this series my highest recommendation.
Haylock Jobson understands the nuance of what the cosy genre requires to be successful and gives much more, besides.
The things the cosy genre requires for success:
1. Endearing characters that have noble and moral desires. This includes exclusive dialogue isms, inner monologues, backstory and philosophical ground to stand on. Most of the characters have all of this.
2. Mystery or other forms of tension. In a book where you know everything is going to be ok, it’s important to build tension in one or multiple ways. This story is essentially Winnie the Pooh. Pooh follows the way, established in virtue, and everything ends up resolving itself with little to no effort from Pooh. Replace Pooh with Fischer, then add a tragic past. Throughout the story, there are multiple mysteries, as well as deviously-planning atagonists’ schemes that lead the reader on morishly and keep the pages flying by.
3. Emotional connection and character development. Multiple pov characters have things in their past that allow them to evolve with the resolution of their personal stories and attaining of personal growth and power. This is a special mix where the themes of the book allign not only with the character development but also the plot of the story. Heretical Fishing is peak progression fantasy for this reason. The gelling of all the parts of this fiction into a single point is truly special.
The other things Jobson adds on top here are some wonderful spiritual messages, various diagnoses of societal ills (as well as obvious solutions given), clear & quick-flowing prose, and a masterful use of subtext and leading the reader to conclusions without having to outright explain anything (often called respecting the readers intelligence, which is very impressive in a debut author). These are the biggest attributes. But personally, I also just REALLY had fun with this. I laughed outloud probably seven or eight times.
This is masterful popcorn reading. Regardless of the attention this is getting on the independent litrpg scene, I think that this book is still heavily underrated and underread. This is the best thing Ive read in the genre , surpassing other far more popular series like Dungeon Crawler Carl, Cradle and (most of) The Wandering Inn.
Heretical Fishing is what I wanted Beware of Chicken to be and I give this series my highest recommendation.
March 27, 2024
There are a few things I need for me to at least finish a book, the main character needs to not annoy me, the story and plot needs to be entertaining and the world building needs to make some sort of sense. The characters are fine, a bit simple but acceptable, but the world is just bad. In a slice of life book like this, were the drama and pressure on the story is based on outside pressure being put on the character, then it needs to be solid world which this is not. Trying to figure out how this world works takes me out of the story since their are plot points on how the MC would be able to accomplish his goals, for example selling pearls but based on how the city he lives in how do nobles acquire money, the economy seems to be based on a agricultural setting, are the people serfs, but they act like they are basically in a capitalist society similar to modern day... and I can go on. The lack of people utilizing the sea (food, economics, travel, etc..) because it is simply frowned upon was just stupid, why even have a town close to the sea?
Maybe if this was a silly comedy I could get past the bad world building, but with the plot revolving around these things, I struggled to get halfway before I dropped it.
Maybe if this was a silly comedy I could get past the bad world building, but with the plot revolving around these things, I struggled to get halfway before I dropped it.
October 25, 2024
Well that’s 26 hours of my life I won’t be getting back.
I listened to the audiobook and it was well-read.
This book was highly recommended. I really wanted to DNF at around 50%, but I kept going. This is a “slice of life” book, so I understand the slow pace and not massive revelations every other page. But really, not much happens.
There are some very funny moments, the mayor always thinking the MC is up to something is so funny, when the MC is just fishing and cooking.
The main intrigue of the book “all systems offline”, was actually pretty pointless. I guess this develops in book 2/3 but really, this book could have existed in isolation without that plot point as it’s never really explored.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book. Everyone looks at everyone else “conspiratorially” and the MC constantly talks about his “enhanced body”.
I listened to the audiobook and it was well-read.
This book was highly recommended. I really wanted to DNF at around 50%, but I kept going. This is a “slice of life” book, so I understand the slow pace and not massive revelations every other page. But really, not much happens.
There are some very funny moments, the mayor always thinking the MC is up to something is so funny, when the MC is just fishing and cooking.
The main intrigue of the book “all systems offline”, was actually pretty pointless. I guess this develops in book 2/3 but really, this book could have existed in isolation without that plot point as it’s never really explored.
Overall I wouldn’t recommend this book. Everyone looks at everyone else “conspiratorially” and the MC constantly talks about his “enhanced body”.
June 3, 2025
4,75⭐
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📖Šī grāmata bija kārtējais apliecinājums tam, ka LitRPG patiešām ir mans žanrs.
“Heretical Fishing” ir lieliska cozy fantasy grāmata ar LitRPG/ isekai elementiem (vairāk gan koncentrējas uz cozy fantasy pusi). Sižets ir minimāls - lielāka uzmanība pievērsta emocijām un sajūtām.
📖Pēc autoavārijas galvenais varonis attopas fantāzijas pasaulē. Viss, ko viņš vēlas darīt ar savu dzīvi, ir zvejot, taču šajā zemē zvejošana tiek uzskatīta par ķecerīgu nodarbi. Tāpēc viņam nāksies mainīt vietējo iedzīvotāju attieksmi pret to.
“Found family“ un dzīvnieku kompanjoni - ko vēl vairāk var vēlēties?
Un, atšķirībā no tradicionālajiem dzīvniekiem, viņš sadraudzējas ar krabi un ūdru (un grāmatas pašās beigās arī ar zaķīti).
Humors arī bija atrodams uz katra stūra.
📖Rakstības stils varbūt nav pats spēcīgākais - izmantotās frāzes diezgan bieži mēdz atkārtoties, bet man tas nekādā veidā netraucēja baudīt stāstu.
Vienīgais mīnuss - uz beigām nedaudz pietrūka galvenā varoņa un dzīvnieku kopdarbības, jo katrs koncentrējās uz savām nodarbēm.
📖Ja Tev patika “Legends and Lattes” un sajūtu ziņā meklē ko līdzīgu - noteikti iesaku šo grāmatu! Paralēli fiziskajai grāmatai klausījos arī audiogrāmatu, un tā arī bija lieliska. Nevaru sagaidīt, kad varēšu turpināt lasīt šo sēriju!
Saite uz atsauksmi Instagram
📖Šī grāmata bija kārtējais apliecinājums tam, ka LitRPG patiešām ir mans žanrs.
“Heretical Fishing” ir lieliska cozy fantasy grāmata ar LitRPG/ isekai elementiem (vairāk gan koncentrējas uz cozy fantasy pusi). Sižets ir minimāls - lielāka uzmanība pievērsta emocijām un sajūtām.
📖Pēc autoavārijas galvenais varonis attopas fantāzijas pasaulē. Viss, ko viņš vēlas darīt ar savu dzīvi, ir zvejot, taču šajā zemē zvejošana tiek uzskatīta par ķecerīgu nodarbi. Tāpēc viņam nāksies mainīt vietējo iedzīvotāju attieksmi pret to.
“Found family“ un dzīvnieku kompanjoni - ko vēl vairāk var vēlēties?
Un, atšķirībā no tradicionālajiem dzīvniekiem, viņš sadraudzējas ar krabi un ūdru (un grāmatas pašās beigās arī ar zaķīti).
Humors arī bija atrodams uz katra stūra.
📖Rakstības stils varbūt nav pats spēcīgākais - izmantotās frāzes diezgan bieži mēdz atkārtoties, bet man tas nekādā veidā netraucēja baudīt stāstu.
Vienīgais mīnuss - uz beigām nedaudz pietrūka galvenā varoņa un dzīvnieku kopdarbības, jo katrs koncentrējās uz savām nodarbēm.
📖Ja Tev patika “Legends and Lattes” un sajūtu ziņā meklē ko līdzīgu - noteikti iesaku šo grāmatu! Paralēli fiziskajai grāmatai klausījos arī audiogrāmatu, un tā arī bija lieliska. Nevaru sagaidīt, kad varēšu turpināt lasīt šo sēriju!
January 27, 2025
I should start by saying I'm not familiar with the LitRPG genre, though I am familiar with both electronic ant tabletop RPGs.
I found this book initially sort of fun in a clumsy, nonchalant and inoffensive way, but as it went on it got more and more verbose, offensively simplistic and often outright boring. Characters are flat caricatures, conflicts are entirely deus-ex-machina'd or “charmed” away with australian slang and a smile, the main character is the mary sue of all mary sues. The setting and premise are not explained in any way. I saw no new or interesting spin on anything, and it just goes on and on... and on.
The style is very simple and very sparse you could probably read only 1 in 4 words and not lose much. It kind of felt like reading a “let’s play” stream? Perhaps if you’re into that sort of thing, you might enjoy this book too.
1* is probably a bit harsh, but 2* for a book that carries almost no meaningful content is too much in my opinion, not to mention the almost 4.5* it is rated here at the time of writing.
I found this book initially sort of fun in a clumsy, nonchalant and inoffensive way, but as it went on it got more and more verbose, offensively simplistic and often outright boring. Characters are flat caricatures, conflicts are entirely deus-ex-machina'd or “charmed” away with australian slang and a smile, the main character is the mary sue of all mary sues. The setting and premise are not explained in any way. I saw no new or interesting spin on anything, and it just goes on and on... and on.
The style is very simple and very sparse you could probably read only 1 in 4 words and not lose much. It kind of felt like reading a “let’s play” stream? Perhaps if you’re into that sort of thing, you might enjoy this book too.
1* is probably a bit harsh, but 2* for a book that carries almost no meaningful content is too much in my opinion, not to mention the almost 4.5* it is rated here at the time of writing.
July 18, 2024
It started at a five star then went to a four star after it started to feel like it was dragging on. Then by the near end it was a three because our MC is only going to fish which means his companions will be doing all of the leg work for the heroics of this series.
It was good but he started to feel incompetent and pointless to the storyline. He is more of a side character than the side characters are.
It was good but he started to feel incompetent and pointless to the storyline. He is more of a side character than the side characters are.
July 25, 2024
DNF. Beware of Chicken is such a heartwarming, wonderfully fun read. This story is...not. I would describe the book as irritating on many levels. Please do not compare the two.
January 31, 2025
If you love 'Beware of Chicken', then you would fallen love in with 'Heretical Fishing' even more.
March 6, 2025
Very cute and creative, yet very tedious and cheesy story, whose length could have easily been halved - and I wish it had been, as this entire book was setting up the actual plot in the rest of the series, which I don’t think I’ll be reading. The writing was frustrating to me at times and I don’t think I would have finished it if I weren’t listening via audiobook.
I am interested in where the story will lead, but not enough to actually read the next one. So if the story were condensed and what is being set up actually happened, I would be a happier customer.
I would like to think it would be far more enjoyable to me if I were passionate and knowledgeable about fishing, but I know that wouldn’t make up for my issues with the pacing and dialogue.
I will give it credit for containing one of my favorite tropes, which is when the imbecile villain gets bested by the hero at every turn, but the oblivious hero isn’t even trying and has no idea what’s going on.
I am interested in where the story will lead, but not enough to actually read the next one. So if the story were condensed and what is being set up actually happened, I would be a happier customer.
I would like to think it would be far more enjoyable to me if I were passionate and knowledgeable about fishing, but I know that wouldn’t make up for my issues with the pacing and dialogue.
I will give it credit for containing one of my favorite tropes, which is when the imbecile villain gets bested by the hero at every turn, but the oblivious hero isn’t even trying and has no idea what’s going on.
August 25, 2025
4.5 rounding up
Imagine if Animal Crossing was turned into a LitRPG, but as you're trying to be a happy go lucky villager, there's a looming threat that everyone but you can sense about how strong you're getting and what that means to their way of life.
That is Heritcal Fishing.
I'm excited for book 2.
Imagine if Animal Crossing was turned into a LitRPG, but as you're trying to be a happy go lucky villager, there's a looming threat that everyone but you can sense about how strong you're getting and what that means to their way of life.
That is Heritcal Fishing.
I'm excited for book 2.
December 21, 2024
Ah, fishing; still heretical here some places too, eh?
TL; DR: A litRPG read like a guy who likes the fishing mini games; it’s a fun, relaxing, and surprisingly realistic story of a man out of his world.
I’m a strong litRPG hater, I generally believe that the entire genre is a cheap gimmick to sell books to DnD nerds and videogame junkies who wouldn’t know a good book if they got hit across the face with it. I’m also a guy who likes fishing, both in videogames and in the real world. This was a delight; I’m willing to eat my words here, as every moment was just fun. I actually laughed out loud for a lot of pinpoints in the story and enjoyed even the “cheap gimmicks.” Haylock Jobson created a masterpiece here and I’ve already purchased the next two books.
Characters: Fischer is great; from the moment he enters the book, he captures your attention. He really does seem like a guy who shrugs and moves forward, no matter the event or outcome following. In spite of his history, he’s a regular guy in a “cool” situation. I cracked up at all of the comments on his accent and the various ways he interacted with creatures in the book. The side characters held my heart though; from Claws and Snips to Barry and Maria, it felt like every side character had the same amount of personality as the main one. It was great to witness all of their interactions and I did so enjoy when Sebastian got his what for.
Setting: Tropica is an idyllic place and a well-crafted one; the shores and sands give way so smoothly to the fields of sugar cane and forest of berries. It’s a magical place for more reasons than one, and it draws you in for the deceptively calming area it is.
Story: It felt like a side quest in the best way possible; I was sneaking minutes in here or there in my regular day just because I wanted to know what it was like in the world of Gormona. It was a beautiful picture and a wonderful world. I couldn’t get enough of it and now that I’m hooked, I was disappointed the fourth book isn’t out until August. That’s a little bit away and I’m already eager.
Writing: Excellent for most everything; there were one or two repetitive things that irked me slightly in terms of writing, but I think that likely just comes with more experience with the story. It’s a great read, very comfortable and witty. As stated before, I thought the comments on Earth versus the current world were hilarious and the evolution of Fischer’s relationships and maturity were a welcome growth.
Heretical Fishing is awesome; somehow both stimulating and relaxing, the world of Fischer and his pals is remarkably colorful and wonderfully complex. I couldn’t be happier about picking these all up on a whim. Also, the narrator was exceptional. The best I’ve heard thus far on any book, bar none. Overall a fantastic book and a delight to enjoy, I can’t wait for the next.
4.9 🌟
TL; DR: A litRPG read like a guy who likes the fishing mini games; it’s a fun, relaxing, and surprisingly realistic story of a man out of his world.
I’m a strong litRPG hater, I generally believe that the entire genre is a cheap gimmick to sell books to DnD nerds and videogame junkies who wouldn’t know a good book if they got hit across the face with it. I’m also a guy who likes fishing, both in videogames and in the real world. This was a delight; I’m willing to eat my words here, as every moment was just fun. I actually laughed out loud for a lot of pinpoints in the story and enjoyed even the “cheap gimmicks.” Haylock Jobson created a masterpiece here and I’ve already purchased the next two books.
Characters: Fischer is great; from the moment he enters the book, he captures your attention. He really does seem like a guy who shrugs and moves forward, no matter the event or outcome following. In spite of his history, he’s a regular guy in a “cool” situation. I cracked up at all of the comments on his accent and the various ways he interacted with creatures in the book. The side characters held my heart though; from Claws and Snips to Barry and Maria, it felt like every side character had the same amount of personality as the main one. It was great to witness all of their interactions and I did so enjoy when Sebastian got his what for.
Setting: Tropica is an idyllic place and a well-crafted one; the shores and sands give way so smoothly to the fields of sugar cane and forest of berries. It’s a magical place for more reasons than one, and it draws you in for the deceptively calming area it is.
Story: It felt like a side quest in the best way possible; I was sneaking minutes in here or there in my regular day just because I wanted to know what it was like in the world of Gormona. It was a beautiful picture and a wonderful world. I couldn’t get enough of it and now that I’m hooked, I was disappointed the fourth book isn’t out until August. That’s a little bit away and I’m already eager.
Writing: Excellent for most everything; there were one or two repetitive things that irked me slightly in terms of writing, but I think that likely just comes with more experience with the story. It’s a great read, very comfortable and witty. As stated before, I thought the comments on Earth versus the current world were hilarious and the evolution of Fischer’s relationships and maturity were a welcome growth.
Heretical Fishing is awesome; somehow both stimulating and relaxing, the world of Fischer and his pals is remarkably colorful and wonderfully complex. I couldn’t be happier about picking these all up on a whim. Also, the narrator was exceptional. The best I’ve heard thus far on any book, bar none. Overall a fantastic book and a delight to enjoy, I can’t wait for the next.
4.9 🌟
July 19, 2025
Started off cute like an Animal Crossing Pokemon-esque relaxing cozy read but I soon got annoyed by the main character's avoidance of the world around him. I know he wants to do his own thing but the active choice to be ignorant to things going on around him put a sour taste in my mouth.
Overall still good but I personally prefer Beware of Chicken.
Overall still good but I personally prefer Beware of Chicken.
December 26, 2024
Narrator Heath Miller is probably the only reason I finished this. It's mildly interesting, in that 'this is clearly a webserial that will be repeatative and take forever for the story to go somewhere while having mediocre writing". Mix it wonky world building, characters that are meh, some interesting animals and too much fishing and you have this book. The evil nobility are all fat, lazy, out of shape, etc which is showing the author's prejudice towards fatness. The "people with magic are slaves" bit doesn't make any sense. Overall, I don't recommend.
June 23, 2024
Unique, interesting, and wonderful. Read it in KU, then purchased it - love for the book, and support for a local author.
October 21, 2024
I want to go fishing
July 1, 2025
The most egregious part about this book is that EVERY time the characters have a laughing fit over some mid joke, someone says “Ahhhh I needed that”
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