Heretical Fishing: A Cozy Guide to Annoying the Cults, Outsmarting the Fish, and Alienating Oneself

Heretical Fishing, Book 1

By: Haylock Jobson

Narrated by: Heath Miller

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 more than three million views—now available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook!

©2024 Haylock Jobson (P)2024 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

“I can’t think of a single story I’d rather get truck-kun’d (truck-kunned?) into than [that of] the vivid, lush world portrayed in Heretical Fishing, especially if I can hang out with Fischer and his gang. . . . The best book I’ve read this year.” —Matt Dinniman, New York Times–bestselling author of Dungeon Crawler Carl

This is NOT like HWFWM!! Stop saying that...

I went into this book knowing it was not like HWFWM, let me get that out of the way from the start. Despite the flood of ignorant people comparing it. The MC is an Aussie isekai'd into another world with magic he doesn't understand. It is also read by Heath, who does HWFWM. That is the end of the comparison. Do not go into this story expecting the same thing, it is NOT and is unfair to the author for you to do so.

Onto my review. Heath is as amazing as ever. Easily one of my top 7 narrators. That is high praise from me, as I am picky with my narrators.

Spoiler-ish

The story has depth, is entertaining, but is not what I am looking for, personally. I like magic. There is very little. I like good fights. There were very few and none of the featured the MC KNOWINGLY doing anything. Drunkenly falling and causing a kick so powerful the energy of it can be seen miles away is amusing for sure, but meh. That is his only attack in the whole book. Claws and Snips are a hoot. A crab that can obliterate magically enhanced humans with a single snap of her claws? Heh. Would never have considered it. That being said, the action is just so non-existent, which is frustrating as I REALLY want to dive into this series. But there is too much politicking and deal making for my taste. Oh, you gave me this fancy tart once, sure you can have free run of my forge for the rest of your life! Wait, what? Bleh

A spiritual successor to beware of chicken

If you liked beware of chicken you’ll love this. Does a great job at balancing slice of life with world building about the system.

A nice change of pace

Sometimes LitRPG can be very similar so it's nice to have a book that changes the pace enough to be unique. Really fun read especially if you are looking for a more laid back palette cleanser

By Poseidon’s Salty Tackle Box!

It’s a perfect day to delve into a delightful tale! Haylock Jobson has created an engaging world populated by a wide ranging cast of characters, brought to life by Heath Miller’s vibrant and virtuousic performance. Appreciate the laid-back pacing, and the carefully detailed scene setting. Also the delightfully constructed oaths. Looking forward to more heretical angling adventures.

So much joy to be found here...

Laid back Aussie Fella gets dropped into a small town with only the driving passion to fish; and by religiously practicing Pollyannaism (it means 'to always look on the bright side of life') he manages to incrementally improve the lives of his new friends and neighbors. Using Isekai LitRPG as a framing device, Jobson combines the stranger comes to town trope with an obscene amount of food porn and coffee with detailed serial problem solving, to produce a perfect Christopher Moore-esque beach read