Author: Jean Rabe
Publisher: Five Star Books
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: March 2007
In Fenzig’s Fortune, we have the tale of Fenzig, a fifteen year old gnome and thief who is caught trying to steal from the king. Thinking that he is doomed to die, Fenzig soon learns that the king has other plans for him.
King Erlgrane is a greedy man who wants Fenzig to use his thieving skills to steal three emeralds from a nearby rival. A slow acting spell that will kill Fenzig within two weeks is cast upon the young gnome to ensure that he returns with the emeralds, so that he may be given the antidote to the fatal spell.
Fenzig’s Fortune is full of spells, warring kingdoms, magical items, and an evil wizard.
Unfortunately, this novel breaks that Golden Rule of writing: Show, Don’t Tell. The reader is guided through this tale by the inner thoughts of Fenzig. When we aren’t reading about what Fenzig is thinking, we are subjected to his constant muttering and whispering to himself. As if that weren’t annoying enough, a magic necklace enters the picture which enables the wearer to read the thoughts of others. So when Fenzig’s companion is wearing this necklace, he doesn’t even bother to even mutter as he knows his thoughts can simply be read by his companion as well the reader.
I’m going to die, Fenzig thought sadly. I’m so terribly young, and I’m going to die before I really get to live. How will they do it? A rope? An axe? Maybe these oafs will drop me down the stairs so I break my neck. I wonder if it will hurt? Of course it will hurt. But I wonder how much it will hurt. How long will it take? Will anybody tell my father? Probably not, Fenzig decided after being carried up two flights of stairs. Nobody even asked my name.
Although this book is aimed at a younger audience, the inner monologues and dialogues still struck me as banal and even corny.
“I’d say you’re not supposed to be here, wee-one. Wouldn’t you, Drollo?”The other suit flipped up its faceplate, showing the visage of a darker-skinned man with tight black curls plastered across his forehead. “Oh, I can guarantee you he’s not supposed to be here.” “Shall we have at him, then, Drollo, my friend?” the first guard quipped. He raised his long sword in a mock salute to the gnome. “Never much cared for gnomes.”
“I could use a bit of sport,” the other replied. “I was getting tired of just standing here. This is the most boring guard duty in all of the duke’s holdings.”
No doubt, the reader is supposed to find Fenzig cute and forgive him for being a thief. After all, he doesn’t steal everything a person owns and he only steals from those he thinks can afford it. But every time he’s caught stealing, he makes empty promises to go “straight” if they’ll just let him go. His companion Carmen considers Fenzig “a fine little fellow, and I enjoy his company.” He says this about Fenzig even though he read the little gnome’s thoughts just the other day wherein Fenzig was plotting on how to relieve Carmen of his wagon and horses. In fact, Fenzig knocked him out with a frying pan. I don’t consider those actions to be cute or fine.
The back of the book credits Jean Rabe with having written twenty fantasy novels and more than a few short stories in a range of genres. Yet Fenzig’s Fortune reads like an amateur effort. Although I read the entire book, I still give it a 1 because if I had not been reading it for review, I would not have gotten past the first two dozen pages before giving up entirely.
