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Jason Cosmo Classic Series (1989-1993) #1
Jason Cosmo
The Case of Mistaken Heroics
Jason Cosmo is perfectly happy to be a woodcutter in the village of Hicksnittle until an inept bounty hunter claims Jason Cosmo is the Mighty Champion and puts a price on his head — ten million crowns! Now Jason must escape and prove his mettle in the Incredibly Dark Forest against such formidable enemies as Natalia Slash and Vixen von Hotfur, two seductive mercenaries hired to lure Jason into the Jaws of Death. Even the aid of the wizard Mercury Boltblaster is not enough to combat the Demon Lords and the Dark Magic Society. And to make matters even more dangerous, the Gods decide that Jason must become the Mighty Champion in deed as well as name. He must Overcome All Odds to wrest the magic Superwand from Deadly Enemies. For no one else would be foolish enough to stand against the magical forces to restore the dread power of the long-vanquished Evil Empire!
Jason Cosmo is perfectly happy to be a woodcutter in the village of Hicksnittle until an inept bounty hunter claims Jason Cosmo is the Mighty Champion and puts a price on his head — ten million crowns! Now Jason must escape and prove his mettle in the Incredibly Dark Forest against such formidable enemies as Natalia Slash and Vixen von Hotfur, two seductive mercenaries hired to lure Jason into the Jaws of Death. Even the aid of the wizard Mercury Boltblaster is not enough to combat the Demon Lords and the Dark Magic Society. And to make matters even more dangerous, the Gods decide that Jason must become the Mighty Champion in deed as well as name. He must Overcome All Odds to wrest the magic Superwand from Deadly Enemies. For no one else would be foolish enough to stand against the magical forces to restore the dread power of the long-vanquished Evil Empire!
235 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
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53 people want to read
About the author
Dan McGirt
18 books41 followersDAN MCGIRT is the author of the Jason Cosmo fantasy adventure series, beginning with Hero Wanted and continued in Noble Cause and Royal Crush. He also writes the Jack Scarlet modern pulp adventure series, beginning with Jack Scarlet: Deepfire. His previous books comprise the original Jason Cosmo Non-Trilogy: Jason Cosmo, Royal Chaos and Dirty Work.
Dan also writes the Thursday Things weekly newsletter, which collects uplifting, offbeat, or otherwise interesting items he finds in his online and offline reading.
Dan also writes the Thursday Things weekly newsletter, which collects uplifting, offbeat, or otherwise interesting items he finds in his online and offline reading.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 22, 2020
Purchased this book way back in 2008 (if I remember correctly, or slightly earlier) from a Street Vendor in the alley next to the Gunasena Bookshop at Yatinuwara Veediya, Kandy. The plot is easy and enjoyable, coupled with a bit little character development, light world-building and stereotypical fantasy setting but the author's puns and style of prose keeps the reader engaged right throughout.
Quite recently I read few pages from second volume "Royal Chaos" and stopped almost 10 pages in. Didn't want to ruin the fond memories that I have of the first book - it's that bad.
Overall, reading this book is like eating sugar; no substantial content, but an enjoyable and rather quick read.
Quite recently I read few pages from second volume "Royal Chaos" and stopped almost 10 pages in. Didn't want to ruin the fond memories that I have of the first book - it's that bad.
Overall, reading this book is like eating sugar; no substantial content, but an enjoyable and rather quick read.
October 16, 2025
I read this when it was first released and loved it, over the years I lost a lot of my books and it took my fifteen years to find in it a charity shop in Deal.
I read it again (naturally) and it was just as good as I remember.
It is light, clever, and great fun, a reminder that fantasy doesn’t have to take itself seriously.
I read it again (naturally) and it was just as good as I remember.
It is light, clever, and great fun, a reminder that fantasy doesn’t have to take itself seriously.
October 18, 2025
I read this when it was first released and loved it, over the years I lost a lot of my books and it took my fifteen years to find in it a charity shop in Deal.
I read it again (naturally) and it was just as good as I remember.
It is light, clever, and great fun, a reminder that fantasy doesn’t have to take itself seriously.
I read it again (naturally) and it was just as good as I remember.
It is light, clever, and great fun, a reminder that fantasy doesn’t have to take itself seriously.
November 19, 2021
It was just okay. I didn't like how the story was told, it seemed to go between first person and third person. Parts of the story dragged, but overall it was interesting. I didn't care about the characters enough to read the sequels.
April 9, 2019
Stupid.
December 18, 2007
Recieved a copy of Jason Cosmo as an unbirthday gift from a friend, after talking about humourous fantasy.
Jason Cosmo, a humble woodchopper from a backwater part of the kingdom suddenly finds himself the object of 10 million crown bounty; as he is apparently the reincarnation of the previous age's Mighty Champion. Both the Dark Magic Society and the League of Benevolent Magic have plans for him, and he's not so sure he wants to be involved with either. He teams up with Mercury Boltblaster, a wizard, who helps Jason escape from the bounty hunters and various other baddies placed in their path. Along the way, they rescue twins Sapphrina and Rubis, two lovely ladies who aren't quite as helpless as they seem at first.
McGirt plays with the conventions of fantasy, but is sometimes too clever for his own good. Some of the names are overly cutesy and the magical weapon resal - Regulated Emission of Sorcerously Amplified Light ... yeah. The plots are appropriately complicated and the set pieces are just this side of a cliche at times. Still, the story is entertaining and some of the other elements, such as the Jaws of Death, are pretty well done. McGirt is no Terry Pratchett, but Jason Cosmo was a fun afternoon read.
Recommended to fans of fantasy who can appreciate the occasional tongue-in-cheek parody of the genre.
Jason Cosmo, a humble woodchopper from a backwater part of the kingdom suddenly finds himself the object of 10 million crown bounty; as he is apparently the reincarnation of the previous age's Mighty Champion. Both the Dark Magic Society and the League of Benevolent Magic have plans for him, and he's not so sure he wants to be involved with either. He teams up with Mercury Boltblaster, a wizard, who helps Jason escape from the bounty hunters and various other baddies placed in their path. Along the way, they rescue twins Sapphrina and Rubis, two lovely ladies who aren't quite as helpless as they seem at first.
McGirt plays with the conventions of fantasy, but is sometimes too clever for his own good. Some of the names are overly cutesy and the magical weapon resal - Regulated Emission of Sorcerously Amplified Light ... yeah. The plots are appropriately complicated and the set pieces are just this side of a cliche at times. Still, the story is entertaining and some of the other elements, such as the Jaws of Death, are pretty well done. McGirt is no Terry Pratchett, but Jason Cosmo was a fun afternoon read.
Recommended to fans of fantasy who can appreciate the occasional tongue-in-cheek parody of the genre.
March 19, 2009
First of a humorous fantasy trilogy. I'd recommend Wm. Mark Simmons over McGirt if you're looking for funny fantasy without the Terry Pratchett satire or the semi-serious storytelling of Jim Butcher's work. Has its moments, though.
March 28, 2012
The Jason Cosmo trilogy is irreverent and sarcastic - two of my favourite qualities in a book. I reckon Jason Cosmo is the best writer you've never heard of. If you enjoy Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams and have done a bit of role playing in your dim dark past, these books could be for you!
October 3, 2009
brilliant fantasy satire- loved the characters- wit- simply wonderful
buy this book!
buy this book!
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October 3, 2009This author is certainly the new Douglas Admas- book was wonderful- witty- compelling- perfect- rushed to read second- Rotal Chaos
December 9, 2009
Love it!! The first in the original Jason Cosmo Trilogy.
Can a poor woodcutter really become a superhero?
Can a poor woodcutter really become a superhero?
March 14, 2021
Best Fantasy Novel. Loved it. Was my first entrybook in Fantasy world, orcs, trolls, ogres, dragons. Love the Incredible Dark Forest scenes.
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October 28, 2016a snarky irreverent take on the heroic genre
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews