Rating: 
Summary: Different, but still good
Review: I was skeptical of the Jester as I started reading it, but I did enjoy the story and it left me wanting more at the end just as his other books have. As others, I was somewhat disappointed that they never went back to "today" at the end. One thing I do need to point out is that they never said they found the lance in the jester's grave - it was because of the stories that it was mentioned that it belonged to a jester (it was found in the duke's grave). Also, if you are complaining about 2-3 page chapters, then you are not familiar with James Patterson's books - most of his books are written that way and for me, it keeps me turning pages - you keep saying, "oh, just one more chapter", but then you end up reading more.
Rating: 
Summary: It is what it is, OUTSTANDING!
Review: James Patterson and Andrew Gross really did a good job on this rousing adventure story. It is set in the 11th Century France. A low born man named Hugh volenteers for the Crusades. After two years he returns home and finds his wife and son murdered. He then disguises himself as a jester at the nobleman's court who he believes is responsable for the crime. Of course there is a lot more to it than that, and not everything is what it seems. Now, the charactor of Hugh is your typical Dark Ages everyman; but that's good. He's a working class hero who has been abused by the system, and takes justice into his own hands by leading a rebellion (shades of Robin Hood and William Wallace). His demand for fairness and justice are things we can all identify with. And the bad guys are really horrible men. Lord's who abuse their authority and their captain of the guards who act as enforcers and enjoy torture. The story is an adventure in the style of "Rob Roy", "La Morte De Aurthor" and "Count of Monte Cristo". Maybe it's likeness to those novels is why it dosn't get a perfect rating. But it moves at a rocket pace, there are brutal and graphic sword fights and other violence all through out the novel. This is one of the best adventures to come out in a while. If your a history buff, this is definitly up your ally.
Rating:
Summary: Not up to the hype or down to the pans
Review: This book is a big departure for Patterson. Stanch fans of Alex Cross will not care for this book. However, it is far from being a masterpiece. The characters are not well developed and the situations are unreal and contrived. Still it is a very good "beach book". Fast paced, entertaining, and not too taxing. If you like this book, you should read the Brother Cadfael series by Ellis Peters. They have a great feel for the period and are, frankly, much better stories. Start with "A Morbid Taste For Bones" and follow the series for an absolutely wonderful series of books.
Rating:
Summary: Not the norm
Review: I love James Patterson and all of his books. This one was quite different from anything else hes written. It does hold the interest, but it just wasnt something I personally enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but Good Read
Review: This was different than other books I've read by Patterson, but I thought it was a very interesting, entertaining read. I read the book in just a couple of days, so it held my attention well.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money II!
Review: In the beginning of the book, a religious artifact is found in the grave of a jester. At the end of the book, it is buried with a cruel lord. The daughter of the King of France is allowed to run around the country pretty much by herself. The jester successfully overthroughs a fiefdom and the King of France and other nobles are not one bit threated. Give us a break. I've read better high school themes that this book.
Rating:
Summary: Save Your Time and Money
Review: Unbelievably BAD. Not worth the paper it is written on. The characters were flat and uninteresting. The plot was unbelievable and undeveloped. And 2-3 page chapters! 2nd grade chapter books are better reads. I share my books, but not this one. I am embarrassed to admit I spent [my money] and that \I wasted my time reading it. Hold onto your money and run.
Rating:
Summary: A Nice Twist on Historical Fiction
Review: Hugh De Luc is an innkeeper in Veille du Pere, a village in southern France. The year is 1096, a time of dukes and nobles. A time of servants and jesters. Lord Baldwin and his knight, Norcross, wreak havoc on the people in Hugh's village. Rapes and murders occur and no one can do anything about it. Hugh feels his calling is to join Raymond of Toulouse in the fight for freedom. He leaves his beloved wife, Sophie, to embark on his journey to the Holy Land. Only after his return from brutal battle does he find that his son has been murdered and his wife has been abducted from their village. Hugh knows who's responsible and he vows to bring his wife back to their village. Along the way, Hugh meets a maiden named Emilie. Lady Emilie actually saves his life and takes him back to her court, the castle of the King of France's cousin. She knows he will not stay long, he is in search of his wife. But she offers to help Hugh with his mission. Her idea is simple - Hugh will become a jester to get inside the court and free Sophie from her captors. Her plan, he soon discovers, is much more difficult to carry out. What no one knows is that the real evil lies far deeper than a court wanting to destroy a tiny village. And that evil is linked to the most holy relic known to man. Hugh, once a simple innkeeper, is about to take on the biggest challenge of his life. Many lives will be lost, loved ones, dear friends, fellow soldiers - all for him and all because of him. James Patterson brings a new twist to his thrillers. This time, he takes readers into the historical fiction genre with a very detailed, and sometimes gruesome, account of one man's struggle to break the system to become free. Patterson has taken a detour from the Alex Cross series as well as the Women's Murder Club books with this novel. This is a refreshing take on a genre that is often lacking when authors try to recreate these times. The Jester is not a feel good tale of lords and ladies. The image of violence is vivid and the language is strong. The work he and Andrew Gross have created is a thriller all the way, with an added mix of love, hope and determination.
Rating: 
Summary: Fast-paced action and drama
Review: Poor innkeeper Hugh returns from the First Crusade tired of battle and looking forward to retirement from war, only to find his son dead and his wife Sophie has been kidnapped. Hugh has no time to recover from conflict; he must infiltrate the duke's castle and court to find his beloved, only to discover an underlying evil which will change his life. Highly recommended, The Jester, offers the reader fast-paced action and drama making for an involving historical fiction piece.
Rating:
Summary: A great novel.
Review: I am surprised with some of the bad reviews on this book. Perhaps the story-line, or even the crusades, may not be for everyone-but to call it "aweful writing," I think is taking it a bit too far. I actually found this to be a wonderful story with excellent writing. Hugh De Luc, is a memorable character that inspires hope and compassion. This is my first book written by this author (James Patterson)-and no, it won't be my last. I was interested in "The Jester," and with the bad reviews I felt I was taking a chance getting it. However, I am very glad I did!
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