Rating: 
Summary: Not a great "historical" novel
Review: I don't normally like to review books that I know I am going to give less than five stars to, it makes me feel bad! But I am going to make an exception here, because my sister insisted. So here goes.....This was an "okay" book. Very fast reading, a good story, but just does not quite make it as a "good"book. I would not call it a historical novel, although that is what it is described as, I never really felt like I was reading a story from another time period. The story could have been placed anywhere in time and be told the same way. The setting didn't add anything to it. I heard Mr. Patterson talking about all the research he had done, and I don't feel like the reader benefits from that at all!
So, read it, maybe from the library, or a friend's copy, maybe even wait for paper.
Rating: 
Summary: Infanticide Revised
Review: I must ammend my previous review!! I ditched the book after the first 100 pages because of the vivid descriptions of childrens murders. After reading the reviews here however, I decided to give the book one more try, and I'm so glad I did! What a fun book with a nice message and great characters! Still not for some mothers, but if you can "skim" through the childrens' gore you'll be hooked!!
Rating:
Summary: Not up to par
Review: I was very disappointed in this book. I love historical books but this was !like reading Danielle Steele, very trite.
Rating:
Summary: Not His Best Effort
Review: I kept waiting for the story to pick up. Instead, it got very repetitive in its action scenes and quite crass when there was no aspparent need other than to add spice to a story that needed something. All in all a disapointment.
Rating: 
Summary: "A Very Weak Effort"
Review: It is apparent that James Patterson must have had little to do with the writing of this book. It is obviously not his style and is written on about a 4th grade level. This is a real shame, since at one time he was a truly powerful literary force. His partner, Andrew Gross, must be working overtime so they can rake in the bucks..........very poor effort.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW!
Review: Just when you thought you could never enjoy anything as much as Alex Cross, Mr. Patterson has done it again. I couldn't put it down. I don't usually read historical romances or the like, but I had to do it because it is J.P. I don't want to give anything away about the story, but from the very beginning you believe the characters and find yourself thinking that you know how it will end. You don't know anything. This is not a silly romance novel.
Rating:
Summary: Jester
Review: See storyline above.From the front cover to the final page, this is one exciting, enjoyable and entertaining story. I do like adventures from the Middle Ages. At times graphic (as the Middle Ages are known to have been) and at times like a fairy tale, you'll feel emotions ranging from hate to love. I think Patterson and Gross have written one of their best. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Different, but very good
Review: A book which is different from his others, but still one I could not put down.
I also recommand "Tales of the Axe" by Ross P. PSuty
Rating:
Summary: Infanticide
Review: I never thought of myself as squeemish, but after only 100 or so pages I had to put the book down in disgust. How many more babies will be killed in this tale? It's not only the death of infants and young children, but the gruesome, heartwrenching detail in which they are described! Enough!! I definately would not recommend this book for other mothers.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Different Subject Matter For James Patterson
Review: This book is a strange blend of the quintessial James Patterson in format and pace with an entirely new type of story for him (as was the moving and enjoyable SUZANNE'S DIARY FOR NICHOLAS). This is an historical novel based in medieval times, with the Crusades and French serfdom as the backdrop. It appears to accurately capture the nature of the times, with townspeople barely scratching out an existence while dependent for protection on the whims of the local nobles and their knights. The central character is Hugh De Luc, an innkeeper in a small French village who leaves his wife Sophie to join the First Crusade to fight the infidels and free Jerusalem. The first section of the book graphically describes the hardships which he and his companions endured during their journey, and his lifechanging experience in Antioch which convinced him to end his journey and return home. Upon his eventual return he finds his village plundered and destroyed, the infant son previously unknown to him murdered and his wife kidnapped and believed dead. The remainder of the book involves Hugh's attempts to locate his wife (he believes that she is still alive) and mete out vengenance on those who are responsible for his son's death. While near death after an encounter with a wild boar, Hugh is befriended by Emilie and her mistress Anne from neighboring Boree, which Anne rules while her husband Stephen is away fighting in the Crusade. Hugh attempts to develop a strategy for infiltrating neighboring Treille, a walled city ruled by the evil Baldwin, who is apparently responsible for Sophie's kidnapping. Emilie has the idea that Hugh can use his intelligence and natural talent for comedy to pose as a JESTER, and thus disguised Hugh resumes his search for Sophie. As you might assume since this is a James Patterson book, at this point the plot complications and misdirection begin. Hugh soon discovers that in fact one of the souvenirs that he brought home to France is perceived to be of great historical value and the prize sought by the Black Knights still wrecking havoc on the countryside and its inhabitants in their search for it. The latter parts of the book turn out to be not only an historical action/adventure but a philosophical examination of the role of individual freedom and private property that eventually transformed the nature of arrangements between nobles and the monarchy and their subjects and led to the adoption of the rule of law versus the rule of force. Hugh assembles an army of his friends and neighbors to first confront Baldwin of Treille and later Stephen of Boree (upon his return from the Crusade), and combines his insights with the knowledge and skills that he learned during the battles in which he participated to overcome superior odds and eventually prevail. Yet the style of Patterson and his co-author Andrew Gross keep the pace very rapid and the story interesting and fast moving. There is an incredible amount of bloodshed, violence, vulgarity, and gore. These are obviously typical of the period and true to the experience of the Crusades, although much of the dialog seems much more attuned to our current patterns of speech than to the Middle Ages. The difference between the violence in this and some of Patterson's especially gory books is that it seemed essential to the plot and not carried to mindnumbing and gratuitous extremes. There is also the usual misdirection, although more obvious clues in some cases (such as Emilie's identity) than is usual for a Patterson story. In summary, Patterson's style and the short chapters and rapid pace of action actually hide the much more ambitious effort that this book represents. As an affirmation of the power of love and laughter, its overriding tone despite the violence is quite different from many of his other stories. And the fairy tale ending is very different from his usual conclusion, perhaps to offset this essentially accurate portrayal of the depressing nature of the history of the that time. So, if you are a James Patterson fan, be prepared for something very different but just as engaging as his best work. And I certainly agree with the comments of other reviewers that this appears to be a prime candidate for an epic movie, I just hope that they manage to make it more that an historical adventure, as the authors have done. It is a fast paced easy read, but somewhat longer and with a lot more to think about and enjoy than most of his books. So, if you want a detective story, look elsewhere; and if you want a serious historical novel with carefully drawn characters and slow paced action examining the time in great detail, you will also certainly be disappointed. But if you want a story to read on the train or plane, during a vacation, or while relaxing before bed, this is well worth your time.
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