Rating: 
Summary: BEYOND OUTSTANDING!
Review: James Patterson is one of my favorite authors and this departure from his usual genre certainly did not disappoint. I read THE JESTER on March 21, 2003 in one sitting, because I simply could not put it down.Reminiscent of Michael Crichton's TIMELINE, this novel is set in medieval times, and is flavored with anachronistic (but very believable) dialogue. Hugh is a wonderful character, who incites both sympathy and admiration, and the novel's villains give a whole new meaning to the word "monsters"--particularly the so-called noblemen, who seemed to harbor not a shred of humanity. Readers who enjoy a thrilling roller-coaster ride, complete with vivid imagery, heart-pounding plot twists, and semi-historical storytelling, will LOVE this book! Incidentally, the Mystery Guild's reviewer not only misstated part of the novel's exposition, but also spoiled a significant element of suspense by disclosing the identity of the relic--making me glad that I had read the book before seeing the review.
Rating: 
Summary: A flop with bells on.
Review: A terrible novel. Trite, infantile, unbelievable, written for imbeciles. Not sure what the authors were trying to accomplish but they missed by a mile no matter what it was unless the primary intent was to make money.
Rating:
Summary: Surely he jests
Review: When I buy a Patterson book, I expect to read a Patterson book.
In the beginning and page after page, I waited for and expected the REAL story to start. No such luck. Instead, I got a cross between Danielle Steele and Tolkein. I hope my pal Patterson isn't losing it. Four Blind Mice was bad too.
Rating: 
Summary: Does a Book Need to Be Good to Be Good?
Review: So I just finished the book, The Jester by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. It's basically the tale of a Medieval French serf, Hugh, who comes to possession of a significant Christian relic during the Crusades. After deserting the Crusade he is chased by a group of evil black knights in search of the relic. Hugh ends up leading a rag tag group of bondsman into a battle against their corrupt liege.
I've recently gotten into the habit of reading book reviews about halfway through a book. So I check out B&N.com to read both the professional reviews and those of lay readers. This book was not well liked. The reviews ranged from "It sucked to "it really sucked." For the most part people did not like this book.
They had good reason. The book was not a good book. It's plot was predictable, it was filled with many glaring inaccuracies, and it's characters were not well developed. For example, during one scene Hugh lamented the possible loss off his best friend Odo during the siege of a nobleman's castle. While I felt for the potential loss of his friend, my main thought was, Who the hell is Odo? and why should I care more about him the hundreds of other laying dead?
Now here is the crux of my problem. Yes, this was not a good book, yet I still enjoyed it. It was a fast paced, light, enjoyable tale that kept my interest the whole way through. Maybe it's just because I have been reading heavier books lately. Patterson has a simple style that is highly accessible. While some writers may spend a hundred words explaining the shades and fullness of the ancient oak tree, Patterson is happy to tell you the tree is green and just move on.
So is The Jester great literature, no. But it was a fun time.
Rating:
Summary: A Little Too Gory, methinks...
Review: Okay, first off: This book was unlike any thriller I've ever read. And believe me when I say, I've read many. The plot was highly intriguing, especially due to the 3-page prologue which hooked me in the beginning. But I must say, Patterson overdoes himself with the gory description. I don't like to do this but, as I read, I would strike out the gore with a dark pen. Even for an action story, methinks he went a little too far. As far as the comical stories, suspense, pacing and plot development: this book is a winner! The profanity isn't all that bad, either. PLOT: Hugh de Luc, unbeknownst possesser of a priceless Christian artifact, finds himself pursued by a nobleman who has kidnapped his wife and ravaged his village. He must gather the strength and will-power to lead his people to victory against a strong and indomitable foe, while searching for his first love... PROS: Fast-paced, action-packed, good story, sometimes humorous CONS: Too much gory detail (from time to time), profanity (I'm conservative about that)
Rating:
Summary: Left to the type of reader to judge.
Review: I could repeat what many others have said about the inaccuracies of the social situations and conditions of 11th century France, but I'm not going to do that. I admit to knowing little about this time peroid, but even I realize that they fudged more than just a bit on part of fantasy. I think what people's main point of compliant with this piece is just that. I'd hope that one would realize that this is not a work of historical fiction. It's fantasy plain and simple. A work can be blissfully free of dragons, wizards, and the like and still be that ya know, with that fact in mind try to enjoy this work as such. Now that aside is this work a good fantasy story? Well, yes and no in my opinion. It has it's moments, but the romance is richly sweet to the point it's almost annoying depending on your mood and the violence is grotesque and descriptive far more than necessary. The attempt to paint actions and emotions more lavishly comes off as overkill and someone who is trying too hard to make a point. The story isn't that bad, but I found myself not really caring enough about the main character despite all his hardships because often it seems he comes off as indifferent. I'll still give this work 3 stars though, because it is quite readable and the good moments do get exciting and I got a few laughs out of it. It'd be a nice read as you casually sit by the pool.
Rating: 
Summary: on the right track
Review: The Jester was an enjoyable read. It sagged in parts and lost some tension in the end, but it was overall a fine novel and an interesting gaze through a window in time. Patterson's usual modern detective novels are well-known, but this historical fiction genre really reaches people. It is vivid and engaging. Give it a try!
Rating:
Summary: Ludicrous!
Review: The whole plot was ludicrous and not well-written. The Jester was a pulp Western done up in Medieval armor written by someone who had neither a sense of time nor place of the late 11th century and a total lack of knowledge of the mores and social sensibilities of the period. He used every cliche possible in this sub-standard revenge, hidden identity, good guy-bad guy, star-crossed lover pot boiler. If you really want to read about the Medieval period, try Ellis Peters or Sharon Kaye Penman, but don't waste your time or money with this trash.
Rating:
Summary: Unlike other Patterson books, but good enough.
Review: Jester is unlike any other Patterson book that I have read, and I am quite a Patterson fan. The book is a love story that takes place in Europe during the Crusades. It has some real sad points in the story but the main character, Hugh, triumphs in the end and the reader is left with a happy feeling. It is a very easy read that did not seem to totally occupy my mind. One of the other reviewers mentioned that it seemed to have been written by an "adolescent" and I have to agree with that thought. I will give this book a three star rating and recommend it, especially now that it is out in paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty bad
Review: Badly written and uninteresting, The Jester is not the page-turner it's advertised to be. It's actually kind of stupid and left this reader, at least, saying who cares. Patterson has disappointed me with his last two books. One hopes he can find himself again.
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