Rating: 
Summary: Jester lays an egg
Review: James Patterson keeps going downhill. Andrew Gross as his co-writer does nothing to help. Roses are Red was the last Patterson novel that was halfway decent. Violets are Blue was horrible, but The Jester is even worse.I love historical fiction, especially if it is well-researched and authentic. This book is neither. The anachronisms and especially the modern slang make this novel a boring and poorly-written piece. It's never explained how these medieval characters determine how the artifacts they bring back from the Crusades are authentic. You are supposed to have faith, I guess. For a well-researched and page-turning medieval action thriller, get Michael Crighton's TIMELINE instead of this dud.
Rating: 
Summary: A Timeless Classic
Review: To be genuinely moved by a book is a rare thing for me; in all the years of reading and the hundreds of books I've read, this one was one of a handful that has touched me deeply. First of all, it has everything anyone could want from a book: action, adventure, drama, comedy, romance and tragedy. It is perhaps the most complete novel I've read since Dances With Wolves. The writing was fluid and concise; the plot was full of twists and turns. The characters are unforgettable--the heroes lovable and the villains intensely hateable. It is a story that has the romantic appeal of Robin Hood or the Three Musketeers, yet more human, as none of those others suffered the things Hugh De Luc did. This story grips you from the start and never lets go,
allowing very little breathing in between. It is admirable to see an author break from tradition; shows courage, and I think more should do so. Patterson goes way out of his element of Alex Cross crime thrillers; and I am eternally grateful that he did.
Rating:
Summary: Tried but just couldn't continue
Review: I tried to finish the book but just couldn't. With so many good books to read and so little time, it just wasn't worth it. I am really surprised at all the 5 star reviews. I have read all of Patterson's books and this one and Beach House are definitely the worst.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson outdid himself!
Review: I am not much of a fan of books that deviate from the author's typical style, but I was so surprised and genuinely LOVED this book. The characters were well developed, and the Sophie-Emily-Hugh "love triangle" was captivating. Jester combined the best of Patterson's writing: mystery, suspense, great characters, and at times heart-wrenching emotion. I can't rave about this book enough!
Rating:
Summary: The Audio book was AMAZING
Review: You can see from other reviews the gist of the story. I just wanted to comment that the narration of Cary Elwes in the audio version was unbelievable and gave this book life. Of course, some of the humorous parts seemed funnier because I was picturing the Princess Bride, but he made the story play out like a movie. I'm pretty sure this would be one of the best books I've read if I actually read the hard copy version, but with this narration - it is definitely one of the best I've read (or listened to). It will make your commute fly-by!
Rating: 
Summary: Yet another great novel.
Review: On more than one occasion, James Patterson has wrote with Andrew Gross. "The Jester" has a classic storyline; a man is searching for his lost love. On his return from the First Crusade, Hugh De Luc finds his son murdered and his wife kidnapped by a duke. Hugh becomes a jester in the duke's court in hopes of finding his wife. The book does have a few flaws. Throughout the story, the characters' use of language is unnoticeably...modern. Even with its flaws, together these authors have created another novel you can't put down.
Rating:
Summary: Jestercide
Review: As a lover of historical fiction, especially anything
set in the Middle Ages, I was eager to read Patterson's
venture into this genre. Now that I've finished it, I
must say, "Stick to mysteries, James. You're out of
your depth here". A few factual errors don't bother me. The occasional
anachronism I can forgive. But this book is full of
both. Equally important, it is too under-researched
to convey the feel of this past world to the modern
reader, which good historical novels always do. Oh,
he makes a stab, but it's mostly based on a cursory
look at the history books and a thesaurus. Just his
comments about re-building an inn and the furniture of
an 11th century castle reveal his ignorance. If the book had presented vivid and *original* charac-
ters in a surprising, twisty and unprecedented plot, it
might have been worthwhile. But other than the 'jester'
angle, everything had been done before and better. Worse,
I could predict almost all developments down to the final
'surprise' of the origin of the hero's love interest.
Please. A best-selling writer should be able to do
better.
Rating:
Summary: Modern ideas ancient setting
Review: I liked this book. I could not put it down, there were times my heart was literally pumping to find out what was about to happen. However, I have to agree with some of the negative reviews here regarding the historical research. I seriously doubt they used "modern terms" when cursing and calling names. I can't count how many times the F word is delivered in a totally gratuitous manner. All in all this book WAS a good read, however, I would have been more impressed had the authors spent more time recreating and AUTHENTIC medieval setting. I felt as if they were a couple of gangly pimple faced teenagers throwing the F word in for a grin from their peers. Such attempts were poorly placed, and I was a little embarrassed at the adolescent attempt to curry favor. Such drivel is beyond the level that Patterson has before this time attained. B
Rating:
Summary: Sex, Violence and a Whole Bunch of Fun
Review: Hugh De Luc hopes to gain his freedom from servitude by joining the Crusades. Pope Urban has promised to protect the families of the Crusaders, so he feels save in leaving his beloved Sophie in their small French village while goes away to fight. The trip to the Holy Land takes months, the travel conditions take their toll and morale is low. Finally they reach Antioch, a heavily fortified walled city controlled by the Turks. Many Crusaders die. Dismemberments, rolling heads, skin burned off by boiling oil and arrows through necks are just a few ways that the brave Crusaders meet their demise. Hugh survives and recognizes the futility of it all. He deserts and returns to his village, only to find more heartache and pain. Sophie may be dead, his home has been destroyed. He suspects who his enemies are, but can do nothing right away, so he becomes a jester and plots his revenge. Sex, violence, humor, dirty words and a whole bunch of fun. Five great big stars from me. Reviewed by Vesta Irene
Rating:
Summary: A Different Genre For Patterson
Review: I have to admit that when I started reading this book, it began like his mysteries/thrillers. Then it jumped back to the time of the Crusades - involving a court jester, his life and how he gets revenge for the death of his wife and son. This was definitely a different change for Patterson, but his writing is so well done that I could stop listening to this (I got the book unabridged on cassette). The reader was excellent and literally brought the story to life. Patterson is wonderful with his research and weaves all the aspects together beautifully. This is a must for any Patterson fan, even if you aren't a fan of "medieval" mysteries.
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