The Jester

Rating:
Summary: He is a Brilliant Hack
Review: This is the second Patterson novel I have read (the first being another co-authored story, "The Beach House").

I've come to the conclusion that Patterson is the most brilliant literary hack alive. His chapters are short, his pacing lively. If you aren't looking too closely, his plots are exciting and adventure-filled. But once you start looking closely, you begin to see the glaring plot holes and incredibly poor writing evident in every line. The characters are so paper-thin they make teen romances seem deep by comparison.

Everything about the writing is just poor. It reads like the first draft of a novel, like he just put down the first words that came into his head, not the final version.

But if you don't pay too much attention and are just looking for a fun read on the beach on a lazy summer day (I read The Jester in three days), the book is a lot of fun.

Rating:
Summary: PATTERSON at a New Best!
Review: I have always loved James Patterons' Mystery series, old and new, but this topped those but good! Mystery, intrigue, history, romance, comedy... The man made a masterpiece of combining all emotions that make us tick into one fascinating story. Just amazing!

Rating:
Summary: A Magnificent Thriller
Review: THE JESTER is a magnificent thriller about what really happened during the often romanticized accounting of the Crusades. Hugh De Luc, an innkeeper who joined the Crusades in a fit of patriotism, returns home to find his son murdered and his wife missing. The man he was fighting the Crusades for is the guilty party. Knowing full well the penalty for going against his master, Hugh rushes out to find his wife and avenge his son. A compassionate lady of the court finds him after he has been wounded and gives him a sound plan for his mission. In a breath taking rush through moldy palaces and dank dungeons, Hugh brawls and battles his way into a major revolution against the ruling lords.

It is a long, but one-sitting kind of book. Once you pick it up, you can't put it down until the very last thrust of Hugh's sword.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Not my cup of tea!
Review: While I thought I might be interested in a novel told during the time of the Crusades (I love period fiction), this one just seemed to get annoying. OK, Hugh is a wonderful person, looking for his wife. On a mission. He just caused the death of too many people...people I didn't even have a feel for. Maybe that was the plan! The only thing that held my interest was the Jester's tricks and jokes he played on the high commander. Those insults caused a slight chortle!
After reading historical fiction like "The Dress Lodger" and
"The Pink and the White", this just seemed a lame attempt at trying to tell a story with any credence. Patterson, stick to what you do best. FBI serial killer fiction. This was boring!
Passed it on to a friend with a disclaimer!

Rating:
Summary: A fast and interesting story
Review: Ok...you have read the plot of the book...no sense in restating it again. This was the first book I have read by Patterson and/or Gross and I enjoyed it from start to finish. It took me only 3 days to finish it. The story moves along quickly and it is an easy read. Yes, some people criticize it for the characters being to simple (all noblemen are evil while commoners are good), however, not all stories have to be deep and complex to be entertaining. This book entertains! If you enjoy stories/movies about that time period (such as King Arthur & Camelot, Robin Hood, A Knights Tale, "Timeline" by Michael Critchon), then you will probably get a kick out of "The Jester".

Rating:
Summary: When good authors go REALLY bad!
Review: An atrocious piece of work that should have never been published, I keep wondering if I can get my money back! Its a shame that a good author(s) had to steal from other books to write a novel. The biggest victim being "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett from which the red haired jongleur, noble women falls for a commoner comes. Then you have the "Robin Hood" story from which comes the niece of the king, crusades, bad sheriff, and bad knight's part. Then believe it or not, "Brave heart" from which the popular revolt instigated by a peace loving commoner who speaks Latin and organizes the masses to avenge his slain wife come from. And finally American sitcoms for phrases that are so out of place and imaginary scenes among other goodies. Both authors should be ashamed of themselves. Too bad the system does not allow for a 0 star rating.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome read!
Review: I absolutely LOVED this book! All fans of James Patterson will enjoy this historically twisted novel. I love history as well, and it really brought to life the Crusade and the Middle Ages. History buffs & Patterson fans alike will enjoy this winner!

Rating:
Summary: Something other than Alex Cross? THANK YOU!!!
Review: I shant bother to tell you what the book is about......other reviewers have done that. I just finished this book five minutes ago, and the last hour has had me 100% enthralled. I hated to finish this book-- I love Medieval stuff and this is one of the best books I've read of that genre.

So many folks criticize authors when they stray from their "niche". I truly love ALL of the Alex Cross novels, but I think Mr. Patterson is an incredibly talented writer no matter WHAT he does. Cross novels are more of a "quick" read, but his others have more substance, in my opinion.

Put yourself in his place, in a matter of speaking. Let's say you like to cook. You're FABULOUS at Italian food. You want to spread your wings and try a little stir-fry. Yes, it's different than what you usually cook, but a good chef is a good chef.

I've loved all of his non-Cross books....."Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" had me crying, and "When the Wind Blows" was my first Patterson read, and still my favorite. This man has an incredible imagination. I bought "Miracle on the 17th Green" for my husband, an avid golfer. I do NOT share his love for golf, but truly appreciated the book and my husband's passion a bit more for reading it.

This is one of the few Patterson books I would want to own. It's a wonderful story. Give it a chance; perhaps you too will get as caught up in Hugh's adventure as I did. I'm not sure what Mr. Gross did as co-author, but they make a grand team.

HERE YE! HERE YE! James Patterson still reigns as my favorite author!

Rating:
Summary: WOW GREAT BOOK
Review: Initially, I didn't know if I could read this book, because of some of the violent acts toward children (I'm extremely soft-hearted). Although, some of these acts needed to be there to make this book such a great story. Every time I thought the book could have ended, another great aspect of the story arose. I read nearly the entire book in two days! I was completely absorbed! I couldn't put it down. Five of my friends read it and also felt it was excellent! Very different and VERY good! I too have yet to read a book from this Author that I did not enjoy. I'm with Reviewer Danna of New Castle/ DE, I'm a true Patterson fan and was not disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Great Fun!!!
Review: I've read all of Patterson's books including the Alex Cross series and this ranks as one of the greats. It is a story of the reluctant heroism of the common man, triumph in the face of tragedy, the encouraging power of loyal friends, and the ability to love again.

Hugh De Luc is a lowly innkeeper who joins the Crusade with his mind filled with the ideals of war and the cause behind it. However, reality brings with it disillusionment and sorrow as his friends are slaughtered. No longer filled with innocence, Hugh leaves the Crusade to be with his love and wife, only to find his inn destroyed, his wife taken away, and the infant son he never knew murdered.

With vengeance in his heart, Hugh seeks revenge. Apparent that the only way to get close to the murderers is to become a court jester, Hugh begins a path toward the final confrontation. Along the way, others join his cause and his quest becomes a battle cry for the entire country.

The story was extremely fast-paced like all Patterson novels. This combination of Errol Flynn's Robin Hood, Danny Kaye's Court Jester, and Mel Gibson's Braveheart was thoroughly entertaining and is a must read. You will not be disappointed.