Rating: 
Summary: A Very Different James Patterson
Review: I've only recently discovered James Patterson and he has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The Jester takes a very different turn on Patterson novels as it is set in the days of knights and squires, the drawing of swords and crossbows, and the people are a God-fearing lot. This book is quite graphic and I found a lot of the killing of women and children a little disturbing, but a great book nonetheless. You follow Hugh De Luc through his journeys and battles to avenge the kidnapping of his wife and the horrible murder of his infant son. It's a great read (although it does take a little while to get into it)....took me about 150 pages into the book to start to really want to see how it ends.
Rating:
Summary: Read the book for what it is
Review: What the book is; is an enjoyable, fun read. Hugh can be inspiring in the classic role of the underdog out to right wrongs. Baldwin and Stephen are classic bad guys with absolutely no redeeming traits. The whole concept of a holy relic is so symbolic on so many levels. Hugh's 2nd love is a classic "love conquers all". The book is fast paced (most of the chapters are only 3 pages long). It's full of action. It's just a fun read.The book is not a historically accurate historical novel. I doubt that most of the events in the novel would have occurred. I know there were peasant uprisings throughout history, but they were rare. The fact that a ****warning plot spoiler ***** king's daughter would fall in love with a pesant, marry him, and have dad's blessing is highly unlikely. *****End of Plot spoiler**** So if you just want a fun read, please invest the time. If you're looking for the incredible detail of say a Penman, just walk away.
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.
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