The Jester

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Book
Review: The Jester, was definitely a different book, but it was interesting. I couldn't put the book down. The plot was different, about during the roman days. I recommend reading this book to all James Patterson fans.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting idea, weak execution...
Review: The basics of the story is interesting enough, but the authors did not do a good enough job of conveying the feel of the period, whether in social/physical details or in conversations. Perhaps this book is an example of research-lite.

Rating:
Summary: I think these authors play too many video games
Review: While reading this Patterson/Gross novel I felt as though I was playing a video game...I have read all of Mr. Patterson's previous books and totally enjoyed them. This one..not so much. I found it to be almost a child/teen novel. Maybe they flet they could compete with Harry Potter in that venue, but I don't think it works.

Rating:
Summary: A graceful and enthralling leap from one genre to another...
Review: can only be achieved by a writer such as Patterson. At first glance it seems like the old 'good against evil' theme. But this novel goes deeply into the history of the times; miles and miles of research, I am sure. And exquisitely done. The characters are alive and real and the stylish writing makes it so easy to follow along in the JESTER'S footsteps.

Love of his family, slaughtered while he is off on the quest of what could only be a myth,lead him on the search for the villain that has caused his gut-wrenching pain and lead us down a path of blood, murder and mayhem....and would you believe laughter? How skillful of Patterson and Gross to intertwine so many emotions and episodes and end up with such an entertaining story.

I found it mesmerizing and somewhat enchanting. A wonderful book companion that did not put me to sleep, but awakened many deep feelings and tickled my funnybone at the same time! The ending is masterful and I hope you will get to enjoy Hugh, the JESTER, who feels that 'to make people laugh', while still accomplishing all that needs to be done, 'that is the thing..that is what it is all about'. Laugh, cry, suffer, love, yearn for,lose love and find anew, along with our JESTER hero and you will have a great time.

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.