Master and Fool (The Book of Words, Book 3)

Rating:
Summary: Book Of Words falls down on plot
Review: All I can say is it's a disappointment. For those of you who have read the other two and come to appreciate Ms Jones' strength of character-development, and not so strong plot linkage, this book clinches it. Nabber, Tawl, Jack, Melli, Baralis and Kylock - we get to know them all in sizzling detail and J.V does a great job of it too, giving her characters a real persona, but the plot is jagged and meandering. There are a few too many breathtakingly lucky situations also. On the whole J.V. Jones stands out for her strength in developing characters and making you relate well to them. She writes from both a male's and a female's perspective well and the tear-jerking moments in this book are very well done. The plot lets it down though. 3 stars for this book, and the series as a whole.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent third book to an excellent series
Review: An extreamly well written book that keeps the readers reading. Never while reading did I feel that the plot was old, or the book was boring. I wanted to finish, and even though the ending was somewhat predictable, the story of the Bakers boy and his love and their friend enough to keep the book interesting.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible, disappointing ending to a fantastic series
Review: As a whole, this was a fantastic series. It was fresh, absorbing, and filled with excitement. I would rate the series and this book as well, as a 10 if it wasn't for the last 80 pages of the book (and the ending to the series.) Quite simply, this was the worst ending I think I've ever read. It almost seemed as if the author just got tired of writing or being creative and decided to end it. As a whole, the series was filled with dark overtones and a overbearing sense of awaiting doom. Without ruining the ending, I'll just say that it is pure cheese. It left me feeling angry and cheated. Having loved the series so much, I was so so tempted to write up an alternate ending of the way things SHOULD have ended. But in the end, I just wanted to forget about the whole sad affair. I was looking forward to Jones' new books, but after this piece of crap ending, I no longer am. It might seem as if I'm being overdramatic, but after getting so involved with a great story, it is such a major letdown to have about 10 pure-luck coincidences occur within 50 pages to pull out a perfect, happy, everything-works-out-for-good-in-the-end ending when it deserved so much more. Maybe after I cool off for a bit I'll feel better...

Rating:
Summary: Fails the test of a true fantasy novel
Review: As is typical of the latest books published under the classification of fantasy this book is more of a fantasy in the alternative history set than a true swords and sorcery book. As is now days typical, Jones gives her character Jack magical powers (probably just in order to classify this book as a fantasy novel so it won't have to compete with true dramatic novels to which it couldn't hold a candle) and then fails abysmally to develop them. Emotional development aside, the premise that any young man becoming aware that he has fantastic powers available to him and then refusing to consider developing them is ridiculous. Once again as is typical of the current genre there is a great focus on the emotional development of magically weak characters. The emotional development of characters like Jack who have true power is not in keeping with how they would realistically develop. Once again the issue of dealing with the true effect of real power on someones personality is sidestepped by stunting the growth of that power by the author. As a result the series ends up being a pseudo Middle age alternative history (if that's possible). If you want good believable character development of a powerful character read Robert Jordans development of Rand in the first five Wheel of Time novels. If you want ridiculous unlikely character development of a powerful character read Jordans books sections on Nynaeve. If you want something that fails to reach any heights or depths in that respect then read the Book of Words series. If you're looking for good swords and sorcery type fantasy (for post adolescents with some real character development of their own) don't read these novels.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not brilliant
Review: Following the other two books in the series, this was a bit of a disapointment. As a whole, the book of words trilogy is a good read but in the final book, Jones falls down; the ending is brief and the build up is too much. However, eventhough this book may not be up to the standard of the others, it does have good points and it is still a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not brilliant
Review: Following the other two books in the series, this was a bit of a disapointment. As a whole, the book of words trilogy is a good read but in the final book, Jones falls down; the ending is brief and the build up is too much. However, eventhough this book may not be up to the standard of the others, it does have good points and it is still a good read.

Rating:
Summary: Tighly woven fantasy at its best!
Review: For those of you true fantasy lovers, this is high fantasy at its best. I rarely give 5 stars to anyone, so 4 stars is not a knock in any way. Many modern fantasy authors believe more is better, but many times more is simply rambling on about how many buttons grace the dress a character has or or the exact type of candle sticks in a room. J. V. Jones introduces us to a group of characters we grow to love and care about, without all the rambling of many. She also know sthe correct amount of danger and violence to add without over doing the action. A fine writer and may she go on to finish many more series.Three books was a perfect amount for this series. Always leave your audience waiting for more, not burnt out with what you have to offer.

Rating:
Summary: wonderful series
Review: I am fourteen years old and have just finished the first two books in the "Book of Words" trilogy. J.V. Jones is a superb author. All of her characters have a life of their own, from haunted Jack, to proud Melli and the hilarious conversations of Bodger and Grift. I am currently halfway through with "Master and Fool." To anyone who feels daunted by any of the comments above, do not let them stop you from running to the nearest bookstore. You will find a rare treasure in this series.

Rating:
Summary: FIRST TWO BOOKS WERE EXCELLENT!!!!!
Review: I HAVE READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN HER SERIES AND REALLY ENJOYED THEM. THIS MAY SOUND CHAUVANISTIC BUT I DON'T NORMALLY READ BOOKS WRITTEN BY WOMEN BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY USE TOO MANY ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS TO MAKE A SENTENCE. THIS WOMAN IS AN EXCELLENT WRITER AND GETS RIGHT TO THE POINT IN HER WRITING. HER CHARACTERS ARE EXCELLENT AND HER STORYLINE CARRIES YOU ALONG. LOOKING FORWARD TO BOOK THREE

Rating:
Summary: on the whole series...
Review: I liked how the stories moved... if you like a book that will keep you up until odd hours reading, then I recommend the series. However, if you are capable of picking out plot inconsistancies (of which there are a lot), or get frustrated by poor editing (there are horrible grammar mistakes, spelling mistakes, and sad excuses for sentences all through ALL of her books), or take offense to how a woman writer portrays her female characters as hormone-overdriven tramps who want to sleep with almost anything (Melli, Catherine, etc.), then this is not the series for you.