Wow! What an amazing story!!! It is so different from Patterson's works. Maybe it has more of Andrew Gross's style!! But it is a truly unexpected and fantastic journey through the medieval times when Dukes and lords ruled with an iron fist.

The people in the towns were completely at the mercy of the Dukes. If the Dukes decided that someone was annoying, they would simply kill that person!

Hugh DeLuc, an innkeeper, witnessed the duke's atrocities as he killed and tortured many of his fellow townspeople. As a result, he joined the Crusades. However, things didn't improve much for him there. When he returned with a few items, he found his home burned and his wife taken.

All he could think about was saving his wife, so he set off on his own to find her. Fortunately, a noble woman found him (almost dead) and brought him back to her castle to nurse him back to health.

He then managed to sneak into the Duke's court by disguising himself as a jester. The story is filled with jokes, fun, sadness, joy, and heartache all rolled into one!!! I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down.

It is definitely a book that I would highly recommend to others!!!

I think the nicest thing I can say about this book, and possibly all of Patterson's books, is that it would be an excellent book for adult learners, especially male ones, to cut their reading teeth on.

The chapters are short, which makes it easier for them to manage and not feel overwhelmed. The sentences are also short, further simplifying the reading experience. There are very few challenging words that could stump readers, allowing them to focus on the story without getting bogged down by difficult vocabulary.

Moreover, there's no complexities to the text whatsoever. It's straightforward and easy to understand, making it a great choice for those who are just starting to build their reading skills.

However, for an adult reading at an advanced level, hoping for an involved plot or character development, this book is, possibly going to be disappointing. The simplicity that makes it great for beginners may not be enough to satisfy the more discerning tastes of advanced readers. They may be looking for something more complex and engaging, something that will really test their reading abilities and keep them on the edge of their seats.

So, while this book may be a great choice for some, it may not be the best fit for others. It all depends on your reading level and what you're looking for in a book.

France in the 11th century was a land of turmoil and change. Hugh deLuc and his wife Sofie led a simple life, owning and running an inn in a small village. Their peaceful existence was disrupted when troops of Crusaders passed through, preaching the holy quest and encouraging all to join. Hugh, filled with hope and the belief that the Crusades would bring freedom, made the fateful decision to enlist.

However, the reality of war was far different from what Hugh had imagined. Disillusioned by the brutality and cruelty he witnessed, he deserted the Crusader army. After two long years, he finally returned home, only to find his town in ruins. His baby had died, and his wife Sofie had been abducted by a group of armed soldiers.

Consumed by grief and a thirst for vengeance, Hugh embarked on a singular quest. He was determined to seek justice for his family and find his beloved wife. This story is not only a tale of romance, war, and intrigue but also a fascinating look into life in medieval France and its complex social and political structure. It showcases the hardships and challenges faced by ordinary people during a time of great upheaval and conflict.

The Jester is a captivating epic that tells the story of a simple inn keeper.

Caught up in the times when the Pope called for a crusade to free the holy land from the Moslem Turks who had seized the Christians' holiest sites, the inn keeper finds himself in the thick of it.

After fighting in the battle of Antioch, he has had enough and deserts his army division to return to France, his wife, and his small inn.

On his way, he picks up a sturdy walking stick from a priest who was slaughtered by a knight and carries a few trinkets in his sack.

However, upon returning home, he discovers his town destroyed and his wife reportedly dead.

In his grief, he embarks on a journey, hoping against all odds that his wife is still alive.

His travels lead him to another kingdom ruled by a duke away on the crusade.

Here, the story takes on a new dimension and complexity as a series of events lead the inn keeper to become a jester in the Royal Court, all while he continues to search for clues about his missing wife.

Villages are continuously raided and burned by knights in search of a valuable relic from the crusade.

Hugh, the inn keeper, realizes that someone has to take down the dukes for the villages to feel safe, and he becomes a freedom fighter, rallying many peasant farmers and business owners to his cause.

The last third of the book focuses on the battles and their outcomes.

This is a rather lengthy but highly entertaining book, a departure from the police and detective novels Patterson is known for. I thoroughly enjoyed it, more so than other Patterson novels I've read.

4.5 stars for The Jester!

This story is truly a remarkable blend of romance, history, and mystery, all expertly intertwined into one captivating narrative.

James Patterson, the author, is an absolute master with words. His ability to bring the story to life is simply astonishing.

The romance in the story is both tender and passionate, pulling at the heartstrings of the readers. The historical backdrop adds depth and authenticity, transporting us to a different time and place.

And the mystery element keeps us on the edge of our seats, constantly guessing and trying to solve the puzzle.

Together, these elements create a reading experience that is both engaging and unforgettable. Patterson's words flow seamlessly, painting vivid pictures in our minds and making us feel as if we are a part of the story.

Whether you are a fan of romance, history, or mystery, this book is sure to satisfy. It is a testament to Patterson's talent as a writer and his ability to create stories that resonate with readers.

So, if you are looking for a book that will keep you entertained from start to finish, look no further than this amazing work by James Patterson.

Set in the early 11th Century, during the 1st Crusade, a French innkeeper who was once a traveler with a troupe of entertainers and had received some smatterings of education, leaves his young wife, who is something of a childhood sweetheart, despite her protests. He goes off to fight in the Crusades as a common foot soldier, hoping to become a free citizen.

However, along the way, he gradually becomes disillusioned with the Crusades. The harsh conditions of living as a soldier in a makeshift army, as well as the cruelties of war that he encounters, all contribute to his change of heart. Overall, the reality fails to meet up with his noble expectations. So, he deserts from the army on the very day Antioch is taken after a long siege, but not without picking up some souvenirs.

At this point, the story seems to be following a rather predictable plot. Overall, the book is fine if you need a quick and simple read. The chapters are extremely short, the settings and dialogue are adequate, and the character developments and the historical setting are generally correct. However, the book is a bit clichéd, and this aspect continues to build up to an underwhelming finish that feels a bit rushed as the authors attempt to wow the reader, resulting in it being more of a yawn than anything great.

This book wasn't what I was expecting.

At first glance, it seemed rather ordinary, with a cover that didn't immediately catch my eye. However, as I delved into the pages, I was pleasantly surprised.

The story unfolded in a way that kept me on the edge of my seat, filled with unexpected twists and turns. The characters were well-developed, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The writing style was engaging and流畅, making it easy for me to lose myself in the book. I found myself reading late into the night, unable to put it down.

Despite not meeting my initial expectations, this book turned out to be really good. It was a pleasant discovery that reminded me not to judge a book by its cover.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and enjoyable read.

I have read a large number of James Patterson novels.

But this one was not exactly what I had anticipated.

Surprisingly, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

The writing style of this book is so engaging that it makes reading a breeze.

The characters are vivid and likable, and you can easily develop an emotional connection with them.

As you flip through each page, you will surely find yourself laughing out loud at times, and perhaps even shedding a tear or two.

It feels as if you have made new friends within the pages of this book.

I highly recommend this book to all those who love a good read. :-)

This is a very enjoyable book.

I must admit that I may have awarded an extra star or two to it.

The reason for this is my deep love of castles and tales of the Crusades.

The book seems to transport me back in time to those magnificent castles that stood as symbols of power and might during the Crusades.

The vivid descriptions of the castles, their architecture, and the people who inhabited them are truly captivating.

It makes me imagine what life was like for those living in such a tumultuous and exciting era.

The tales of the Crusades add an extra layer of adventure and drama to the story.

I find myself completely immersed in the battles, the strategies, and the heroic deeds of the knights and soldiers.

Overall, this book is a wonderful read for anyone who shares my passion for castles and the Crusades.

It combines history, adventure, and romance in a way that is both engaging and entertaining.

I would highly recommend it to others.

Really 2 and 1/2 stars.

The book had the potential to be truly great, but unfortunately, it fell a bit short.

If 100 pages were edited out, it would have been a much more concise and engaging read.

The excessive length made it feel a bit拖沓 at times.

Moreover, the plot pace could have been quickened.

The story seemed to unfold rather slowly, which might have caused some readers to lose interest.

Overall, it was an OK read, but it could have been so much better with a bit of tightening and a faster tempo.

It's a shame that the book didn't quite reach its full potential, as it had some interesting ideas and characters.

Perhaps with some revisions, it could become a more memorable and enjoyable piece of literature.

The BEST book I have ever read!!!!!

It's truly an exciting piece of literature. And it's important to note that this was even before the popularity of "The Da Vinci Code", yet it managed to be exciting in a completely new and unique way.

Not only is it exciting, but it's also very historical. I have a great love for the era of the Crusades, and this book does an excellent job of bringing that era to life. The characters are incredibly interesting, each with their own distinct personalities and motives.

The story itself is so unexpected and refreshing. It's not a typical murder mystery like what the author usually writes. It requires the reader to think and engage with the plot on a deeper level.

I have recommended this book to Julee and Jeff, and they both became completely engrossed in it. They read it in just about 2 days! It's a MUST read for anyone who loves a good book. It's perfect for reading at the beach or on a plane if you don't want to sleep. You won't be disappointed!

I could not manage to put this one down.

From the very beginning, it had me completely engaged. The story, the characters, everything about it just drew me in and held my attention firmly.

I found myself constantly eager to turn the page, to see what would happen next.

It was like I was under a spell, unable to break free until I had reached the end.

And when I finally did, I was left with a sense of satisfaction and a longing for more.

This is the kind of book that you can't help but recommend to others, because it's just that good.

I truly loved it and will be thinking about it for a long time to come.