I just finished reviewing "Sail," and I must admit it was the first Patterson book I'd ever read. At that time, I was completely unaware that he had also penned "Jester." Well, I stand corrected now, and Patterson has truly been redeemed in my eyes. "Jester" was simply amazing. I found myself deeply caring for the characters in that book, and it felt as if I was right there with them throughout their adventures.

Set in the era of knights, kings, and, of course, jesters, this was an outstanding story of revenge. After realizing that a story I loved so dearly was written by James Patterson, it has now motivated me to go out and purchase the newest Patterson book that I had refused to buy just last week because of "Sail."

So, for me, Patterson is currently 1-1. The next book he writes had better score a win for him; otherwise, he'll be back in jeopardy of losing my favor. I'm eagerly anticipating what he has in store next and hoping that he can continue to impress me with his storytelling.

Typical Patterson, for better or worse. If you're seeking any form of artistic merit, then it's best to forget it. THE JESTER only manages to succeed on the level of a trashy pulp adventure story - the kind of thing you might relish reading in the tub after a long day at work.

The writing largely gives the impression that it was targeted at kids, yet the content is strictly adult-oriented. The story is set during the Crusades and is written in the first person (except when it isn't), but the narrator's voice is virtually indistinguishable from that of detective Michael Bennett, a present-day Patterson character.

It almost goes without saying that the historical aspects of the novel are feeble, despite the authors listing a dozen or so books that they allegedly used as references during the writing of THE JESTER. With the exception of a few antiquated words, there is no knowledge or insight into the time period that you haven't already obtained from casual TV viewing.

The plot is dull and predictable, but Patterson's breakneck pacing makes it challenging not to be at least somewhat entertained.

Every so often, I come across a book that completely captivates me and makes it extremely difficult for me to put it down. This particular book was precisely of that nature. I delved into nearly 500 pages in less than two days, eagerly anticipating the outcome. From the very beginning to the end, I was more than just impressed.

The fundamental premise of the story is that an innkeeper decides to join the Crusades in order to obtain freedom from his tyrannical liege. However, after being involved in the first major conflict, he becomes disheartened and deserts the Crusader army, taking with him a few trinkets that he picked up during their victory in Antioch.

When he finally makes his way back home, he discovers that his inn has been burned down and his wife has been taken, along with other things, by a group of ruthless knights. Determined to seek vengeance, the innkeeper embarks on a quest that turns out to be much larger than he initially thought.

I believe I have provided a decent description without revealing anything that cannot be found by simply reading the back cover of the book.

The only flaw that I noticed in this book was that some of the tactics seemed rather overused and lacking in originality. Nevertheless, considering the context of the time period in which the story is set, I can overlook this aspect.

This book is an absolute must-read for those who have a passion for literature.

This is not your typical James P book.

At first, it took me a while to really get into it. I had to invest some time and effort to understand the story and the characters.

However, as I continued reading, it gradually started to grow on me. The unique plot and the well-developed characters began to draw me in.

I found myself becoming more and more interested in what was going to happen next. The author's writing style also added to the overall appeal of the book.

It was engaging and kept me hooked from beginning to end. Overall, although it didn't immediately grab my attention, this James P book ended up being a pleasant surprise.

I am coming to the realization that I am a fan of James Patterson. However, I have noticed that I tend to not have the same level of enjoyment when it comes to his collaborative books. This particular one, in fact, immediately overwhelmed me with an abundance of details. It was so overwhelming that I just wanted to close the book and take some ibuprofen to deal with the headache it was giving me. I decided to tough it out and continue reading, but unfortunately, I still didn't enjoy the experience. It seems that for me, the collaborative works of James Patterson lack the certain charm and appeal that his solo works possess.

The Jester by James Patterson and Andrew Gross is an interesting tale.

Hugh, an innkeeper in a small French village, lived with his wife Sophie under the rule of his liege Baldwin. He left the village to join the crusade in search of freedom and wealth. However, during the battle, he realized that the purpose of the crusade was lost and meaningless. When he returned to his village, he was shocked to find that his wife had been abducted and his child killed.

Hugh, by chance, had a relic of great value that he obtained during the crusade. The Black Cross, under the orders of Stephen, the Duke of Blois, was after the treasure. Hugh fought for justice and met a noblewoman named Emilie, with whom he fell in love.

The story continues with what happens next and how Hugh and Emilie live happily ever after. However, I was a little disappointed with the storyline. I had expected it to be stronger and more impactful. Overall, I would rate the book 3/5.

So not John but so much better than normal, honestly!

This story is about the Crusades. I'm sure I spelled that wrong. It is set during the time of duke and lord rules, when the Christians were spreading the word or rule by people rather than by kings and queens. It was a very rough and dirty era. There were killings by hanging and beheading.

The story is about a man who first tries to find his wife and then attempts to free his people from oppression. And guess how he does it? By laughter! The Jester is not an easy story to read, but it is well worth it. It takes the reader on a journey through a dark and violent time, yet shows the power of hope and humor in the face of adversity. The characters are well-developed and the plot is engaging, making it a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction or stories of courage and perseverance.

I truly enjoyed this book! It presented a captivating and engaging tale of the Crusades and the life of a commoner. Hugh De Luc, an innkeeper hailing from the small town of Vielle du Pere in France, makes the fateful decision to join the Crusaders in the First Crusade to the Holy Land.

Hugh and the Crusaders endure a grueling journey through mountains and rough terrain for months on end. Their arduous path finally leads them to Antioch, where they engage in a battle that would have a profound impact on Hugh's life. After narrowly escaping death, Hugh decides to turn back and head home. He takes a staff from the church where he almost perished, not only for defense but also as a walking aid on his long journey back to his wife Sophie.

Little does Hugh know that within the wooden staff lies the Lance of Longinus from the Roman days, which has been dipped in the blood of Jesus. Once he returns home, he discovers to his horror that his inn has been burned to the ground and his beloved wife Sophie is missing. In Hugh's absence, the Tafurs (Black Cross knights) have seized control of the area. Hugh's battles have only just begun now that he is aware of what he holds in his hands. His life will never be the same as he embarks on a quest for revenge for Sophie and the pursuit of his own happiness. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

I'm a huge enthusiast of historical fiction. However, this particular book is crafted in a manner that it's nearly overly simplistic to read. Given that it's a joint effort by two authors, it does manage to spin a decent medieval yarn.

Set in the late 11th century during the Crusades, it didn't completely wow me. It's not really a thrilling adventure of heroic knights riding in to save the day. Instead, it's more about a serf who is engaged in a battle against the oppression and injustice doled out by the nobles and knights.

I was quite astonished that James Patterson would actually co-author something of this nature. But it turns out he has penned a few such works.

He does merit three stars. And, of course, in the end, they all lived happily ever after.

Predictably, this book has an anti-Christian and cliché'd ending. It's the sort of book that you might purchase during your vacation, read a significant portion of, and then simply leave at the airport.

I'm making the assumption that the first six or so chapters, which are written at a reading level lower than that of kindergarten, were authored by Gross. There is a very clear demarcation after that point, with the remaining chapters presumably being written by Patterson. The sentence structure and vocabulary then move up to a first-grade reading comprehension level. But that's exactly what you can expect when you read Patterson's books. They are just childishly written bloviations that his legacy publisher wrongly believes to be entertainment for readers with a comprehension level higher than that of a six-year-old.

This combination of writing styles makes for a rather disjointed reading experience. The abrupt change in the quality and tone of the writing can be quite jarring. It seems as though the two authors have very different ideas about what makes a good story and how to present it.

Overall, this book is not one that I would recommend. It lacks depth, originality, and engaging writing. It's a forgettable read that fails to leave a lasting impression.

James Patterson is my favorite author. It is indeed a rare occurrence that I come across a book that I don't like. However, unfortunately, I just can't seem to get into this particular book.

It has reached a point where I'm going to have to ditch it and move on to something better. I really hate having to do this, as it feels like giving up. But on the other hand, why waste precious time on a book that I'm not enjoying?

Life is too short to struggle through a book that doesn't capture my interest. There are so many other wonderful books out there waiting to be discovered and devoured. So, with a heavy heart, I will say goodbye to this book and look forward to finding a new literary adventure that will truly engage and inspire me.

I have a strong aversion to the practice of established authors using their names prominently on the titles of books when they have a co-author. It makes one wonder who is actually doing the bulk of the work. Just because I was a fan of the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson, am I expected to blindly buy or read any book with his name at the top? The same goes for Thomas Clancy. I highly suspect that this is a ploy by publishers to squeeze every last dollar out of the "franchise" they have built around these famous authors. Thankfully, I haven't seen Stephen King engage in this behavior yet. Although he did co-author a couple of books with Peter Straub, he had already established himself with numerous works of his own.

I simply don't want to read a book that is written by an author trying to imitate someone famous. Who came up with the plot? Does Patterson actually contribute to the writing process, or is he simply coming up with ideas and passing them off to struggling writers, only to rake in the profits with the publishers while giving the struggling writer a supposed "favor" by putting their name on the cover?
Yes, I admit to being cynical. If Andrew Gross is capable of writing a great story, then he should be given his own platform to shine. Why prop him up with Patterson's name? A quick search reveals that he co-authored a significant number of books with Patterson in the early part of the last decade and didn't publish a solo work until 2007, after collaborating on about 5-7 books under Patterson's guidance. This isn't a personal attack on Andrew Gross, as I know nothing about him. I just don't like the way publishing houses are deceiving the public into thinking that a book is by an author they may already enjoy.

It's time for a change in this unethical practice.