The Jester - James Patterson & Andrew Gross

The Jester is a captivating book, chronicling the chain of events that would unfold because of the circumstance of serfdom suffered by the jester, then an inn keeper.

The prologue was marginally distasteful; reason being that the opening was notably similar to that of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code. The first words were the familiar "brown tweed suit" - exactly what Robert Langdon wore for his lecture. In addition, the introduction was staged in Musee d'Histoire in Boree, France, reminding one of Da Vinci Code, which begins in another museum in France, the Louvre. In particular, the novel is yet another sacred relic hunt story, revolving around some consequence of the Crusades.

Nevertheless, the book is a thrilling page-turner that is unput-downable. The turn of events just keeps the reader reading on, wondering what the jester would do and who the real evil-doer is. Most definitely, the plot completely defies all expectations, sending the fool against his liege and yet another duke and even marrying the King's daughter. The author succeeds in depicting the gore of the battles, the cruciality of moments the jester toyed with death and the pretentious relationship between Lady Anne and Lord Stephen, thus adding depth to the characters. Lord Stephen was treacherously greedy for power and wealth, resorting to malicious massacres of townsmen while Lady Anne was righteous and courageously stood up to her husband, though subdued by him. For the testosterone raging men, the book most certainly enthralls us with its descriptions of intimate moments of the jester and his lady and the Lords with their casual sexual fancies.

In toto, the book is a great read albeit its seemingly cliche opening. Everyone who has to endure long train rides as I do should pick up this novel!

Rating: I give this book 3 out of 5 books.

Lifeguard - James Patterson

Lifeguard is an action thriller that begins as the reader would love it to: the average looking beach lifeguard meets beautiful blond, plans to start life afresh and wins the affection of the blond. However, the plot takes sharp turn for the worst. Things go wrong in the most complex manner imaginable, leaving the reader open to make a number of guesses to the mysterious identity of the mastermind and to chronology of events. As with a majority of fictional books and movies, the page-turner ends with bliss and the case solved by the protagonists. Nevertheless, as the case was coming to a close, the author fails to depict any trauma that the lifeguard might have felt knowing that a wealthy couple and his father have inevitably caused the deaths if his closest childhood friends. Predominantly, the book’s selling points are beginning and ending in the most ideal and fantasised manner and the plot is full of suspense and as unforeseeable as cardiac arrests.

Rating: I give this fictional book 2.5 out of 5 books

Notes from an even Smaller Island - Neil Humphreys

Notes from an even Smaller Island is the first book of three by Neil Humphreys on Singapore. The book is hilariously scripted with the introductions of every chapter leaving you wondering what Neil is going to comment on. For example, he may grumble about shopping with his girl friend and lead up to critique the "kiasuism" in Singapore. While he may sound casual in his writing, relating comical experiences with his readers, Neil makes critical observations on Singapore and its inhabitants, noting the pros and cons of our culture, language and legislation, just to mention a few. However, despite our short-comings, Neil still adores our little island, and rather be here than in his former. Overall, the book is a good for a roaring laugh almost every other page, makes constructive comments on our society and is over biased towards us.

Rating: I give the book 4 out of 5 books.