Master and Fool

The Book of Words #3

by j-v-jones

Master And Book 3 of the Book of Words [Paperback] Jones, J. V.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy, Magic, Adventure

688 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as great as I'd hoped but still a really good ending to the epic trilogy.

First, it's going to be hard to write this review without spoilers but I'm going to do my best. This book continues to follow the pattern of the previous two books in the series by bouncing from main character to main character to drive the plot forward. As the story is told from each of these character's points of view you learn more and more about that character thus building a rich and detailed picture of just who they are. Because of this, the characters are very much real breathing people. You really get what motivates them. What makes them strong. What makes them weak.

In addition to creating detailed characters, J.V. Jones has also created a very real world for the characters to live in. When the characters travel, for example, it's more than hoping on a horse, finish the chapter, and then the next chapter they are where they need to be. There are real obstacles to traveling in this world: mountains, bandits, weather, shifty innkeepers, and on and on. It gives the world a depth and character that so many novels lack. The great thing, Jones does all this without slowing down the pace of the storytelling at all.

The pacing in this book is much faster than in the previous books. As I had expected, the first two books really worked toward the major climax contained in this book. This is where all the detailed plot lines, that have been developing through the previous books, come together. All the questions get answered.

So why not five stars? I guess in the end it came down to believability. Again without spoiling anything I just think the way things ended could have been done in a way that was a bit more believable and not quite so fantastic. Yeah, I know it's a "fantasy" novel but you can only stretch that so far and I think this went just a bit too far. I still really enjoyed it, just don't think it was worth five stars.

The Book of Words is a series that is very much worth reading!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prophecy, sorcery, politics, and war dominate the Known Lands though for many, they just want to survive. Master and Fool is the concludes J.V. Jones’ The Book of Words series that finds Jack, Melli, and Tawl working together to bring about the end of Kylock’s burgeoning empire.

The dark elements that Jones has been delving into through the series continued, but it felt that she really went hard on the classical fantasy tropes than in the two previous installments of the series. Jones also stealthily revises Melli’s arc by getting her pregnant by the Duke just after their wedding which gives her a pregnancy arc to deal with especially after she is captured by Kylock’s agents and his to endure his insane sadistic treatment of her until her rescue by Tawl and Jack. The two male protagonists’ finally meet—becoming insta-friends soon afterwards—and go on a road trip with Nabbler first to Larn then back to Bern destroying the first and saving the second as well as Melli via Tawl beginning the Knights of Valdis’ redemption. Kylock’s military genius—or the ineptitude of his enemies—is on full display along with his madness which is enhanced thanks to Baralis giving him a sorcery suppressing drug. The endgame was well written, though given the dark elements Jones had been weaving throughout the series if a protagonist had not made it after the final showdown, it would have worked just as well if not better.

Master and Fool finishes off the trilogy very well, but J.V. Jones’ decision to go with more tropes and putting in revisionism from how the previous book ended were enough to make this the “weakest” of the books though a very entertaining one.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm free!

Yeah, I'm never doing this again. Although this was a pretty good story, never again will I read a fantasy trilogy back to back to back.
This trilogy is a 2000 page story and I started this journey on November 11, adamant that I would lose myself in a fantasy world for a good long while.
Well, it was over six weeks in the same story. I am a mood reader, ladies and gentlemen. So, what seems like a good idea at the time ends up an ordeal whereby shiny new things (and not so new things) accumulate on my to-read list and I'm longing to get through this story so I can indulge in new literary adventures.
Not to say I regretted the journey, although looking back on the story as a whole, this could have easily been told in half the pages, I think. While J.V. Jone's writing chops improved considerably after book one, there is a lot of circling back where the narrative is concerned, rehashing what we already know, over and over again.

I knew going in that this was regarded as a pretty good series, and if it was exceptional I would not have minded spending the past month and a half in it. But it was just "pretty good", as far as I'm concerned, so I do wish it hadn't taken so much of my time.
True, I could have cut my losses anytime, but I'm intrigued with J.V. Jone's personal story and I'm rooting for her. I am well aware that the series that she has been presently working on is far superior to this one, but I wanted to start my experience with her from her beginning. No regrets overall, but as I am a mood reader I kind of did a disservice to myself for not taking breaks between the books. Live and learn.

As a side note I'm feeling at this point that high fantasy is not for me anymore. I hate battles and fight scenes (although Ms. Jones is not at fault here. They are nicely brief.), and the trope of coming of age scullion boy and inevitable wars leave me cold.
The reason I venture into fantasy is because of the imaginative possibilities. I don't want stories about war, I want stories that have interesting themes and if they are deliciously dark, the better.
Take the poor seers on the island of Larn in this series. I couldn't get this thing out of my head the entire time and I love that.

Overall no regrets. For everything that I mentioned, she wrapped up the story nicely and there are certainly some parts that will stick with me a while. Like the poor seers.

This stayed at the "pretty good" level for me, so another 4 stars for the final book and the series overall.

Now for those shiny new things...

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific finale to the trilogy! When I originally picked up the first book in the set, The Baker's Boy I remember thinking this would be a bit of a risk. It appeared to be traditional fantasy, similar to so much of what was coming out in the '90s and it would require some investment of time on my part. I even referred to the title of the first book as implying this would be an 'assistant pig-keeper" sort of fantasy trilogy...more fluff than anything else. Would it be worth my time? Fortunately the answer was yes and I was happily wrong about that first book. I was quickly hooked on the characters, the setting, and the plot that was being developed right from the beginning.

Now, looking back on the entire trilogy, I am happy as a pig in mud. The promises developed in book one were thoroughly explored in book two and rose to a crescendo here in book three. There are a lot of plot lines and subplots that came to a head, as one would expect from the final book in a trilogy. But little of it was predictable. The suspenseful buildup was extremely well done and the characters, somehow, became even more real. One can see Ms Jones' progress as a writer throughout each of these books (her first three published novels) and her reputation is well deserved. I love it when I finish the last page of an awesome series and feel completely satisfied. I look back over the story days later and it brings a smile to my face. I just sit back in my chair and sigh with happiness. This is that kind of trilogy.

[Marit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each installment in the Book of Words trilogy is better than the last. Jones takes stereotypical fantasy characters, a fair knight, a beautiful highborn lady, a nobody boy with earth-shaking magical powers, and turns them into real people with depth whom you grow strongly attached to. The plot is intricate but never cobweb-messy and the pace is kept up by Jones' switching to different viewpoints within chapters. The writing itself is not remarkable but more straightforward and no-nonsense. I recommend this trilogy for anyone looking for an intriguing, fast-paced fantasy escape.

[Barry Mulvany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odd books, still not sure what I think about them.

So stuff finally happened. Jack learns a bit about his powers but of course runs off before really learning much. Melli spends most of the book locked up. We finally get the meet up between Jack and Tawl that we've been waiting for over two pretty big books for and to be fair it was pretty awesome. We also get a lot more from Kylock in this book and he's even more messed up than I thought. Maybor has done a complete 360. Pretty much all the questions and mysteries we had are answered and resolved.

As I've said before these are extremely tropey books but they are a bit different than the books released at the time. The crazy amount of POV's was different but in this book that was toned down somewhat. Also the focus on the 'bad' guys was relatively unique from what I remember. I think one of main problems was that I didn't really like any of the characters, they were all annoying or out right despicable, and though I'm sure it was deliberate it made it hard to care about what was happening especially since it was all so low key.

My biggest problem was with Tawl, he's made out to be a literal shining knight but I didn't see that at all, and his final confrontation with Tyren was definitely not what I was expecting. It was actually probably more realistic considering the history between them but this relation between subverting expectations and then the next minute leaning into them so much really threw me throughout the series. Another case like this was Mistress Greal, she's truly horrible throughout the whole series, spends most of this book basically torturing Melli and by one good act we're supposed to love her and forgive her? It's the Snape argument all over again, I don't think one decent act makes a character more sympathetic if they've been assholes their whole lives.

I'll give it to these books, I've really thought about them a lot. Still not sure I like them but obviously there was enough here that I read all three of them. I've heard her later books get much better and there was enough here to make me want to check them out.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Please see this and other reviews at https://barrysbloodybooks.home.blog/

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!
I loved these books! The ending was satisfying... I was scared the author was going to put a major horrible twist with some loved character dying.. but no!
Tawl <3 im glad you got all your heart desired!
I loved how everyone in the books all came together to sort out the problems and that this book was unpredictable, well written and kept me from going to bed at 7 and reading till late into the night... the type of book I carried around with me at all times...
Im sad its over, but it was very very satisfying :)
I love you J.V. Jones

[K.D. Marchesi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

The final book in the trilogy did a good job of tying the plot lines in together, upping the stakes and delivering a satisfying conclusion.

The book of words as a whole didn’t blow me out of the water but it did provide an easy to read, well paced, classic fantasy.

One thing I will say is that I did appreciate the well developed male friendship groups throughout the trilogy.

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conclusion of the trilogy. I liked it. One thing I continue to point out, looking at a synopsis you may say that this sounds like "standard fantasy". the character types will be familiar...in this volume Jack must learn to handle his "newly discovered" magical ability. Seen it before, right? but these are still fresh. the characters are their own and they are good stories. Enjoy.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting end to a really enjoyable series.

[Hella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sure I read this series once before, but for the life of me couldn’t remember anything but that I really enjoyed reading it. Maybe for the best, because I loved reading it again. It has quite some mixed reviews, but I loved it. The pace is good, the language flows nicely and the characters are easy to get into. Maybe a bit of a cliche trope, but don’t we all like it when the knight saves the princess?

[James Harwood-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely marvellous tale. J.V. Jones has been such a wonderful find for me. Totally love the characters within. The plotting and scheming villains to the noble disillusioned knight and our leads Jack and Melli. Highly recommended

[Emiliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Препоръчвам поредицата на феновете на фентъзи истории.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding.
Highly readable. Very entertaining. Excellent writing. Seriously.
It ticked a lot of boxes. It's been a very long time indeed since I read a fantasy trilogy.
That good I'm now embarking on her second fantasy trilogy.

[Adam Koerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I've officially finished the "Book of Words" trilogy.

Needless to say, I'm reminded why I love it so much. It really does engage me in an emotional way that doesn't happen too often. At the same time, I'm also reminded of how much the final book annoys me.

First off, there are a bunch of subplots that are introduced as solely filler. This author gets you to be emotionally involved with the characters, then introduces subplots that you just don't care about. At the end of the day, I ended up getting bored in a few chapters.

I also really didn't like the treatment of Melli in this book. She spends the whole 2nd book being built up as this strong and independent woman, and in the final book, she is basically torn back down and relegated to "damsel in distress".

All in all, I love the story arc, and fully enjoyed the trilogy for the third time.

[Lanica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series when it first came out and am glad I have had time to re-read this year. I did love the first two books, but this one wrapped things up in a few ways that left me wanting more. Too neat, too many people survived with no reason, and the ending was not in any way connected to the possibilities created throughout the book.

I liked it. I didn't love it. I am very glad I read it. It is so detailed and there were so many threads...I had lost some of them in my memory and enjoyed experiencing them again over a decade later.

[Carrie Mudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the series. A good plot twist kick starts the action, and the book proceeds at a quickened pace to its predecessors, with all the major characters becoming fully realised and even more interesting. A fairly satisfying ending - a couple of strands tied up a bit too glibly (the Knights' camp scene), but overall very well done. The only thing that was missing was resolution to the Kedrac sideline, he just dropped off the map. A wee additional epilogue, to link him in with Melli's ultimate situation, would have been the final tidy-up.

[Ebi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing conclusion to the Book of Words. J.V Jones breaks up a lot of tropes, but also uses a lot of them, so a mixed bag in that sense. Things don't turn out as you thought they might, but they turn out just fine. Isn't that what life is mostly about anyway?
Can't review it in greater detail without giving away spoilers, so I'll just say that the series is a good read. It won't change the way you look at things, it won't make you think too much, and it is lacking in depth, but it's a good trilogy to spend a week on.

[S Pearlyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I liked how Jones tied up all the loose ends, But I also felt that they tied up too neatly.
Few things made me feel like I'm watching a movie where everything comes together, just because it had to end.
That said, It was definitely a fun read and I don't mind the fact that I spent last 6 hours doing nothing but reading it.

[Adam Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melliandra, Maybor and Tawl are in hiding in the city of Bren as the mad King Kylock expands his power across the north. As armies march and cities burn, Jack discovers how to control his power and learns that his road leads to the forbidding island of Larn.

Master and Fool is the final volume of J.V. Jones's Book of Words trilogy. As is traditional with these sort of things, epic climaxes are reached, daring deeds are undertaken and destinies are fulfilled. However, Jones undertakes these actions with unusual cynicism, showing there is a cost to victory and no triumph is unmarred by tragedy.

Jones's writing skills have improved from book to book in this series, with the somewhat jarring tonal shifts of the first volume (from tragedy to black comedy and back again) now smoothed other by more natural transitions. Unlike the second volume, which was prone to time-filling wheel-spinning, this third book is fairly jam-packed with plot development. In fact, it's rather too full and a long and epic journey that fills the middle part of the book whilst events are on hold back in Bren feels a bit implausible. It may have been better for Jones to have restructured this series and allowed this journey to begin in the second volume (sacrificing the more tedious and disposable Jack scenes at the farm if necessary). As it stands, whilst Jack and Tawl are off having an epic adventure we have to endure quite a few unpleasant scenes of Melliandra being tormented in prison, which get redundant quite quickly.

In fact, given Melliandra's character growth in the second volume, it's disappointing to see her relegated to the standard damsel in distress role here, whilst Jack and Tawl get to do the whole traditional hero's journey, male-bonding thing. In fact, given that the trilogy moves away from the standard epic fantasy template several times in its earlier volumes, it's rather disheartening that the author returns so quickly to the genre's standard tropes in the final volume. Even one of the more interesting devices, of using castle guards Bodger and Grift to offer commentary on what's going on around them, is marred by having the two guards join forces with our heroes and become more central characters, which feels like an indulgence. More satisfying by far is Tavalisk's lazy villainy and attempts to manipulate events from afar, which backfire on him most amusingly.

Whilst the ending is problematic - and one character arc is left rather blatantly unresolved for the sort-of sequel series Sword of Shadows to address - there are still positives to take from it. Jones's actual writing and characterisation are reasonable and things are wrapped up satisfyingly without being too neat. The trilogy as a whole is definitely one of the better examples of mid-1990s epic fantasy, even moreso for being an example of the darker direction the genre was headed in regardless of A Game of Thrones (the first two volumes of Book of Words came out before it).

Master and Fool (***½) is a solid - if flawed - conclusion to Jones's opening trilogy, but is only a hint of how much better she gets later on.

[Harrison Delahunty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Master and Fool is an adequate ending to the Book of Words trilogy, but it never really reaches past that.

Following off of the superb A Man Betrayed, we see the fallout of Melli’s husband the Duke’s death. Melli is pregnant with his child, but has to go into hiding with Tawl and Maybor, her father. Jack, meanwhile, is with his new mentor Stillfox. It is finally time for the disgraced Knight of Valdis and the Baker’s Boy to meet.

There’s not much else to say about this novel other than that it is perfectly average. It definitely wheedles on quite a bit too much, in ways that left me desirous of fat-trimming far more than either of the previous books. Jones is still a clever wordsmith and there is still a lot of fun to be had here, but it definitely feels a lot less inspired and far more like the story simply needed a conclusion.

If you enjoyed the prior two novels, this is certainly not a hopeless endeavour. Just don’t expect it to reach the same heights.

[Ruth Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've waited until the last book in the series before writing a review, which may not be the most helpful but it makes sense to me.
I came into this series not expecting much, and certainly in the first book it seemed all the normal fantasy tropes were present, the obvious we often spelled out and it was a bit cheesy, but in a fun way so i kept going.
I found myself more drawn in the further i got, it's just generally a fun (if at times grim) adventure with colourful characters. I think it probably suffers from comparison with another certain fantasy series first published around the same time, but don't go into it expecting that and honestly it's a great read. All the plot points wrap up nicely, there's quite a reliance on fate and destiny, but it's nicely linked in to the magic of the world. More of a 'guilty pleasure' than a serious, highbrow read, but we all need both sorts i think.

[All the King's Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good ending to the series. Story remains engaging and keeps you interested throughout. Nabber remains the best character to read about, but the Jack and Tawl story arc follows closely after. They finally met after 2 books and it was really good. The one thing that didn't suit me well this book was that everything seemed to be going too easy for the bad guys. They didn't seem to be having any struggles, except for the finale of course.
The finale was nothing too grand, but it fit well and was believable, which is quite important.

All in all quite a good trilogy, with especially the first book being really good.

Rounding down from 3.5*.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up in the free bin at the local library. I have not read the first two books in the series.

This book was good, but not great, fantasy and I would say it is enjoyable and fun. The characters got me emotionally involved although I did not know anything about their back-stories.

The story was very detailed but was also heavy on the action which moved it along well. It had what I felt was a very satisfying ending that could certainly be built into add on books.

[Stuart Macmartin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Kyle says.

Not quite 4 stars as I’m unlikely to remember much and I put the book down a lot - not as good as I was hoping. Switching between characters didn’t bother me much: I prefer one point of view. Here we have several, all giving some insight. Some of the info given at the end was confirming what was already clear.

I once claimed that the word “whilst” isn’t used any more. Guess I’m wrong.

[Jade Michaelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly epic finale to her Book of Words trilogy! I love how everything came together at the end, things were explained, and there were (mostly) happy endings for all.

The plots were clear, the character development was strong, and each book you learn a little more about the characters and their pasts. Very well written, it all flowed smoothly and left me wanting more.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this series. In case you missed the first two books go to your local library and check them out. You will be glad you did. The conclusion of this series is just astonishing and yet it’s also everything you could hope for from the author of this series. She delivers a highly entertaining and engaging story that will make you glad you read it.

[Benvolio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not Great

This segment focuses heavily on action and most of the mysteries have been resolved. It’s still solid storytelling. I would recommend the entire series for some cozy fantasy. It is addicting.

[Barb Sager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read this trilogy again. Good characters, evil villains, knights, magic, intrigue. What more could you want? A bit of a different spin in some regards, happy and sad loss of characters. A good author.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like the author tried to develop these characters with as little actual action as possible. The plot was just bland and unexciting. Every fantasy trope was addressed and the attempts at humor were repetitive.