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J.E.S.T.E.R.
A witch, an ogre, and an orphan find their paths entangled when a dark and powerful spell goes awry.
Four siblings are cruelly caught up in a witch’s evil spell as, driven by her hideous lust for everlasting life, she meddles with time itself. Cloned and twisted into something they are not, three of the siblings struggle to survive as pawns in the clutches of a malevolent hand.
But when the fourth child – a mere baby – disappears, the witch sets out on an obsessive journey to track down the escapee that could otherwise bring her evil schemes crashing down.
Meanwhile, Raud is desperately trying to grow from a skinny teenage orphan into an almost-man, as he is adopted amongst the ranks of the mighty Gallamen – an unstoppable army. Infamous for their gallantry and strength, the entire company is halted by a fearsome visitor who entrusts Raud with an unexpected a tiny baby girl.
Raud’s encounter becomes legend almost overnight, and he takes on a new rank and status as the unlikely hero of the day. But the witch is becoming more desperate as her immortality-spell begins to unravel with unexpected side effects, and the sands of fate bring her ever closer to her prize in a desperate race to seize a twice-stolen child before her hourglass runs out.
This story is written in 2 parts combined within the single book. Part 1.5 is also within the main book (eBook, Soft cover & Hard Cover editions) but will be made available as a stand alone eBook.
Four siblings are cruelly caught up in a witch’s evil spell as, driven by her hideous lust for everlasting life, she meddles with time itself. Cloned and twisted into something they are not, three of the siblings struggle to survive as pawns in the clutches of a malevolent hand.
But when the fourth child – a mere baby – disappears, the witch sets out on an obsessive journey to track down the escapee that could otherwise bring her evil schemes crashing down.
Meanwhile, Raud is desperately trying to grow from a skinny teenage orphan into an almost-man, as he is adopted amongst the ranks of the mighty Gallamen – an unstoppable army. Infamous for their gallantry and strength, the entire company is halted by a fearsome visitor who entrusts Raud with an unexpected a tiny baby girl.
Raud’s encounter becomes legend almost overnight, and he takes on a new rank and status as the unlikely hero of the day. But the witch is becoming more desperate as her immortality-spell begins to unravel with unexpected side effects, and the sands of fate bring her ever closer to her prize in a desperate race to seize a twice-stolen child before her hourglass runs out.
This story is written in 2 parts combined within the single book. Part 1.5 is also within the main book (eBook, Soft cover & Hard Cover editions) but will be made available as a stand alone eBook.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 7, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy JESTER — the concept hints at a rich fantasy world with faction lore, dark magic, and gritty characters. Unfortunately, all of that potential is buried under a mountain of poor editing, clunky writing, and amateurish world-building.
The prose is riddled with awkward, run-on sentences, redundant phrasing, and inconsistent tone. Just the opening lines introduce the Gallant Army, a group formed "to overcome overwhelming odds" — the kind of careless repetition that a professional editor would catch instantly.
The introduction to the various factions (The Pluckys, The Darings, The Bravers, etc.) feels more like a list of undercooked RPG character classes than immersive lore. The names themselves sound juvenile, stripping away any gravitas the story tries to build.
Once the narrative begins, things only get messier. Descriptions descend into overwrought, incoherent imagery. A character's laughter is compared to "a deformed combination between a donkey and a goat," immediately undercutting any tension. The dark magical brew she stirs apparently smells so desirable it entices her to strip naked and climb into it — a moment so bizarre and disjointed it borders on parody, not dark fantasy.
Fragmented sentences, inconsistent tone, and odd metaphors litter the text, making the story hard to follow and impossible to take seriously. It's clear this manuscript never saw a professional editor's desk.
I respect any author who finishes a novel — that’s no small feat. But JESTER serves as a reminder that finishing the first draft is only the beginning. Without proper editing and refinement, even the most imaginative story will fall apart.
Unless the author invests in serious editorial support, I can't recommend this book to anyone seeking polished, immersive fantasy.
The prose is riddled with awkward, run-on sentences, redundant phrasing, and inconsistent tone. Just the opening lines introduce the Gallant Army, a group formed "to overcome overwhelming odds" — the kind of careless repetition that a professional editor would catch instantly.
The introduction to the various factions (The Pluckys, The Darings, The Bravers, etc.) feels more like a list of undercooked RPG character classes than immersive lore. The names themselves sound juvenile, stripping away any gravitas the story tries to build.
Once the narrative begins, things only get messier. Descriptions descend into overwrought, incoherent imagery. A character's laughter is compared to "a deformed combination between a donkey and a goat," immediately undercutting any tension. The dark magical brew she stirs apparently smells so desirable it entices her to strip naked and climb into it — a moment so bizarre and disjointed it borders on parody, not dark fantasy.
Fragmented sentences, inconsistent tone, and odd metaphors litter the text, making the story hard to follow and impossible to take seriously. It's clear this manuscript never saw a professional editor's desk.
I respect any author who finishes a novel — that’s no small feat. But JESTER serves as a reminder that finishing the first draft is only the beginning. Without proper editing and refinement, even the most imaginative story will fall apart.
Unless the author invests in serious editorial support, I can't recommend this book to anyone seeking polished, immersive fantasy.
November 15, 2025
I see this book has been uploaded several times, so one needs to be sure to get the latest version...
As always, don't judge a book by its reviews only! Not sure about the intense negativity of the previous reviewer - it almost seems personal? - but this is a thrilling and imaginative tale that was hard to put down. Sure, there were some errors or places where the writing could have been a little smoother (in comparison, many popular books are written somewhat clunkily or, worse, blandly), but it didn't at all negate the sheer originality and fun of the characters and story arc.
If you can handle a slightly "rough" penning and see through to the rich goodness of a unique and fantastical story, definitely give this a read.
As always, don't judge a book by its reviews only! Not sure about the intense negativity of the previous reviewer - it almost seems personal? - but this is a thrilling and imaginative tale that was hard to put down. Sure, there were some errors or places where the writing could have been a little smoother (in comparison, many popular books are written somewhat clunkily or, worse, blandly), but it didn't at all negate the sheer originality and fun of the characters and story arc.
If you can handle a slightly "rough" penning and see through to the rich goodness of a unique and fantastical story, definitely give this a read.
January 7, 2026
I absolutely loved this story and its characters. From the very beginning it was fun, engaging, and kept me guessing. The plot unfolded in a way that made it hard to put the book down, with just the right amount of action and suspense.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. I’m looking forward to the sequel!
Overall, this was a fantastic read. I’m looking forward to the sequel!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews