It's not often that an author gives the reader an opportunity to observe literary growth and development within a short time span. Actually seeing that development occur within an epic is remarkable, and that's exactly what the reader encounters when they experience The Book of Words trilogy by J.V. Jones.
Jones begins the tale with The Baker's Boy. The first book shows glimpses of richly detailed characters that are overwhelmed with graphically explicit scenes and chaotic plot development. A Man Betrayed, the second book, offers significantly more insight into the multi-dimensional characters, while the plot settles down to a story of political intrigue and power plays. The scenes in this book remain explicit; however, they are ultimately more tasteful. The culmination of this epic, Master and Fool, showcases the experience gained by Jones in her first two books. The reader is treated to a story that not only illustrates the growth and new found sophistication of the characters, but of the author as well.
This evolutionary progress is not the only conspicuously unique feature of the trilogy. The epic is further distinguished by the complement of singly appealing characters. Jack, the naïve hero; Tawl, the flawed knight; Melliandra, the spoiled damsel; Maybor, the vain father; Bodger and Grift, the comic relief; Tavalisk, the corrupt epicurean; and so many more, each as different from the other as apples and volcanoes. There is no doubt that these players were created with loving care and an attention to detail that is noticeably missing from today's speculative fiction. Jones can never be accused of cookie-cutter characters, and for that alone I anxiously await her future releases.
If you'd like to get to know some of these extraordinary characters, don't miss J.V. Jones' extensive and thoroughly entertaining web site. I highly recommend Missis Wicks Advice For Young Ladies, Cooking with Tavalisk (not for the squeamish), and all the Bodger and Grift pages (I started here).
About the Books
The Baker's Boy
Warner Aspect New York, NY
copyright 1995 by J.V. Jones
A Man Betrayed
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