The Baker's Boy

A thoroughly enjoyable fantasy adventure from J.V.Jones. This book, the first of a trilogy, was penned in the mid 90's. I came across it after having read the author's more recent 'Ice' novels. In many ways this earlier effort, although not quite as well written*, is more enjoyable to read than the more recent "Ice" series. This story flows a little better and the mood and geographical surroundings are not so bleak and dark as Jones' latest effort. This is the story of Jack who is an apprentice to the castle baker. But unbeknown to Jack, he has some magical abilities that he is unaware of, but soon to discover; abilities and powers that are jealously coveted by others. Throw in some clandestine plotting, interesting quests and some flirty romancing and the real tale of 'The Baker's Boy' unfolds. In addition, there are several other characters with side stories that are just as intriguing as Jack's, and that are of course, remotely related. Conclusion: A great novel; a well written and captivating fantasy adventure. I'm looking forward to the next 2 installments of this trilogy. Easily 5 Stars. Ray Nicholson *P.S. The one thing I did notice was that although Jones' story telling has remained first rate covering the span from this initial book to the more recent series, the quality of the prose in the 'Ice' has improved from this earlier work...let me explain...some sentences in this initial book have a short, abrupt quality to them, resulting in almost a 'bullet' like, point by point effect. And although this doesn't detract from the magical tale that Jones has to tell us, it just doesn't read as 'smoothly as the more recent 'Ice' books. However overall, this is a minor complaint.

This is the first volume in The Book of Words trilogy (followed by A Man Betrayed, and Master and Fool).At Castle Harvell, Jack, a thirteen-year-old orphan, is the baker's boy. Since he doesn't know how to read, the mischevious king's chancellor and sorcerer Baralis employs him as a blind scribe to copy the precious books of Tavalisk the Archbishop of Rorn's library. After five years of hard work and little sleep, Jack has secretly learnt how to decipher the signs and dreams of adventures where he'll find out the truth about his origins.In the meantime, Bevlin the wiseman enrolls Tawl, one of the famous Knights of Valdis, to go on a quest to find the young boy whom the Prophecy in Marod's Book of Words speaks of. Four years later, he'll find himself locked, bound and starved in a dark and damp cell, prisoner of the repugnant Tavalisk.Simultaneously, Lord Maybor, the richest but also most ambitious lord of the Four Kingdoms, and Baralis have made arrangements to have the king wounded in a hunting party. As a result, a soon stalemated war with the neighbouring lands will assuredly keep the queen's mind occupied and let them scheme quietly to steady their positions. And as one of his moves, Lord Maybor wants his daughter Melliandra to be bethroted to the queen's son and heir, Prince Kylock. Finding out about what has been arranged without her consent, Melliandra runs away.At the same time one afternoon, after oversleeping and letting some precious loaves of bread burn, out of sheer panic and still unaware of his powers, Jack performs a miracle and goes back in time. When he hears that Baralis, who can feel when sorcery has been performed, is coming to get him, he has to flee from the castle.Although it is easy to guess that Jack, as well as Tawl, will have a great role to play in the story, this first volume focuses mainly on the numerous and intricate intrigues of the mighty. The book is well written, the pace fast and humourous when the tension needs relaxing, and there's plenty of wooing as well as a great deal of food to go round. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

This book is more for the reader who likes light, humorous fantasy, not the sort that likes the million-page novels about classic heroes. The descriptions add depth and detail to the book, and all the chartacters have real personalities. They are more like real people; they get scared and run, as opposed to the pompous idiots who would park on their white stallion to die.

A extremely interesting tale mixed with humor, suspense,and mysterious characters. Highly recommended. Sometimes the book is a slightly icky with the vivid goings on, but the story was intriguing.

This is certainly one of the best books out there. Jones has managed to create a medieval fantasy world of deception and intrigue. Evil Lord Baralis, the king's chancellor, plots a course of destruction for the Four Kingdoms, already teetering on the brink of war with neighbor country Halcus. In the process, the queen gives him a child (unbeknowst to her, Baralis is the father), he poisons the king, and then discovers that someone in the castle besides him is a sorcery adept. Of course, it's Jack, the baker's apprentice, who one day accidentally unleashes magic of epic portions. Thinking he has done wrong, he steals away from Castle Harvell before Baralis has a chance to lay his grubby hands on that raw talent. He meets up with Melliandra, or Melli, who left Harvell too because she was unwilling to marry the prince (Baralis's unknown son), and together they have a ton of adventures. Meanwhile, a brave knight begins his search for a boy that destiny has laid a great course for... You will undoubtedly enjoy this book