In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber by L.A. Meyer | Audiobook Review

The British crown has placed a price on Jacky's head, so she returns to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston to lay low. But the safe haven doesn't last--a school outing goes awry as Jacky and her classmates are abducted and forced into the hold of the Bloodhound, a ship bound for the slave markets on the Barbary Coast. All of Jacky's ingenuity, determination, and plain old good luck will be put to the test as she rallies her delicate classmates to fight together and become their own rescuers.

Why Did I Listen To In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber by L.A. Meyer?

I just really like long titles! No, but really, I listened to In The Belly Of The Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer because I might as well be obsessed with Jacky Faber. This is one series that will never let me down when it comes to listening to the audiobooks. I like trickling through my listening of this series slowly and saving each book until the exact time when I am IN NEED of a superb listen. I thought this book would make the perfect inaugural long commute listen.

What’s The Story Here?

So, this book picks up closely after the last one. There’s a price on Jacky’s head — the British navy seems to want her. She escapes back to Boston and eventually to the Peabody Lawson School for Girls again. There, she finds herself happy to be with Amy and some of the girls again. However, when Clarissa brings her slave to the school, Jacky has had about enough of her. After a few mean back and forth tricks — the girls of the school all end up going out for a boat ride sans chaperones. There, they are KIDNAPPED. Not for ransom, but to be sold into slavery. I’ll admit, this was super uncomfortable to read about. But, anyways, okay so with Jacky aboard the ship you know there’s going to be rebellion and resistance and of course things will probably end up okay. Still – what a rollicking adventure In The Belly Of The Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer is.

How Is Jacky’s Character Development?

I love how swashbuckling Jacky is in In The Belly Of The Bloodhound. Sure, she’s not captain and she does not make all the right moves to get herself and the girls free. Still, Jacky is a fighter and she’s a sea girl through and through. I loved her character and how Kellgren narrates her. I loved how Jacky’s mind begins to change a little bit regarding Clarissa. I mean, she is still very stubborn, but, there’s a grudging respect and some change. I also loved how well written she is. We get to see her vulnerability in her letters to Jamey Fletcher. In addition to those letters, I just loved Jacky’s scheming and how she basically is kind of a mastermind.

What About The Writing Style?

As I was listening to In The Belly Of The Bloodhound I realized that my attention did not wander a whole lot. I was sucked into every word. I even found myself gasping every once in awhile because I was so hooked. There’s a lot of action in this book and rarely a dull moment. I mean, I did think it odd that this book talk about white girls being sold into slavery outside of America, but it does go really into depth about the African slave trade. I don’t know. I am not at all qualified to comment on that. Anyways, this book certainly adds a new flavor and dimension to the series and to the characters. Clarissa’s character being quite a pleasant surprise.

How’s The Narration?

The audiobook of In The Belly Of The Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer is 15 hours and 24 minutes long. You know how with some audiobooks you FEEL EVERY SINGLE MINUTE SLOWLY TICKING BY. That’s not the case with this one. It feels as though all those hours pass by in mere minutes. I loved Katherine Kellgren’s narration. She infuses so much life and personality into her narration of the story and the characters. I find that I cannot wait to listen to the next book. I love these audiobooks so much that I feel they are the single best way to experience this series.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Bow down because Jacky Faber is a badass.

Other Reviews of In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber:

The Book Monsters – “She makes all of the characters come to life”

Unabridged Andra – “my books of choice when I need something to get me out of a book slump”

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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