Adventure on the high seas is totally a plot line I am attracted to. AND GIRLS DRESSING UP AS BOYS SO THEY CAN BE UNRESTRICTED BY GENDER? Indeed. Holla atcha girl! Bloody Jack: Being An Account Of The Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy by L.A. Meyer narrated by Katherine Kellgren is mostly a rocking experience.
Bloody Jack
Mary ‘Jacky’ Faber’s parents died of a disease and so she must survive on the streets by begging and doing odd jobs. Yet, Mary has her mind on the high seas. Due to circumstances that are best discovered in your own reading, Mary ends up dressing as a boy and calling herself Jacky in hopes of being picked as ship’s boy. Of course, she does get picked and it’s off to the ocean to fight pirates and see exotic places AND make BFFs.
The thing about Mary ‘Jacky’ Faber is that she’s earned. She cares deeply about her fellow ship’s boys and she desperately wants adventure. Plus, we really do get to see her grow and transform into a woman during Bloody Jack, yet she still retains her sense of adventure. And you guys, there’s a scene where she thinks she is dying after getting her first period, and ladies, IT IS PRICELESS.
Yet, Bloody Jack by LA Meyer is not without weakness. There are bits that are very info dumpy. For example, one part explains all the parts of the ship and tasks performed by different members of the crew. No joke, I was bored by that, it felt kind of like a lecture. Plus, I would have liked more nuance and depth to the bad guys.
The audiobook of Bloody Jack by LA Meyer is artfully done, though. Katherine Kellgren nails the cockney accent and the voicing of Jacky Faber to the point of legitimate emotions coming out in her narration. On several occasions my heart cracked open listening to Kellgren’s earnestness. She also does a mean Irish accent. And honestly? I’m not sure I would have loved the print version as much as I did the audiobook. The audiobook is produced by Listen And Live Audio and is 7 hours and 26 minutes unabridged. So what are you waiting for, ya scurvy cur? Check out the audiobook of Bloody Jack by LA Meyer today!
Disclosure: Purchased copy.
Other reviews of Bloody Jack by LA Meyer:
The Book Monsters
The Haunting Of Orchid Forsythia
Book Journey
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Sounds right up my aisle! I gave this book a shot awhile back and was really enjoying it, but the due date at the library came up before I had a chance to finish it. I’m definitely planning on continuing it (eventually) though!
Awww, I hope you do finish Bloody Jack someday! I would say though, if you get the chance, listen to the audiobook, it is FANTASTIC.
I’ve been reading the series, I LOVED the first few books but they’ve dragged on in my opinion long past when the series should have ended. But, the first few books are very fun! I just wish it wasn’t dragged out so much.
Oh, I hate when series just drag on and on past their prime. I am pretty sure I will continue with it, but it makes me sad that the last few aren’t up to snuff.
Yeah it just feels like each book has the exact same plot/ending at this point… you’ll know what I mean in about 4 books, lol.
Hahaha. I can’t wait.
I love ALL of Bloody Jack. Even the nautical bits. Especially the nautical bits! (I almost wrote naughty bits, there. It’ll make more sense in later books.) Glad you enjoyed it.
Ahahaha I am always a fan of naughty bits in books.
I think I’ve had my copy of this book since 2009 and I still haven’t read it yet! Must bump it up the TBR pile, seems like a fun read. I want to read about that scene when she first gets her period LOL.
Yo, Chachic I am pretty sure you’d really like Bloody Jack! Plus it’s legit hilarious when she gets her period. Like I normally hate reading about menstruation, but I laughed my face off.
This is one of those books that I think I might have read but I can’t really remember for sure. I went through a bit of a pirate phase at one point. Mary/Jacky does sound really awesome though, so maybe it’s worth a possibly second read.
Dude, pirates are the best. Although, Mary/Jacky isn’t a pirate. The ship she is on is legit. BUT they do battle pirates and it is AWESOME.
Also? If you do a second read, do it on audio.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s a weakness of myself as a reader that I almost exclusively love books with strong heroines. Then I realize I don’t care. They’re the best.
I love gender bending!
No, because I think I am the same. I would much rather read about a kickass heroine then some simpering twit.
This sounds fun! I love a good pirate story and my reading of them is pretty lacking. Although SHE’S not a pirate, I think this would fit in nicely! Annnnnd it would give me an excuse to practice my pirate talk. Avast ye scurvy brats! 🙂
Dude talk like a pirate day is the BEST.
AVAST!
Pirates are so cool. You def need to read Bloody Jack.
Zomg girls dressing up as boys–I must have this!! I read a non-fic book about pirates last year and was super excited to read about several famous female pirates who made their way by dressing up as men and being completely awesome. Really excited to see this book!
Okay, that non-fiction book you mention sounds legit. I WANT TO READ IT!
Oooh, sounds like a good companion to Charlotte Doyle! I’ve been meaning to read this one for awhile but it’s just kind of languishing on my pile. And I know that pirates are not the main thing here but there needs to be more pirates in YA, I think. That’s one of my big wishes for the next trend. I feel like we’re slowly getting there, with the mermaids now. If there had been a book version of Pirates of the Caribbean when I was growing up, I would have DEVOURED that shizz.
I haven’t read Charlotte Doyle yet *cries*. SOON THOUGH. I hope. Like how is Charlotte Doyle not out in ebook form?
Dude I would totally have read PotC fiction as well.
Arrg! This is a great series and I can imagine it would have been fun to be the person to read this book aloud.
Yeah, Katherine Kellgren definitely sounds like she’s having a blast narrating! 🙂
I’ve heard about this series from Nicole @ WORD for Teens, but I’ve never thought about reading it seriously. This is a pretty convincing review, though, so I think I might pick it up ;]
Her recommendation is pretty legit. And you totally should pick Bloody Jack up!