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Bloody Jack #4
In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber
The British crown has placed a price on Jacky's head, and so she returns to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston to lay low. But laying low isn't in the cards for a spunky lass who finds trouble even when she's not looking for it.
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 classmates to fight together to avoid being sold on the auction block in this new installment of the Bloody Jack Adventures.
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 classmates to fight together to avoid being sold on the auction block in this new installment of the Bloody Jack Adventures.
515 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2006
141 people are currently reading
2248 people want to read
About the author
L.A. Meyer
18 books1,107 followersLouis A. Meyer is best known as the author of the Bloody Jack novels. He was also a painter and the author of two children's picture books, and he and his wife owned an art gallery called Clair de Loon in Bar Harbor.
Louis A. Meyer passed away on July 29, 2014 from refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His final Jacky Faber book, Wild Rover No More, was published posthumously in September that year.
Louis A. Meyer passed away on July 29, 2014 from refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His final Jacky Faber book, Wild Rover No More, was published posthumously in September that year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 630 reviews
August 28, 2012
All I can say for this book is that this is the most awesome book I've ever read, and that I would give it a 7 star had it been possible, but alas it's not, so I'll have to be content with the 5-star which seems pitifully little now.
The book start of real fine, with Jacky going back to Boston, to all her dear friends, Amy, Annie, Slyvie, Rebecca, Peg, etc, etc, and they have a very happy and cheerful reunion. Here's a quote. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph! It's Jacky!"
But of course, we mustn't forget about the high and mighty Miss Clarissa Worthington Howe of the Virginia Howes, with her prettiness and haughtiness, her incredibly accurate spit-aim, her perfect teeth which has left a perfect semi-cirlce mark upon Jacky's arm in their last fight, her band of haughty friends, which all had perfected the Look, by the way, and their pure hatred for dear Jacky Mary Faber, first start off as a Ship's Boy, to Midshipman, to Lieutenant and even Owner of her ship, the Emerald and command a crew of 20 or so. However, Jacky has a problem:
"AN ORDER TO ALL OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS:
A Warrant is hereby issued for the arrest and containment of one Jacky Faber, a Female, and her crew aboard a ship calling itself the Emerald, this ship having been taken unlawfully from His Majesty's Prize Court by said Female.
She has in her possesion a Letter of Marque that was obtained under Fraudulent Circumstances and has been revoked by Order of The First Lord of the Admiralty. She has been harrying ships in and about the Channel.
She is to be considered a Dangerous Pyrate, and a reward is offered for her Capture:
Alive, Two Hundred and Fifty Pounds Sterling.
Dead, One Hundred Pounds.
Either she, or her Head, is to be delivered to the Admiralty for trial or disposition."
My God, how could there be a character so lively making a book so irresistibly interesting!
That and another wanted poster she soon found in the New World:
"Publick Notice
Hear ye, All ye Citizens of the Americas - Desired by the Gov't of His Majesty, King George III of England, the Quick Apprehension of the Notorious Pyrate
Jacky Faber
a Female, Aged about 16 years, on Charges of Piracy on the High Seas, Theft of Royal Property, and Other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
The Miscreant is Distinguished by having an Anchor Tattoo on her Belly and a Pecuiarly White Left Eyebrow due to a Scar Beneath. She is extremely Small and Slender, weighing Approx. 90 Pounds, and has been known to Disguise her Person as a Boy by Donning Male Clothing..."
So, to shorten things up, Jacky M. Faber, former Lieutenant of His Majesty's Royal Navy is charged with Piracy and to be bring in Dead or Alive to the Admiralty either by British citizens or American citizens.
She managed to escape the hangman and his noose by hiding in her old school, the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls, and all was peaceful, until a well-schemed school-trip which brought the doom to the unfortunate young ladies of the school.
They were all brought aboard the Bloodhound, a slaver ship that bounds for North Africa where the crew will load off their "cargo" and be blessed with the money these cargoes fetch.
That is, not if Jacky can help it! Jacky intend to save herself and all her classmates, but it seems the rough conditions of the Hold of the ship, and the equally -if not rougher- rough relationship between the girls, seems to make her rescuing plans impossible. Finally, the girls could put their head together, and work out a fine plan and were keen on breaking out of Hell, but the folks back in Boston seems to believe them dead!
The book start of real fine, with Jacky going back to Boston, to all her dear friends, Amy, Annie, Slyvie, Rebecca, Peg, etc, etc, and they have a very happy and cheerful reunion. Here's a quote. "Jesus, Mary and Joseph! It's Jacky!"
But of course, we mustn't forget about the high and mighty Miss Clarissa Worthington Howe of the Virginia Howes, with her prettiness and haughtiness, her incredibly accurate spit-aim, her perfect teeth which has left a perfect semi-cirlce mark upon Jacky's arm in their last fight, her band of haughty friends, which all had perfected the Look, by the way, and their pure hatred for dear Jacky Mary Faber, first start off as a Ship's Boy, to Midshipman, to Lieutenant and even Owner of her ship, the Emerald and command a crew of 20 or so. However, Jacky has a problem:
"AN ORDER TO ALL OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS:
A Warrant is hereby issued for the arrest and containment of one Jacky Faber, a Female, and her crew aboard a ship calling itself the Emerald, this ship having been taken unlawfully from His Majesty's Prize Court by said Female.
She has in her possesion a Letter of Marque that was obtained under Fraudulent Circumstances and has been revoked by Order of The First Lord of the Admiralty. She has been harrying ships in and about the Channel.
She is to be considered a Dangerous Pyrate, and a reward is offered for her Capture:
Alive, Two Hundred and Fifty Pounds Sterling.
Dead, One Hundred Pounds.
Either she, or her Head, is to be delivered to the Admiralty for trial or disposition."
My God, how could there be a character so lively making a book so irresistibly interesting!
That and another wanted poster she soon found in the New World:
"Publick Notice
Hear ye, All ye Citizens of the Americas - Desired by the Gov't of His Majesty, King George III of England, the Quick Apprehension of the Notorious Pyrate
Jacky Faber
a Female, Aged about 16 years, on Charges of Piracy on the High Seas, Theft of Royal Property, and Other High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
The Miscreant is Distinguished by having an Anchor Tattoo on her Belly and a Pecuiarly White Left Eyebrow due to a Scar Beneath. She is extremely Small and Slender, weighing Approx. 90 Pounds, and has been known to Disguise her Person as a Boy by Donning Male Clothing..."
So, to shorten things up, Jacky M. Faber, former Lieutenant of His Majesty's Royal Navy is charged with Piracy and to be bring in Dead or Alive to the Admiralty either by British citizens or American citizens.
She managed to escape the hangman and his noose by hiding in her old school, the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls, and all was peaceful, until a well-schemed school-trip which brought the doom to the unfortunate young ladies of the school.
They were all brought aboard the Bloodhound, a slaver ship that bounds for North Africa where the crew will load off their "cargo" and be blessed with the money these cargoes fetch.
That is, not if Jacky can help it! Jacky intend to save herself and all her classmates, but it seems the rough conditions of the Hold of the ship, and the equally -if not rougher- rough relationship between the girls, seems to make her rescuing plans impossible. Finally, the girls could put their head together, and work out a fine plan and were keen on breaking out of Hell, but the folks back in Boston seems to believe them dead!
March 4, 2015
Read by Katherine Kellgren. And she is an awesome narrator--just sayin'!
Had to give this Odyssey Award Honor Winner a chance and I'm glad I did! I'm a huge fan of listening to audiobooks involving accents and I got an earful with this young adult title! English, Irish, Cheapside, posh, and, of course, pirate. Yay!
This is actually the 4th book in the Bloody Jack Adventure series (Bloody Jack, The Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger), but I didn't read the books after Bloody Jack. In this book, Jacky must return to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston to hide because she is wanted by the British for being piracy. So, like a good girl, she resorts to lessons and being a "lady." But a class trip excursion turns into a nightmare when the girls are kidnapped by a slaver to be sold in North Africa to sultans. Jacky's pirate experience helps her and her schoolmates as they fight to survive in the belly of the ship. Of course, they escape, but a surprise ending means that Jacky's fate isn't quite so rosy as that of her classmates. And, dang it, now I have to read the next book in the series to figure out what happens!
Had to give this Odyssey Award Honor Winner a chance and I'm glad I did! I'm a huge fan of listening to audiobooks involving accents and I got an earful with this young adult title! English, Irish, Cheapside, posh, and, of course, pirate. Yay!
This is actually the 4th book in the Bloody Jack Adventure series (Bloody Jack, The Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger), but I didn't read the books after Bloody Jack. In this book, Jacky must return to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston to hide because she is wanted by the British for being piracy. So, like a good girl, she resorts to lessons and being a "lady." But a class trip excursion turns into a nightmare when the girls are kidnapped by a slaver to be sold in North Africa to sultans. Jacky's pirate experience helps her and her schoolmates as they fight to survive in the belly of the ship. Of course, they escape, but a surprise ending means that Jacky's fate isn't quite so rosy as that of her classmates. And, dang it, now I have to read the next book in the series to figure out what happens!
May 21, 2010
I know, I know.. Everyone is probably gasping with shock and there may have been a few heart attacks. This is the first Bloody Jack book that hasn't gotten a five from me. It simply the lacked the excitement and action that I enjoyed in the previous three. It also lacked male characters which is a must for a Jacky adventure as she normally flirts with and outdoes all the fellows in all she does..
In this, the fourth installment of the Bloody Jack series, Jacky Faber has a price on her head and goes back to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls to hide. A minor little picnic field trip goes totally wrong tho and 32 young ladies are abducted and thrown in the hold of the Bloodhound. Their captors aim to sell the young ladies as slaves in North Africa. Here's where the book started to drag. The entire novel mostly takes place in the belly of the bloodhound. The girls never leave the belly of the ship till the very last little bit. The entire novel follows 32 girls, their spats, their crying, their bellyaching, their stories, and their hunger strike as they plan and plot their way out of the slave hold. When I first read the summary of this book, I was thinking.. "Oh goody!! A ship full of young girls.. I bet with Jacky on board, they take over and become pirates!" Not so.
I also feel the novel was made 150 pages longer than necessary by adding "bedtime stories" Jacky tells and recapping her previous tales. I'm quite disappointed in this one.
In this, the fourth installment of the Bloody Jack series, Jacky Faber has a price on her head and goes back to the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls to hide. A minor little picnic field trip goes totally wrong tho and 32 young ladies are abducted and thrown in the hold of the Bloodhound. Their captors aim to sell the young ladies as slaves in North Africa. Here's where the book started to drag. The entire novel mostly takes place in the belly of the bloodhound. The girls never leave the belly of the ship till the very last little bit. The entire novel follows 32 girls, their spats, their crying, their bellyaching, their stories, and their hunger strike as they plan and plot their way out of the slave hold. When I first read the summary of this book, I was thinking.. "Oh goody!! A ship full of young girls.. I bet with Jacky on board, they take over and become pirates!" Not so.
I also feel the novel was made 150 pages longer than necessary by adding "bedtime stories" Jacky tells and recapping her previous tales. I'm quite disappointed in this one.
June 25, 2008
This was definitely the darkest of the four books I have read so far, but still well written. I once again read it in a day. I thought the author did an excellent job of bring out multiple female personalities, in diverse ways. I thought the relationship between Jacky and Clarissa played out very interestingly, it makes me wonder how it will be in a subsequent one. I loved the part when Jacky explained the goddess Diana to Katy (391). Elspeth Goodwin's character also played out very interesting by the end, even though Jacky is fictional I respected how she dealt with her through the whole book. I really started to enjoy Higgins character by this book, I found his detective work fascinating. And I like the more central role Jaimy played in the book. Hughie's character made me cry a couple of times (the only thing I cried about) but he was still very pivotal to the plot. I would recommend all four books. Even though the book ended without closure (like all the Bloody Jack books) the ending didn't make me need to buy the hard copy version of the fifth book, since the fifth title is Mississippi Jack, I'll be able to wait until paperback comes out.
April 2, 2016
I listened to In The Belly Of The Bloodhound by L.A. Meyer because I might as well be obsessed with Jacky Faber. Read my review here
October 6, 2018
More adventure and dangerous situations for Jacky Faber! Meyer continues to put his heroine in seemingly impossible situations to see her wriggle and plot her way back out. I also enjoyed the twists this story takes that relate back to Jacky’s days as Mary (an orphan living in Cheapside). This story also ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger that had me running for the next installment!
February 15, 2023
2023: I figured out why I love this "particularly peculiar" book in the Jacky Faber series.....it reminds me a lot of The Great Escape (both the movie and the real-life accounts). A group of people held prisoner, plotting an elaborate escape, and generally being a pain in the neck for their captors. Even the means of escape is get Great Escape-esque, with digging secret holes, making trapdoors, smuggling supplies, creating elaborate devices, developing lookouts and secret signals, etc. I think previously I would have said that this book in particular strains believability, but now that I'm comparing it to real-life escapes...it's not as implausible as it first seems. Also, prim and proper school girls arming themselves with homemade bows-and-arrows and basically becoming vicious Amazons is hard for me to ever dislike.
2018 reread: As delightful as ever. This is perhaps one of the more fantastical books in the series, but among my favorites. This is a true "girl power" kind of book, and I pretty much grin the whole time.
2016 Reading Challenge: a book set in summer
I've honestly lost track of how many times I've listened to the books in this series. I'd guess that this is probably the fourth of fifth for this book. This one is probably also in my top five for the whole series. I find myself cheering or laughing along with the characters, or saying some of the lines aloud along with the narrator. Love it.
2011: Well, what can I say except that I am continuing to LOVE this series? This book was quite different from the others in that Jacky didn't really have a lot of action...just a LOT of plotting.
Jacky, being wanted for piracy, hides out back at the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls...only to be kidnapped along with 32 of the other girls by slavers, who intend to sell them to north African kings and the like. What follows is a long voyage spent almost entirely in the hold of the slave ship. Jacky, of course, immediately begins to work out an escape plan.
I think this may have been one of the most stressful books for me to read (listen to on CD). The delicate plottings of Jack & Co. were both maddeningly tedious and intensely nerve-wracking. Sooo many times I threw up my hands (literally, and while driving no less) and cried, "Dammit, L.A.Meyer! Stop DOING that!" after a particularly tense chapter. To add to the anxiety, this book featured several interludes where Jacky told stories to the other girls about her life on the street. Entertaining and interesting, yes...but it seemed to drag out the tension of the girls' impending escape plans even more.
So, this book was totally nerve-wracking for me, but in a good way. There were certainly many triumphant moments that made me crow with delight, and just any many agonizing moments that had be wanting to tear my hair out.
UPDATE 10/31/12: Finished this book for the 2nd time on CD. I stand by my original view, but with the amendment that I am getting really sick of Jamey. I know this is just compounded with me getting really sick of him in the later books of the series, and I wasn't this sick of him the last time around.....but yeah. He needs to go.
2018 reread: As delightful as ever. This is perhaps one of the more fantastical books in the series, but among my favorites. This is a true "girl power" kind of book, and I pretty much grin the whole time.
2016 Reading Challenge: a book set in summer
I've honestly lost track of how many times I've listened to the books in this series. I'd guess that this is probably the fourth of fifth for this book. This one is probably also in my top five for the whole series. I find myself cheering or laughing along with the characters, or saying some of the lines aloud along with the narrator. Love it.
2011: Well, what can I say except that I am continuing to LOVE this series? This book was quite different from the others in that Jacky didn't really have a lot of action...just a LOT of plotting.
Jacky, being wanted for piracy, hides out back at the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls...only to be kidnapped along with 32 of the other girls by slavers, who intend to sell them to north African kings and the like. What follows is a long voyage spent almost entirely in the hold of the slave ship. Jacky, of course, immediately begins to work out an escape plan.
I think this may have been one of the most stressful books for me to read (listen to on CD). The delicate plottings of Jack & Co. were both maddeningly tedious and intensely nerve-wracking. Sooo many times I threw up my hands (literally, and while driving no less) and cried, "Dammit, L.A.Meyer! Stop DOING that!" after a particularly tense chapter. To add to the anxiety, this book featured several interludes where Jacky told stories to the other girls about her life on the street. Entertaining and interesting, yes...but it seemed to drag out the tension of the girls' impending escape plans even more.
So, this book was totally nerve-wracking for me, but in a good way. There were certainly many triumphant moments that made me crow with delight, and just any many agonizing moments that had be wanting to tear my hair out.
UPDATE 10/31/12: Finished this book for the 2nd time on CD. I stand by my original view, but with the amendment that I am getting really sick of Jamey. I know this is just compounded with me getting really sick of him in the later books of the series, and I wasn't this sick of him the last time around.....but yeah. He needs to go.
July 7, 2010
Another stellar contribution to the "Bloody Jack" series--and a fabulous audiobook performance by Katherine Kellgren. This is just pure entertainment! Not that there isn't a good deal of history and thoughtfulness involved, but it's just one of the most compelling stories, with vivid characters brought to life not only through Meyer's deft storytelling but through Kellgren's fine acting.
If you want a synopsis of the story, you can read the publisher's blurb. Personally, I loved diving right in without any preconceived notions of where the story was headed (except that, of course, I ought to enjoy it!) I like this story so much, in part because Jacky is back on the high seas—albeit as prisoner rather than sailor! I also love how a bunch of girls join together in friendship and courage and attempt to overcome their "weaker sex" upbringing to become valiant and intelligent human beings in charge of their own destiny.
I docked one star due to the very frustrating inclusion of several storytelling sessions by Jacky. I could see maybe one strategically selected and placed storytelling session to see her dramatic flare, but the repeated inclusion of them just dragged down the overarching story being told in THIS book and it almost seemed Meyer was just trying to make the book longer or stall in between action segments. The book would have been better without those stories, even if it was shorter! (And apparently most of the stories are recaps from previous books--which I haven't read yet--so I could see that being even more annoying for those who already know what happens in them!) Otherwise, this is all top-notch storytelling and highly recommended.
One caution: This book is "For ages 12 and up" However, I really think parental guidance should be exercised for that age group. I think it is really more "YA" oriented. Note that the story includes some violence, references to rape and attempted rape of various kinds, incest, and also the heartwrenching horrors of slave ships. None of it is particularly graphic, but if you know what it's about, then it's not exactly pleasant to hear even in non-overt language. These account for a very little bit of the book, but even as an adult I winced when they came up and I know my twelve year old self would have been troubled.
I'm looking forward to my next adventure with Jacky! She is now one of my dearest storybook chums!
If you want a synopsis of the story, you can read the publisher's blurb. Personally, I loved diving right in without any preconceived notions of where the story was headed (except that, of course, I ought to enjoy it!) I like this story so much, in part because Jacky is back on the high seas—albeit as prisoner rather than sailor! I also love how a bunch of girls join together in friendship and courage and attempt to overcome their "weaker sex" upbringing to become valiant and intelligent human beings in charge of their own destiny.
I docked one star due to the very frustrating inclusion of several storytelling sessions by Jacky. I could see maybe one strategically selected and placed storytelling session to see her dramatic flare, but the repeated inclusion of them just dragged down the overarching story being told in THIS book and it almost seemed Meyer was just trying to make the book longer or stall in between action segments. The book would have been better without those stories, even if it was shorter! (And apparently most of the stories are recaps from previous books--which I haven't read yet--so I could see that being even more annoying for those who already know what happens in them!) Otherwise, this is all top-notch storytelling and highly recommended.
One caution: This book is "For ages 12 and up" However, I really think parental guidance should be exercised for that age group. I think it is really more "YA" oriented. Note that the story includes some violence, references to rape and attempted rape of various kinds, incest, and also the heartwrenching horrors of slave ships. None of it is particularly graphic, but if you know what it's about, then it's not exactly pleasant to hear even in non-overt language. These account for a very little bit of the book, but even as an adult I winced when they came up and I know my twelve year old self would have been troubled.
I'm looking forward to my next adventure with Jacky! She is now one of my dearest storybook chums!
March 4, 2021
Major props to L.A. Meyer for writing a book that has basically one setting (practically just one room) and hardly ever making it feel like it drags (more on that later). The way these girls banded together under Jacky’s leadership and worked not only to survive their predicament but also to escape it was both harrowing and inspiring. Though it reached a predictable ending, it was 98% the ending I wanted, and of course is designed to make the reader anxious for more. Tonally speaking, this one was much darker than 1-3, but it gave Jacky’s character traits of resiliency and perseverance a chance to shine.
My only sticking point was that it felt too long. By the time Jacky starts telling stories to entertain and comfort her fellow captives, I feel like Meyer ran out of plot elements to keep his current story engaging and thus had to rely on past ones. Since we already knew most of these stories, this got kind of cumbersome and unnecessary. Even the original story of the Rooster Charlie Gang adopting the baby - as wonderful as it was - felt like little more than padding to a book that was already getting too long.
At any rate, I am looking forward to more tales of derring-do on and off the high seas with Jacky! She’s a resourceful, strong, fiery young woman, and I like her a great deal.
And no review of these books would be complete without mentioning Katherine Kellgren’s flawless narration. These are prime examples of how a great narrator can enhance the enjoyment of an already-great story. They’re must-listens for any audiobook fan who loves swashbuckling adventure.
My only sticking point was that it felt too long. By the time Jacky starts telling stories to entertain and comfort her fellow captives, I feel like Meyer ran out of plot elements to keep his current story engaging and thus had to rely on past ones. Since we already knew most of these stories, this got kind of cumbersome and unnecessary. Even the original story of the Rooster Charlie Gang adopting the baby - as wonderful as it was - felt like little more than padding to a book that was already getting too long.
At any rate, I am looking forward to more tales of derring-do on and off the high seas with Jacky! She’s a resourceful, strong, fiery young woman, and I like her a great deal.
And no review of these books would be complete without mentioning Katherine Kellgren’s flawless narration. These are prime examples of how a great narrator can enhance the enjoyment of an already-great story. They’re must-listens for any audiobook fan who loves swashbuckling adventure.
September 25, 2023
What can I say, this author did it again. As a 40 year old man, this series was never one that I expected to like much, and each book I read continues to make me more nervous, as I feel it's going to be the one that finally disappoints me. In the belly of the bloodhound deals with events taking place largely in the dungeon of a slave ship, which again, is something I really don't want to read about. I don't find such locales pleasurable or entertaining. However, the author handled the story perfectly, and there were so many things that captivated and excited me that I found myself absolutely enthralled the entire way through. It's not the type of book you want to tell people the details of, because there are tons of twists and turns and surprises, but this is the best in the series so far, at least for me. The ending was also one I did not see coming, and it has made me want to read the next book that much more. I think the only thing that was brought to my attention was a seemingly magical candle that probably burned far longer than it should have, but I'll let that niggle go as a lack of detail that I might not have been privy to. Excellent book.
October 27, 2021
I came into this series in the middle, listening to the audio books on a road trip, but had to finish this via ebook. Jacky Faber is an enjoyable protagonist, especially to be listened to, which helps to minimize some of the repetitiveness in the narrative. The story is surprisingly dark for a YA novel, with Jacky and her fellow students getting kidnapped to be sold as white slaves in North Africa. The story isn't nearly as dark as it sounds though, as Jacky provides hope and inspiration to her fellow girls, while she plans and connives and needles her captors.
The story has a tendency to get sidetracked with flashbacks - half of the final chapters are Jacky recounting previous adventures, which slows the narrative down a bit. Still, it all works out well in the end for just about everyone.
All told, it's an enjoyable book with some nice detail and depth, best enjoyed as an audiobook.
The story has a tendency to get sidetracked with flashbacks - half of the final chapters are Jacky recounting previous adventures, which slows the narrative down a bit. Still, it all works out well in the end for just about everyone.
All told, it's an enjoyable book with some nice detail and depth, best enjoyed as an audiobook.
October 17, 2015
when this series was recommended to me, they said to listen to the audio book, but i wasn't able to get them. i finally got to listen to this one and it was so crazy good. i just love this series. they are exciting, full of adventure, and i am obsessed with Jacky Faber. at one point while listening to this my heart was racing and i got so excited and nervous i had to pause it and calm down for a minute. loved it. for sure a book that should not be judged by its cover
October 14, 2014
2010 Odyssey Honor
This was the best Bloody Jack installment so far. Quite adventurous and not at all annoying.
This was the best Bloody Jack installment so far. Quite adventurous and not at all annoying.
March 28, 2018
L.A. Meyer was such a talented storyteller. And the narration is superb. If you're not listening to the audio version, you're really missing out.
September 24, 2018
Audiobook version. Adventure on the high seas, Girl Power in a time when girls were viewed as helpless creatures, and so much more makes this book as good as the rest of the series! Not for young children, but for grown ups, this book is just plain fun! The narrator takes an excellent story and adds her skill to bring it to a level where I have the book running in the background of my life from the time I wake up until it is finished.
As a side note, I LOVE how the author took other books and tied them into this one, i.e. Moby Dick and Oliver Twist. Seeking out these little blurbs makes it more fun, in my opinion....it shows the author was having fun writing the series too!
As a side note, I LOVE how the author took other books and tied them into this one, i.e. Moby Dick and Oliver Twist. Seeking out these little blurbs makes it more fun, in my opinion....it shows the author was having fun writing the series too!
July 18, 2018
Absolutely splendid! The progress to the climax appeared more gradual than in the first three books but did not remove the excitement from the escape. My heart was pounding so hard that I was feeling short of breath! It did end as I expected but how else to continue the story? I mean, there ARE 3 more books in this series, right?
March 3, 2020
Can I give this book 10 stars, pretty please? This is now one of my favorite books of all time. How do they keep getting better and better?!?! I am going to own all these books by the time I finish them.
March 18, 2025
This series has a hold on me. The ending, omg. I need to start the fifth one immediately. The author knows how to write a story with fantastic characters, tons of humor, emotional situations, and some romance.
May 2, 2020
A great installment in the series marred by some serious whitewashing of slaver ship history.
November 11, 2025
11 November 2025 — ★★★★☆
Loved the themes of sisterhood, empowered women and survival. I was rooting for them.
Loved the themes of sisterhood, empowered women and survival. I was rooting for them.
July 11, 2017
A bit long-winded but still very enjoyable.
March 26, 2023
Ok my first 5* book of the year. A fantastic story of young women who have strengths and no need of a "knight in shining armour". Great for ages 12+ but also entirely satisfying for an old gal like me.
December 15, 2012
Absolutely fantastic and highly recommended. The audiobook version of this series is very well done read by the most capable Katherine Kellegren who brings all the characters to life with her amazing voices.
This installment of the series finds Jacky taking a stand on slavery. It's the early 1800's and Jacky is surprised when her arch-nemesis Clarissa brings her slave girl Angelique to the Peabody Lawson School for girls. The irony is that in a few short days, almost all of the girls from the school will be kidnapped and taken aboard a slaver ship on their way to become slaves for rich Sultans.
Lucky for the girls, Jacky is part of the kidnapped cargo and her resourcefulness, bravery, and general knowledge of sailing help her hatch a plan for escape. To help pass the time, Jacky tells stories about her time in Cheapside. An especially poignant story is told about baby Jesse that blew me away. Jacky Faber is one amazing girl.
What amazed me was the girls' determination to get out of a hopeless situation. Even Clarissa comes through for Jacky in a way that I could not even imagine after reading the previous books.
Those last few chapters were exhilarating. I could have driven around aimlessly, just to keep listening to the story.
On to Book #5 - Mississippi Jack: Being an Account of the Further Waterborne Adventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, Fine Lady, and Lily of the West. Can't wait to read that one!
This series is suitable for middle school and up. As Jacky is around 11 or 12 for the first book, that book would be suitable for Grades 5 and 6. In this book, Jacky is about 15 or 16 years old. The audio book is a lot of fun for long road trips, or even for that boring daily commute.
This installment of the series finds Jacky taking a stand on slavery. It's the early 1800's and Jacky is surprised when her arch-nemesis Clarissa brings her slave girl Angelique to the Peabody Lawson School for girls. The irony is that in a few short days, almost all of the girls from the school will be kidnapped and taken aboard a slaver ship on their way to become slaves for rich Sultans.
Lucky for the girls, Jacky is part of the kidnapped cargo and her resourcefulness, bravery, and general knowledge of sailing help her hatch a plan for escape. To help pass the time, Jacky tells stories about her time in Cheapside. An especially poignant story is told about baby Jesse that blew me away. Jacky Faber is one amazing girl.
What amazed me was the girls' determination to get out of a hopeless situation. Even Clarissa comes through for Jacky in a way that I could not even imagine after reading the previous books.
Those last few chapters were exhilarating. I could have driven around aimlessly, just to keep listening to the story.
On to Book #5 - Mississippi Jack: Being an Account of the Further Waterborne Adventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, Fine Lady, and Lily of the West. Can't wait to read that one!
This series is suitable for middle school and up. As Jacky is around 11 or 12 for the first book, that book would be suitable for Grades 5 and 6. In this book, Jacky is about 15 or 16 years old. The audio book is a lot of fun for long road trips, or even for that boring daily commute.
October 28, 2023
4.5 stars
Even though this book took over a hundred pages to get to the actual adventure part that's mentioned in the blurb, it was another great adventure with fantastic narration. It was lovely to see the girls of the Lawson Peabody come together as a team, and particularly awesome to see Clarissa being painted in a more three dimensional way (it turns out she's a complete badass, while maintaining all of the parts of her personality introduced in the previous books).
I haven't mentioned in previous reviews, but I love that Jacky is so real. She's emotional yet strong, rash yet loyal, and not afraid to hang out with all the pretty boys she meets. I love that she still gets swindled even though she considers herself worldly. I love that she plans so well. She's an amazing character that is easy to love as well as easy to get frustrated at.
Oct 2023: Katherine Kellgren does it again. This was another great chapter in Jacky's story, and this time I appreciated Clarissa again, but also Katie and the Dianas. Somehow the author (and Kellgren) manages to keep all the different girls' personalities very distinct and mention them all throughout the story without them blending into one another. The conflicts between the girls seems realistic, and I love how tempestuous the Jacky/Clarissa relationship is. I also appreciated the flashback stories to Jacky's life on the streets of London, even though other readers might have found them unnecessary. It helped to flesh out Jacky and Hughie's characters and relationships, and ultimately I saw another review that said that this book was missing the Jacky flirts with boys aspect, but I liked that there wasn't another rando boy, and Jacky did try to use her wiles on some of the sailors (to varying degrees of success). I also like that not every plan succeeds and that Jacky keeps trying anyway.
Even though this book took over a hundred pages to get to the actual adventure part that's mentioned in the blurb, it was another great adventure with fantastic narration. It was lovely to see the girls of the Lawson Peabody come together as a team, and particularly awesome to see Clarissa being painted in a more three dimensional way (it turns out she's a complete badass, while maintaining all of the parts of her personality introduced in the previous books).
I haven't mentioned in previous reviews, but I love that Jacky is so real. She's emotional yet strong, rash yet loyal, and not afraid to hang out with all the pretty boys she meets. I love that she still gets swindled even though she considers herself worldly. I love that she plans so well. She's an amazing character that is easy to love as well as easy to get frustrated at.
Oct 2023: Katherine Kellgren does it again. This was another great chapter in Jacky's story, and this time I appreciated Clarissa again, but also Katie and the Dianas. Somehow the author (and Kellgren) manages to keep all the different girls' personalities very distinct and mention them all throughout the story without them blending into one another. The conflicts between the girls seems realistic, and I love how tempestuous the Jacky/Clarissa relationship is. I also appreciated the flashback stories to Jacky's life on the streets of London, even though other readers might have found them unnecessary. It helped to flesh out Jacky and Hughie's characters and relationships, and ultimately I saw another review that said that this book was missing the Jacky flirts with boys aspect, but I liked that there wasn't another rando boy, and Jacky did try to use her wiles on some of the sailors (to varying degrees of success). I also like that not every plan succeeds and that Jacky keeps trying anyway.
May 9, 2013
Meyer, L. A. (2008). In the belly of the Bloodhound: Being an account of a particularly peculiar adventure in the life of Jacky Faber [Recorded by K. Kellgren] [CD]. Roseland, NJ: Listen & Live Audio.
Genre: Adventure
Awards: 2010 Odyssey Honor Title
Format: Audio (CDs; 13 discs, 15 hrs)
Selection: YALSA’s Teen Book Finder, Follett
Review:
In the belly of the Bloodhound is just where readers are taken in this 4th installment (Harcourt, 2006) of Jackie Faber and her adventures on the high seas. Recently returned to Boston after a bloody battle at Cape Trafalgar off the coast of Spain, Jacky Faber is happy to be back with her fellow classmates at the Lawson Peabody School for Girls, even if it is to avoid the British who have a price on her head. Events turn ugly when Jacky and the girls are kidnapped while on a field trip and taken aboard the slave ship, Bloodhound. There, the girls are in for a shock as they are sent into the belly of the Bloodhound and treated cruely. It will take a lot of cooperation, training and planning if the girls are to escape their captures who plan to make it rich by selling the girls in North Africa. Can Jackie and her crew go through with their plans to escape before they are discovered or will some of their shenanigans on board be too much for the crew? There can be some confusion if readers are not familiar with Meyer’s earlier Jacky Faber novels, but some of her exploits as a member of the Rooster Charlie gang are told as bedtime stories to the girls. The audio version is again expertly narrated by Katherine Kellgren, who supplies us with rich accents for the girls and every member of the crew and makes our adventure with Jacky one to treasure. This series is a multiple Odyssey Award winner. Highly recommended for girls and guys alike who are looking for a grand adventure aboard the high seas.
September 19, 2013
Though this book easily fits in with the others in the series, it’s not for the faint of heart. Listed by the publisher as 8th grade and up, I would highly recommend these books for older teens – juniors/seniors in high school at the very least. Jacky’s adventures in this book are highly mature – young girls on a boat with pirates who want nothing more than to sell them? You can imagine the direction the story takes. These young girls are in a fight for their very lives and there are moments when this is described in very explicit detail.
Still, as difficult as it was to experience this horrifying thing with these girls, I did enjoy the book. Jacky, once again, shows insight and cunning far beyond her years and teaches the girls how to be self sufficient and stay safe. And even though L.A. Meyer seems to enjoy torturing our 16 year old protagonist, he doesn’t ignore previous exploits. Nightmares and fears haunt Jacky and keep her on the edge of what seems to be an inevitable nervous breakdown.
This book wasn’t my favorite of the series, but I still wouldn’t have missed it. The adventures were scary and it was hard to actually ‘enjoy’ while reading (actually listening to the audiobooks made it even more difficult this time around) they shape Jacky into the young woman that she becomes for future adventures.
Again, the audiobooks are exemplary. Acted out with exquisite detail and incredible production value, these are once again, highly recommended. They are, without a doubt, the best audio versions of books that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. If you have time on your hands to listen but not read, I cannot more highly recommend these audio adaptations. As I mentioned once before, even if you own the print versions and have read them, the audiobooks are a must!
Review copy provided by the publisher and Listen and Live Audio. Thank you!
Still, as difficult as it was to experience this horrifying thing with these girls, I did enjoy the book. Jacky, once again, shows insight and cunning far beyond her years and teaches the girls how to be self sufficient and stay safe. And even though L.A. Meyer seems to enjoy torturing our 16 year old protagonist, he doesn’t ignore previous exploits. Nightmares and fears haunt Jacky and keep her on the edge of what seems to be an inevitable nervous breakdown.
This book wasn’t my favorite of the series, but I still wouldn’t have missed it. The adventures were scary and it was hard to actually ‘enjoy’ while reading (actually listening to the audiobooks made it even more difficult this time around) they shape Jacky into the young woman that she becomes for future adventures.
Again, the audiobooks are exemplary. Acted out with exquisite detail and incredible production value, these are once again, highly recommended. They are, without a doubt, the best audio versions of books that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. If you have time on your hands to listen but not read, I cannot more highly recommend these audio adaptations. As I mentioned once before, even if you own the print versions and have read them, the audiobooks are a must!
Review copy provided by the publisher and Listen and Live Audio. Thank you!
October 21, 2008
Well, the author does it again. He's able to make an strong novel in a series of books. I started this book last spring and had to put it down because I am just tired of series. After listening to the audio book of Bloody Jack, it helped me pick up the novel again and give it another shot.
Jacky gets out on the open sea again when she and 30 of her classmates are kidnapped and threatened to be sold as slaves in North Africa. As their auction price depends on their purity and beauty, the girls receive far better treatment than the previous inhabitants of the hold intended for hard labor slavery.
Jacky is clever as ever, but this books gives light to the strengths of a few other girls as well. Haughty Clarissa becomes one of the lead commanders beside Jacky and Katy shows her bravery and leads the "Dianas" in her own sect of the girls. There are, of course, the perennial bad-guys...so mean and full of malice the reader hopes they fall off the ship and disappear into the ocean for good.
The climax of the story is brilliant, I saw it so clearly in my mind it fairly flew off the page. Another strong point of this novel is Meyer's talent of painting a clear visual of events. It's still better than a movie, but at times you feel like your watching a movie rather than reading.
Enjoyed Jaimy and Jacky's "letters;" the means of them staying together when it's impossible for them. Do wish they'd finally "get" together, but then the series would probably end. Not a bad thought...knowing there are at least two more novels waiting to be read.
Jacky gets out on the open sea again when she and 30 of her classmates are kidnapped and threatened to be sold as slaves in North Africa. As their auction price depends on their purity and beauty, the girls receive far better treatment than the previous inhabitants of the hold intended for hard labor slavery.
Jacky is clever as ever, but this books gives light to the strengths of a few other girls as well. Haughty Clarissa becomes one of the lead commanders beside Jacky and Katy shows her bravery and leads the "Dianas" in her own sect of the girls. There are, of course, the perennial bad-guys...so mean and full of malice the reader hopes they fall off the ship and disappear into the ocean for good.
The climax of the story is brilliant, I saw it so clearly in my mind it fairly flew off the page. Another strong point of this novel is Meyer's talent of painting a clear visual of events. It's still better than a movie, but at times you feel like your watching a movie rather than reading.
Enjoyed Jaimy and Jacky's "letters;" the means of them staying together when it's impossible for them. Do wish they'd finally "get" together, but then the series would probably end. Not a bad thought...knowing there are at least two more novels waiting to be read.
March 17, 2012
The famous sailor/pirate/school girl Jacky Faber has found her way back to Boston after narrowly escaping during a great battle between the British and the French. She knows there is a price on her head for being a pirate, although quite frankly she doesn't feel she is a pirate at all. She must find a way to hide out for awhile, and what better place than back at the Lawson Peabody School for Girls. Some are thrilled to have her back, others would prefer her to have stayed away, but Jacky is happy to see her dear friends again. When the girls head off for a field trip to a small island, Jacky begins noticing things are not going quite as expected. Sure enough things aren't what they seem and the girls find themselves kidnapped, loaded on a slaver ship on the way to North Africa where the girls will all be sold. Jacky must rally her troops--even though they are a bunch of high bred, wealthy girls--and figure out a way to get out of yet another mess!
Another adventure in the Jacky Faber series. I am still enjoying Jacky's spunk and determination. However, this girl is cruising on a soap opera with how many things can go wrong in her life. Of course that makes a compelling story, but sometimes while I was reading I would think "seriously!" Unfortunately the language and some of the experiences on the boat seemed to go a bit in a more crude direction than previous books. I would probably up the age on this one to teenagers 16 and up.
Another adventure in the Jacky Faber series. I am still enjoying Jacky's spunk and determination. However, this girl is cruising on a soap opera with how many things can go wrong in her life. Of course that makes a compelling story, but sometimes while I was reading I would think "seriously!" Unfortunately the language and some of the experiences on the boat seemed to go a bit in a more crude direction than previous books. I would probably up the age on this one to teenagers 16 and up.
April 29, 2012
I gave this book 4 stars, even though in some respects, the author hits several notes he has before. But here's what I loved about this book-in most of Jacky's adventures, she is the sole female that really shows spunk and it is constantly emphasized how "different" she is. But in this one, the girls from the Lawson Peabody School are captured, and they all have to learn to let go of the roles that have held so closely, and to really become independent and strong-willed and cunning. I love that. I love how each of them comes out of their shell, and I think its done in a really entertaining way. I love that we get to see another side to Clarissa Howe, and I love that Jacky is the way she is about her body and sex. I think she is strong, and she knows what she wants, and she won't give up. There were a couple of difficult scenes and conversations, so I would be warned about that. There is definitely a more serious moment in this book, but I think Jacky dealt with in a good way, and she assured the girl that it was not her fault.
I think there were a lot of really entertaining parts of this story, and I think that Jacky continues to be a really likable character. This is definitely an enjoyable adventure, and its really great to see how the girls she is with change. They learn they can go after what they want, and they don't always have to follow the rules, and I love that.
I think there were a lot of really entertaining parts of this story, and I think that Jacky continues to be a really likable character. This is definitely an enjoyable adventure, and its really great to see how the girls she is with change. They learn they can go after what they want, and they don't always have to follow the rules, and I love that.
January 22, 2016
I have to say, Jacky's become something of a trollop. It's like she's taken the phrase "promised to another" to mean that she can dally around, but will ultimately only commit to Jamie. Quite the interpretation.
Anyhow, the series continues to be bursting with adventure and marvelous story-telling, but as she ages, her experiences have certainly made her more, uh, brazen? In a way, she's more "common" than ever. I guess I should appreciate that the character is dynamic, right?
Interestingly, in this book she spends a fair portion retelling all her adventures and recounting some unheard ones as well. I was actually surprised that this didn't feel tired because we get some new insights and answered questions.
And wow, Jacky is just one of the best voices ever-- there are lots of characters out there that are supposedly so charismatic that everyone else in the story can't help but love. But many times, the author is just telling you that without actually showing it. But man, with Jacky, as the reader you can't help but love her--feel loyal to her even. She's charming, witty, savvy, adventurous, and yet marvelously feminine, emotional, and tender. It's the perfect juxtaposition.
Finally, without giving anything away, this seriously has one of the scariest scenes-- but not the scary you're thinking. It's like one of those deep-seated, human fears that fall into the worst nightmare categories. The visual is absolutely terrifying yet also very powerful.
Anyhow, the series continues to be bursting with adventure and marvelous story-telling, but as she ages, her experiences have certainly made her more, uh, brazen? In a way, she's more "common" than ever. I guess I should appreciate that the character is dynamic, right?
Interestingly, in this book she spends a fair portion retelling all her adventures and recounting some unheard ones as well. I was actually surprised that this didn't feel tired because we get some new insights and answered questions.
And wow, Jacky is just one of the best voices ever-- there are lots of characters out there that are supposedly so charismatic that everyone else in the story can't help but love. But many times, the author is just telling you that without actually showing it. But man, with Jacky, as the reader you can't help but love her--feel loyal to her even. She's charming, witty, savvy, adventurous, and yet marvelously feminine, emotional, and tender. It's the perfect juxtaposition.
Finally, without giving anything away, this seriously has one of the scariest scenes-- but not the scary you're thinking. It's like one of those deep-seated, human fears that fall into the worst nightmare categories. The visual is absolutely terrifying yet also very powerful.
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