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Bloody Jack #2
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady
After being forced to leave HMS Dolphin and Jaimy, her true love, Jacky Faber is making a new start at the elite Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston. But growing up on the streets of London and fighting pirates never prepared Jacky for her toughest battle learning how to be a fine lady.
Everything she does is wrong. Her embroidery is deplorable, her French is atrocious, and her table manners--disgusting! Then there's the small matter of her blue anchor tattoo. . . .
Despite her best efforts, Jacky can't seem to stay out of trouble long enough to dedicate herself to being ladylike. But what fun would that be, anyway?
Everything she does is wrong. Her embroidery is deplorable, her French is atrocious, and her table manners--disgusting! Then there's the small matter of her blue anchor tattoo. . . .
Despite her best efforts, Jacky can't seem to stay out of trouble long enough to dedicate herself to being ladylike. But what fun would that be, anyway?
504 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
213 people are currently reading
2798 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 1,009 reviews
December 30, 2009
I am rating the unabridged audiobook recording of this novel and I find it almost impossible to try to separate the text from the "performance" in trying to craft my review so I simply won't! This audi0book has won all sorts of awards and for good reason. Narrator Katherine Kellgren is a phenomenon! Truly, I think she is the female Jim Dale. You would think this was a full cast recording her various voices and accents are so spot on. She instills such an incredible passion and "voice" to Jacky and yet all the secondary characters are remarkably vivid, as well. I was absolutely rapt listening to this. I tried many times to imagine what just reading this would be like--I don't think the voices in my head could be half so fine and whether Kellgren is merely capable of giving the story its just "voice" or whether she breathes added life into it I do not know, though I almost tend to believe it's the latter as there are some cases where I just KNOW her voice brought out so much more in terms of characterization and excitement. I did not realize until I had checked this out from the library that it is actually a sequel but I kept listening because I was so engaged and I think any holes were quite well filled in and for those who aren't looking for a seafaring adventure they may just prefer to jump right to Book Two, as well. Although this is mostly a character-driven story, there is a fair amount of excitement/action and good historical details. And I really enjoyed reading about America as seen through the eyes of a Brit in 1804! All in all, highly recommended especially for the audiobook. I'm eager to listen to more in this series as well as other recordings by Ms. Kellgren.
SPOILERS TO ANYONE WHO HAS NOT READ BOOK ONE:
After being discovered as the female she is, British Jack/y Faber, midshipman (er, woman), is sent off her ship and, with the treasure she helped retrieve, is sent to a fine girl's school in Boston, MA where she is to learn to be a "lady." While she desperately misses her comrades and especially her fiance, and the open sea, orphan and former street urchin Jacky is keen to become a proper lady though there is just so much spunk in her she has a difficult time sticking to embroidery and learning to manage household budgets. But her spirit pours from a very kind heart and even though she gets herself in a number of troublesome situations, she somehow manages to pull through them with courage and goodwill--until it seems that she may finally have met her match in Rev. Mather who, she believes, murdered a poor servant girl some years ago but was never brought to justice. Jacky must strive to get him that justice while avoiding his noose!
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Jacky Faber is my latest companion for the commute (too bad she won't count for the carpool lane, haha!) and what a delight she is! I got this out from the library after hearing all the awards the audiobook version won, though I didn't realize until after I'd got it that it is actually the second book in a series. No matter, this one sounds more my cup of tea than the first and Jacky is such an engaging character I feel that I am totally involved in her life already! :-)
SPOILERS TO ANYONE WHO HAS NOT READ BOOK ONE:
After being discovered as the female she is, British Jack/y Faber, midshipman (er, woman), is sent off her ship and, with the treasure she helped retrieve, is sent to a fine girl's school in Boston, MA where she is to learn to be a "lady." While she desperately misses her comrades and especially her fiance, and the open sea, orphan and former street urchin Jacky is keen to become a proper lady though there is just so much spunk in her she has a difficult time sticking to embroidery and learning to manage household budgets. But her spirit pours from a very kind heart and even though she gets herself in a number of troublesome situations, she somehow manages to pull through them with courage and goodwill--until it seems that she may finally have met her match in Rev. Mather who, she believes, murdered a poor servant girl some years ago but was never brought to justice. Jacky must strive to get him that justice while avoiding his noose!
**************************************************************************
Jacky Faber is my latest companion for the commute (too bad she won't count for the carpool lane, haha!) and what a delight she is! I got this out from the library after hearing all the awards the audiobook version won, though I didn't realize until after I'd got it that it is actually the second book in a series. No matter, this one sounds more my cup of tea than the first and Jacky is such an engaging character I feel that I am totally involved in her life already! :-)
July 11, 2025
These girls here, you'd think they'd be a bunch of prim pampered little princesses but, no, they ain't, they're like any bunch of thirty or so cats thrown in to a sack and shaken up good. They're mean in ways that boys never even thought of being. I am all at sea about this becoming a lady business, too, and I don't know if I'm ever going to get any better at it.
Though sorely lacking in pirates, this chapter in young Jacky's life proves to be filled with adventures, and rollicking good times.
Here our plucky, undaunted heroine is sentenced to serve time in the Lawson Peabody School for Girls where the fearless former guttersnipe and rowdy deckhand will be trained in all things ladylike. Hilarity naturally ensues in this fish out of water tale, as Jacky struggles to keep her boisterous personality in check while she learns embroidery, French, and the equestrian arts. I was frequently reminded of my favorite heroine, Anne Shirley, the hot-tempered orphan from Green Gables.
The one dark note to the novel is the sinister minister who believes Jacky to be a witch, and wants her to suffer before she ceases to live. Though this is a disturbing subplot, Jacky's scheme to deal with the pervy preacher provides some of the biggest laughs in the book.
I truly loved this one, and am looking forward to our gal's next adventure aboard a whaling ship.
Though sorely lacking in pirates, this chapter in young Jacky's life proves to be filled with adventures, and rollicking good times.
Here our plucky, undaunted heroine is sentenced to serve time in the Lawson Peabody School for Girls where the fearless former guttersnipe and rowdy deckhand will be trained in all things ladylike. Hilarity naturally ensues in this fish out of water tale, as Jacky struggles to keep her boisterous personality in check while she learns embroidery, French, and the equestrian arts. I was frequently reminded of my favorite heroine, Anne Shirley, the hot-tempered orphan from Green Gables.
The one dark note to the novel is the sinister minister who believes Jacky to be a witch, and wants her to suffer before she ceases to live. Though this is a disturbing subplot, Jacky's scheme to deal with the pervy preacher provides some of the biggest laughs in the book.
I truly loved this one, and am looking forward to our gal's next adventure aboard a whaling ship.
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October 31, 2017DNF at 97%
Jack is still a fun character, she still has a knack to get into trouble. But the setting I don't like. I wanted adventure at sea, marine life, water, Jamie. Instead we have a school for ladies, curtseys, sailors on land and letter from Jamie. Not at all what I expected.
Jack is still a fun character, she still has a knack to get into trouble. But the setting I don't like. I wanted adventure at sea, marine life, water, Jamie. Instead we have a school for ladies, curtseys, sailors on land and letter from Jamie. Not at all what I expected.
July 23, 2008
Meyer, L.A. Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady, 496 pgs. Harcourt, Inc.; Language~PG-13, Sexual Content~PG; Violence~PG
After her perilous encounter with the dread pirate Le Fievre and her discovery as a girl, Jacky is put off the Dolphin and sent to a finishing school funded by her shares from the spoils of capturing the pirates loot. Under the stern thumb of the infamous Mistress Pimm, Jacky discovers just how far she is from becoming the fine lady Jaimy would like her to be. Jacky soon realizes that the social rules and etiquette of Boston is much stricter that that of London. With her tendency for impulsiveness and her temper, Jacky soon finds herself demoted to a household servant at the school. There she finds friends and forms the dreaded sisterhood. Many adventures await Jacky in this next volume of her story. Readers will want the next volume close at hand as they reach the end of this story. Upper MS/HS. Essential Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
After her perilous encounter with the dread pirate Le Fievre and her discovery as a girl, Jacky is put off the Dolphin and sent to a finishing school funded by her shares from the spoils of capturing the pirates loot. Under the stern thumb of the infamous Mistress Pimm, Jacky discovers just how far she is from becoming the fine lady Jaimy would like her to be. Jacky soon realizes that the social rules and etiquette of Boston is much stricter that that of London. With her tendency for impulsiveness and her temper, Jacky soon finds herself demoted to a household servant at the school. There she finds friends and forms the dreaded sisterhood. Many adventures await Jacky in this next volume of her story. Readers will want the next volume close at hand as they reach the end of this story. Upper MS/HS. Essential Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian
November 5, 2008
With each of these books, I love Jack more. The author has a great website about these books. I would love for these to be made into a PG13 set of movies. Listening to them has been a real pleasure. This installment is about Jack learning to be a real lady and the plots begin to thicken in her relationship with Jamey. Parts of the novels are not for the faint of heart and if one were to read them to one's children, I would recommend much discussion. The category of young adult fiction is being enriched by this author's work.
February 23, 2009
I wasn't sure about this going in--after all, a book about an uncultured girl being thrown into finishing school? How many of these awkward fish-out-of-water stories do we need?
I should have trusted. This isn't any girl, this is Jacky Faber, who gets herself into any number of delightful scraps and mishaps. In spite of Jacky's constant mooning over her boyfriend (from whom she hasn't heard in several months), this is still at its heart a fast-paced adventure story, and I think it still has boy appeal, if sold the right way.
Because I can't go without complaining about something, I will say that maybe too much happens in this volume--it seems there's not a situation Jacky can't get herself into, and the end sequence happens in a blur. It sets up the next book nicely, though, and I'll be reading that one as an actual, honest-to-goodness book, since it hasn't been released to audio yet.
(This volume has an awful lot of singing in it, and the reader has a wonderful voice for this aspect. Worth a listen!)
I should have trusted. This isn't any girl, this is Jacky Faber, who gets herself into any number of delightful scraps and mishaps. In spite of Jacky's constant mooning over her boyfriend (from whom she hasn't heard in several months), this is still at its heart a fast-paced adventure story, and I think it still has boy appeal, if sold the right way.
Because I can't go without complaining about something, I will say that maybe too much happens in this volume--it seems there's not a situation Jacky can't get herself into, and the end sequence happens in a blur. It sets up the next book nicely, though, and I'll be reading that one as an actual, honest-to-goodness book, since it hasn't been released to audio yet.
(This volume has an awful lot of singing in it, and the reader has a wonderful voice for this aspect. Worth a listen!)
November 17, 2011
God, I hate this Jacky so much! She’s sly, shallow nonsensical bitch! She gets in trouble, promises to never do it again, and then does it! Again! And again and again! Honestly, she’s such a Maru Sue. All the good guys like her and the bag guys hate her. 99% of boys around fall for her almost immediately. She learns horse riding in a couple of months and apparently gets so good at it that wins race when competing against actual real jockeys who have had years of practice. She always has some kind of useful powerful or knowledgeable friend who can manage to help her out of another trouble. When accused of something - she just starts crying and whining until (though the accusations are completely accurate and she is guilty) she is forgiven this instant and then the situation reverses and the friend who did the accusations starts to beg to be forgiven by Jacky.
I hardly see why she's considered such a ‘feminist’ role model. Yes, she always goes talking about how she’ll do this or that all by herself,… but in fact, all by herself she gets only in trouble (and sometimes - in prison), and rarely gets out of them without somebody’s help. She’s always pining after Jamie, her lover-boy, and constantly repeats how she loves him and how she’s promised to him. But this fact, strangely, does not stop her from shamelessly flirting with any other boy (sometimes even almost lust after one of them). Worse: she even uses her ‘charm’ as a device in a revenge plan. And she always repeats ‘oh, that [flirting] can’t do any bad!’ or ‘that won’t hurt’ etc. But that does bad and it does hurt people. And she even has no guts to admit that she did all this on purpose, to get even with other bitchy girl (yes, that girl was a major bitch, but why the hell steal her fiancée when you clearly doesn’t need him! To humiliate her? It’s mean and it brings you down to her level.) And frankly, that bitchy girl, Clarissa, as an antagonist - doesn’t serve half the role she should be. First, she is cliche to an awful extent. Just another blonde-pretty-rich-spoiled-little-princess-of-the-school-academy. Again. Like we haven’t read/seen that for a bazillion times already. As a character she is rather weak and as an antagonist… Well, Clarissa clearly spent way less time on humiliating Jacky, than Jacky spent on plotting how to humiliate Clarissa. I think that should say something about the protagonist. (Even Harry Potter, as I recall, didn’t make so much effort to take crap out of Draco Malfoy).
I think people tend to take no notice and ignore that this Jacky actually is not that much of a good person (she’s still mean and sly) because of the villain in the book. Oh, the villain (who is a Reverend) is good. The author makes you despise this Reverend so much (which he deserves) that you don’t notice loads of drawbacks the heroine has. Compared to the Reverend - Jacky is a white little innocent lamb whom you can’t help but pity and feel sorry for and sympathize with, simply because she is a heroine and he is a villain and he is that bad and frightening.
I hardly see why she's considered such a ‘feminist’ role model. Yes, she always goes talking about how she’ll do this or that all by herself,… but in fact, all by herself she gets only in trouble (and sometimes - in prison), and rarely gets out of them without somebody’s help. She’s always pining after Jamie, her lover-boy, and constantly repeats how she loves him and how she’s promised to him. But this fact, strangely, does not stop her from shamelessly flirting with any other boy (sometimes even almost lust after one of them). Worse: she even uses her ‘charm’ as a device in a revenge plan. And she always repeats ‘oh, that [flirting] can’t do any bad!’ or ‘that won’t hurt’ etc. But that does bad and it does hurt people. And she even has no guts to admit that she did all this on purpose, to get even with other bitchy girl (yes, that girl was a major bitch, but why the hell steal her fiancée when you clearly doesn’t need him! To humiliate her? It’s mean and it brings you down to her level.) And frankly, that bitchy girl, Clarissa, as an antagonist - doesn’t serve half the role she should be. First, she is cliche to an awful extent. Just another blonde-pretty-rich-spoiled-little-princess-of-the-school-academy. Again. Like we haven’t read/seen that for a bazillion times already. As a character she is rather weak and as an antagonist… Well, Clarissa clearly spent way less time on humiliating Jacky, than Jacky spent on plotting how to humiliate Clarissa. I think that should say something about the protagonist. (Even Harry Potter, as I recall, didn’t make so much effort to take crap out of Draco Malfoy).
I think people tend to take no notice and ignore that this Jacky actually is not that much of a good person (she’s still mean and sly) because of the villain in the book. Oh, the villain (who is a Reverend) is good. The author makes you despise this Reverend so much (which he deserves) that you don’t notice loads of drawbacks the heroine has. Compared to the Reverend - Jacky is a white little innocent lamb whom you can’t help but pity and feel sorry for and sympathize with, simply because she is a heroine and he is a villain and he is that bad and frightening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2011
I made the mistake of actually "reading" Bloody Jack (the first book) and this time chose to listen to the audio after reading an incredible amount of ravings over Katherine Kellgren. Let me tell you right now, the ravings were spot on.
Kellgren makes these books come alive. I laughed, cried, hooted and hollared right along with Jacky as she navigated the perils of becoming a "fine lady". I felt her longing for Jacky, her confusion at the rules and regulations of this new place she called home. I wanted to spit on my hand and join the Dread Sisterhood and to scheme along with her as she plotted to take down the evil Reverend.
While I certainly enjoyed reading the previous book, it did not come alive nearly as much as this book did. I'm NOT an audio book fan, normally - I like to read at my own pace and get impatient when I have to wait for someone else to get to the "good parts", but Katherine made every part of this book the "good part". I'm raving here - but her enthusiasm, spirit, accents, singing talents (the songs came alive so beautifully), emotion and just.. love shone through.
I'm a huge fan of these books now. This audiobook converted me and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to listen to a fantastic story - especially if you are wanting to entertain an entire car full of folk on trips. I cannot even imagine how much fun it would have been to listen to this in a group!
It's nearly impossible to talk just about the story and not about the audiobook, because they became one and the same - but I will say this. I found the story in The Curse of the Blue Tattoo to be filled with adventure, colorful characters, just a touch of improbability (The Lady Lenore's maker was.. well, I did roll my eyes) and to be a fantastic account of the misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady.
Kellgren makes these books come alive. I laughed, cried, hooted and hollared right along with Jacky as she navigated the perils of becoming a "fine lady". I felt her longing for Jacky, her confusion at the rules and regulations of this new place she called home. I wanted to spit on my hand and join the Dread Sisterhood and to scheme along with her as she plotted to take down the evil Reverend.
While I certainly enjoyed reading the previous book, it did not come alive nearly as much as this book did. I'm NOT an audio book fan, normally - I like to read at my own pace and get impatient when I have to wait for someone else to get to the "good parts", but Katherine made every part of this book the "good part". I'm raving here - but her enthusiasm, spirit, accents, singing talents (the songs came alive so beautifully), emotion and just.. love shone through.
I'm a huge fan of these books now. This audiobook converted me and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to listen to a fantastic story - especially if you are wanting to entertain an entire car full of folk on trips. I cannot even imagine how much fun it would have been to listen to this in a group!
It's nearly impossible to talk just about the story and not about the audiobook, because they became one and the same - but I will say this. I found the story in The Curse of the Blue Tattoo to be filled with adventure, colorful characters, just a touch of improbability (The Lady Lenore's maker was.. well, I did roll my eyes) and to be a fantastic account of the misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady.
October 28, 2010
I really did not enjoy this. Although it did have parts that made me smile, Jacky is just too impulsive, thoughtless and down-right annoying for me to take right now. I honestly got stressed out reading this. Meyer might have created a wonderful character, and I do understand her making mistakes because of sheer ignorance, but does she need to be downright stupid to make that point? No she does not. There are even parts where Jacky comes across as mature for her age and fairly intelligent, so why are we forced to suffer through so much idiocy? No wonder I stopped reading this series after this book when I was a teen!
While fairly annoyed, I will press on and read at least one more volume before I give up on the series as a whole. With thousands of positive reviews out there, there has got to be something redeeming in the series!
While fairly annoyed, I will press on and read at least one more volume before I give up on the series as a whole. With thousands of positive reviews out there, there has got to be something redeeming in the series!
July 29, 2023
Still the finest audiobook and most treasured story of my childhood. Benefitted by listening whilst driving through coastal New England.
December 19, 2017
It took me forever to finally get through this book. The Bloody Jack books are so long I feel like they drag on and on. This one was okay but I still enjoyed the first one more. I will continue on with the series, I'm hoping the third book is better than this one. I found myself bored in some parts of this story.
December 5, 2021
Loved revisiting this second book, which landlocked Jacky and put her in some interesting positions. That creepy preacher gives me the shivers.
February 17, 2011
HOLY CATS.
Not only did the nonstop action and adventure have me riveted, Katherine Kellgren's BLOODY PHENOMENAL narration brought the book to life. Much, much, much love for this recording.
Not only did the nonstop action and adventure have me riveted, Katherine Kellgren's BLOODY PHENOMENAL narration brought the book to life. Much, much, much love for this recording.
March 23, 2023
(Book 2 of the series.) It’s 1803 in Boston. Jacky is off her ship since they found out she’s a girl and is at a boarding school (I missed where the money came from to pay for it). The school is meant to teach this orphan and former homeless waif and sometimes thief to be a “lady”. Of course, she really doesn’t fit in and she learns how mean some girls can be. However, she still manages to make a friend in outcast Amy. Jacky misses beau Jaimy and writes plenty of letters, hoping to catch him on whatever ship he is now on. And she tries to stay out of the way of the Reverend(?) Mather.
I listened to the audio and really liked this! The narrator is very good, with Jacky’s cockney accent and any other accents thrown her way. Jacky’s fun, but can go a little too far, sometimes, for sure. But a very enjoyable book and enjoyable series.
I listened to the audio and really liked this! The narrator is very good, with Jacky’s cockney accent and any other accents thrown her way. Jacky’s fun, but can go a little too far, sometimes, for sure. But a very enjoyable book and enjoyable series.
May 11, 2022
Reread.
3 stars for a Jacky Faber book - this doesn't mean it's any old 3 star book though. As with Bridgerton, these are in comparison to the others in the series, which sometimes necessitates lower ratings so that my ranking is clear.
This is a necessary second book because it sets up a lot of Jacky's 'lady' and social skills and introduces many (darling and beloved) characters, but all hijinks remain on dry land and that's just not what I'm here for.
Side note, did I always imagine Ezra Pickering as Ezra (Felon) Fitz from PLL? Which came first in my brain and/or is this a new development?
3 stars for a Jacky Faber book - this doesn't mean it's any old 3 star book though. As with Bridgerton, these are in comparison to the others in the series, which sometimes necessitates lower ratings so that my ranking is clear.
This is a necessary second book because it sets up a lot of Jacky's 'lady' and social skills and introduces many (darling and beloved) characters, but all hijinks remain on dry land and that's just not what I'm here for.
Side note, did I always imagine Ezra Pickering as Ezra (Felon) Fitz from PLL? Which came first in my brain and/or is this a new development?
August 15, 2019
This is number two in the “Bloody Jack” series. Jacky gets dropped off at a fancy girls’ school in Boston, where her pirates’ loot is being spent to turn her into a lady. Naturally it doesn’t take, and she wreaks her usual havoc. Things get hot for her at the end (literally--she accidentally sets the school on fire) so she skips out and heads back to sea. I listened to the audio version, and the narration is fantastic. I’m hoping to listen to volume one someday, if it ever comes available at the library. Meanwhile, there are ten other volumes, all with the same great narrator. YA fiction is the best!
September 3, 2021
Pure delight!
Audiobook. 5 stars book and narration.
The second in this series, though it can be read on its own.
The narration is flawless, beyond anything I would have imagined reading it on my own.
The book itself, set in 1803, is well written and has plenty of literary easter eggs.
I did not want it to end and am eagerly looking forward to the next in the series.
Audiobook. 5 stars book and narration.
The second in this series, though it can be read on its own.
The narration is flawless, beyond anything I would have imagined reading it on my own.
The book itself, set in 1803, is well written and has plenty of literary easter eggs.
I did not want it to end and am eagerly looking forward to the next in the series.
June 13, 2019
Another fun adventure of Bloody Jack! I love these fun adventure reads. In this one we see Jacky attempt to be "good" as she learns to be a lady. Making friends is easy but trying to be good while also what feels right proves to be quite an issue for our sweet Jack.
July 8, 2018
I had previously read, and enjoyed, the first two "Bloody Jack" adventure tales, but I have found that by far the best way to experience them is via audiobook. These books are brought to life by the brilliant narration of the late Katherine Kellgren, one of my favorite audiobook readers (along with Jim Dale). In fact, I would recommend anything narrated by Ms. Kellgren.
January 20, 2020
I reread this because I couldn’t remember much of it other than it was entertaining. And it sure was!
July 16, 2017
Oh Jacky! You sure can make the time go by!!
July 4, 2024
Cute. Adventurous. Actually taught good morals at the same time. Picked this one on a whim. I haven’t even read the first book haha. Totally on accident. But the book reviewed enough history that I didn’t feel like I was missing much. I will, of course, read the first one now.
April 27, 2010
After Jacky Faber is discovered as being a girl, she is kicked off of her ship and sent to an upper-class school for girls in Boston. Only Jacky isn’t too good at being a lady, or upper class. She struggles with her embroidery, and quickly makes an enemy in the wealthy Clarissa Worthington. It doesn’t take that much time for her to start getting into trouble either. Before she knows it, Jacky finds herself bumped down from high-class lady in to serving girl. How will she manage to survive her new life in Boston?
I was a little nervous about picking up Curse of the Blue Tattoo, the second Bloody Jack book, as it’s been well over a year since I’ve read the first. Luckily, I found that the book was very easy to pick up after so much time away. Jacky remains an incredibly likeable narrator, passionate and fearless, even though she can have appalling bad judgment at times. Although the nautical flare from the first story is mostly absent here, as someone that grew up pretty close to Boston, I found that I connected to this story very well. I really enjoyed picking up on the street names or landmarks that I have visited.
I have to admire L.A. Meyer for this one. Not only does he accurately capture a female voice, but does a great job commenting on women’s issues in the early 1800s. Throughout the book, we see Jacky, who has spent the last year masquerading as a boy, really struggle with the concept of being a lady. Sure, she takes to her studies well enough, but when it comes to issues like decorum, no matter how much she tries, it’s impossible to fit her into the mold that society expects of her. We see this struggle on a smaller scale with her friend Amy, who on the surface, appears to be the model of a fine young lady, but has a deep desire to learn on an academic level, publish her writing, and teach. I found Amy to be a very likable character, and really enjoyed watching her friendship with Jacky. In fact, I enjoyed all of the female friendships displayed in this book. I often feel as if novels often lack strong female friendships, discarding them for romantic plotlines or, my least favorite type of story, the two close friends that are torn apart by their love for one man. This is not a problem here at all. I was surprised to see that Curse of the Blue Tattoo is not completely free of romance, as Jacky spends the entire book separated from her Jaimy, but it makes sense that as she picks up male friends, and female friends, that eventually they would start to pair off. This is another aspect of the book I enjoyed.
Curse of the Blue Tattoo is a really fun book. It’s only drawback is that the ending feels a bit rushed, almost as if there were supposed to be one more chapter that we’re missing. This flaw feels trivial compared to the fun that is the rest of the book. Jacky provides a real unique viewpoint on Boston, not just due to her background as an orphan and Ship’s Boy, but even due to the fact that she’s English, as has entered a country that has recently freed itself from English law. I will be picking up the rest of the books in this series. Only this time I won’t wait as long to pick up the next volume!
I was a little nervous about picking up Curse of the Blue Tattoo, the second Bloody Jack book, as it’s been well over a year since I’ve read the first. Luckily, I found that the book was very easy to pick up after so much time away. Jacky remains an incredibly likeable narrator, passionate and fearless, even though she can have appalling bad judgment at times. Although the nautical flare from the first story is mostly absent here, as someone that grew up pretty close to Boston, I found that I connected to this story very well. I really enjoyed picking up on the street names or landmarks that I have visited.
I have to admire L.A. Meyer for this one. Not only does he accurately capture a female voice, but does a great job commenting on women’s issues in the early 1800s. Throughout the book, we see Jacky, who has spent the last year masquerading as a boy, really struggle with the concept of being a lady. Sure, she takes to her studies well enough, but when it comes to issues like decorum, no matter how much she tries, it’s impossible to fit her into the mold that society expects of her. We see this struggle on a smaller scale with her friend Amy, who on the surface, appears to be the model of a fine young lady, but has a deep desire to learn on an academic level, publish her writing, and teach. I found Amy to be a very likable character, and really enjoyed watching her friendship with Jacky. In fact, I enjoyed all of the female friendships displayed in this book. I often feel as if novels often lack strong female friendships, discarding them for romantic plotlines or, my least favorite type of story, the two close friends that are torn apart by their love for one man. This is not a problem here at all. I was surprised to see that Curse of the Blue Tattoo is not completely free of romance, as Jacky spends the entire book separated from her Jaimy, but it makes sense that as she picks up male friends, and female friends, that eventually they would start to pair off. This is another aspect of the book I enjoyed.
Curse of the Blue Tattoo is a really fun book. It’s only drawback is that the ending feels a bit rushed, almost as if there were supposed to be one more chapter that we’re missing. This flaw feels trivial compared to the fun that is the rest of the book. Jacky provides a real unique viewpoint on Boston, not just due to her background as an orphan and Ship’s Boy, but even due to the fact that she’s English, as has entered a country that has recently freed itself from English law. I will be picking up the rest of the books in this series. Only this time I won’t wait as long to pick up the next volume!
April 26, 2010
There was no piracy or seafarin' in this edition of Jacky Faber's life, but I loved it anyway. Jacky Faber is probably my favorite heroine. Having posed as a ship's boy in the Royal Navy in book one and unfortunately, been found out, Jacky now finds herself set off her beloved ship, The Dolphin, and put into a school for ladies in Boston. This young gal has now gone from orphan to ship's boy to midshipman, to "fine lady" to chambermaid and finally to barroom performer, horse rider, and detective.
Needless to say, the lady's school isn't agreeing with Jacky. She gets herself arrested for flashing her knee in public and the result is a deomotion in rank. No longer a student of the lady's school, Jacky finds herself cleaning chamber pots for the ladies instead of being a lady herself. There's an advantage to this new situation tho and that is now Jacky is free to come and go as she pleases and in the process, gets into trouble, sings at the bar, sneaks letters to her beloved Jaimy, and investigates the mysterious murder of a maid who worked for the possibly perverted priest next door who now has his sights set on Jacky.
There was no end to the laughter and smiles. Jacky gets herself in and out of every scrape imaginable. She hates the school for ladies, but she loves her new friends and this creates a dilemma for her. Stay at the school and risk the wrath of the dangerous priest or hitch a ride on the next boat out and find her beloved Jaimy? Would Jaimy even want her anymore tho now that she has failed at becoming a lady?
Guess book three may have the answers.
Needless to say, the lady's school isn't agreeing with Jacky. She gets herself arrested for flashing her knee in public and the result is a deomotion in rank. No longer a student of the lady's school, Jacky finds herself cleaning chamber pots for the ladies instead of being a lady herself. There's an advantage to this new situation tho and that is now Jacky is free to come and go as she pleases and in the process, gets into trouble, sings at the bar, sneaks letters to her beloved Jaimy, and investigates the mysterious murder of a maid who worked for the possibly perverted priest next door who now has his sights set on Jacky.
There was no end to the laughter and smiles. Jacky gets herself in and out of every scrape imaginable. She hates the school for ladies, but she loves her new friends and this creates a dilemma for her. Stay at the school and risk the wrath of the dangerous priest or hitch a ride on the next boat out and find her beloved Jaimy? Would Jaimy even want her anymore tho now that she has failed at becoming a lady?
Guess book three may have the answers.
January 12, 2016
Oh my gosh where to start?
I really loved the first book in the "Jacky Faber" series which I read several months ago so when I picked up the second "The Curse of the Blue Tattoo" I had high hopes. I was not disappointed! Jacky is the finest and spunkiest heroine you could ever hope for and her simple yet exciting voice kept me on the edge of my seat throughout her long, exciting, romantic tale! I have to say that I loved Randall and I hope that he and Jacky get together in the future! The preacher got what he deserved and I'm glad for it; I hate it in books when they don't kill the horrible villain. Jacky reminds me of me in many ways with her wit, fearlessness and openness. I can see myself being with her in Girls School fighting against the evil and annoying Clarissa! Overall I can't begin to say how much I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to start the next one and see if I'm right in my hopes that Jacky and Randall get together!
I really loved the first book in the "Jacky Faber" series which I read several months ago so when I picked up the second "The Curse of the Blue Tattoo" I had high hopes. I was not disappointed! Jacky is the finest and spunkiest heroine you could ever hope for and her simple yet exciting voice kept me on the edge of my seat throughout her long, exciting, romantic tale! I have to say that I loved Randall and I hope that he and Jacky get together in the future! The preacher got what he deserved and I'm glad for it; I hate it in books when they don't kill the horrible villain. Jacky reminds me of me in many ways with her wit, fearlessness and openness. I can see myself being with her in Girls School fighting against the evil and annoying Clarissa! Overall I can't begin to say how much I enjoyed this book and I can't wait to start the next one and see if I'm right in my hopes that Jacky and Randall get together!
May 30, 2011
Narrated by Katherine Kellgren, this is one of my all-time favorite audiobooks. It is an audio book at its best. This is a performance and not just a reading. This book and its reader have won many awards and rightfully so. The book is entertaining to the point of addiction. I read the first two books in the series in two days and would be working on the third if my iPod were not fully discharged.
There is not a dull moment in any of the first two books in this series: Bloody Jack #1 and The Curse of the Blue Tattoo #2. I have heard it said and read of listeners that they had fallen in love with the narrator's voice... well add me to her fanboys and girls. Katherine Kellgren is one of the best talents in this art form. In fact, certainly gender-wise, she is perhaps without peer.
There is not a dull moment in any of the first two books in this series: Bloody Jack #1 and The Curse of the Blue Tattoo #2. I have heard it said and read of listeners that they had fallen in love with the narrator's voice... well add me to her fanboys and girls. Katherine Kellgren is one of the best talents in this art form. In fact, certainly gender-wise, she is perhaps without peer.
April 1, 2010
You can forgive the Bloody Jack books many things - unlikely plot points, melodrama, last-minute twists - because they have so much else going for them. I can't think of another historical fiction series that's as lively and comic, and I can't imagine reading them any other way than as audiobooks. Start with Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy. I know I'll roll my eyes when I hear what Jacky's up to next, but I also know I'll enjoy the ride.
June 3, 2012
This series is a lot of fun to listen to. The narrator is pretty entertaining - she does the different voices well and she can sing.
In this book, Jackie is sent to Boston to become "a lady." Of course, Jackie never does things easily and she gets into a lot of trouble. She tries to be good, but...
There is A LOT of description in this audio book which works because it is an audio book. It does get a tad tiresome, but it helps the listener get a feel for that time period.
This is a perfect series for the younger reader - middle school and up and I would recommend the audio version for those long trips in the car.
In this book, Jackie is sent to Boston to become "a lady." Of course, Jackie never does things easily and she gets into a lot of trouble. She tries to be good, but...
There is A LOT of description in this audio book which works because it is an audio book. It does get a tad tiresome, but it helps the listener get a feel for that time period.
This is a perfect series for the younger reader - middle school and up and I would recommend the audio version for those long trips in the car.
February 23, 2018
Wonderful series!
I shall read all the books in this fun and enjoyable series in the curse of the blue tattoo Miss Jacky Faber shows us young Boston, Blue-blood Boston, Puritan Boston, and dockside Boston, my can she ever get into some crazy adventures. Especially enjoy the class struggles at her school and I'm not talking about French, or Math or Embroidery, (Was that really a class) No I'm talking about Miss Howe, and Mistress Pimm, (I actually know one of the Howe's she is a direct descendant of the second John Adams and sixth President John Quincy Adams) but in this book well the Howe's are not the good guys anyway good book, fun book, five star book.
I shall read all the books in this fun and enjoyable series in the curse of the blue tattoo Miss Jacky Faber shows us young Boston, Blue-blood Boston, Puritan Boston, and dockside Boston, my can she ever get into some crazy adventures. Especially enjoy the class struggles at her school and I'm not talking about French, or Math or Embroidery, (Was that really a class) No I'm talking about Miss Howe, and Mistress Pimm, (I actually know one of the Howe's she is a direct descendant of the second John Adams and sixth President John Quincy Adams) but in this book well the Howe's are not the good guys anyway good book, fun book, five star book.
April 6, 2010
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, the second unfortunately didn't hold my interest. In Bloody Jack, Jacky was scrappy, smart, and quick on her feet. In Curse, she seemed much the opposite. Still had the spirit and the gumption, but none of the smarts. Also, the run-on sentences, while it's clear that's how she thinks, just started to get old. After plodding through half the book, I finally gave up.
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