5.31.2005

Book Review: Bloody Jack

Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy by L. A. Meyer

SUMMARY: Mary Faber, orphaned at age eight, roams the streets of London with a children's gang and spends a lot of time being hungry. When the gang's leader gets killed, Mary excapes by taking on a male identity and becoming a ship's boy for the British Royal Navy, where at least she is fed three times a day. Thus begins The Deception, a long and involved game of hiding her femine side at sea through many curious adventures, including fighting pirates, becoming a castaway,...and protecting herself from wayward sailors.

OPINION: There are a lot of teen books about girls going to sea, but this one is unique in that the heroine is so likeable! She is certainly not ruled by her circumstances. The irrepressible and saucy Jacky chooses her course and plans her moves to get what she wants! This was L. A. Meyer's first book. I actually read this book's sequel first (The Curse of the Blue Tattoo), and I liked it better. But, I recommend reading both and doing it soon because a third one is on the way in August!

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