The Mark of the Golden Dragon

By: L. A. Meyer

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 10 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

The irrepressible Jacky Faber, condemned for life to the English penal colony in Australia for crimes against the Crown, has once again wriggled out of the grasp of British authorities. Back on her flagship, the Lorelei Lee, she eagerly heads back to England in the company of friends and her beloved Jaimy Fletcher.But when the voyage is waylaid by pirates, storms, and her own impetuous nature, Jacky is cast into a world of danger that extends from the South China Sea to the equally treacherous waters of London politics. With the help of her friends, Jacky meets her enemies head on in this tale of love, courage, and redemption.

LA Meyer received a master of fine arts from Boston University, and is currently the curator and exhibitor at the Clair de Loon Gallery in Bar Harbor, Maine. He lives in Corea, Maine.

Katy Kellgren has recorded over 100 audiobooks including the Bloody Jack series which he won multiple Audie Awards and Odyssey Honor Awards. She has appeared on stage in London, New York, and Frankfurt. She is a graduate of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

©2012 LA Meyer (P)2012 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

so happy

Normally, if I want to listen to a hundred plus hours of audio I would have to download Les Miserables or some other painfully verbose semi ancient classical work -- or download The Game of Thrones books. It seems like the longest audioworks are also really dark with a lot of death. It can be hard to find happy, uplifting, enjoyable well-crafted content that is also long, immersive and well-produced. This series is an absolute delight because of the multiple languages and the exquisite singing by the narrator. I find myself humming sailor shanties and having learned how to sing the Rocky Road to Dublin! I use the audible book marking function to bookmark and play my favorite songs.

I have been brought a lot of joy by the series, it has light-hearted content but it's still complex enough and historically steeped for an adult to enjoy... even though it appears to have been written for a young adult audience.

I found this book in the series particularly fun because of the total reversal of 1800s Romanticism literature. Instead of the weak-willed woman going mad over something emotional because her sex is flawed, it is the strong quick to anger well-bred male character who loses his marbles and has to be redeemed by the frisky sixteen-year-old girl with a handsome man on each knee.

"Hooray"a very delightful upbeat series

I debated on this series for several years, I am glad I got it and I am looking forward to the next book. Jackey is loveable and endearing

great addition to the bloody jack series

Any additional comments?

I have loved this series and enjoyed this episode, my only criticism would be that the events moved a little fast and superficial compared to the other books, meaning a lot happened very quickly; shipwreck, tiger attack, overthrow bad guys & save a village, kidnapped by crime lord, befriend crime lord and become besties with his daughter, earthquake, tsunami, kidnapped by pirates, escape pirates, found by friends, destroy pirates on and on all the adventures of a lifetime in just a few days...

I never felt that way listening to the earlier books in the series

I still loved it

...Continuing on...

I took a bit of a break from this series because I was a tad afraid to pick it up based on the other reviews. Now that book 10 is out I decided to give it a try.

As others have said this is a transitional tale, Jacky has a few escapades abroad and then is back in London to clear her name. Once again surviving only due to her friends and relationships that she has built over the last few books.

Unlike the other reviewers, I enjoyed this book and thought it worth my time. The adventures back in London got a bit slow as she just seemed to enjoy playing around with her flirts, and nothing really ever happened. Then it ended on an odd note, so I look forward to starting book 10!

Predictable but that's why I like it!

I see some people commented that Jackie gets in similar predicaments over and over. That's the point of a series, especially one for young people. In what new way can she be almost killed/lost at sea/tempted by a charming young man who is not her fiancé, etc?

Something I noticed in this book that hasn't been so obvious before is the link to literary and historical references. We hear about Lord Byron, Coleridge and Dolly Madison. Also readers of this book are going to be surprised when their middle school English teacher has them read the poem The Highwayman and Jaimy doesn't figure in it.

As always, it is the narration by Katherine Kellgren that makes this an outstanding series.

short & sweet

I am enjoying this series so far.
I was disappointed that this book was so short, however the story was good, just short!

paying 11.95 for an audiobook, you expect the book to be worth my $$!

Still worth a credit

This series is a guilty pleasure for me. I do agree with some of the more critical reviews that this installment lacked some of the vigor of the other books. This book is brief compared to others in the series. I have just finished the 3rd book and have begun the 4th, and I've never listened to the first book - so please consider this in context compared to yourself before spending your money or credit. Now, this is the weakest story of all the books I've listened to, but Kellgren saves the day with her performance. Don't look to be wowed by this story, but it will be necessary to listen to as the next book will pick up at a key time in the history of the region she is travelling to in the early 1800s. Hopefully, Mr. Meyer will regain his passion for the story in the region and time. And, Jamie will need to be at the forefront of the next book or omitted completely for something to work well. Best of luck, Mr. Meyer. I do recommend the book, but temper your expectations.

A Welcome return to form.

Any additional comments?

After a few shaky outings is is nice to see this series get back on track. Some of the relationships are getting stale, but overall this was a lot of fun.

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Have grown more than a little weary of the same basic story line repeated over and over.......and over......and over.....and......

Obviously LA Meyer has long ago run out of ideas. He attempts to mask this by making Jacky Hyper-sexual, Higgins gay and having her be in risk of death every few chapters.

The audio performance remains outstanding as usual.

A daring young wench

I have loved this series from the beginning. But I'm not sure if it because of the sheer absurdity of the adventures or because of the wonderful gift that the narrator has with her singing voice. She has brought young Jacky to life for me