Bloody Jack

By: L. A. Meyer

Narrated by: Katherine Kellgren

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of 18th-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas. There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret. This could be the adventure of her life...if only she doesn't get caught.

Listen to the sequel, Curse of the Blue Tattoo.

©2003 L.A. Meyer (P)2007 Listen and Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Children's Titles - Ages 12+, 2008

A Lost Review

This is one of many lost reviews by Audible. It's not much but luckily, it was stored elsewhere:

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.

Bloody good fun!

I love a spunky, independent, female character, so of course I immediately became attached to Mary "Jacky" Faber. I enjoyed listening to the narrator's street-English (Cockney?) accent for the main character. The author explored may issues that a disguised female would have aboard a ship filled with hundreds of male sailors. Plus, there are pirates! More action, adventure, and humor than The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. I plan to listen to the sequels.

Fantastic story and fantastic performance

Any additional comments?

This audible book is amazing. The writing is interesting, creative and energetic. The characters are drawn to perfection. The performance by Katherine Kellgren is the best I have ever heard. Follow the story of Mary from the age of 5 when her parents died. She lived on the streets of London with a small orphan gang. When she was around 12 or 13 she dresses as a boy, names herself Jackie, cuts her hair and is fortunate enough to sign on as a ship's boy on Her Majesty's ship the Dolphin. They take to the high seas. Then the sea adventure takes over. What a wonderful story. I couldn't stop listening because of the gripping story and the most wonderful performance imaginable.

Can't get enough

Would you consider the audio edition of Bloody Jack to be better than the print version?

The story is great!!! The narration is just top notch!! Have not read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bloody Jack?

There are just so many. The first book is short but all of the 10 books (so far I hope) just get better and better. I can't say enough good about the narration.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

Jackie of course

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed out loud over and over.

Any additional comments?

I keep saying I'm going to rate the books I read and never do. I had to take the time on this one. I know it is really a young adult series but I just had a rollicking good time with these books. I was so sorry to come to the end.

Delightful

Jacky Faber is a delight! And Katherine Kellgren just brings her to life! Nothing weighty - you can cook, knit, or whatever while enjoying the adventure. Very fun.

What a wonderful book!

Jacky's (Mary's) story is told in the first-person, which works really well. Katherine Kellgren's spot-on reading just makes it that much more compelling.

You care about the characters and their adventures, whether on the streets of London or on the high seas.

In this one, you get to watch Jacky grow up from a little kid to a young lady of 14. Since she grows up parentless and on the streets, she has a certain charming naiveté about things. But she is smart and curious and she tries to learn the ways of the world.

This novel is great for people from young teen to adult. But I especially like this book for young teens, because she learns the right things to do in matters of morality. The subject of sex is handled particularly well I think, despite the information coming from a rather unusual source. (From where else was she going to get it?) So she has the right reasons for doing what she does (and does NOT do), particularly considering her age.

On that subject, some blurbs describe these books as "bawdy." Though is does trend that way a couple of times in the third book of the series, that is a bit of a misnomer. But because of some of the subject matter in this and especially the subsequent books (especially book 3), I wouldn't let my child of less than 13 read this series of books.

Bloody Good Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Bloody Jack to be better than the print version?

Probably

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack

What about Katherine Kellgren’s performance did you like?

The Characters were obviously different.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

We listened to this book while driving. When we got home, we came into the house and did not turn on the TV. We listened to the book.

Any additional comments?

I liked the variety of situations that Jack encountered. It was not clear which women in his life would be his mate until the very end.

Audible is the only way to read this one.

So good. I loved every minute of this one and It would not be the same without getting to listen. I was right there. Katherine Kellgren was just excellent. I was so caught up in the story, L. A. Meyer is a great story teller. I would lover to listen to this one again.

Delightfully narrated.

Katherine Kellgren makes this book. This book is good as a read, but the listen is so much more vivid and entertaining. I can't wait to get the rest of the series.

Note: I can't imagine why this books is categorized for ages 12+ . I would definitely want to shield any teenagers from the sexual harrassment and attempted rape scenes.

Fun Story and Well Narrated

Would you consider the audio edition of Bloody Jack to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version, but the audio was exceptionally well narrated.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bloody Jack?

It is all well told.

Which character – as performed by Katherine Kellgren – was your favorite?

The lead character was excellent, and well brought to life. Katherine Kellgren changes voices easily, so you can tell who is talking without being told.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No - I listen primarily in the car. However, I will say that this book continued at home for hours after the end of my car ride. Too long to listen to in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable light "reading." I am sure there is a sequel, which I am considering.