Scan barcode
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Jacky Faber when I read the first book in the series, Bloody Jack. Then I listened to the second book on audio. Holy cow! I'd heard these audiobooks were awesome but I really didn't understand until I picked one up for myself.
Katherine Kellgren brought Jacky to life for me. Narrating in a Cockney accent that I loved, she crowed in triumph, cried in sadness, and took her with me on every emotion in between. It was amazing and a joy to listen to. I already felt this was a strong start to a series, but I will definitely be continuing in the audio format. I can't imagine separating Kellgren and Jacky now!
I've waited too long to review this book, but from what I can remember, this second entry is darker than the first. Yeah, the more I think about it, parts got downright dark and creepy. I was seriously worried for Jacky.
It was huge fun to see her in a group of proper young Boston schoolgirls. They don't know what hits them when Jacky walks in! We can all imagine what happens though. Yeah. That group. The Mean Girls. Jacky doesn't know what hits her when they get started. I think she'd rather face down an evil pirate than deal with these deviously devilish girls!
As far as the actual story goes, I think I enjoyed Bloody Jack just a little more. I get frustrated by mean girls and the creepiness almost went over the top for me.
I do highly, highly recommend this series on audio. It is perfect for girls who like some adventure in their books!
Katherine Kellgren brought Jacky to life for me. Narrating in a Cockney accent that I loved, she crowed in triumph, cried in sadness, and took her with me on every emotion in between. It was amazing and a joy to listen to. I already felt this was a strong start to a series, but I will definitely be continuing in the audio format. I can't imagine separating Kellgren and Jacky now!
I've waited too long to review this book, but from what I can remember, this second entry is darker than the first. Yeah, the more I think about it, parts got downright dark and creepy. I was seriously worried for Jacky.
It was huge fun to see her in a group of proper young Boston schoolgirls. They don't know what hits them when Jacky walks in! We can all imagine what happens though. Yeah. That group. The Mean Girls. Jacky doesn't know what hits her when they get started. I think she'd rather face down an evil pirate than deal with these deviously devilish girls!
As far as the actual story goes, I think I enjoyed Bloody Jack just a little more. I get frustrated by mean girls and the creepiness almost went over the top for me.
I do highly, highly recommend this series on audio. It is perfect for girls who like some adventure in their books!
obello's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
vorpalblad's review
5.0
4.5 ⭐rounded up.
Jacky has been found out and she's been shipped off to boarding school in Boston and that's where we start this second installment of the Bloody Jack series, Curse of the Blue Tattoo. This particular entry doesn't have the swashbuckling and adventure of new places that we get in most of the series, but this is the first point where Meyer really starts amping up the historical setting.
I have to admit I love learning about history, but my feel for where events from different places fit together is pretty weak. One of the things I like about this series best is that as Jacky travels the world, we're really drawn into the world of the time. We get a feel for Boston as a small community still heavily impacted by its Puritan roots. Curse is set right at the turn of the 19th century, maybe 1801 or '02; Boston wouldn't be chartered as a city for another 20 years. We see the tension between the British and newly-minted Americans that would result in another war in a few years, and Jacky's reaction to having a French classmate is interesting. Many of the troubles that Jacky finds herself in are caused by her run-ins with the conservative, Puritan laws of Boston.
While the adventures pile up, and Jacky has her highs and lows, there is an underlying mystery that is the overarching plot of the novel. Jacky's new minister, Richard Mather, is a dyed-in-the-wool fire and brimstone preacher, and, it is implied, is the grandson of Cotton Mather, who wrote extensively about witchcraft and supported the outcomes of the Salem Witch Trials. Jacky finds out Richard Mather may be after her, but why? Is it for her good or his? And what happened to his last serving girl?
I simply cannot recommend the audio version of these books enough. Katherine Kellgren brings this book to life. She also has a lovely singing voice and since Jacky makes some money with her music, there are plenty of opportunities to hear it. It's something that just won't translate with the written word. These are classic adventure stories where our heroine is out of the frying pan and into the fire, without a moment of rest. Listen as a family and maybe the kiddos will pick something up!
Jacky has been found out and she's been shipped off to boarding school in Boston and that's where we start this second installment of the Bloody Jack series, Curse of the Blue Tattoo. This particular entry doesn't have the swashbuckling and adventure of new places that we get in most of the series, but this is the first point where Meyer really starts amping up the historical setting.
I have to admit I love learning about history, but my feel for where events from different places fit together is pretty weak. One of the things I like about this series best is that as Jacky travels the world, we're really drawn into the world of the time. We get a feel for Boston as a small community still heavily impacted by its Puritan roots. Curse is set right at the turn of the 19th century, maybe 1801 or '02; Boston wouldn't be chartered as a city for another 20 years. We see the tension between the British and newly-minted Americans that would result in another war in a few years, and Jacky's reaction to having a French classmate is interesting. Many of the troubles that Jacky finds herself in are caused by her run-ins with the conservative, Puritan laws of Boston.
While the adventures pile up, and Jacky has her highs and lows, there is an underlying mystery that is the overarching plot of the novel. Jacky's new minister, Richard Mather, is a dyed-in-the-wool fire and brimstone preacher, and, it is implied, is the grandson of Cotton Mather, who wrote extensively about witchcraft and supported the outcomes of the Salem Witch Trials. Jacky finds out Richard Mather may be after her, but why? Is it for her good or his? And what happened to his last serving girl?
I simply cannot recommend the audio version of these books enough. Katherine Kellgren brings this book to life. She also has a lovely singing voice and since Jacky makes some money with her music, there are plenty of opportunities to hear it. It's something that just won't translate with the written word. These are classic adventure stories where our heroine is out of the frying pan and into the fire, without a moment of rest. Listen as a family and maybe the kiddos will pick something up!
charmedlife's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
msbrewstersreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beccavivian's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kschmoldt's review
4.0
I loved it. This is a fantastic series for the young historical fiction lover. One caveat though - it may not be appropriate for children of middle school age. I would rate it 14 and up. There are some hairy situations that poor Jacky finds herself enduring, both of a mild sexual nature (don't worry, she's a good girl) as well as dealings with alcohol. I find the author's writing well done and engaging and I'll probably read at least one or two more books in the series just because I'm enjoying them.
lavender_skies's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
elarsonwhittaker's review
4.0
jacky is totally a mary sue, but also who cares? she’s so fun. this book was so different from the first, but the new characters were great.
omg also the audiobook is truly the best listening experience i’ve ever had. this probably would have been a 3 star book but the narrator bumped it up to 4.
omg also the audiobook is truly the best listening experience i’ve ever had. this probably would have been a 3 star book but the narrator bumped it up to 4.