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ellementary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Mary "Jacky" Faber is an orphan in eighteenth-century London. She actually came from a good family, but when both her parents died of illness, there was nowhere for Jacky to go but the streets. Luckily, she made her way into one of the gangs of street orphans, groups of children who watch out for each other and share whatever they manage to find or steal. Jacky eventually decides she needs to do something to improve her life before she ends up dead. She disguises herself as a boy and starts wandering London on her own. She immediately realizes how much easier life is for boys, even orphan boys. She soon finds herself at the docks, where she lands a position as ship's boy in the Royal Navy. Adventures follow, with Jacky worried about someone finding out her secret the whole time.
I loved Jacky! She is such a strong, true female character! I was thrilled to find her in a YA/MG book. She's not unrealistically tough either. She has her fears, and when she gets scared she starts crying and screeching like a banshee. She admits that she's not very brave--except that she mostly is. She has her own fears, as we all do, but she does things that most children, or adults for that matter, would be terrified to do. When she finds herself in a tough spot, she doesn't just give up; she solves her problems the best way she can, and she's very smart about it. Whether it's a matter of survival or bullying, nothing fazes Jacky for long.
Jacky writes her own story, and the beginning is written in a very--cockney?--way. I thought it was pretty fun and didn't have a problem understanding it at all. If you find yourself reading this and you're put off by it, just hang in there, because her English does get better as the book goes on.
The pace of the book is excellent. Jacky's on a ship almost the entire time, and there is potential for such a small location and cast of characters to get old. Meyer handled it well. There are all kinds of problems that can arise even on board ship, and Jacky smacks into all of them. Of course the ship is hunting pirates in different locations and pulling into different ports, so Jacky finds all kinds of adventures that way too.
I highly recommend this for girls who like adventure stories. I had a blast reading about Jacky and fully intend to continue on with the series soon.
I loved Jacky! She is such a strong, true female character! I was thrilled to find her in a YA/MG book. She's not unrealistically tough either. She has her fears, and when she gets scared she starts crying and screeching like a banshee. She admits that she's not very brave--except that she mostly is. She has her own fears, as we all do, but she does things that most children, or adults for that matter, would be terrified to do. When she finds herself in a tough spot, she doesn't just give up; she solves her problems the best way she can, and she's very smart about it. Whether it's a matter of survival or bullying, nothing fazes Jacky for long.
Jacky writes her own story, and the beginning is written in a very--cockney?--way. I thought it was pretty fun and didn't have a problem understanding it at all. If you find yourself reading this and you're put off by it, just hang in there, because her English does get better as the book goes on.
The pace of the book is excellent. Jacky's on a ship almost the entire time, and there is potential for such a small location and cast of characters to get old. Meyer handled it well. There are all kinds of problems that can arise even on board ship, and Jacky smacks into all of them. Of course the ship is hunting pirates in different locations and pulling into different ports, so Jacky finds all kinds of adventures that way too.
I highly recommend this for girls who like adventure stories. I had a blast reading about Jacky and fully intend to continue on with the series soon.
ugogirl65's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this on Audible because it was free. I didn't expect to like it very much at all because of I prefer more futuristic topics. The first view chapters I swore I was not going to get through it. Orphans begging, and being mistreated; this is too sad for me. Pirates? Seriously, this is not for me. But the story drew me in little by little and proved to be the little engine that could hold my attention and then some. I purchase the second book upon completion of the first and paid full price and am now looking forward to hearing it. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new adventure.
sarahgirlreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
natashia8911's review against another edition
5.0
I've probably read this book three times, I love it so much!
thewenzl's review against another edition
3.0
It was very cute. I enjoyed the writing style, especially the accent used in the dialog.
bubblyebs's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite series!
The adventure in this book is engaging and the characters are all very unique. I'm rereading this series again this summer as it is my favorite series. I recommend it to all people, especially those who like adventure, humor, and history. The history isn't 100% accurate, but it's roughly based on the history of the time period. A great read for all!!
The adventure in this book is engaging and the characters are all very unique. I'm rereading this series again this summer as it is my favorite series. I recommend it to all people, especially those who like adventure, humor, and history. The history isn't 100% accurate, but it's roughly based on the history of the time period. A great read for all!!
kayannmar's review against another edition
5.0
This series was one of my first ever full length sagas that I had read. Still love reading little parts of this book now, and I hope to eventually gather up all of the books so that I can one day pass them on to my kids. I would love to be able to re-read these as a nostalgic project. These books helped me get back into reading for fun back in middle school when I thought I was too cool to go to the school library. Can't wait to re-read and post my fresh opinions here.
theangrystackrat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
2.0
I felt nervous through the entire novel for fear of what atrocities could happen to the protagonist. As an orphan there was the danger of being killed or captured to work in a brothel. On board the ship Jacky was in fear of being raped by a lascivious crew member, who didn't even care if she was a boy or a girl. When Mary/Jacky starts her period she thinks she is dying, which I find hard to believe that a girl growing up on the streets wouldn't know about menstruation or reproduction.
There are fun moments in this novel and probably has a lot of historical accuracies, however, I didn't really enjoy it. I felt alarmed when I read this was for kids over the age of 12 because of the constant references to sexuality. I am not comfortable having that young of teens reading this book.
To read my full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com
There are fun moments in this novel and probably has a lot of historical accuracies, however, I didn't really enjoy it. I felt alarmed when I read this was for kids over the age of 12 because of the constant references to sexuality. I am not comfortable having that young of teens reading this book.
To read my full review go to http://talesuntangled.wordpress.com