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hmnborczon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-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
4.75
cravatsabotage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
hawaiianbrian's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
One of my favorite series. Jacky Faber is smart, capable, and brave, though she also has very human flaws and makes mistakes. Each book becomes more wild than the last, but Meyer remains dedicated to keeping it (mostly) within the realm of possibility.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
iceroadtrucker's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE this book. I first read it several years ago, but recently purchased the audio version from Audible which was fan-FREAKIN-tastic! The narrator brought Jacky and the others to life, and made it significantly more entertaining. A must-read (or , listen).
emerygirl's review against another edition
4.0
I read this for an upcoming book club. I really liked it. It is written in the first person, always my favorite, and the author is brilliant at writing in a "guttersnipe" dialect. It took a little while for me to get in the rytham of it, but I loved it right from the start. The story is so cute, kind of an English seaman version of Disney's Mulan. The romance was sweet. I laughed out loud in parts. The only part I didn't like...when she is finally "discovered" it brushed over a lot of things. I was a little disappointed in that aspect, but still overall a superb book
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!