Customer Reviews

In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber (Bloody Jack Adventures)

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This, the fourth "Bloody Jack" Adventure, is filled with action and derring-do and cliffhanging episodes just like the three earlier novels. Not only is she wanted for piracy by the British Admiralty and sentenced to be hanged when caught, Jacky now has to use her wits and seafaring experience to save not only herself but all of the young ladies of the Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls of Boston (where she has been hiding out) from the clutches of the savage crew of a slaver called "The Bloodhound." The girls had been treacherously kidnapped from a small island near Boston while on a class outting and imprisoned in the ship's hold bound for North Africa where they are to be sold on the auction block as slaves. The girls suffer terribly in captivity and Jacky rallies them to her, though some, like her arch-nemesis Clarissa Worthington Howe, do so very reluctantly, and makes plans to escape their fate. Many obstacles get in the way and Jacky is often thwarted in her schemes by friend and foe alike. It's a rollicking good tale and a real page turner. Even if you have not read the previous books about Jacky this book can stand alone. Your interest in reading more of Jacky's adventures will definitely be piqued after reading In the Belly of the Bloodhound. Keep it up Mr. Meyer!

I picked up the first Bloody Jack book just a month ago and could not put it down, it was that good. This is the second book in the series and I couldn't put it down either. It continues straight from where the first book ended so there isn't a feeling that you missed something in between. The book is highly entertaining and fun to read as we follow Jacky Faber through her time at the Lawson Peabody School for young ladies... and we all know that Jacky Faber AIN'T close to bein' a lady. I highly recommend this book and the others in the series:

Book 1: Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventure of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy

Book 2: Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, and Fine Lady

Book 3: Under the Jolly Roger: Being an Account of the Further Nautical Adventures of Jacky Faber

Book 4: In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of the Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber

I am a huge fan of the Jacky Faber series -- just like everyone else who has discovered these awesome books by L.A. Meyer. I've read every one of Meyer's previous books, and loved all of them. Each time, I figured there was absolutely no way he could top the previous one. And each time, I'm stunned to find that he has. 'In the Belly of the Bloodhound' is no different. Once again, Meyer has written a heck of a story that's even better than his last. Like all the others, 'In the Belly of the Bloodhound' was an incredibly fast read -- a book that I could not put down. It's entertaining and definitely won't put you to sleep like some other 'teen' books assigned in school. I have no doubt that this book is headed for a blockbuster movie, once Hollywood discovers Jacky Faber. I'm sure actresses will be lining up to play her. In the meantime, I'm hoping L.A. Meyer is back home writing his next pirate tale. Aye, Cap'n, he's good as gold.

"This series just keeps on getting better. Put me down as fully absorbed with the characters -- not just Jacky Faber, but the headmistress Miranda Pimm and Clarissa and Espeth and so many more. Growing up couldn't be more adventurous then depicted in this series, of which "In the Belly of the Bloodhound" is the latest and best yet of the four published so far. It is all-hands-on-deck action. I've loved all four books. Bring on No. 5!"


Dave Lawrence Jr.

Coral Gables, Fla.

The fourth book in the best young adult series for adults since Harry Potter finds our audacious, wily heroine trying to behave herself (and save herself from a certain hanging at the hands of British authorities) by returning to Miss Pimm's school for girls. Adventure, though, finds Jacky as she and her schoolmates--young ladies of elegance and class and wealth--are kidnapped aboard a slaver and destined for the slave markets of Northern Africa. Jacky must lead the girls and somehow find their escape from the cruel slavers, refusing to be objectified and victimized because of their gender and upbringing. Even more difficult, Jacky must work with her archenemy, the snobbish Clarissa. Jacky forever belongs on the sea, and her classy girly friends forced into her world makes certainly for an exciting, interesting and dynamic adventure. And not in the least because Clarissa, a slaver owner, is treated like those she oppresses, and--even more so--because the girls a forced to see another side of life, a horrible version of what awaits them due to their position in society as pretty, well-behaved dolls set up for marriage. Amazing, amusing, exciting tale may not be the strongest in the series, but it is still a fantastically strong and unabashed (though dramatic and adventurous) look at the historical period (with sly contemporary literary references), bawdy, violent, threatening, baudy, dangerous, realistic, and with incredible characters; from the beloved, admirable, clever, and wonderful heroes to the dastardly, horrific villains, and all those in-between. Jacky is the perfect heroine for all women, and one of the greatest characters of all literature. Grade: A+

Just a quickie to let those of you, who like me, are a far cry from high school days, that Jacky's adventures are as fascinating and exciting for us, as for those her own age. Bloodhound is non-stop adventure in a historical setting that brings the horror of the slaving trade home in a way not yet experienced. Three cheers for Lou for sharing such great story telling with those of us who adore a fantastic armchair adventure.

I found myself waiting and checking my mail box impatiently everyday after I found I was going to receive this book. I must say that as soon as I received it I tore open the box. Well it's safe to say that I started reading it as soon as I laid my hands on it. I do have to say this... it's still a really good book, but I find something lacking in it. It maybe there are no more 'big' romances in it. Those I always find entertaining or the fact that it all takes place in Boston or in the ship. I think I would have liked them to escape and make it to an exotic port or such. But oh well... Anyway I really did enjoy this book the reason it got only 4 stars was that I felt it lacked something that the other Bloody Jack's had. I still love it and look forward eagerly to the next book...

L.A. Meyer is at it again with his fourth installment in the Bloody Jack series. By far, this is the best book in the series. Even though I would recommend you to read the other three books, you could just as easily start your adventure in this one. Without giving too much away, early in the book, Jacky along with the rest of the girls from the Lawson Peabody School, are kidnapped and taken aboard a slave ship where they will later be auctioned off in Africa. Throughout the book, Jacky and the rest of the girls must come up with a plan on how to escape the dangerous prison that is known as the Bloodhound. As a middle school language arts teacher, I would recommend this book to any student, male or female, that is looking for an adventure. Jacky teaches kids that they should never give up no matter what the situation may be.

My kids and I have thoroughly enjoyed the Adventures of the ingenious Jacky Faber and so I delved into the Bloodhound anticipating the same fast paced action, clever escapades and witty narrative. All three of us were disappointed. The narrative lagged and the detour into memories in London didn't help create suspense. One felt that Mr. Meyer was trying to add filler.
The thing that was most disconcerting for me was the dramatic increase in lewd sexual descriptions:Jacky's daily strip tease acts for the crew, continuous allusions to Sammy Nettles sexual behavior with the captain, then Jacky's encounter with him and finally her "solution" with Clarissa in order to divert suspicion. There was far more sexual content in this book. One began to feel like Jacky herself had become burlesque. In the previous stories, I felt like she liked to flirt but the nature of the exploits on the Bloodhound was lacking in good taste.
I see that book 5 is already out. I hope that Mr. Meyer reverts back to his original formula of witty narrative and fast paced action because Jacky truly is a fabulous little heroine.

In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber (Bloody Jack Adventures)

I have read all the books in the Jacky Faber Series. Last year my mom bought me the first one to listen to and I quite enjoyed it. The Author that reads these books brings the story to life, she has a different voice for each character. I can close my eyes and pretend that I am there. The books on cd are reasonably priced. My order came quickly.