Author: L.A. Meyer
Publication Date: August 2005
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Copy provided by: library (audiobook), also own a copy of the book.
Summary (via Goodreads):
After being exposed as a girl, Jacky Faber is forced to leave the Dolphin and attend the elite Lawson Peabody School for Young Girls in Boston. But growing up on the streets of London and fighting pirates never prepared Jacky for her toughest battle yet: learning how to be a lady.
Everything she does is wrong. Her embroidery is deplorable, her French is atrocious, and her table manners--disgusting! And whenever Jacky roams the city in search of adventure, trouble is never far behind. Then there's the small matter of her blue anchor tattoo. . . .
So will Jacky ever become a typical lady? Not bloody well likely! But whether she's triumphing over her snobbish classmates, avenging a serving girl's murder, or winning over a stubborn horse that's as fast as the wind, one thing's for sure: Jacky's new life in Boston is just as exciting as her old one on the high seas.
Why I read this: For the Bloody Jack Reading Challenge of course! And it makes my drive to work and cleaning the apartment so much more fun. :)
Plot: Poor Jacky has been left ashore at a school for young ladies, where she can't help but get into loads of trouble. Her new nemesis is a cocky girl named Clarissa and Jacky falls out of favor at the school quickly with her rash nature and quirky need to bend rules. Although Clarissa is harsh to deal with, Jacky also finds that the preacher is after her to adopt her and to strip her of her wicked ways. Jacky generally doesn't worry much, but this preacher seems to have a past that screams murder.
Definitely another tale filled with music, daring adventures, and the wonderful nature of our dear Jacky.
Characters: I just love Jacky and how vibrant she is. Definitely still a bit naive and way braver than she really should be, she's the type of girl that goes headfirst into an adventure without thinking it through. I love her brash and cheerful nature and can't get enough of her character.
Relatability: Definitely a novel for those that love a good adventure and female main character who is definitely nowhere close to meek and mild.
Cover Commentary: Love these covers. Not too fond of the newest ones, but the old ones are dear to me heart.
Audio commentary: Love love love this voice actress. She really captures Jacky, she certainly does.
Rating: 5/5 Roses 
Find it on Goodreads
So glad to find another lover of this series! I agree with you about the new covers.
ReplyDeleteKristen, my husband agreed that someday when we start having kids, first girl gets the name Katherine Kellgren... I tweeted that to her and she *blushed* :D Hubs was particularly impressed by the horse race scene reading. "Come on, Sheiky!!!" He got tired and out of breath just listening in the car.
ReplyDeleteJacky has a definite knack for getting into trouble but also a knack for making the right friends.
ReplyDeleteI like these covers better too.