Bloody Jack, by L.A. Meyer, is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is written from the point of view of Mary "Jacky" Faber, a poor orphan living with a gang of children under Blackfriars Bridge, Cheapside, London. When the leader of the gang, Rooster Charlie is killed, Jacky leaves the gang and finds her way onto the HMS Dolphin, a ship in her majesty's royal navy. Hoping only for a chance for better grub, Jacky signs on as a ship's boy by disguising herself as a boy. Adventure and near misses ensue as Jacky struggles to maintain the "Deception". One of the best things about this book is Jacky herself. She is one of the most unconventional and lovable characters I've come across in a while. The book is written in coarse, realistic dialect that only occasionally falters, and while this can be a little hard to get into, once you do it's fine. While Bloody Jack is largely an adventure story, it also is a good piece of historical fiction, and even has a little romance in it. I would not recommend Bloody Jack to the squeamish reader, but for anyone who loves adventure on the high sea, pirates, and sword fights, this book is a winner. Bloody Jack is also a series, and the next books are just as good (if even better) than the first. I'm already on the fourth book, and I am really enjoying this series. There are eight books so far, and I think Meyer's got at least one more book in him. In conclusion, read these books!
~Tessa
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