walkingtvs's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
flyingsails's review against another edition
4.0
The best Bloody Jack Adventure in a long while! With the exception of the island village scenes and a rather irritating beginning over all, Mark of the Golden Dragon actually had originality. Although Jacky does make use of her feminine charms, for once no evil man is chasing after her trying to take advantage of her virginity. (Shocking, I know, considering that's been a main theme in some of the previous books.) After faltering for a few books, Jacky's adventures once again include a bit of travel to far off lands, unexpected adventures, streetwise London gangs, and plots to take down the wicked.
My main complaints are 1) I wish Jaimy would GDIAF (I used to like him but now? UGH!) and 2) the inaccuracies/flubs; i.e. the mast on Lorelei Lee that breaks during the storm is CLEARLY stated as being the mizzen (or aft-most) mast when it falls overboard, but is later referred to multiple times as the foremast. Argh! Also, I don't believe Jacky's empire-waisted dresses were ever worn along with "white Marie-Antoinette wigs." Pretty sure those are from two different centuries, Mr. Meyer.
Anyway, I was pretty satisfied with this book, and have hope for the series for the first time in a long time. Don't disappoint me, Jacky!
My main complaints are 1) I wish Jaimy would GDIAF (I used to like him but now? UGH!) and 2) the inaccuracies/flubs; i.e. the mast on Lorelei Lee that breaks during the storm is CLEARLY stated as being the mizzen (or aft-most) mast when it falls overboard, but is later referred to multiple times as the foremast. Argh! Also, I don't believe Jacky's empire-waisted dresses were ever worn along with "white Marie-Antoinette wigs." Pretty sure those are from two different centuries, Mr. Meyer.
Anyway, I was pretty satisfied with this book, and have hope for the series for the first time in a long time. Don't disappoint me, Jacky!
ghumpherys's review against another edition
4.0
I'd probably give 3.5 stars for the story, but I have to bump it up to 4 for the narrator of the audio book (she is one of my favorites!). I keep thinking this series needs to just wind down and end, but obviously there will be at least one more book coming. This book has more of Jacky's adventures with her great friends, although I was surprised at how much of the book took place in England (I was expecting most of it to be set in Asia). As with the last couple of books, the content level is definitely more mature than the first books in the series were.
ssabdelrahman's review against another edition
4.0
I'm getting kind of mad at Jacky with her disloyalty, and Jaimy too, though him not as much. . .
Either stay loyal, or don't be together at all.
Either stay loyal, or don't be together at all.
yarnreader's review against another edition
3.0
In my opinion this book didn't have nearly as many disturbing parts. There were some where I thought it didn't need to be in a teen book. But overall, I really enjoyed it. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger though.
cindywho's review against another edition
3.0
More Jacky Faber shenanigans fill this installment which seems a bit like filler before she jumps into more wartime adventures.
bethb3's review against another edition
3.0
Would have been interesting to have on audio to hear the various accents.
amalyndb's review against another edition
4.0
After having formed a plan for getting the ship's back from near Australia, the plan naturally falls apart. A typhoon strikes and Jacky is lost overboard, along with young Ravi. Jaimy sinks into a bleak despair, and vows to kill Bliffil and Flashby.
Jacky and Ravi wash up on a shore in Burma and manage to make their way eventually to Rangoon. There she meets Chen Lee (or Chopstick Charlie as the local British call him), a businessman whose thugs capture her and Ravi on the streets. She and Ravi prove useful to him in acting as translators in his business interests. Then after visiting a temple with Chen Lee’s daughter, Sidrah, an earthquake and tsunami hit - and then pirates! Both are taken prisoner, but Jacky escapes overboard when she realizes the pirate will likely use her and kill her for the tattoo upon her neck marking her as under the protection of Cheng Shih.
Jacky manages to flag down a passing American ship - and it turns out to be her own schooner, under command of Liam, having been searching for any sign of her or her remains. They take the pirate ship, free the captives, and return Sidrah to her father.
Sailing back to London, they have a cargo of treasures of the Orient for the British Crown (and the British Museum) courtesy of Chen Lee, so as to gain him favour and standing with the British government in foresight of its mounting interests in the Orient.
Once back in London, Jacky learns that Jaimy has turned highwayman, having killed Bliffil. She strives to find him - and Flashby - while securing Chen Lee’s interests, gain herself and Jaimy pardons.
Jaimy is found, Flashby is punished, but Jaimy has a tenuous grip on reality, having seen his partner in crime (and probable lover) shot dead in front of him, and not believing Jacky is truly there. He is shipped off with Chen Lee in hopes of his sanity returning to him.
Jacky has gained pardons for both Jaimy and herself, with his rank restored, and she must travel to act as translator and intelligence agent in Portugal.
Jacky and Ravi wash up on a shore in Burma and manage to make their way eventually to Rangoon. There she meets Chen Lee (or Chopstick Charlie as the local British call him), a businessman whose thugs capture her and Ravi on the streets. She and Ravi prove useful to him in acting as translators in his business interests. Then after visiting a temple with Chen Lee’s daughter, Sidrah, an earthquake and tsunami hit - and then pirates! Both are taken prisoner, but Jacky escapes overboard when she realizes the pirate will likely use her and kill her for the tattoo upon her neck marking her as under the protection of Cheng Shih.
Jacky manages to flag down a passing American ship - and it turns out to be her own schooner, under command of Liam, having been searching for any sign of her or her remains. They take the pirate ship, free the captives, and return Sidrah to her father.
Sailing back to London, they have a cargo of treasures of the Orient for the British Crown (and the British Museum) courtesy of Chen Lee, so as to gain him favour and standing with the British government in foresight of its mounting interests in the Orient.
Once back in London, Jacky learns that Jaimy has turned highwayman, having killed Bliffil. She strives to find him - and Flashby - while securing Chen Lee’s interests, gain herself and Jaimy pardons.
Jaimy is found, Flashby is punished, but Jaimy has a tenuous grip on reality, having seen his partner in crime (and probable lover) shot dead in front of him, and not believing Jacky is truly there. He is shipped off with Chen Lee in hopes of his sanity returning to him.
Jacky has gained pardons for both Jaimy and herself, with his rank restored, and she must travel to act as translator and intelligence agent in Portugal.
libraryanned's review against another edition
3.0
The audio book, as always, gets five stars for Katherine Kellgren's performance. However, this was probably my least favorite book in the series so far so I am rating the content lower. It just wasn't as fun as the others. It just felt like a transition book. Not bad, just not as entertaining. And I know the author is merely reflecting the racist stereotypes of the time, but he could combat it by making the characters of color a lot less painfully stereotypical. Ravi especially is just a bit too much. I really try not to think too hard while reading these stories, but I just can't help it when it is so blatant.
bibliocat4's review against another edition
3.0
I really love these audiobooks. The reader is so good. BUT on this set, when she voices certain male characters, I can not hear them at all. Now I can turn up the volume but then my ears get blasted when a new character speaks. No like. So the whole last speech between Chopstick Charlie and Jacky was very one sided.
Secondly, the character of Bess the innkeepers daughter was annoying to me. I love that poem/song and it bothered me that it was kind of placed in the story. It also bothered me that Jaimy could fall in love with her so soon. At least revenge Jacky's death before you fall in love!
Secondly, the character of Bess the innkeepers daughter was annoying to me. I love that poem/song and it bothered me that it was kind of placed in the story. It also bothered me that Jaimy could fall in love with her so soon. At least revenge Jacky's death before you fall in love!