#70 Rapture of the Deep by LA Meyer
This review contains spoilers for previous Bloody Jack books. There are no real spoilers for Rapture of the Deep 
Jacky and Jaimy have been reunited and are ready to make their way towards the alter. But right before they are about to say their vows, Jacky learns that British Intelligence has yet another role for her to play. If she does not forestall her wedding and agree, her friends may be in danger. Her latest adventure involves diving for treasure in the Caribbean. But despite Jacky's newfound success with Faber Shipping, part of her will always be the street urchin Mary, and Mary decides that she wants to take some of that treasure for herself.
Rapture of the Deep is the seventh novel in the Bloody Jack series, and like many series that get to this length, the latter books don't shine quite as brightly as the earlier ones. This often happens when storylines are drawn out too long, which can be seen here with the star crossed lover story. Jacky and Jaimy are so often torn apart by fate that it's beginning to lose it's tension. Still, Rapture of the Deep is still an overall solid book. I really enjoyed the treasure diving storyline, and thought that it was a nice change for the series. I also liked the Caribbean setting, which is much different than last book's European focus.
Part of the appeal of the Jacky Faber books has always been its memorable characters. I was happy to see that one of my favorite characters, Higgins, plays a large role once again. And since Jacky does spend a little time in Boston, my other favorite character, Amy, also gets to make an appearance. I think what I love the most about Amy and Higgins is they provide a sensible counterpart to Jacky's more impulsive nature. I like how both characters pointed out to Jacky that sixteen was awfully young to be married (even for that time period), and that there were real life consequences to her consummating her relationship with Jaimy. There are plenty of new interesting characters this time around, including Jemimah, a former slave that comes filled with great stories. Jacky also encounters a new satisfyingly despicable villain, although I wish the series wouldn't keep on falling back on the old trope of “he's trying to rape Jacky!” to create tension.
Rapture of the Deep proves that the Jacky Faber series still has some life left in it. Once again, I experienced the novel as an audiobook, which is really the best way to enjoy this series. As a nice bonus, there is a short interview between author LA Meyer and narrator Katherine Kellgren. It's here that you also learn that there's more Agatha Christie in LA Meyer than Robert Jordan. He does have a planned ending to the series, and has even written it. Although he's not sure when exactly the series to end (which will probably require the book to some re-writing given where it falls in the series), in the case that he does come to suffer an untimely death, he and Jacky will go out together.
Rating: four stars
Length: the print version is 454 pages
Source: Lewiston Publc Library- Overdrive Media Console
Other books I've read by this author: Bloody Jack, The Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger, In the Belly of the Bloodhound, Mississippi Jack, My Bonny Light Horseman
Next I will be reviewing The Falling Machine by Andrew Mayer
Xposted to temporaryworlds, bookish, and goodreads
Jacky and Jaimy have been reunited and are ready to make their way towards the alter. But right before they are about to say their vows, Jacky learns that British Intelligence has yet another role for her to play. If she does not forestall her wedding and agree, her friends may be in danger. Her latest adventure involves diving for treasure in the Caribbean. But despite Jacky's newfound success with Faber Shipping, part of her will always be the street urchin Mary, and Mary decides that she wants to take some of that treasure for herself.
Rapture of the Deep is the seventh novel in the Bloody Jack series, and like many series that get to this length, the latter books don't shine quite as brightly as the earlier ones. This often happens when storylines are drawn out too long, which can be seen here with the star crossed lover story. Jacky and Jaimy are so often torn apart by fate that it's beginning to lose it's tension. Still, Rapture of the Deep is still an overall solid book. I really enjoyed the treasure diving storyline, and thought that it was a nice change for the series. I also liked the Caribbean setting, which is much different than last book's European focus.
Part of the appeal of the Jacky Faber books has always been its memorable characters. I was happy to see that one of my favorite characters, Higgins, plays a large role once again. And since Jacky does spend a little time in Boston, my other favorite character, Amy, also gets to make an appearance. I think what I love the most about Amy and Higgins is they provide a sensible counterpart to Jacky's more impulsive nature. I like how both characters pointed out to Jacky that sixteen was awfully young to be married (even for that time period), and that there were real life consequences to her consummating her relationship with Jaimy. There are plenty of new interesting characters this time around, including Jemimah, a former slave that comes filled with great stories. Jacky also encounters a new satisfyingly despicable villain, although I wish the series wouldn't keep on falling back on the old trope of “he's trying to rape Jacky!” to create tension.
Rapture of the Deep proves that the Jacky Faber series still has some life left in it. Once again, I experienced the novel as an audiobook, which is really the best way to enjoy this series. As a nice bonus, there is a short interview between author LA Meyer and narrator Katherine Kellgren. It's here that you also learn that there's more Agatha Christie in LA Meyer than Robert Jordan. He does have a planned ending to the series, and has even written it. Although he's not sure when exactly the series to end (which will probably require the book to some re-writing given where it falls in the series), in the case that he does come to suffer an untimely death, he and Jacky will go out together.
Rating: four stars
Length: the print version is 454 pages
Source: Lewiston Publc Library- Overdrive Media Console
Other books I've read by this author: Bloody Jack, The Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger, In the Belly of the Bloodhound, Mississippi Jack, My Bonny Light Horseman
Next I will be reviewing The Falling Machine by Andrew Mayer
Xposted to temporaryworlds, bookish, and goodreads