Review: Viva Jacquelina! Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Over the Hills and Far Away by L.A. Meyer

Viva Jacquelina! Being an Account of the Further Adventues of Jacky Faber, Over the Hills and Far Away (Bloody Jack #10)

By L. A. Meyer

Published September 4th 2012

Publisher: Harcourt publishers

The vivacious Jacky Faber returns in the tenth tale in L. A. Meyer's Bloody Jack Adventures, a rip-roaring young-adult series applauded for its alluring combination of adventure, romance, history, and humor. Once again under the thumb of British Intelligence, Jacky is sent to Spain to spy for the Crown during the early days of the nineteenth-century Peninsular War. She finds herself in the company of guerilla freedom fighters, poses for famous artist Goya, runs with the bulls, is kidnapped by the Spanish Inquisition, and travels with a caravan of gypsies . . . all while hoping to one day reunite with her beloved Jaimy Fletcher.  -Goodreads

Review

Wow! I am at number ten in the Bloody Jack series, but it doesn't seem like it at all. I can hardly believe that this book is number ten in the series, because it always stays new and fresh, even though it is the same formula as the other books. Jacky first gets herself into a ton of trouble, but gets out of it with her brains and luck, flirting with many handsome men but always staying true to Jaimy, all the while going through many different historical events with her easy charm and wit. It always works though because Jacky also charms you, making you laugh out loud quite a lot.

I love Jacky Faber. She is the perfect combination of heroines, easy going, clever, brave, quick fingered, charismatic, funny, and has a mastery of feminine wiles and a penchant for trouble. You can't help but love her and all of the adventures she has. I also love how she always flirts with other men (that's what makes it interesting after all), but still stays true to Jaimy, her one love. It is crazy how ten books have gone by and she's still not married to Jaimy. It is understandable though, after all she's only seventeen, which I can't believe. I don't know how Jacky is only seventeen, she should be like at least twenty by now, and it's weird when you think about it because when she was in her early teens she was having quite mature escapades for her age.

Most of the other main characters that are always in every book, like Higgins and Jaimy, didn't play such a big role in this book. I felt like this book was almost a back to the basics with Jacky, letting her roam free without being tied down. Saying that, I also sort of miss Higgin's steady presence.One figure who did come back however, is the rascal Richard Allen whom I also love. You just can't take him seriously with all of his advances toward Jacky, and he's definitely a great part of the book. Jacky and him have known each other for quite a while and know how to play off of each other in their constant parrying and rebuttal of witty remarks.

Viva Jacquelina! is a fun filled fast paced adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. It has everything, the romance, the action, and even some historical fiction. It is a book that everyone, especially people who like strong heroines. I highly recommend this book, but before reading this you should also read the other books in the series, though you don't have to. I am anticipating the next in the series, and hope that there are many more to come.

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