Originally published at Reading RealityThe Blooding of Jack Absolute could be called “the portrait of the spy as a young man”, or even as a “young sybarite” or even simply as a young fool. Although the man that Jack has become by the time we read of him in the first book in this series, Jack Absolute, would probably be willing to admit that nearly 20 years later he has yet to outgrow being a fool.What fascinates in this “biography” of the fictional character of Jack is that we first saw the man he has become in the absolutely enthralling Jack Absolute (reviewed here) and now we start to see the making of that man in The Blooding of Jack Absolute, set against the backdrop of Britain’s conquest of Canada, and consequent loss of those colonies that became these United States.Jack starts out not unlike Tom Jones (the one by Henry Fielding, not the 20th century singer!) and finds himself in a career that resembles an 18th century James Bond.This book is labeled both as book 2 in the series and as a prequel, and it works either way.If you’ve already read the first book in the series, and wondered how Jack acquired all of his various skills and rather unique worldview, this story provides both fascinating backstory for the character and a compelling view of mid-18th century London and her Colonies.If this is your first introduction to the series, then you have a marvelous coming-of-age story, featuring a character who is both fascinating in his own right but is also a witness to, and occasionally an actor in, some of the events that shaped what became our future.Escape Rating A-: As with the first book in the series, The Blooding of Jack Absolute definitely has a “you are there” quality in the historical aspects that often brings the sights, sounds, and occasionally smells of the 18th century to the reader with the force of a punch. We are with Jack all the way, sometimes to the point of wanting to shake him when he’s being the young fool that is a necessary part of his blooding.Having read the first book, the part of this story that I was happiest to see was the explanation in full of how and where Jack met his blood brother Até of the Mohawks. It is clear from the first book that they must have shared a life-altering experience as equals, but not how that experience came about. Now we know.There is definitely a comparison to be made between the Jack Absolute series and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander and Lord John Grey series. Not in the romance department, because while Jack falls in love, he does not have the luck of Jamie Fraser, but in the depth of the historical research and in the author’s ability to bring that research to vivid life for the reader. The series also overlap in time period, sometimes covering the same campaigns from different perspectives.Anyone who enjoys well-written historical fiction will adore Jack Absolute.
Jack Absolute fans, rejoice! Jack is back with all his charm and bravery. In this novel, we get the back story of Jack and how he came to be the man he is. It starts with his early years, when he thought he was the bastard son of a second son of the Absolute family; an outcast who was treated badly by the elder son who he lived with. When his father came into the title instead, Jack finds out that his parents were actually married and he is no bastard. He is the heir apparent to the Absolute fortune, and moves from being a thick country lad to London, where he is raised as one would expect from his position, with boarding school, trips to the theatre and a gang of friends. Jack also gets his education in love. In a pivotal point of his life, he is balancing three women. Clothilde is the daughter of his French tutor, and he has a pure love for her. His love for Fanny is sensual but secret as she is the mistress of a powerful man. Then there is the actress who always has time and a bed for Jack when he needs one. When Jack becomes the target of both Fanny's protector and his childhood enemy, his luck runs out. He finds himself in a situation that his father must help him avoid, and afterwards, both of them must leave England. Jack finds himself in the British army and then quickly sent to the colonies to help in the conquest of Canada. The enemy are the French and their Indian allies. Only sixteen, Jack soon is immersed in the business of war, and his blooding is soon accomplished. After a battle, he is separated, and we then find out how he meets his Mohawk friend, Ate. They spend a winter together and after that, are brothers of the heart for life. C.C. Humphries has created a character that is so lovable, so brave and so full of life that it is a delight to read about him. The history is well-researched, and the reader is transported to another age, where life was cheap and honor was everything. Jack is that scamp whose charm and well intentions lead one to forgive him any trespass. This book is recommended for readers of historical fiction and anyone interested in a wonderful read. It is one of my favorite series and I can't wait to read the next Absolute tale.
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Well-written action-packed historical fiction. I hadn't read any of the other books in the series before I read this book but I was intrigued by the blurb so I requested a free advanced copy from NetGalley. Then, I bought the second book in the series because I enjoyed this one so much. The problem with a prequel is that there's no real threat - you know who survives because of the next book, but there's enough action here to not make that an issue. There may be panic-triggers for some women in this book. Wannabe-Men have made me afraid of men, but it's Real-Men who keep reminding me that not every guy is a Wannabe. Jack, despite his youth, acts like he will be a Real-Man when he grows up.
—Angie Lisle
Picked up this one for the F&I War content and figured since it was a prequel it was a good place to start. The book was touted as appealing to fans of Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe books and while not as smooth-reading and vivid a character as Sharpe it was quite good.I could have done with a little less of Jack's drunken youthful shenanigans but it was a lively picture of Georgian England at various levels of society and had a good feel for Indian ways in the colonies. The battle stuff was not over-long. I hope to get around to reading more of this series one day.
—Phair
‘The Blooding of Jack Absolute’ is a prequel to ‘Jack Absolute’ and the second book in the series.I just loved this story. I may have even loved it more than the sequel, ‘Jack Absolute’ and the reason for it is Young Jack and what he lived through at such a young age.It so reminded me of ‘Tom Jones’ by Henry Fielding. It was packed by action and reaction and many very fascinating characters. It was always moving, never letting me catch my breath.I thought grown up Jack was complex and following the life of young Jack, I now see how his character was formed from an early age. He was impulsive, reckless and adventuress.Once more the author pulls me in Jack’s life, making me a part of this fascinating and very personal journey. So much a part of it that I honestly wanted to reread the book as soon as I was done, just to make sure that in all my excitement of this story, I didn’t miss anything.I enjoyed and envied this boy, and later man. I was entertained by following him all over the world. I watched him become a spy and blood brother to Ate.Talk about living a full life!He’s done everything a young man did in his time: drinking, gambling and whoring. He’s fearless and that gets him in hot water more times than even he can count or remember, but once he ends up in North America, the reckless boy is poised to become a man.There’s a lot to recommend this novel: the author is well versed in history and it shows throughout the novel, but what I loved the most was the pace. I was on a roller-coaster ride and I’m not a fan of them, but this ride was exciting, and I knew I was in no danger of falling off!I’m highly recommending it to all that love a good, solid adventure with romance, rogues and scoundrels, but especially to those that love history. Melanie for b2b*Book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
—Melanie
