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Der Pirat von Saros.
For years, the Linyati slavers have raided the coasts of Saros. But now swashbuckling Captain Gareth Radnor has taken command of the carrack "Steadfast". The excited young sailor seeks vengeance against the slavers who murdered his family. Joined by a motley crew, together they become pirates against evil defying their own king's truce.
Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
About the author
Chris Bunch
87 books132 followersChristopher R. "Chris" Bunch was an American science fiction, fantasy and television writer, who wrote and co-wrote about thirty novels.
Born in Fresno, California, he collaborated with Allan Cole on a series of books involving a hero named Sten in a galactic empire. (Cole married Bunch's sister, Kathryn.) He served in Vietnam as a patrol leader. He also wrote for Rolling Stone and was a correspondent for Stars and Stripes. He died in his hometown of Ilwaco, Washington, after a long battle with a lung ailment.
Born in Fresno, California, he collaborated with Allan Cole on a series of books involving a hero named Sten in a galactic empire. (Cole married Bunch's sister, Kathryn.) He served in Vietnam as a patrol leader. He also wrote for Rolling Stone and was a correspondent for Stars and Stripes. He died in his hometown of Ilwaco, Washington, after a long battle with a lung ailment.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 21, 2021
Bunch, Chris. Corsair. 2001. Orbit, 2002.
Chris Bunch was a prolific science fiction novelist and journalist. Corsair seems to have been meant as a series of maritime fantasies, but he died before he finished more than the first volume before his death in 2005. The hero, Gareth Radner, is a young man who dreams of leaving his fishing village and going to sea. When his village is attacked by slavers, his parents are killed, and he goes to live with his uncle who runs a trading company. He soon finds himself at sea working for his uncle, first as a ship’s purser, and ultimately as an independent corsair fighting the slave trade. There are magicians in this world, but they play a secondary role to what is otherwise a straightforward pirate adventure story, more in the tradition of Treasure Island than Horatio Hornblower. Readable. 3.5 stars.
Chris Bunch was a prolific science fiction novelist and journalist. Corsair seems to have been meant as a series of maritime fantasies, but he died before he finished more than the first volume before his death in 2005. The hero, Gareth Radner, is a young man who dreams of leaving his fishing village and going to sea. When his village is attacked by slavers, his parents are killed, and he goes to live with his uncle who runs a trading company. He soon finds himself at sea working for his uncle, first as a ship’s purser, and ultimately as an independent corsair fighting the slave trade. There are magicians in this world, but they play a secondary role to what is otherwise a straightforward pirate adventure story, more in the tradition of Treasure Island than Horatio Hornblower. Readable. 3.5 stars.
May 11, 2025
Fun, solid, but generic. Action-packed, at the expense of interesting characters, prose or plot.
August 15, 2026
A corsair is a pirate, yes, but it is foremost an 'authorized pirate' which means you might have to shift your expectations a little bit. Gareth has the full support of the King, his uncle, the crew, his lady-love, his besties, etc and everyone on his crew is a pretty decent fellow because they're all out specifically hunting slavers (whom no one likes). The Linyati are, by and large, horrible lizard people who deserve to get got for their despicable crimes and (let's not forget) slaving.
So this book is very much about the journey rather than the destination. Gareth and Cosyra were lovely people. I enjoyed all the pirates and ships and travels and sails and fights and rescues and GOLD. I love how a large portion of the pirates are in it for noble causes such as rescuing slaves and taking revenge against the Linyati for family members and loved ones that were enslaved, but the Linyati are absolutely LOADED with GOLD and pirates also like GOLD.
The fact that Gareth rescues both gold and people from the terrible lizard-people pretty much paves his way with everyone he meets. It's hard to argue with a guy who not only pays well but also is out doing charitable work, even if he only drinks water. (Honestly, the only real enemy Gareth has is Lord Quindolphin, who will never get over Gareth's teen prank of letting lose a bunch of pigs during his daughter's wedding.)
So, this was a fun fantasy romp that I enjoyed quite a bit. If you like Pirates of the Caribbean, that's kind of the vibe we're working with (although with significantly less girl-power, because Cosyra doesn't join the crew until the last 100 pages or so). Quite fun but a little overly-long and not quite as pirate-y as I was expecting. 3/5
So this book is very much about the journey rather than the destination. Gareth and Cosyra were lovely people. I enjoyed all the pirates and ships and travels and sails and fights and rescues and GOLD. I love how a large portion of the pirates are in it for noble causes such as rescuing slaves and taking revenge against the Linyati for family members and loved ones that were enslaved, but the Linyati are absolutely LOADED with GOLD and pirates also like GOLD.
The fact that Gareth rescues both gold and people from the terrible lizard-people pretty much paves his way with everyone he meets. It's hard to argue with a guy who not only pays well but also is out doing charitable work, even if he only drinks water. (Honestly, the only real enemy Gareth has is Lord Quindolphin, who will never get over Gareth's teen prank of letting lose a bunch of pigs during his daughter's wedding.)
So, this was a fun fantasy romp that I enjoyed quite a bit. If you like Pirates of the Caribbean, that's kind of the vibe we're working with (although with significantly less girl-power, because Cosyra doesn't join the crew until the last 100 pages or so). Quite fun but a little overly-long and not quite as pirate-y as I was expecting. 3/5
January 6, 2011
Okay, so this book actually wasn't that bad. I read it pretty quickly (four days, and I really had no time). The action moves forward really fast... at times I was wishing for more filler: more details or descriptions etc.
Otherwise, the characters were pretty interesting. Kind of flat, but that was due to the author trying to pack so much action into the book. (If the book was written with more details, I'm sure it would have surpassed 1000 pages).
The plot was really really really good. Like really good. So much happened, but it didn't seem all that illogical. Even the idea of magic, in this world, didn't bother me. Bunch created a very interesting world, and then filled that in with a very wonderful plot.
I'm not giving more details because I don't want to spoil the story. But just know that I enjoyed this book quite a bit!
Otherwise, the characters were pretty interesting. Kind of flat, but that was due to the author trying to pack so much action into the book. (If the book was written with more details, I'm sure it would have surpassed 1000 pages).
The plot was really really really good. Like really good. So much happened, but it didn't seem all that illogical. Even the idea of magic, in this world, didn't bother me. Bunch created a very interesting world, and then filled that in with a very wonderful plot.
I'm not giving more details because I don't want to spoil the story. But just know that I enjoyed this book quite a bit!
January 16, 2023
ReRd. Pirates, guns on the high seas. Garth Radnor 15, taller than pal Knoll N'b'ry, both thin, plus Thom miss "olive-complected blank-eyed" Linyati Slavers burning out their village.
Sent to his uncle Pol, Gareth spends the next year planning tricks on guards with pals: - big smiling Labala, and pretty Cosyra. Their prank on nasty Lord Quindolphin, earns them the vicious hatred of the powerful Quindolphin family. The trio flee, find pirates, fortune, jail, king, Slavers, jungle, gold, glory, dungeon again.
Sent to his uncle Pol, Gareth spends the next year planning tricks on guards with pals: - big smiling Labala, and pretty Cosyra. Their prank on nasty Lord Quindolphin, earns them the vicious hatred of the powerful Quindolphin family. The trio flee, find pirates, fortune, jail, king, Slavers, jungle, gold, glory, dungeon again.
June 3, 2016
Pirate ships with a dash of magic thrown in? How was I ever not going to like this? Enjoyable, pretty well paced. Spans quite a lot of time and doesn't dwell on anything unimportant; a lot of scenes that comprise a single paragraph, sometimes a single sentence, to do their job and keep things moving. The whole book is a bit like that; the prose is there to do its job and shuffle on. There's no real attempt at beauty or depth in the writing. But that's fine. I'm here for swords, ships, and sorcery, and it delivers that perfectly well. Couple of unexpected surprises in the worldbuilding. A lot of good use of naval warfare tips and tricks. I had fun.
April 14, 2007
I didn't much care for Bunch's writing style. I also had some issues with the plot and it's clicheness at times. The pirate's life was definitely glorified and Gareth seemed to have too many modern sensibilities in a world based off of medieval times. It was a fast read, though. The ending was not satisfying at all since the Linyati slavers were still around and on the brink of war with Gareth's people, and there is no sequel out as of yet, planned as near as I can tell.
August 29, 2015
I had this book on my reading list for ages and did not expect much of it. I was quite pleasantly surprised: it turned out to be an action-packed and fun big pirate adventure with a few interesting twists. Not sure about the inclusion of magic in the world though. It did not feel as really necessary. I was a bit disappointed by the last quarter of the book, from the jungle journey onwards: it lacked the rhythm of the rest of the book. I would recommend it nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2014
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5.
A page-turner of enjoyable characters, sea voyages, pirates, magic, and good vs. evil.
October 10, 2014
After their families had been killed or captured by Slavers, three friends find themselves a-pirating on the high seas.
A decent fantasy novel with some interesting twists, and good characters you find yourself rooting for as they go on their adventures.
A decent fantasy novel with some interesting twists, and good characters you find yourself rooting for as they go on their adventures.
October 13, 2015
Somewhat on the lighter side but still a nice adventurous yarn. Left me wondering what would happen next but sadly I've learned that the author has passed away so we shall never know.
Still a good stand alone read.
Still a good stand alone read.
April 12, 2010
Quick read. Mostly entertaining. Ending was completely awful - no closure whatsoever.
May 28, 2011
A GREAT FANTASY NOVEL.
April 9, 2012
Ok, so I gave up on this one. Took too damn long to get to the point. If I'm close to 100 pages into a 300pg book and it hasn't gotten to the main plot yet, too damn slow. Buh-bye.
October 2, 2012
Cliched swashbuckling nautical fantasy. Some exciting parts, some slow parts. Ok read
November 3, 2013
This is one of my favorite books. The action is constant, the conflict develops nicely, and the characters are enjoyable
November 14, 2016
Wandering good story
Chris crosses into very fun territory with a rollicking story. I prefer coming of age storied and this fit the bill.
Chris crosses into very fun territory with a rollicking story. I prefer coming of age storied and this fit the bill.
January 6, 2008
Solid heroic fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews