Imperial Privateer

Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire #5

by Andrew Moriarty

Dirk's old problems are gone. New ones are moving in!Dirk and company can rest easy. The ship isn't listed as stolen, Dirk's warrant is cancelled, and in return they just have to do a tiny favor for Tribune Devin. How difficult can it be to update his ship's weapons, find out what's going on coreward, and help look into Scruggs's warrant-- and meet up with an ex-girlfriend? What could possibly go wrong? But when a botched heist, a crooked repair deal, and the sudden appearance of an enemy warship complicate things, Dirk has to decide. Is he a mercenary, a privateer, or a loyal servant of the Empire? Or can he be all three a once...If you like Galactic Empires, honorable enemies, and snappy dialog, this one’s for you!

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Audiobook, Adventure, Military Fiction, Conspiracy Theories

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2024

About the author

Andrew Moriarty has been reading science fiction his whole life, and he always wondered about the stories he read. How did they ever pay the mortgage for that space ship? Why doesn’t it ever need to be refueled? What would happen if it broke, but the parts were backordered for weeks? And why doesn’t anybody ever have to charge sales tax? Despairing on finding the answers to these questions, he decided to write a book about how space ships would function in the real world. Ships need fuel, fuel costs money, and the accountants run everything.
He was born in Canada, and has lived in Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Germany, and Maastricht. Previously he worked as a telephone newspaper subscriptions salesman, a pizza delivery driver, wedding disc jockey, and technology trainer. Unfortunately, he also spent a great deal of time in the IT industry, designing networks and configuring routers and switches. Along the way, he picked up an ex-spy with a predilection for French Champagne, and a whippet with a murderous possessiveness for tennis balls. They live together in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[Skip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book to read. It is the latest in the series but each book can definitely be read as a stand alone novel.
From the beginning I kept looking forward to what would be happening to the characters next so I found it was very hard to put down.
I did receive an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good, satisfying outing.

I appreciate how, even though this series DOES jump (FTL) between star systems, when it comes to in-system navigation (in particular orbiting planets), physics (as we know it) applies.

Best of all, there will be another in this series!

[NOEL MC CARTHY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another instalment in the series roll on the next

Quiet an enjoyable read hope the next is as enjoyable a page turner ,Please can we have more interesting guest appearances like Cassandra going forward .

[Beach Bum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeps getting better

The crew are still learning about each other and as a result so are we. More info comes to light about Ana and we get our first real glimpse into the history of the Engineer
The humour is still present. The crew are funny, but real laugh out loud moments come from the Tribune and Perfects interactions
A really good book. The story still has a long way to go and hopefully will maintain this level of fun, humour and action

[C G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy to review, and this book series just keeps getting better and better with each new entry. And yes that 5 star rating is deserved. The author does a wonderful job with his characters and story, as always. Our ragtag crew and their space whippet continue to find themselves in situations, from bad to worse to cabbages. More of their pasts come into play, as the crew try to improve their ship to continue their mission, all while conspiracies in the Empire threaten everything and everyone. I loved this story and didn't want it to end. Imperial Privateer is awesome, so don't hesitate to get it now. Adventure awaits!

[Adam Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to read an advance copy of the book. Another great installment in the DFGE saga. Great action and space combat. A number of really interesting plot twists. It was great to see some of my favorite minor characters step up and make things happen. Really enjoying where the story line is heading. I highly recommend this one.

[Ryan Pederson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced copy. Dirk&Co are amazing as usual. The witty banter just gets better with every book. I’d recommend starting from the beginning of the saga. It makes you appreciate the story and characters that much more. This book and series are more than worth your time. Gripping story, easy to follow, space battles, and smart-ass-ery in abundance.

[Susan Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book. This is a fantastic book. I think it’s the best book in this series. There’s so much going on. Some new characters in addition to Dirk and crew. An exciting location filled with drama. Very intense. And of course the witty dialogue. I love it!

[Joe Postingg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't stop reading these books even though they're extremely middling. I'm cooking a book a week right now.

[Nathan Trachta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Andrew Moriarty book means a little more joy for me. Full disclosure here, I was a Beta Reviewer for this book. As always though my review is my thoughts on the book and this review reflects my opinion of his Beta release (I’m currently reading the released version and if there’s any significant change from my review I’ll post an update).

Okay, I’m a fan of Mr. Moriarty’s books, especially his Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire series; it touches more than a few things I love, history (I’m reminded of the decline of the Roman Empire or the end of the Bronze Age), Firefly (good similarity to the show without being it), and what can I say, a good cast with good dialog and a plot. This has been what past books in this series have held and going to say Imperial Privateer picks up and continues the series very nicely! What’s always been interesting with this series is seeing the twists and turns Mr. Moriarty brings to the story. Usually based on something historical but his own story that fits the characters nicely. In this case Mr. Moriarty takes a little from WWII (if you’re interested, after you read the book look up the National’s ship) and using it to power the plot the stories main plot and to further the series twist (I say twist because while the crew of Hearts Desire has bene the focus of the stories, Prefect Devin has become more important with each new book). Rather than just having the crew of the Hearts Desire dash off to the heart of the Empire to find out what’s going on (sorry, you need to read the previous book to find out why that’s important) the crew has decided they need to add a laser to the Heart’s Desire. This leads to several capers that only the crew of the Heart’s Desire could do while we learn more about the Nationals and about Prefect Devin and the Empire.

As with all of Mr. Moriarty’s books the plot is good but what really makes this series is the characters. With each book in the series we’ve learned more and more about the different members of the Heart’s Desire but now Mr. Moriarty has expanded the story line with Prefect Devin and the crew of Pollux (Imin and sub-Prefect Lionel are excellent secondary characters) adding to the story along with providing a good background and a believable captain of the National’s ship. The growth of the characters along with the dialog between them is what makes this 5 star book for me, especially as the plot unfolds

[Mike Souter · Rating 5 out of 5]

this series is really beginning to take off

I enjoyed the first couple of books after having read the space accountant series, which were fun and rather cynically humorous.
The same dry wit and banter were here, punctuated with some interesting backdrops in the universe-setting. The initial characters were intriguing in a kind of Canterbury Tales fashion.
What I was looking by the time of book 3and 4 however was more of a story arc - what was all this truly about….? I was enjoying each episode but beginning to find it overall a bit light..
Well now with this one, that story arc is very apparent, and whilst you could in retrospect see all the plot lines developing, I do actually quite like the slow buildup to convergence that’s occurred. Alongside that buildup has been the gradual growth of characters in terms of backstory and depth, and while on some levels they are still a bit undeveloped, I’m now seeing where this might lead too a bit more - and importantly - greatly enjoying the ride. I will definitely keep reading…

[fannie nall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fight

Confusing as to who is on which side.
Maybe everyone is a good guy and it ends in a draw

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy this series!

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in the Decline and Fall of the Galactic Empire series. This one sort of takes the crew in a new direction, but not yet, as ordinary life complications arise and make ashes of the best laid plans, again! These are fun books about real like people and their lives as they run away from their past which rises up and trips them up at unexpected times. The historical rottenness of the Galactic Empire, which is not actually very Galactic since there are several other rival empires of some size not that far away. I like the historical parallels in these books. Highly recommended and I suggest you read them starting with #1.

[bogartus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super character development

Fun with a superb plot and characters with depth and each a story! Each book in the series expands the entertainment.

[James J Connors II · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent end and a beginning

Book 5 was a very enjoyable end to the series, and sets the beginning to the next series as the characters turn towards addressing what is going on in the core worlds.

The characters all got more complex, the cynical dialog continued to zip along and the action took some unexpected twists. Well done - a very fun, engaging read!

Now Andrew, get cracking on more on the core!

[Dave Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turning the rag-tag crew story on it's head.

These stories are smart, full of fun dialogue, character and plot and are darn fun. You can't read just one.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome sci fi adventure

I laughed way too much while reading this book. Dirk and his crew are awesome. Imin is priceless and talented. Devin, Lionel, and the Pollux crew are hilarious and brave. However, really bad things happen off page, including a high, sad body count (and Dirk "negotiating" for weapons). The worldbuilding continues to be fascinating. The story is thrilling, funny, and finished much too soon.

[Graham Bayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never disappoints.

The ramshackle crew once again pull themselves out of the fire. I’m not sure how they keep doing it. Although some of the humour is very obvious, I laugh at something every page. Keep an eye on the steward, Imis. He’s having a bigger role in this book, and it’s not just for his culinary skills, or ability to know what’s going to be asked of him hours ahead of time. Cracking series.

[That Book Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series. Funny, great characters and some of the wittiest dialogue I’ve read in years. I could not recommend this series more.

[John Steadman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book so far

Loved it. Great action. Good character development. Best book in the series so far. Can't wait until the next one comes out

[Chuck Woodbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Adventure Awaits

Love this collection of misfits! And as crazy as they all, they are gelling as a team. From a bank heist that turns out to be an enemy spy center to a clandestine weapons purchase on an active volcano, what else could wrong? Apparently everything, including pirates. Meanwhile, it looks like a civil war is brewing in the empire and the Tribune gets to shine as a master tactician when he takes on an Imperial warship come to arrest him. Loved it all!

[Aleeta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The unlikely crew of space faring companions are back with a mission. As a team building exercise (sort of ) they start by robbing a bank (that really isn't one). Scruggs gets to practice her seduction skills (as interpreted by her) and the team building goes the way it usually does with this crew- not as planned. In their own convoluted way, against many odds, they somehow manage to get the job done (or at least the first part of it). Imperial Privateer is even more entertaining and has more plot twists than the previous books in the series. It leaves you wondering what they will be able to accomplish next.
A fun and entertaining book.

[Djuro Drljaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best of the series (so far). In this one:
- We get some really great scenes with Devin. Will he finally find out what his role is in his ship? (he asks himself that quite a bit)
- Dirk and his crew try to get some weapons for their ship. Will they succeed? How much damage will they cause in the process?
- Scruggs tries her seduction and driving skills.
- A bit more info about the other empires/nations.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy to review but I still bought the book on release :)

[David Provan · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, but Moriarty's getting sloppy.


There should have been a great deal more about the consequences of one Imperial frigate knocking out another, with all the dead and injured that had to happen. A brief mention of two points of view on the damaged ship doesn't cut it. And saving this till the next book doesn't work. It should have been wrapped up in this one. There are several similar glitches.

I think M backed himself into a corner when he picked his series title, and he can't figure a way out which leaves his characters in reasonable shape.

David

[Gary Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the humor. Light reading and no blood and guts. I'll consider continuing with the next in the series. 🙂

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Just stumbled on this series and that sometimes can be difficult to catch up but not with this book. Loved Dirk, all the crew (including the whippet) and how they bounced from one problem to the next. The dialogue especially made this an enjoyable read and I now have to go back and catch the earlier books.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Angela]

not quite sure why I didn't finish this as I enjoying the series. guess I may have had a bunch of really interesting things from the library, or I just ran out of interest as it seems the series is moving slowly on the larger plot in the background...hoping to eventually come back and finish this one.

[John T Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

This was with out a doubt the best one yet. The story drew me in, stayed up way to late . Definitely recommend reading this series.

[David R Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots good space fun

Really liked the interplay between the three factions. Hope to see more of the same. Looking forward to the next book.