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Sovereign-Verse #46
Privateer's Commission
Ralph could be described as a rogue on a good day.
A bad day involved a lot of cursing, calling him a pirate, or sometimes even having a shoot-out.
It wasn’t really his fault of course, or so he would have you believe.
It was the fault of those who wanted to get in his way of making as much money as possible as a smuggler.
His family had been gifted with a letter of marque for the Terran Confed, one that is inherited and has been passed down to him.
Essentially it gives him a lot of loop-holes and ways through regulations to be a fantastic smuggler.
Or as a legal pirate, a Privateer.
The Confed and it’s neighbors are about to be plunged into a world of war that spans across the entirety of their universe.
From the citizens of the Blood to the Scrap-Worlds on the outer edges of the Confed, the life of everyone is going to change.
And Ralph?
Well, Ralph is about to get a brand new letter of marque to add to his original one, except for the territories of the Blood of Calesat.
Ralph Turlan will go from smuggler to Privateer with a commission to burn the enemy to their deck-plates all while getting a bonus for every ship he puts out of the war.
It’s time to go collect Turlan’s Toll from anyone who crosses his path.
Let’s just hope the crew of cast-offs better fit for the isle of misfit toys can come together quickly.
A bad day involved a lot of cursing, calling him a pirate, or sometimes even having a shoot-out.
It wasn’t really his fault of course, or so he would have you believe.
It was the fault of those who wanted to get in his way of making as much money as possible as a smuggler.
His family had been gifted with a letter of marque for the Terran Confed, one that is inherited and has been passed down to him.
Essentially it gives him a lot of loop-holes and ways through regulations to be a fantastic smuggler.
Or as a legal pirate, a Privateer.
The Confed and it’s neighbors are about to be plunged into a world of war that spans across the entirety of their universe.
From the citizens of the Blood to the Scrap-Worlds on the outer edges of the Confed, the life of everyone is going to change.
And Ralph?
Well, Ralph is about to get a brand new letter of marque to add to his original one, except for the territories of the Blood of Calesat.
Ralph Turlan will go from smuggler to Privateer with a commission to burn the enemy to their deck-plates all while getting a bonus for every ship he puts out of the war.
It’s time to go collect Turlan’s Toll from anyone who crosses his path.
Let’s just hope the crew of cast-offs better fit for the isle of misfit toys can come together quickly.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2024
375 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
August 18, 2024
This book was quite disappointing in the fact that the MC is basically the same MC as the last few books the author has written. The same speaking patterns. The same behaviors. The same everything but the plot. He acts the same as "Vince" from "Wild Wastes", and the MC from the last new book series the author created.
The MC gives each of the women a nickname, making them more impersonal. "Oh, my ship is called the Silent Siren, so I'll call you Lady Siren." Ummm, ok? Then he nicknames the next two (that he hasn't even kissed by the end of the first book) after the other two ships he has at his disposal. He doesn't really show affection to any of them, and the first woman is basically an indentured mistress he has full legal ownership of. That she willingly set up herself. So the MC does nothing to earn her loyalty. He's just a way off a planet/colony that is under attack. The other two are tools he's picked up, and he shows as much affection to them as his does his disposable laser pistols.
The women are bland. Really bland. As it, I'll forget about them in 24hrs bland. We are given no reason to care about them.
I am really disappointed in the lack of new in this series.
The MC gives each of the women a nickname, making them more impersonal. "Oh, my ship is called the Silent Siren, so I'll call you Lady Siren." Ummm, ok? Then he nicknames the next two (that he hasn't even kissed by the end of the first book) after the other two ships he has at his disposal. He doesn't really show affection to any of them, and the first woman is basically an indentured mistress he has full legal ownership of. That she willingly set up herself. So the MC does nothing to earn her loyalty. He's just a way off a planet/colony that is under attack. The other two are tools he's picked up, and he shows as much affection to them as his does his disposable laser pistols.
The women are bland. Really bland. As it, I'll forget about them in 24hrs bland. We are given no reason to care about them.
I am really disappointed in the lack of new in this series.
March 26, 2025
Needs a damn proof reader!
Frequent grammar and spelling errors. No real sense of scale, distance, or velocity to space travel. Probably the Arrand/Darren book I LEAST enjoyed. Pretty sure my old English teacher would have given it a B- at best.
Frequent grammar and spelling errors. No real sense of scale, distance, or velocity to space travel. Probably the Arrand/Darren book I LEAST enjoyed. Pretty sure my old English teacher would have given it a B- at best.
Read
February 28, 2025Quite an exiting read
Randi Darren, I'm a fan of yours regardless.
This story's pace had me concerned a few times (repeating some things so many times just takes up space) and although I'd like to think I am a good proofreader, I do not mislead myself; but I'm more than sure whomever you had to do your proofreading missed ALOT of misspellings, missed doubled verbiage that with any 'lesser' story would have been unforgivable.
Thank you, as the author, for being such a great storyteller.
Randi Darren, I'm a fan of yours regardless.
This story's pace had me concerned a few times (repeating some things so many times just takes up space) and although I'd like to think I am a good proofreader, I do not mislead myself; but I'm more than sure whomever you had to do your proofreading missed ALOT of misspellings, missed doubled verbiage that with any 'lesser' story would have been unforgivable.
Thank you, as the author, for being such a great storyteller.
August 17, 2024
Decent new entry.
A nice new entry. It’s good to see that it’s got a slightly different take on the usual space stories so far and I’m interested to see how the story will develop.
It’s got a good story, characters and plot are interesting, world building is ok, in saying that there’s a couple things that could use some polish.
Theres general grammar mistakes but that’s not too bad really. Something that I’d like to see more of is some of the world building (meaning more description/context of the galaxy and nations that they’re in) but sounds like we’ll get more of that in the next book. There are two more prevalent things that stuck out to me tho.
1 is the stuttering/doubled words of characters in dialogue. At first I thought it was a cute thing etc for some characters, but it kept happening wayyyyyy too much. And needlessly for some. Doing a stutter indicates nervousness/uncertainty but it’s used way too much in the first half of the book. Also does not make sense for some characters in the book that are made out to be experienced warriors etc. in the context it’s used.
2nd is the sentence/paragraph formatting in the first half of the book, with some cases in the later half aswell.
Specifically talking about dialogue between two or more characters. It’s janky. Feels like some sentences/paragraphs were cut and pasted in amongst the dialogue and ends up giving you a bit of whiplash and confuses you as to who’s speaking when. An example is a character will be talking then end the dialogue, only to start another dialogue session with a completely different subject. All that before the other participating character/s respond to the first dialogue. It doesn’t work in the context where it’s written.
With that all said it’s still a really good book and just needs some polish on those points. It’s got a lot of solid points to it and if space stories are your Jam then you’ll want to read this.
A nice new entry. It’s good to see that it’s got a slightly different take on the usual space stories so far and I’m interested to see how the story will develop.
It’s got a good story, characters and plot are interesting, world building is ok, in saying that there’s a couple things that could use some polish.
Theres general grammar mistakes but that’s not too bad really. Something that I’d like to see more of is some of the world building (meaning more description/context of the galaxy and nations that they’re in) but sounds like we’ll get more of that in the next book. There are two more prevalent things that stuck out to me tho.
1 is the stuttering/doubled words of characters in dialogue. At first I thought it was a cute thing etc for some characters, but it kept happening wayyyyyy too much. And needlessly for some. Doing a stutter indicates nervousness/uncertainty but it’s used way too much in the first half of the book. Also does not make sense for some characters in the book that are made out to be experienced warriors etc. in the context it’s used.
2nd is the sentence/paragraph formatting in the first half of the book, with some cases in the later half aswell.
Specifically talking about dialogue between two or more characters. It’s janky. Feels like some sentences/paragraphs were cut and pasted in amongst the dialogue and ends up giving you a bit of whiplash and confuses you as to who’s speaking when. An example is a character will be talking then end the dialogue, only to start another dialogue session with a completely different subject. All that before the other participating character/s respond to the first dialogue. It doesn’t work in the context where it’s written.
With that all said it’s still a really good book and just needs some polish on those points. It’s got a lot of solid points to it and if space stories are your Jam then you’ll want to read this.
August 14, 2024
A bit different than Randi's normal stories but definitely good
I'm much more of a fan of fantasy than Sci fi but given the author I had to try it. I was extremely surprised by how action packed it was and how it kept me engaged with the plot. Don't expect this to be a scifi book with a lot of science. In fact the book goes out of the way with the 1st person view to explain science is challenging and beyond the concerns of the book. I'm interested to see how Ralph changes though to be willing to grow his team and what comes next.
I'm much more of a fan of fantasy than Sci fi but given the author I had to try it. I was extremely surprised by how action packed it was and how it kept me engaged with the plot. Don't expect this to be a scifi book with a lot of science. In fact the book goes out of the way with the 1st person view to explain science is challenging and beyond the concerns of the book. I'm interested to see how Ralph changes though to be willing to grow his team and what comes next.
August 22, 2024
I want to give more stars
I enjoyed the premise of the story, how it plays out, the flow. There's just two problems.
My first problem is with the writing. I guess I'm used to a different standard from this author? The dialogue felt weird and didn't seem to flow very well. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was speaking.
The second was the editing mistakes. From punctuation to missing words to calling someone the wrong name. I was honestly surprised at how many mistakes there were. I'm sure they'll be cleaned up in time, but for now, I had to ding a star.
I've read plenty of this author's works and I guess I was expecting them to meet their usual standard. I'll read the next book, I was just a little disappointed in this one.
I enjoyed the premise of the story, how it plays out, the flow. There's just two problems.
My first problem is with the writing. I guess I'm used to a different standard from this author? The dialogue felt weird and didn't seem to flow very well. Sometimes it was hard to tell who was speaking.
The second was the editing mistakes. From punctuation to missing words to calling someone the wrong name. I was honestly surprised at how many mistakes there were. I'm sure they'll be cleaned up in time, but for now, I had to ding a star.
I've read plenty of this author's works and I guess I was expecting them to meet their usual standard. I'll read the next book, I was just a little disappointed in this one.
August 25, 2024
kinda ok but not really
So this space harem story from Randi is pretty rough.
The main character is a bumbling privateer who gets into one improbable adventure after another but always seems to come out on top, against all odds.
Unfortunately, the sexy banter with the harem is clunky and just somehow wrong.
Also, the space travel and battle mechanics are simply not believable, which makes the story hard to read.
So this space harem story from Randi is pretty rough.
The main character is a bumbling privateer who gets into one improbable adventure after another but always seems to come out on top, against all odds.
Unfortunately, the sexy banter with the harem is clunky and just somehow wrong.
Also, the space travel and battle mechanics are simply not believable, which makes the story hard to read.
September 1, 2024
Not good
I thought I was reading about a privateer, Captain of his own ship, battle hardened, but no! He was so submissive I was surprised she didn't spank him! I couldn't even finish. I do not recommend this book!
I thought I was reading about a privateer, Captain of his own ship, battle hardened, but no! He was so submissive I was surprised she didn't spank him! I couldn't even finish. I do not recommend this book!
January 30, 2025
Good author, but
Veilversre needs to end. I loved them at first. Only bought this one hoping it was outside the veil. Only took 4 pages to see otherwise and quit reading.
Veilversre needs to end. I loved them at first. Only bought this one hoping it was outside the veil. Only took 4 pages to see otherwise and quit reading.
March 26, 2025
Bad!
Choppy, lacking and inconsistent feel to the story, like something abridged which all to quickly falls into the same old rut after its barebones story setup, which wasn't bad but is never properly delivered upon.
Story aspects become more incoherent skippy or just fade to black as it goes on to be exchanged for harem babble awkward innuendo and just sentence upon paragraph of blatant cringe character interaction instead of story detail, like a bad dream to be honest.
The main character is just drained of colour, of starting self, same as the promise of the setup which is not delivered upon and all one can do as a reader is sigh
Choppy, lacking and inconsistent feel to the story, like something abridged which all to quickly falls into the same old rut after its barebones story setup, which wasn't bad but is never properly delivered upon.
Story aspects become more incoherent skippy or just fade to black as it goes on to be exchanged for harem babble awkward innuendo and just sentence upon paragraph of blatant cringe character interaction instead of story detail, like a bad dream to be honest.
The main character is just drained of colour, of starting self, same as the promise of the setup which is not delivered upon and all one can do as a reader is sigh
August 28, 2024
Fun
Randi Darren has been one my favorite authors, usually there is a likable main characters and plots that are quite good. Plenty of action and the storyline flows. Historically what I do not like is the harem thing; fortunately, Privateer’s Commission does not have that, not yet anyway. An all female crew, which is OK, except for one (Winnie), she is annoying.
The main character, Ralph, is several things, unafraid to bend the law if it will make him a buck. Later he is hired a a privateer in a clan war. Good action, the series has potential.
Randi Darren has been one my favorite authors, usually there is a likable main characters and plots that are quite good. Plenty of action and the storyline flows. Historically what I do not like is the harem thing; fortunately, Privateer’s Commission does not have that, not yet anyway. An all female crew, which is OK, except for one (Winnie), she is annoying.
The main character, Ralph, is several things, unafraid to bend the law if it will make him a buck. Later he is hired a a privateer in a clan war. Good action, the series has potential.
October 10, 2024
A Space Pirate (but legally so)
This was a rather amusing tale including space battles, sword fights and a bit of raunchy behaviour. This was a fun read that I enjoyed from chapter one all the way to the end. Can’t say too much without giving away plot lines, so you will just need to read it. So far it does not seem connected to his other series, but several book ones from his other series seemed that way till the story later joined the greater universe that Randi/William has created.
This was a rather amusing tale including space battles, sword fights and a bit of raunchy behaviour. This was a fun read that I enjoyed from chapter one all the way to the end. Can’t say too much without giving away plot lines, so you will just need to read it. So far it does not seem connected to his other series, but several book ones from his other series seemed that way till the story later joined the greater universe that Randi/William has created.
October 24, 2025
Entertaining Start to The Series
My first time with this author and I'm quite pleased. Nice somewhat light space opera with a budding harem element. Quite entertaining storyline with a fun MC and a variety of interesting support characters, each with a distinguishing personality. There's plenty of action and humor throughout. I'm well seasoned, so not accustomed to the use of they, their, etc for characters whose sex has not been stated, but I've managed to ignore it. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
My first time with this author and I'm quite pleased. Nice somewhat light space opera with a budding harem element. Quite entertaining storyline with a fun MC and a variety of interesting support characters, each with a distinguishing personality. There's plenty of action and humor throughout. I'm well seasoned, so not accustomed to the use of they, their, etc for characters whose sex has not been stated, but I've managed to ignore it. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
December 11, 2025
I rather enjoyed the book. 4.5/5 Stars
The world building was well done. The characters mostly fleshed out and interesting. The pace was great as well as the action. Didn’t get bored reading for even a single moment.
This was my first book by Darren so I can’t really comment on if the Mc was similar to other books or not. I just enjoyed reading about a morally gray character, who is selfish, jaded but still with a certain set of principles.
Probably worth mentioning is that the audiobook is recommendable. The narrator did a great job!
The world building was well done. The characters mostly fleshed out and interesting. The pace was great as well as the action. Didn’t get bored reading for even a single moment.
This was my first book by Darren so I can’t really comment on if the Mc was similar to other books or not. I just enjoyed reading about a morally gray character, who is selfish, jaded but still with a certain set of principles.
Probably worth mentioning is that the audiobook is recommendable. The narrator did a great job!
September 11, 2024
Though well written, this just isnt my fave
The MC is a privateer, smuggler and con man who gets caught in a war zone, where a refugee scams him into getting her passage when he departs the area. Then the go on adventures basically as space pirates.
The senario just didn't grab me like other works of this excellent author. In fact Im still waiting for continuations of the ax falls, Faustering Faust, the honor of duty and Monsters Mercy to name a few.
The MC is a privateer, smuggler and con man who gets caught in a war zone, where a refugee scams him into getting her passage when he departs the area. Then the go on adventures basically as space pirates.
The senario just didn't grab me like other works of this excellent author. In fact Im still waiting for continuations of the ax falls, Faustering Faust, the honor of duty and Monsters Mercy to name a few.
August 10, 2024
Great work.
I'm not going to lie, wasn't thrilled to see another new series instead of a continuation. Once again, though, this was worth it. Really liked it, and it wound up in the same setting as Cavalier, so it's solid.
The ending was weirdly abrupt and I hope the sequel comes out soon because Ralph was juggling a lot of stuff.
I'm not going to lie, wasn't thrilled to see another new series instead of a continuation. Once again, though, this was worth it. Really liked it, and it wound up in the same setting as Cavalier, so it's solid.
The ending was weirdly abrupt and I hope the sequel comes out soon because Ralph was juggling a lot of stuff.
August 14, 2024
Great read
I'm not usually one for leaving reviews but this one had me hooked from the beginning, and the setting was a nice change of pace compacts to the infinite fantasy setting for this type of thing, anyway great plot, great characters, great read overall. Can't wait for the next one.
I'm not usually one for leaving reviews but this one had me hooked from the beginning, and the setting was a nice change of pace compacts to the infinite fantasy setting for this type of thing, anyway great plot, great characters, great read overall. Can't wait for the next one.
August 15, 2024
Cool story, yo.
This was a great time, truly swashbuckling.
It is an excellent primer to this series. Interested in much more lore from this section of the universe.
Though oddly enough, it didn't really feel like a Randi book.
Maybe an extra spicy Arand story where implied bits were less implied.
This was a great time, truly swashbuckling.
It is an excellent primer to this series. Interested in much more lore from this section of the universe.
Though oddly enough, it didn't really feel like a Randi book.
Maybe an extra spicy Arand story where implied bits were less implied.
September 27, 2024
I have read a few hundred books in this genre over the last n years, and I have enjoyed most of Darren's work.
This book might not be the best I have read from the author, but it was an interesting plot, some situations that made me laugh out loud and kept me flipping the pages.
I was very entertained, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
This book might not be the best I have read from the author, but it was an interesting plot, some situations that made me laugh out loud and kept me flipping the pages.
I was very entertained, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.
October 14, 2024
Ralph
This was a fun little journey through space. The romance is very mild but you know Randi, I'm sure it's going to pick up hardcore harem style in the upcoming books. I love a good sword fight but Randi upped that with some good sword fights in space action. Very excited for the next book.
This was a fun little journey through space. The romance is very mild but you know Randi, I'm sure it's going to pick up hardcore harem style in the upcoming books. I love a good sword fight but Randi upped that with some good sword fights in space action. Very excited for the next book.
October 27, 2024
What an interesting and great story!!!
First I can't wait to see this continue, it has some great characters and amazing world building!! An interesting blend of soft and hard science fiction and an all around great story!! I've said before but WILK say again sci-fi is this authors greatest works!!!!
First I can't wait to see this continue, it has some great characters and amazing world building!! An interesting blend of soft and hard science fiction and an all around great story!! I've said before but WILK say again sci-fi is this authors greatest works!!!!
April 10, 2025
Re; Privateers Commission
More please, lots more. And the cover is one of the best, of all time. A beautiful woman does not need breasts that enter a room "a time zone ahead of her". While I have read many of your books under your many pseudonyms, I truly enjoyed " Privateers Commission" the most. So, more "sir, may I have more please?"
More please, lots more. And the cover is one of the best, of all time. A beautiful woman does not need breasts that enter a room "a time zone ahead of her". While I have read many of your books under your many pseudonyms, I truly enjoyed " Privateers Commission" the most. So, more "sir, may I have more please?"
Read
August 10, 2024Loving the sci-fi!
Space pirates in space! What's there not to love?! I am definitely digging the more sci-fi stuff added to the runner-verse lately. The science is just hard enough to be believable, leaving the fiction to be enjoyed. Can't wait for more!
Space pirates in space! What's there not to love?! I am definitely digging the more sci-fi stuff added to the runner-verse lately. The science is just hard enough to be believable, leaving the fiction to be enjoyed. Can't wait for more!
August 13, 2024
Awesome book!
Another incredible book by Randi Darren, in the same universe than Cavalier’s but happening before and at the other end of the universe. I can’t wait for the next one in either series!
Another incredible book by Randi Darren, in the same universe than Cavalier’s but happening before and at the other end of the universe. I can’t wait for the next one in either series!
August 17, 2024
Good storytelling
Lots of action married to an interesting storyline. A well developed universe on the verge of conflict makes a good backdrop for this tale. Looking forward to exploring this author’s other work.
Lots of action married to an interesting storyline. A well developed universe on the verge of conflict makes a good backdrop for this tale. Looking forward to exploring this author’s other work.
August 20, 2024
Pretty good
This was a fun if unique read. Exactly how you envision a sword fight to the death in space on a spaceship I have no idea. And then to actually work it into the storyline is just inspiring.
This was a fun if unique read. Exactly how you envision a sword fight to the death in space on a spaceship I have no idea. And then to actually work it into the storyline is just inspiring.
August 21, 2024
Outstanding!
I love this, adventures of a space "privateer". His story begins as a solo operator, but that quickly starts to change as circumstances see him building a crew of women. Good story, can not wait for the next installment!
I love this, adventures of a space "privateer". His story begins as a solo operator, but that quickly starts to change as circumstances see him building a crew of women. Good story, can not wait for the next installment!
August 27, 2024
Good read hope it's a series
Good space story. A lot of ship to ship battles including boarding actions. Not harem yet but it looks to be planned. Sex is referred to frequently but not to detailed.
Good space story. A lot of ship to ship battles including boarding actions. Not harem yet but it looks to be planned. Sex is referred to frequently but not to detailed.
September 6, 2024
It's an exciting read.
A space fantasy you will enjoy. It has it all, excitement, fighting galore with some erotic moments thrown in. I enjoyed reading it and think any Fantasy reader will too.
A space fantasy you will enjoy. It has it all, excitement, fighting galore with some erotic moments thrown in. I enjoyed reading it and think any Fantasy reader will too.
Read
September 11, 2024That was really fun
I enjoyed this story a lot. It's written...oddly though. Not sure I like it or not. I will give the next one a go and see how it is.
Ps not sure what the point is of having a whole ship full of women is if you are just romancing one. 😉
I enjoyed this story a lot. It's written...oddly though. Not sure I like it or not. I will give the next one a go and see how it is.
Ps not sure what the point is of having a whole ship full of women is if you are just romancing one. 😉
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews