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Privateer Tales #2
Fool Me Once
Celina Dontal just escaped eighteen months of captivity at the hands of Alexander Boyarov and his crew, members of the brutal Red Houzi Clan. That should have been the hard part. It was only the beginning. When she tried to contact her younger sister, Jenny, Celina received shocking news. The one person in the universe that Celina loved and lived for, was missing, and no one could tell her what happened. A vague mention of passage booked to the metropolis of Puskar Stellar on Mars was the only clue Celina unearthed, but Jenny hasn't responded to any of Celina’s messages. Celina has no friends on Mars and to make things worse, Boyarov is skating on thin ice with the Red Houzi. He lost their ship and prisoner. Retrieving both as quickly as possible is the only hope he has of preserving his own life. He's on the hunt. If there is to be any help for Celina and Jenny, it will have to come from strangers. Puskar Stellar is a big city and finding someone who is trustworthy can be a slippery quest. Fool Me Once, a standalone novella, is the second story in Jamie McFarlane’s Privateer Tales.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2014
325 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
July 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this second book in the series.
June 13, 2014
Privateer Tales......
So far there are two volumes, and they begin with young protagonists who accomplish wonders through determination and courage. The people involved mature quickly with a great deal of effort manage to accomplish their goals. The tale of those efforts are highly entertaining. McFarlane has a pair of winners. Really good interplanetary suspense and fun. Enjoy.
So far there are two volumes, and they begin with young protagonists who accomplish wonders through determination and courage. The people involved mature quickly with a great deal of effort manage to accomplish their goals. The tale of those efforts are highly entertaining. McFarlane has a pair of winners. Really good interplanetary suspense and fun. Enjoy.
January 26, 2018
The story didn’t start well, given her back-story Celina’s actions were not believable, there is absolutely no way the pirates would be left alive after eighteen months of rape and abuse, especially as she knew they would come after her and her sister. I get really infuriated with authors that don’t understand their own characters.
October 16, 2021
A Really Good Series
I wrote a review at the end of the first book and wanted to add a post script but it would not allow me to get into my review. I wanted to let the reader know that this second book is still the same series and not be confused like I was. If your reading the reviews first to see if the book is worth reading let me tell you the second books is great but the does something that I find is truly awesome in that he writes a different book . You look confused. The second book expands on the first book so every even number book is something a little different in the story line. I might have seen this in other series but not many and I can't tell you the last series it was in so any way I think this is a great idea because the author has written quite a few books in this series so I think it would have gotten a little stale if he had not chosen this format.
Sooooo anyway this is a great series so far , I'm just starting the 6th book, and I'll write again if your looking for an interesting series with fun characters and lots of action this series is for you 😊
I wrote a review at the end of the first book and wanted to add a post script but it would not allow me to get into my review. I wanted to let the reader know that this second book is still the same series and not be confused like I was. If your reading the reviews first to see if the book is worth reading let me tell you the second books is great but the does something that I find is truly awesome in that he writes a different book . You look confused. The second book expands on the first book so every even number book is something a little different in the story line. I might have seen this in other series but not many and I can't tell you the last series it was in so any way I think this is a great idea because the author has written quite a few books in this series so I think it would have gotten a little stale if he had not chosen this format.
Sooooo anyway this is a great series so far , I'm just starting the 6th book, and I'll write again if your looking for an interesting series with fun characters and lots of action this series is for you 😊
April 29, 2023
Excellent action, great characters! Too short!
The deaths of her parents left Celine with a younger sister to raise. She did everything she could to support her sister, eventually turning to prostitution to pay the bills. Then she was kidnapped by a gang of smugglers who raped and beat Celine until she was little more than an animal. Worst - while she was trying to get away, Jenny (Celine's little sister) was abducted and sold into slavery. Good fortune led her to a good person with the right contacts and Celine was on her way to getting her little sister back.
The characters driving this story have had it rough, but stayed true and upright in character. Celine will do anything to return Jenny to her and provide her with the life she deserves. Jenny is a frightened child with no will to fight back, but Celine has friends now! They will do anything to save Jenny! Great action! Great storyline! Could have been a bit longer, but we'll see how the series continues! This is a good, short read.
The deaths of her parents left Celine with a younger sister to raise. She did everything she could to support her sister, eventually turning to prostitution to pay the bills. Then she was kidnapped by a gang of smugglers who raped and beat Celine until she was little more than an animal. Worst - while she was trying to get away, Jenny (Celine's little sister) was abducted and sold into slavery. Good fortune led her to a good person with the right contacts and Celine was on her way to getting her little sister back.
The characters driving this story have had it rough, but stayed true and upright in character. Celine will do anything to return Jenny to her and provide her with the life she deserves. Jenny is a frightened child with no will to fight back, but Celine has friends now! They will do anything to save Jenny! Great action! Great storyline! Could have been a bit longer, but we'll see how the series continues! This is a good, short read.
April 9, 2021
This is a short novella that fills in what happens to Celina, the pirate captive Liam gave a ship to in Rookie Privateer. It is under three hours audio and is a nice quick read.
Celina Wants to find her missing sister, and the book is about the journey. She meets up with some interesting people who help her out. Some ass kicking and investigating in sues, and they uncover some things, and help some people. It's a quick novella, there isn't much to say. Even with the length the characters introduced are pretty interesting. There's just no way to know if they have future roles in upcoming books in the series. Without knowing I don't know if this is just a throw away book, or if it plays into the greater series plot. I'd like to see the characters again, so I hope they come around in the future.
Celina Wants to find her missing sister, and the book is about the journey. She meets up with some interesting people who help her out. Some ass kicking and investigating in sues, and they uncover some things, and help some people. It's a quick novella, there isn't much to say. Even with the length the characters introduced are pretty interesting. There's just no way to know if they have future roles in upcoming books in the series. Without knowing I don't know if this is just a throw away book, or if it plays into the greater series plot. I'd like to see the characters again, so I hope they come around in the future.
March 14, 2018
Brutal but awesome
I didn't read the first book but I gather it was brutal. The writer does a good job with the tension and uncertainty surrounding the main character. I could imagine myself making the same choices in her situation. The violence is well written but the writer doesn't glory in it.
The character's feelings and reaction to the violence is the takeaway and the writing is great. There are a refreshing number of really interesting female characters and they all take center stage in the story. You will enjoy the book based on them alone.
There is great background and it feels both complete and real. Great story, good writing and women described as women in a realistic, tough universe sums it all up.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
I didn't read the first book but I gather it was brutal. The writer does a good job with the tension and uncertainty surrounding the main character. I could imagine myself making the same choices in her situation. The violence is well written but the writer doesn't glory in it.
The character's feelings and reaction to the violence is the takeaway and the writing is great. There are a refreshing number of really interesting female characters and they all take center stage in the story. You will enjoy the book based on them alone.
There is great background and it feels both complete and real. Great story, good writing and women described as women in a realistic, tough universe sums it all up.
Looking forward to reading the next book.
July 5, 2017
A Reversal of Fortune
Celina is a slave. Well, she was a slave. A well meaning but slightly naive privateer saved her from space pirates. Now she's on a mission to save her sister before she suffers the same fate. It won't be easy. Her former masters are hot on her tail. One false move will land her back in their clutches. A fate worse than death.
Jamie McFarlane brings another tale in his Rookie Privateer universe. A young girl in the worst of circumstances overcoming impossible odds. This short story has much of what we love about Jamie's work. Lots of action and hair raising adventure.
Celina is a slave. Well, she was a slave. A well meaning but slightly naive privateer saved her from space pirates. Now she's on a mission to save her sister before she suffers the same fate. It won't be easy. Her former masters are hot on her tail. One false move will land her back in their clutches. A fate worse than death.
Jamie McFarlane brings another tale in his Rookie Privateer universe. A young girl in the worst of circumstances overcoming impossible odds. This short story has much of what we love about Jamie's work. Lots of action and hair raising adventure.
January 3, 2017
Like the first book in the series, I think this book would appeal to young readers, 10 to 14 years old. It is too simplistic to engage the older YA audience. Based on the target reader I found the references to rape, brutality, etc., to be inappropriate.
Although I enjoyed the concept of the first book, this one was a let down for me and I won't be reading any further in the series. Too bad as I found the concept intriguing.
Although I enjoyed the concept of the first book, this one was a let down for me and I won't be reading any further in the series. Too bad as I found the concept intriguing.
December 27, 2017
Give this one a try!
Jamie McFarlane 's Fool Me Once (Privateer Tales, Book 2) is a very fast paced sci-fi adventure. While the story and characters are exciting, the relationship to the previous book protagonists was very superficial, which I personally found disappointing. However, that said, I did enjoy the protagonists in this book. I would urge sci-fi readers that enjoy strong female characters to give this book a spin. I don't think they'll be disappointed.
Jamie McFarlane 's Fool Me Once (Privateer Tales, Book 2) is a very fast paced sci-fi adventure. While the story and characters are exciting, the relationship to the previous book protagonists was very superficial, which I personally found disappointing. However, that said, I did enjoy the protagonists in this book. I would urge sci-fi readers that enjoy strong female characters to give this book a spin. I don't think they'll be disappointed.
August 4, 2018
This immediately follows on from the first book but instead of continuing with Liam and Nick, instead follows Lena after they release the ship to her control.
Soon, Lena is on her way to the planet that her sister was lay known to be going towards and quickly gets embroiled in an adventure of her own. Trying to avoid the pirates that she escaped from, making some money to help with her search and building friendships in the most unlikely of places.
Soon, Lena is on her way to the planet that her sister was lay known to be going towards and quickly gets embroiled in an adventure of her own. Trying to avoid the pirates that she escaped from, making some money to help with her search and building friendships in the most unlikely of places.
October 8, 2020
Meh!
Whose idea was this misguided, rambling bit of loosely constructed verbiage? There is one extremely tenuous connection to the first book of the series and the rest of this story just goes nowhere - fast. I read some of the other reviews and should have known better than to read this. Worst part is that’s a couple hours I’ll never get back.
My advice? If you were OK with book 1, leave this book on the shelf. Skip to book 3.
Whose idea was this misguided, rambling bit of loosely constructed verbiage? There is one extremely tenuous connection to the first book of the series and the rest of this story just goes nowhere - fast. I read some of the other reviews and should have known better than to read this. Worst part is that’s a couple hours I’ll never get back.
My advice? If you were OK with book 1, leave this book on the shelf. Skip to book 3.
August 26, 2017
This started awesome, then half way trough the author choose to change the main character personality so as to make her more lovable/pitiable, at the beginning I felt she was cool, cold, smart, kinda I'll do whatever to accomplish what I must accomplish.. but then she turned into a sobbing reckt in need of saving .. Soo.. Started loving it' ended hating it with passion! so rating -3
November 6, 2019
Disappointing sophomore entry to the Privateer Tales series. The plot is so scantly handled that it doesn't even qualify for "bare bones", and there's no emotional connection established to the main character, despite us being in her head. Perhaps we're intended to see her as emotionally distant as a means of handling her Tragic Backstory, but if so, this isn't conveyed in any meaningful way.
December 5, 2019
This one actually took me a few minutes to get the connection but the author is as good at character building and interaction, as he is creating a universe to play in that, doesn't have to conform to known norms, and action that quite frankly knocks your socks off. This was actually only my second McFarlane but paved the way for further adventures as it were.
May 7, 2021
I LIKE.
I enjoyed this story. I read the first book, Rookie Privateer, and liked it; I nearly skipped this one because it already veered from the plot of the first one, or at least seemed to. I’m glad that I chose to go with Fool Me Once, mainly because it was in order. Good story, fun to read, and I hope that I will see these characters again in the next novels. I would buy it again.
I enjoyed this story. I read the first book, Rookie Privateer, and liked it; I nearly skipped this one because it already veered from the plot of the first one, or at least seemed to. I’m glad that I chose to go with Fool Me Once, mainly because it was in order. Good story, fun to read, and I hope that I will see these characters again in the next novels. I would buy it again.
September 15, 2024
With Fool Me Once, Jamie McFarlane has given us an old-school space opera that entertains but does not amaze. A woman who has just escaped from evil space pirates goes to Mars to rescue her sister from the proverbial fate worse than death.
McFarlane handled the opening scene especially well and gave it a surprising twist.
I do wish the title were more original.
McFarlane handled the opening scene especially well and gave it a surprising twist.
I do wish the title were more original.
March 16, 2017
Nice follow up to 1st novel in series
The was a nice follow up to the first book in the series. This tied up a loose end. I doubt we've seen the last of Lena and Talia. At least, I hope to see them both in future novels.
The was a nice follow up to the first book in the series. This tied up a loose end. I doubt we've seen the last of Lena and Talia. At least, I hope to see them both in future novels.
July 17, 2017
I was expecting to see the characters from book one in this book, then I seen it was just a short story. I don't normally read short stories but every now and then i sneaks in there. This was a good read, but could have been longer and a different series all together. Just a good read.
August 31, 2017
Was hoping it was a continuation of Rookie Privateer was not expecting this seperate story. Pretty disappointing has a flat outline identical to Rookie Privateer. Enter the star character background be sure to play for some sympathy then buy lots of electronic toys, fight and end story.
March 25, 2018
Short ,but sweet!
What a great read. A great way to put a different part of the first book together. It feels like the writer is building things together and setting us up for things to come. Well worth it.
What a great read. A great way to put a different part of the first book together. It feels like the writer is building things together and setting us up for things to come. Well worth it.
August 6, 2019
Good story that makes the background richer, though Itruly dislike when main characters are unwilling to end the enemy threat for good. I think it's more idiotic than ethical, but other than that...a good addition to the world :)
November 9, 2019
Another good one
This story pick up right where the first one ended. We get background on Lena and her sister Jenny, meet some new characters, and the series progresses. I enjoyed reading this book as much as the first one.
This story pick up right where the first one ended. We get background on Lena and her sister Jenny, meet some new characters, and the series progresses. I enjoyed reading this book as much as the first one.
December 27, 2021
This story seems to have been written before the first book. It feels way more amateurish and it could have been fleshed out way more. My problem with this book is that is a barebone of a story with little to no reason as to why things happen the way it happens.
April 26, 2022
Wow! Grab and Glue
Space opera and human trafficking, never would have seen that connection coming. Excitement, compassion, courageous people and a gripping story line without the mawkish sentiment.
Space opera and human trafficking, never would have seen that connection coming. Excitement, compassion, courageous people and a gripping story line without the mawkish sentiment.
March 13, 2023
A good book
I enjoyed this book. Sometimes there was a little too much detail in what was going on. I think for the most part that it held my interest, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I enjoyed this book. Sometimes there was a little too much detail in what was going on. I think for the most part that it held my interest, and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
September 28, 2024
The main character in this story is a side character in the first book of the series. This is a short intermission that provides back story for what may become a significant character in later novels. Well done.
May 7, 2017
so pople disliked this but i quite enjoyed it,
July 3, 2017
Good Story!
Really good story, richer if you read book 1 first, although not required. Intelligent action and a good plot. You'll enjoy.
Really good story, richer if you read book 1 first, although not required. Intelligent action and a good plot. You'll enjoy.
November 26, 2017
While the story was entertaining and well done a complete departure from the path of original characters did take something away from the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews