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Privateer Tales #5
Smuggler's Dilemma
There’s guerrilla warfare in the main asteroid belt. The Red Houzi pirates have launched a deadly campaign, sacking defenseless mining colonies and then vanishing into the deep dark of space. No one can predict where or when they will show up next, not even the great Mars Protectorate Navy.
Liam Hoffen and Nick James have returned from their last encounter grateful to be alive, but wondering what they’ll do next. Sterra's Gift is nothing more than a broken heap, strapped to a pile of ore. Replacing their beloved ship is hopeless – or so they think until a crazy old man introduces them to an old British warship named Hotspur.
News of Red Houzi attacks near Colony 40 spurs Liam and his crew into action and they set off on a desperate race to save their families. But, what can one ship possibly do against an entire fleet? They’ll put everything on the line, but the question is - will it be enough?
Liam Hoffen and Nick James have returned from their last encounter grateful to be alive, but wondering what they’ll do next. Sterra's Gift is nothing more than a broken heap, strapped to a pile of ore. Replacing their beloved ship is hopeless – or so they think until a crazy old man introduces them to an old British warship named Hotspur.
News of Red Houzi attacks near Colony 40 spurs Liam and his crew into action and they set off on a desperate race to save their families. But, what can one ship possibly do against an entire fleet? They’ll put everything on the line, but the question is - will it be enough?
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 14, 2015
298 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
July 25, 2020
Another enjoyable installment!
December 30, 2015
Fantastic read. This series is intellectual sci-fi crack to my brain. Once I start reading any of the books in this series, it's almost impossible for me to do anything else.
It's the best combination of sci-fi, family / community support, honor / duty, action, and suspense of any of the book series I've read in the last few years. I really enjoy the risk-it-all because it's the right thing to do attitude of the main characters in this series, and this book gets back to the space opera battles and core motivations of the crew that I like so much.
It's the best combination of sci-fi, family / community support, honor / duty, action, and suspense of any of the book series I've read in the last few years. I really enjoy the risk-it-all because it's the right thing to do attitude of the main characters in this series, and this book gets back to the space opera battles and core motivations of the crew that I like so much.
August 8, 2019
Good...keeping it interesting :)
May 18, 2023
Very good!
July 8, 2017
I've enjoyed each of the first five Privateer Tales books. They're a nostalgic trip back into old-school science fiction - quick-paced, fun stories that'll keep you coming back to McFarlane's solar system.
February 27, 2017
Does this get counted twice, once for ku and once for audible? Someone sent me the audible of this, maybe because they know I am blind {not totally obviously} but...thank you...do NOT do that again please...well let me do the usual and post over my amazon review. Available Kindle Unlimited, which would rather have done, because my computer along with narrator and speakonia does a MUCH better job than the audio app through amazon does. I actually got it on ku as well because the bloody app was horrible, skipping chapters, saying 'section' that did NOT correspond to the actual chapter, and hung more than microsoft and chrome on a bad bad day.
The rating is NOT based on that, obviously. The voice reading was good, could keep up with different characters talking and all that, couple voices a bit odd but still different to tell apart and all, but my voice reader is set to omg you can really understand that at that speed? {Yes, I can; that's also how get thru up to 20 books a day, but not last night, the audible app was horrible, although whoever bought it as a gift and sent it to me was trying to be nice I'm sure.} It actually took me less time to have my machine read it, and there were no gaps nor stalls or anything like that when listening to audible. So Audible is NOT what the rating is based on.
Noticed I have rookie privateer as well as at least one more {check out amazon writer page} the wizard in a witchy world, definitely get to that later, maybe even today. Shame audible messed up the story, imnho {in my never humble opinion}, and even if the reading of it hadn't make it better, but on the other hand at least have ku which allowed me to tell that the book was actually good.
The rating is NOT based on that, obviously. The voice reading was good, could keep up with different characters talking and all that, couple voices a bit odd but still different to tell apart and all, but my voice reader is set to omg you can really understand that at that speed? {Yes, I can; that's also how get thru up to 20 books a day, but not last night, the audible app was horrible, although whoever bought it as a gift and sent it to me was trying to be nice I'm sure.} It actually took me less time to have my machine read it, and there were no gaps nor stalls or anything like that when listening to audible. So Audible is NOT what the rating is based on.
Noticed I have rookie privateer as well as at least one more {check out amazon writer page} the wizard in a witchy world, definitely get to that later, maybe even today. Shame audible messed up the story, imnho {in my never humble opinion}, and even if the reading of it hadn't make it better, but on the other hand at least have ku which allowed me to tell that the book was actually good.
April 10, 2021
This was my favorite book of the series so far. It had a bit of everything, and balanced perfectly to make a great story.
At the start there's the day to day minutia of owning a ship, buying a new one, and getting it ready to sale. All of this involves the full cast of characters including tabby, and she really needed more page time. This book finally gives us that page time. We get to see Liam and her together more, and her character gets rounded out to feel more important to the plot and rest of the books.
After all that we get good space combat in a specialized ship practically made for these characters. That mixed with bringing back an old character, and the story really jumps off the page. There's a big drop in setting when we finally get some talk about different systems and gates to jump between them. This really opens the door for future books and I can't wait to see where it all goes.
The characters are all there with external and internal issues to overcome. There's conflict, but not the entire focus isn't on the space fighting. It's balanced and weaved together perfectly here, and I really enjoyed listening to this one. In my opinion this is the ideal balance between character and space combat, but done in a unique enough way to make it interesting to read.
At the start there's the day to day minutia of owning a ship, buying a new one, and getting it ready to sale. All of this involves the full cast of characters including tabby, and she really needed more page time. This book finally gives us that page time. We get to see Liam and her together more, and her character gets rounded out to feel more important to the plot and rest of the books.
After all that we get good space combat in a specialized ship practically made for these characters. That mixed with bringing back an old character, and the story really jumps off the page. There's a big drop in setting when we finally get some talk about different systems and gates to jump between them. This really opens the door for future books and I can't wait to see where it all goes.
The characters are all there with external and internal issues to overcome. There's conflict, but not the entire focus isn't on the space fighting. It's balanced and weaved together perfectly here, and I really enjoyed listening to this one. In my opinion this is the ideal balance between character and space combat, but done in a unique enough way to make it interesting to read.
March 27, 2017
Speed or Weapons
Liam and the crew of Loose Nuts are in a bind. Their beloved cutter is barely more than scrap after their last tangle with pirates. To put their letter of marque back in action, they'll need a new ship. The age old smugglers question, do you want to be fast, or be able to bring decisive firepower. You can't have both. An ancient British blockade runner, may be just the ticket.
The pirates have plans of their own, and they include more than an annoying band of privateers. They plan to take out the Mars navy fleet, and Liam's girlfriend is in it. Loose Nuts is, once again, squarely in the middle of the approaching doom. They need every trick they can muster to win this battle, and it may mean trusting someone who wants Liam dead.
Number six in Jamie McFarlane's Rookie Privateer series, brings more of what we love. Lots of action and space battles. Way back in book one, the relationship between Liam and Tabby is set up, and we haven't seen the two get together much. This book changes all that. Tabby rejoins our fearless pirate fighters and is a welcome addition to the team. Three cheers for our rookie privateers!
Liam and the crew of Loose Nuts are in a bind. Their beloved cutter is barely more than scrap after their last tangle with pirates. To put their letter of marque back in action, they'll need a new ship. The age old smugglers question, do you want to be fast, or be able to bring decisive firepower. You can't have both. An ancient British blockade runner, may be just the ticket.
The pirates have plans of their own, and they include more than an annoying band of privateers. They plan to take out the Mars navy fleet, and Liam's girlfriend is in it. Loose Nuts is, once again, squarely in the middle of the approaching doom. They need every trick they can muster to win this battle, and it may mean trusting someone who wants Liam dead.
Number six in Jamie McFarlane's Rookie Privateer series, brings more of what we love. Lots of action and space battles. Way back in book one, the relationship between Liam and Tabby is set up, and we haven't seen the two get together much. This book changes all that. Tabby rejoins our fearless pirate fighters and is a welcome addition to the team. Three cheers for our rookie privateers!
August 13, 2017
I think this is my favourite book of the series so far. There is a laid back start as they work to replace their wrecked spaceship and consolidate their finances, but from about half way through the pace begins to build and there is more action than in the previous books.
There were a few minor criticisms for example; the Hotspur was sent out to patrol around the Asteroid base they were dismantling, to make sure any pirates didn’t surprise them. I turn over the page and the Adela Chen is missing and three pirate ships are attacking them. How did that happen, what was the point of being out of patrol if you aren’t watching, they didn’t even notice their own tug with massive barrage leaving the asteroid?
However, this was a really enjoyable read.
There were a few minor criticisms for example; the Hotspur was sent out to patrol around the Asteroid base they were dismantling, to make sure any pirates didn’t surprise them. I turn over the page and the Adela Chen is missing and three pirate ships are attacking them. How did that happen, what was the point of being out of patrol if you aren’t watching, they didn’t even notice their own tug with massive barrage leaving the asteroid?
However, this was a really enjoyable read.
August 26, 2017
Good adventure! a little to much deus ex machina, most everything goes this people ways.. o god I hate Tabby, I guest this turning into lost in space soap opera can attract a lot of love from readers, not my case, Liam act and reasoning does not go with his age, I could care less about it, but his stance in romance is to much the knight in shinning armor or prince like character, it pulls me of from the story, weird' the same happened to me while I watched Breaking bad every scene with Walter taking shit from skyler was a drag, the same happens when tabby appear or is mentioned.. in conclusion good read yet it bothers me having to fast forwards scenes to not stop reading
September 6, 2018
More Than I Expected
If you are former combat military, you need to be on guard. I battle with PTSD and I was in and exposed to serious combat casualties before I knew it.
As a movie would be a hard 'R', maybe more. Civilians used to 'shoot-em-up' videos games may sail right through this, but I had a full scale hear it, smell it, feel it flashback.
OK.
The rest of the book was a good space opera in the style of Heinlein's 'Starship Troopers' with author McFarlane's attention to detail.
If you are former combat military, you need to be on guard. I battle with PTSD and I was in and exposed to serious combat casualties before I knew it.
As a movie would be a hard 'R', maybe more. Civilians used to 'shoot-em-up' videos games may sail right through this, but I had a full scale hear it, smell it, feel it flashback.
OK.
The rest of the book was a good space opera in the style of Heinlein's 'Starship Troopers' with author McFarlane's attention to detail.
June 29, 2020
8/10: Excellent read, well written, fell right into the fictional world created.
You have the smuggler's dilemma. If you can’t beat it, you need to be able to outrun it.
Loving this series. I'm really attached to Liam and the crew.
Marny is great!
I knew better than to argue with Marny. Her approach was to plan for the worst and expect things to degrade from there.
And Tabby is growing on me
Tentative Tabby broke my heart.
No quote for Nick & Ada, but they both add to the line-up. Great series!
You have the smuggler's dilemma. If you can’t beat it, you need to be able to outrun it.
Loving this series. I'm really attached to Liam and the crew.
Marny is great!
I knew better than to argue with Marny. Her approach was to plan for the worst and expect things to degrade from there.
And Tabby is growing on me
Tentative Tabby broke my heart.
No quote for Nick & Ada, but they both add to the line-up. Great series!
April 21, 2021
Fast paced, tight writing of the kind of adventure story I like
I am a sucker for action space stories and even though they all tend to follow a certain pattern, I find them incredibly entertaining and have for 50 years. This series is so absorbing I can hardly put it down, I've read 5 books in 3 days and I need to pause so I can get some work done. Like all good Sci fi, it takes me to another universe and I like the solid, moral characters in this series who are sharing an amazing adventure with me.
I am a sucker for action space stories and even though they all tend to follow a certain pattern, I find them incredibly entertaining and have for 50 years. This series is so absorbing I can hardly put it down, I've read 5 books in 3 days and I need to pause so I can get some work done. Like all good Sci fi, it takes me to another universe and I like the solid, moral characters in this series who are sharing an amazing adventure with me.
February 7, 2021
Best book ever
I am only through book 5 and I am looking forward to the next book. The imagination and creativity of the author is outstanding. Each book has its own story line. Each book stands on its own. One thing that I especially liked about these books so far were the two mini books that introduced new characters and plot implications. I am looking forward to future adventures. Outstanding Jamie McFarlane.
I am only through book 5 and I am looking forward to the next book. The imagination and creativity of the author is outstanding. Each book has its own story line. Each book stands on its own. One thing that I especially liked about these books so far were the two mini books that introduced new characters and plot implications. I am looking forward to future adventures. Outstanding Jamie McFarlane.
July 27, 2017
I love this series without the short stories in between the novels. The characters will grow on you and you'll be routing for them throughout the books. The story will grip you and at the end leave you wanting more. Onto book #8, the others are to short and I won't waist my time with them. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!
March 24, 2018
Fun space adventures
This is a fun, fast-moving adventure series. All five of the books I have read were entertaining with great characters and lots of space pirates. Adding the element of disabled veterans who still fight with the best of them, and with crew relationships developing in each volume, there is a lot to keep you engaged.
This is a fun, fast-moving adventure series. All five of the books I have read were entertaining with great characters and lots of space pirates. Adding the element of disabled veterans who still fight with the best of them, and with crew relationships developing in each volume, there is a lot to keep you engaged.
September 16, 2018
Book five
Mistakes: none found
Characters: the MC is kind of lame, actually there isn't really anything to draw you to any of the characters. They are just flat.
Plot: not much to it. You can easily skip parts of this book. Even combat is dry and over with before you can get in to it.
5.5/10
Mistakes: none found
Characters: the MC is kind of lame, actually there isn't really anything to draw you to any of the characters. They are just flat.
Plot: not much to it. You can easily skip parts of this book. Even combat is dry and over with before you can get in to it.
5.5/10
April 16, 2022
these are all fun reads
If you’re looking for distopian, noire science fiction - look elsewhere. All of these stories (so far) are filed with old fashioned good good guys and baaad bad guys with a few in-between characters to add some leavening. No nasty language and only the barest hint of sex. Your kids could read these with enjoyment. Good on you mr. McFarlane!
If you’re looking for distopian, noire science fiction - look elsewhere. All of these stories (so far) are filed with old fashioned good good guys and baaad bad guys with a few in-between characters to add some leavening. No nasty language and only the barest hint of sex. Your kids could read these with enjoyment. Good on you mr. McFarlane!
July 22, 2024
3 stars. Continuation of series. Cast of young privateers in space once again performs incredible feats combatting the bad pirates. I finished, but I won't be continuing the series. The books aren't bad, but I can't suspend that much of my disbelief again. Teenage boys and girls, however, might like these books enough to read all of them.
April 14, 2025
Losing interest in the formulaic plots of these books. And what a missed opportunity to get rid of Tabitha.
These are kids written as if they’re in their 30’s; they wouldn’t be this mature. Small things that sum to too annoying to continue with the series. It’s not good when the reader stops caring about what happens.
These are kids written as if they’re in their 30’s; they wouldn’t be this mature. Small things that sum to too annoying to continue with the series. It’s not good when the reader stops caring about what happens.
March 15, 2017
Trust is hard to gain
Trust of one's friends and business partners is a mindset hard to comprehend but this storyline did gust do that . In all five. Books . Thank you Jamie McFarlane. for this storyline of five great books .
Trust of one's friends and business partners is a mindset hard to comprehend but this storyline did gust do that . In all five. Books . Thank you Jamie McFarlane. for this storyline of five great books .
October 3, 2017
Entertaining sci-fi novel with great characters, realistic setting and exciting story. This was the fifth of a bundle of the first five books of the Privateer Tales. I enjoyed all of them and plan to continue the series. It reminded me a bit of Firefly, but without the western feel.
October 13, 2017
No Dilemma Here - THANK YOU
It is rare for me to find a book much less a series that is exciting and technical enough without losing me in details. What I mean is this a great story great characters and great writing. Very satisfying read.
It is rare for me to find a book much less a series that is exciting and technical enough without losing me in details. What I mean is this a great story great characters and great writing. Very satisfying read.
March 31, 2018
Great book so far into the series.
It is just so entertaining to get a book so far into this series. I loved the short novella which introduced us to characters that we have com to meet as the series progresses. Cannot wait to start the next book in the series.
It is just so entertaining to get a book so far into this series. I loved the short novella which introduced us to characters that we have com to meet as the series progresses. Cannot wait to start the next book in the series.
July 8, 2018
Sterra's Gift is broken, and our heroes are left with a tug, the broken Gift, and a captured ship with a damaged engine. Thankfully a Crazy Eddie-esque used spaceship salesman comes along and points them off in the right direction
October 3, 2018
Fun read
It definitely helps to read Big Pete before book 5 (though I still think that story is incomplete). Smuggler's Dilemma ties some things together nicely, though it's a bit over dramatic in places. Still, a fun read. On to the next adventure.
It definitely helps to read Big Pete before book 5 (though I still think that story is incomplete). Smuggler's Dilemma ties some things together nicely, though it's a bit over dramatic in places. Still, a fun read. On to the next adventure.
December 4, 2019
Another great read
Liam, Marnie, Nick, Tabby, and the rest of the crew are off on another great adventure against the Red Housie with some help from the Navy. I am starting the next book in the series right now.
Liam, Marnie, Nick, Tabby, and the rest of the crew are off on another great adventure against the Red Housie with some help from the Navy. I am starting the next book in the series right now.
April 14, 2020
Liam and the gang are back with a new ship and a few more friends. I liked this but I have been expecting the Tabatha story to happen for a few books, it just doesn't make sense to keep them separated like they were.
July 2, 2020
This is a great series.
This is a fast paced, easy to read series. The pages just fly by. Great action with fascinating space battles. The characters are wonderfully well rounded and complete. Great reading now on to the next book.
This is a fast paced, easy to read series. The pages just fly by. Great action with fascinating space battles. The characters are wonderfully well rounded and complete. Great reading now on to the next book.
July 12, 2020
I still can't decide if this series is supposed to be a YA series or not, but I am enjoying it. I very much appreciate the author's inclusion of a (rather minor) character who is mostly non-verbal and the inclusion of disability.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews