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Privateer Tales #11
Blockade Runner
Trapped in a far-off galaxy, Liam Hoffen receives news that a massive Kroerak fleet has found its way to Earth. Knowing an invasion is imminent stuns our explorers, but there’s nothing they can do when they discover the interplanetary Trans Loc system has been shut down to stem the tide of invading bugs.
As if things couldn’t get worse; Intrepid is then seized by an overzealous alien government and the crew is relegated to the backwater planet – Zuri. When a chance discovery, that could end Earth’s desperate war comes to light, our heroes find they will stop at nothing to return home. That is if there is anything left.
Blockade Runner, the eleventh installment of the Privateer Tales saga, is an exciting mix of fleet combat, mechanized infantry battles and non-stop space opera action. While this completes the Kroerak story arc, it exposes a new struggle against a corrupt government – the Confederation of Planets.
As if things couldn’t get worse; Intrepid is then seized by an overzealous alien government and the crew is relegated to the backwater planet – Zuri. When a chance discovery, that could end Earth’s desperate war comes to light, our heroes find they will stop at nothing to return home. That is if there is anything left.
Blockade Runner, the eleventh installment of the Privateer Tales saga, is an exciting mix of fleet combat, mechanized infantry battles and non-stop space opera action. While this completes the Kroerak story arc, it exposes a new struggle against a corrupt government – the Confederation of Planets.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2016
321 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
February 8, 2017
This latest release (Book 11) in the Privateer Tales series is an edge-of-your-seat read. I didn’t want to put the book down. Captain Liam Hoffen and his crew are isolated in an alien star system, their home world overrun by an enemy that uses humans as a food source. Unable to help the people at home, Liam and his friends move forward hoping to find help. Instead, they inadvertently violate territorial rights in another system and end up with their ship confiscated and their group sent to live in an isolated colony. Their technical skills are useful and soon they’ve bartered for another ship. They leave on a smuggling run and soon find themselves fighting for their lives in a last desperate battle for control of the galaxy. I can’t wait for the next full-length installment.
May 24, 2023
Very good, I look forward to the next one.
December 2, 2019
A Romp through the stars
April 13, 2021
This book has a much larger scope than previous books which was set up nicely in the previous novel. It is almost exclusively focused on combat with almost no trading involved. It seems the goal was to put the cast into as much trouble as possible over and over with something finally going right at the end. It is a good book with a decent pacing, but it gets tiring with bad thing after bad thing happening constantly.
I do really like the plot here, and I find it creative. The general outline is something we've all seen a lot, but the different aspects of it are what make it interesting. The solution is creative and new, and it's something I enjoyed seeing evolve as the book went on.
Normally in these books we get a good balance of trade and character advancement with combat as a byproduct. Here it is pretty much the exact opposite, and that's not really why I've enjoyed these. The stakes are ratcheted up quite a bit, so it is understandable. I just hope it goes back to the normal way of things in the future books. It starts to feel like the author is always trying to one up himself in each new combat scene. Without some down time put between these, it becomes too predictable. When we already know something is going to go wrong there isn't any ability to build suspense.
I do really like the plot here, and I find it creative. The general outline is something we've all seen a lot, but the different aspects of it are what make it interesting. The solution is creative and new, and it's something I enjoyed seeing evolve as the book went on.
Normally in these books we get a good balance of trade and character advancement with combat as a byproduct. Here it is pretty much the exact opposite, and that's not really why I've enjoyed these. The stakes are ratcheted up quite a bit, so it is understandable. I just hope it goes back to the normal way of things in the future books. It starts to feel like the author is always trying to one up himself in each new combat scene. Without some down time put between these, it becomes too predictable. When we already know something is going to go wrong there isn't any ability to build suspense.
May 4, 2017
Great Novel in a Great YA/COMING-OF-AGE SPACE OPERA EPIC
McFarlane has done it again -- writing a great novel to cap off a great Military/Exploration Space Opera Epic Series. As with most of his previous book-length novels, readers encounter more alien races, more corrupt governments, (redundant?) more friends, more enemies and obstructionists, one battle after another, and even a little bit of trading. Liam and his friends have made it through to what promises to be (perhaps) a final battle.
I really enjoyed this particular novel, number eleven in this series. Like the last volume, McFarlane ties together many of the plot lines with even more incredible and unexpected plot twists. The now-twenty year old protagonists have changed a bit in the last two volumes, which I was glad to see. Going into this novel, Liam and Tabby are still engaged, Nick and Marny are together. Quite a few people and alien sentients will die in this volume, but you will have to read it to find out who...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS: YOUNG ADULT/COMING OF AGE/MILITARY/EXPLORATION SPACE OPERA...WITH A BIT OF BOTH HORATIO ALGER AND HORATIO HORNBLOWER MIXED IN...
McFarlane has done it again -- writing a great novel to cap off a great Military/Exploration Space Opera Epic Series. As with most of his previous book-length novels, readers encounter more alien races, more corrupt governments, (redundant?) more friends, more enemies and obstructionists, one battle after another, and even a little bit of trading. Liam and his friends have made it through to what promises to be (perhaps) a final battle.
I really enjoyed this particular novel, number eleven in this series. Like the last volume, McFarlane ties together many of the plot lines with even more incredible and unexpected plot twists. The now-twenty year old protagonists have changed a bit in the last two volumes, which I was glad to see. Going into this novel, Liam and Tabby are still engaged, Nick and Marny are together. Quite a few people and alien sentients will die in this volume, but you will have to read it to find out who...
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS: YOUNG ADULT/COMING OF AGE/MILITARY/EXPLORATION SPACE OPERA...WITH A BIT OF BOTH HORATIO ALGER AND HORATIO HORNBLOWER MIXED IN...
February 6, 2022
Losing interest
Author is descending into wokeness more with each story. Tabby was annoying now she is grating. Marny refers to her love interest, soul mate as "little man." Not sure if she is speaking of stature or manhood anymore. Every male character so far is either weak, deceptive, lecherous, dishonest, sexist, bombastic or cowardly. Conversely every female character is brave, strong, intelligent, multi talented, caring, giving, sexy and of course motherly. All corporations are evil and governments are corrupt. The main character has difficulty maintaining focus most of the time and is brought back to reality by the all seeing Marny. Of course Liam gets beaten in every physical encounter and fiance Tabby adds to his woes by punching him in the arm every time he looks at another female while spitting out such brilliant lines like "eyes front soldier."
I could go on but I don't want to ruin this for anyone else.
I would quit this series but the storylines are interesting and I want to see how much further down the woke rabbit hole we can go.
Author is descending into wokeness more with each story. Tabby was annoying now she is grating. Marny refers to her love interest, soul mate as "little man." Not sure if she is speaking of stature or manhood anymore. Every male character so far is either weak, deceptive, lecherous, dishonest, sexist, bombastic or cowardly. Conversely every female character is brave, strong, intelligent, multi talented, caring, giving, sexy and of course motherly. All corporations are evil and governments are corrupt. The main character has difficulty maintaining focus most of the time and is brought back to reality by the all seeing Marny. Of course Liam gets beaten in every physical encounter and fiance Tabby adds to his woes by punching him in the arm every time he looks at another female while spitting out such brilliant lines like "eyes front soldier."
I could go on but I don't want to ruin this for anyone else.
I would quit this series but the storylines are interesting and I want to see how much further down the woke rabbit hole we can go.
June 20, 2017
I've enjoyed the series up till this one and this is disappointing on several fronts.
The plot line with the Felio and the Strix Judges felt poorly paced. A rush of motions for a court date 15 years in the future. Then a few days on the new planet before new crew and a new ship is acquired, only to dump that plot line to rush back to earth on the first trading voyage.
The book speeds up even further on the return to earth.
Book 11 would have had more impact if it was split into two, the first book covering Zuri/Felio/new trading ventures to get up and running. I appreciate that the sudden attack of the bugs make that pacing impossible but the rushed/frenetic later third of the book could have been worked out longer to end more satisfying.
By that I mean, a single hail mary pass to end the war in humanities favor. It felt rushed and shortchanged an otherwise solidly laid out series.
The plot line with the Felio and the Strix Judges felt poorly paced. A rush of motions for a court date 15 years in the future. Then a few days on the new planet before new crew and a new ship is acquired, only to dump that plot line to rush back to earth on the first trading voyage.
The book speeds up even further on the return to earth.
Book 11 would have had more impact if it was split into two, the first book covering Zuri/Felio/new trading ventures to get up and running. I appreciate that the sudden attack of the bugs make that pacing impossible but the rushed/frenetic later third of the book could have been worked out longer to end more satisfying.
By that I mean, a single hail mary pass to end the war in humanities favor. It felt rushed and shortchanged an otherwise solidly laid out series.
July 6, 2017
Outlaws
The bottle has been opened and the genie is out. The stalemate that has kept the Kroerak at bay has been broken. They have invaded the human worlds. Liam and his crew need allies. When a routine exploration turns up more than they bargained for, the Loose Nuts are thrust headlong into the hands of another galactic empire. Are they the allies they're searching for?
The answer becomes clear when their ship is confiscated. Marooned on a primitive world with no way to escape, they find the last thing they expect: an answer to the Kroerak menace. Liam and his friends must find a ship and bring the answer back to human space. They'll have to act fast, because the fate of Earth and all humanity hang in the balance.
Jamie McFarlane brings another installment to the Rookie Privateer universe. More action, more adventure, and more plot twists than you can shake a blaster at make this a fun read.
The bottle has been opened and the genie is out. The stalemate that has kept the Kroerak at bay has been broken. They have invaded the human worlds. Liam and his crew need allies. When a routine exploration turns up more than they bargained for, the Loose Nuts are thrust headlong into the hands of another galactic empire. Are they the allies they're searching for?
The answer becomes clear when their ship is confiscated. Marooned on a primitive world with no way to escape, they find the last thing they expect: an answer to the Kroerak menace. Liam and his friends must find a ship and bring the answer back to human space. They'll have to act fast, because the fate of Earth and all humanity hang in the balance.
Jamie McFarlane brings another installment to the Rookie Privateer universe. More action, more adventure, and more plot twists than you can shake a blaster at make this a fun read.
August 14, 2019
I'll admit, I've been rather disappointed with the previous book, and this one hasn't impressed me any better. To summarize...our heroes are suddenly incompetent and they have a stream of bad luck in order to give us something, they can strive against...our captain has acquired a catgirl (I remember hearing the words "yes master" coming from her, and of course, she has a huge crush on him)...and generally, I no longer enjoy reading this series. It's time for me to stop, while I'm not completely angry at the author. The universe presented in the first 8 books or so, was wonderfully done and it was an excellent example of a space opera genre. Now, it's going downhill with every chapter and I wish I knew, when to stop to avoid this disappointment.
August 22, 2017
An interesting story which I stayed with right until the end, but with one major flaw that has reduced my rating down to three stars.
My problem is I get fed up of a book that is just one disaster after another. I don’t mind things going wrong and our heroes having to battle the way out of difficult situations, but not all the time, at some point I would like them to be in charge. In this book nothing goes right until the last few pages, they lose their ship, yet again, people die and get seriously injured, yet again, even when a plan starts to come together they lose their equipment or end up in the wrong place, it’s over thirty chapters of misery.
My problem is I get fed up of a book that is just one disaster after another. I don’t mind things going wrong and our heroes having to battle the way out of difficult situations, but not all the time, at some point I would like them to be in charge. In this book nothing goes right until the last few pages, they lose their ship, yet again, people die and get seriously injured, yet again, even when a plan starts to come together they lose their equipment or end up in the wrong place, it’s over thirty chapters of misery.
September 8, 2018
Fun to Read
What are the odds that a group of five would survive multiple battles that wreck space ships; be able to buy junker ships and, severely underfunded, turn those ships into something that defeats a military ship 5 times its size; be stranded on a foreign world in another galaxy and discover a spice that repels an enemy civilization that has taken over our solar system, And still make a business profit?
Pretty much 100 to 0 - or 0 in 100, depending on your outlook.
But, hey. It's speculative fiction and pretty much should resonate with anyone's desire to be "something more".
What are the odds that a group of five would survive multiple battles that wreck space ships; be able to buy junker ships and, severely underfunded, turn those ships into something that defeats a military ship 5 times its size; be stranded on a foreign world in another galaxy and discover a spice that repels an enemy civilization that has taken over our solar system, And still make a business profit?
Pretty much 100 to 0 - or 0 in 100, depending on your outlook.
But, hey. It's speculative fiction and pretty much should resonate with anyone's desire to be "something more".
November 18, 2025
The whole series is 5 star!!
Diving into Jamie Mcfarlane's space adventure series for the second time has been an exhilarating journey. Years ago, I eagerly awaited each new volume, and now, revisiting the narrative, the excitement remains undiminished. In "Blockade Runner," Captain Liam Hoffman and his resilient crew face extraordinary challenges, starting from scratch and battling against formidable odds. For those yet to experience this captivating series, I highly recommend beginning with "Rookie Privateer." Mcfarlane's masterful storytelling and intricate world-building make this science fiction saga a must-read for any fan of the genre.
Diving into Jamie Mcfarlane's space adventure series for the second time has been an exhilarating journey. Years ago, I eagerly awaited each new volume, and now, revisiting the narrative, the excitement remains undiminished. In "Blockade Runner," Captain Liam Hoffman and his resilient crew face extraordinary challenges, starting from scratch and battling against formidable odds. For those yet to experience this captivating series, I highly recommend beginning with "Rookie Privateer." Mcfarlane's masterful storytelling and intricate world-building make this science fiction saga a must-read for any fan of the genre.
January 5, 2017
Here we go, again
As always, Jamie McFarlane paints such a fine picture with words! And his storytelling is beyond anything I have run across, to date! Of course, I also love the humor and veiled and unveiled sarcasm of the characters that have been together for so long. I can't wait to see what awaits the crew after the Intrepid is repaired and what kind of trouble Jonathan and Anino can pull out of their collective arses!
As always, Jamie McFarlane paints such a fine picture with words! And his storytelling is beyond anything I have run across, to date! Of course, I also love the humor and veiled and unveiled sarcasm of the characters that have been together for so long. I can't wait to see what awaits the crew after the Intrepid is repaired and what kind of trouble Jonathan and Anino can pull out of their collective arses!
May 5, 2017
Saving Humanity
Liam and team have lost almost every thing. Their ship has been seized, most of their personal possessions confiscated and they are dumped on a backwater planet. They trade their way to a new smaller ship and find a way to dislodge the Kroerak from their attack on sol system. Again the chemistry of the characters flows smoothly and the story is very gripping. I look forward to another book.
Liam and team have lost almost every thing. Their ship has been seized, most of their personal possessions confiscated and they are dumped on a backwater planet. They trade their way to a new smaller ship and find a way to dislodge the Kroerak from their attack on sol system. Again the chemistry of the characters flows smoothly and the story is very gripping. I look forward to another book.
July 4, 2017
Awesome
This is a great series!! Jamie McFarlane does it again in this book.. live his writing style.. he keeps the action going but also gives good in depth explanations of the technology and philosophy of the galaxy's and characters he's developed in his books without going overboard and making it boring or confusing like some authors do lol... if you love good realistic characters and a good sifi story this is a must read book and series!!!
This is a great series!! Jamie McFarlane does it again in this book.. live his writing style.. he keeps the action going but also gives good in depth explanations of the technology and philosophy of the galaxy's and characters he's developed in his books without going overboard and making it boring or confusing like some authors do lol... if you love good realistic characters and a good sifi story this is a must read book and series!!!
July 24, 2017
Another fun, excellent and plot twisting story!
This is the eleventh book in a series that started with teen miners who have to recover from a pirate attack. The teens gather friends, work hard, get lucky and have now saved the universe. While following this same story line through all eleven books, as well as two short stories, I still can't get enough of the fun, uplifting characters and action! Can't wait to read #12 which is already on my iPad!
This is the eleventh book in a series that started with teen miners who have to recover from a pirate attack. The teens gather friends, work hard, get lucky and have now saved the universe. While following this same story line through all eleven books, as well as two short stories, I still can't get enough of the fun, uplifting characters and action! Can't wait to read #12 which is already on my iPad!
July 31, 2017
2017 grade B+
Blockade runner is an action adventure space opera that concludes the current long story arc which started about 3 books back. Each book is a complete story but this one also concludes a long arc. I will admit to skimming through an area with a lot of bureaucracy but I really dislike bureaucracy. After that the story picks up again and is just plain fun to the end. As always the Loose Nuts Corporation is family the reader can care and worry about.
Blockade runner is an action adventure space opera that concludes the current long story arc which started about 3 books back. Each book is a complete story but this one also concludes a long arc. I will admit to skimming through an area with a lot of bureaucracy but I really dislike bureaucracy. After that the story picks up again and is just plain fun to the end. As always the Loose Nuts Corporation is family the reader can care and worry about.
December 8, 2019
Greater Glory Hath No Man Nor Others Than When They Place Themselves In Harm's Way To Protect
Great read and excellent story lines. Heartily recommend this yarn to all. I hope this is not the end of the saga. I could see at least four diverging series as a possibility from the end of this story. I urge you to read the whole series in order it is very entertaining ant riveting.
Great read and excellent story lines. Heartily recommend this yarn to all. I hope this is not the end of the saga. I could see at least four diverging series as a possibility from the end of this story. I urge you to read the whole series in order it is very entertaining ant riveting.
July 4, 2020
9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.
Friends, we've all had twelve days to deal with what feels like a lifetime of pain. But from this moment forward, we represent humanity.
Oh, this one was good. Liam and the team really face bad odds in this instalment, and it made for a fantastic ride.
"We either stand together or we fall, apart," I said, rather proud of myself for coming up with something inspirational on short notice.
5-stars!
Friends, we've all had twelve days to deal with what feels like a lifetime of pain. But from this moment forward, we represent humanity.
Oh, this one was good. Liam and the team really face bad odds in this instalment, and it made for a fantastic ride.
"We either stand together or we fall, apart," I said, rather proud of myself for coming up with something inspirational on short notice.
5-stars!
March 11, 2021
Not as good as the previous 10
Have been reading the series back to back and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them so far, so this one was a bit of a surprise and disappointment. It just wasn't up to the standard of the previous books. The first 60-70% was slow, dull and unengaging. I appreciate that it was needed as the setup for the last 30%, but it could have been done better
Hopefully this is the exception and the rest continue with the previously brilliant storyline
Have been reading the series back to back and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them so far, so this one was a bit of a surprise and disappointment. It just wasn't up to the standard of the previous books. The first 60-70% was slow, dull and unengaging. I appreciate that it was needed as the setup for the last 30%, but it could have been done better
Hopefully this is the exception and the rest continue with the previously brilliant storyline
June 17, 2017
Just read them all!!!
This whole series has caused me endless hours of lost sleep!! I could not put any of them down. Only one issue with sequencing but otherwise a phenomenal read. Looking forward to next book. Can not get here soon enough! Excellent character builds and always interesting story plots.
Just read them, you will not be disappointed!
This whole series has caused me endless hours of lost sleep!! I could not put any of them down. Only one issue with sequencing but otherwise a phenomenal read. Looking forward to next book. Can not get here soon enough! Excellent character builds and always interesting story plots.
Just read them, you will not be disappointed!
May 30, 2018
The story continues for our heroes and begins another great adventure for Liam, Tabby, and the rest of the gang. Blockade Runner keeps you reading and then when you get to the end, it leaves you wanting more. Go ahead get this series and be ready to take off to another universe. Great Reading Everyone!!!!!
November 4, 2018
Imaginative
These stories get more & more out there as they progress. This one is pretty far-fetched. I wish there was a little more development. It seems like a lot of detail gets lost as the author speeds through the story. I still like the series and look forward to the next one.
These stories get more & more out there as they progress. This one is pretty far-fetched. I wish there was a little more development. It seems like a lot of detail gets lost as the author speeds through the story. I still like the series and look forward to the next one.
June 29, 2020
Excellent book
Liam and the crew fight a series of running battles against the roaches. They also learn that greed and avarice aren't uniquely human problems. Losing their ship, they then patch together and old P.O.S. from the scrap heap and things really get crazy! Enjoyable reading and excellent series.
Liam and the crew fight a series of running battles against the roaches. They also learn that greed and avarice aren't uniquely human problems. Losing their ship, they then patch together and old P.O.S. from the scrap heap and things really get crazy! Enjoyable reading and excellent series.
September 20, 2020
It's a good series,slow spots,some repeat,but enjoyable. Worthy of a genuinely good binge read!!
I'll keep reading through this series. Like the characters,has a good pace to it. Don't find many series that I can roll through. Too many authors think regurgitation is worth doing over and over! Lol
I'll keep reading through this series. Like the characters,has a good pace to it. Don't find many series that I can roll through. Too many authors think regurgitation is worth doing over and over! Lol
April 26, 2022
Is lots of action and thin on details.
Despite everything that took place in the story in book 11, I was actually ready to put the series down halfway through this book. The intrepid crew has luck in abundance and at times it seems it seems a little too much.
Always one for a happy ending I hung in there and was not at disappointed. On the book 12.
Despite everything that took place in the story in book 11, I was actually ready to put the series down halfway through this book. The intrepid crew has luck in abundance and at times it seems it seems a little too much.
Always one for a happy ending I hung in there and was not at disappointed. On the book 12.
September 24, 2022
More of the same (in a good way)
Good writing
Good storyline
Great character development
What can I say? It's a great read. I expected the story would deteriorate by #11 in the series (most series do), but that's not the case with McFarlane's writing. I enjoyed this one as much as I did #1 in the series.
Good writing
Good storyline
Great character development
What can I say? It's a great read. I expected the story would deteriorate by #11 in the series (most series do), but that's not the case with McFarlane's writing. I enjoyed this one as much as I did #1 in the series.
May 14, 2017
Brilliant
This last book in the Privateer Tales has been exceptional. I am actually sorry it is over. I will miss Liam and Tabby and Nick and Marny, all these characters have been beautifully crafted and the stories around them splendid.
This last book in the Privateer Tales has been exceptional. I am actually sorry it is over. I will miss Liam and Tabby and Nick and Marny, all these characters have been beautifully crafted and the stories around them splendid.
June 18, 2017
Hit or miss for me.
This one had some highlights, but also had some significant points that I really wish the author hadn't included. Three stars, considerably down from my earlier mentions in this series.
This one had some highlights, but also had some significant points that I really wish the author hadn't included. Three stars, considerably down from my earlier mentions in this series.
May 26, 2019
I feel like eating chili for lunch.
This book adds to the series. Several changes reinforce that we don't know what the future holds. We must live with the guilt of past mistakes and be brave enough to ... hunt the spider in your room.
This book adds to the series. Several changes reinforce that we don't know what the future holds. We must live with the guilt of past mistakes and be brave enough to ... hunt the spider in your room.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews