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The Dragon Corsairs #2
Privateer
The swashbuckling adventures of Captain Kate Fitzmaurice continues in this thrilling continuation of the epic tale of the Dragon Corsairs.
Captain Kate soon escapes from prison and saves her crew with the help of Prince Tom. She and her crew are drawn ever deeper into the intrigue and danger of doing business in the kingdom. With them running out of allies and left with nowhere to turn, Kate and Tom strike out on their own.
Captain Kate soon escapes from prison and saves her crew with the help of Prince Tom. She and her crew are drawn ever deeper into the intrigue and danger of doing business in the kingdom. With them running out of allies and left with nowhere to turn, Kate and Tom strike out on their own.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published August 7, 2018
32 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Weis
678 books5,839 followersMargaret Edith Weis is an American fantasy and science fiction author of dozens of novels and short stories. At TSR, Inc., she teamed with Tracy Hickman to create the Dragonlance role-playing game (RPG) world. She is founding CEO and owner of Sovereign Press, Inc and Margaret Weis Productions, licensing several popular television and movie franchises to make RPG series in addition to their own.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
In 1999, Pyramid magazine named Weis one of The Millennium's Most Influential Persons, saying she and Hickman are "basically responsible for the entire gaming fiction genre". In 2002, she was inducted into the Origins Hall of Fame in part for Dragonlance.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 29, 2019
“Privateer” the second in the “Dragon Corsairs” trilogy unfolds as Prince Tom “Pretender” to the Freyan throne and his friend, Philip Masterson Duke of Upper and Lower Milton rescue Captain Kate Gascoyne- Fitzmaurice from a cell at Fort St. Jean where she’s being held until hanged. Free but determined to save her crew after her ship the Victorie was destroyed, she and her two friends set a course for the cold of the Deep Breath where she suspects they survived.
This fast-paced and action-packed story follows several plotlines including Captain Kate’s rescue of her crew and her reconciliation with Dalgren her dragon being sentenced at his court-martial; a plot to overthrow Queen Mary; and Sir Henry’s efforts to calm the rising storm in Freya and find a killer.
Set in Freya as chaos looms with a financial crisis and a civil war as the Queen plans to announce her successor, intensity and suspense quickly build with her deteriorating health; secret meetings; and new alliances. With twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat the plotlines converge in an explosive climax at the end that begs for another book. Yet within all the political intrigue, romances between Kate and Prince Tom, Phillip and Princess Sofia quickly ignite although their happiness seems an impossibility.
Bringing the story to life are compelling and emotionally-intense characters like tough, daring, clever but often reckless Katherine Gascoyne- Fitzmaurice; confident, perceptive and shrewd Prince Thomas Stanford; quick thinking and unruffled Philip Masterson; sweet-tempered, duty-oriented and funny Princess Sophia. Yet it’s villains like the ambitious and power-hungry Colonel Jonathan Smythe and the cold, deadliness of Trubgek that add a dark chill to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the “Privateer” with its intriguing plot, realistic dialogue and multifaceted characters and will be looking for the conclusion to this fascinating story.
This fast-paced and action-packed story follows several plotlines including Captain Kate’s rescue of her crew and her reconciliation with Dalgren her dragon being sentenced at his court-martial; a plot to overthrow Queen Mary; and Sir Henry’s efforts to calm the rising storm in Freya and find a killer.
Set in Freya as chaos looms with a financial crisis and a civil war as the Queen plans to announce her successor, intensity and suspense quickly build with her deteriorating health; secret meetings; and new alliances. With twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat the plotlines converge in an explosive climax at the end that begs for another book. Yet within all the political intrigue, romances between Kate and Prince Tom, Phillip and Princess Sofia quickly ignite although their happiness seems an impossibility.
Bringing the story to life are compelling and emotionally-intense characters like tough, daring, clever but often reckless Katherine Gascoyne- Fitzmaurice; confident, perceptive and shrewd Prince Thomas Stanford; quick thinking and unruffled Philip Masterson; sweet-tempered, duty-oriented and funny Princess Sophia. Yet it’s villains like the ambitious and power-hungry Colonel Jonathan Smythe and the cold, deadliness of Trubgek that add a dark chill to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed the “Privateer” with its intriguing plot, realistic dialogue and multifaceted characters and will be looking for the conclusion to this fascinating story.
December 11, 2018
I am *so* glad I stuck with this book. After heartily enjoying the first one, I found I had a bit of trouble getting into this second offering. Possibly because it's a second book, the first hundred pages suffered from what I think of as Sequel Reversal Syndrome (i.e., when the second story begins by "undoing" whatever was going on in the first story). The first book ends with ; so I was not really interested in beginning the second book with 100 pages of
But then we get on with the actual story, and everything is aces. This really is a neat trilogy -- there is a magic system with just enough detail, a delightful political plot, developing characters, and real friendships. My appreciation and affection for Kate, Thomas, Phillip, Sophia, and Dalgren only grew; my dislike for Sir Henry grew also, but since I rather enjoy wanting to smack him, this was all of a piece. Miss Amelia was also grand, although I was super-disappointed how little time we spend with her; I'm hoping that's rectified in the final installment.
Good magic, good character development, good intrigue, good stakes. A heck of a cliffhanger for an ending. Bring on Part Three!
But then we get on with the actual story, and everything is aces. This really is a neat trilogy -- there is a magic system with just enough detail, a delightful political plot, developing characters, and real friendships. My appreciation and affection for Kate, Thomas, Phillip, Sophia, and Dalgren only grew; my dislike for Sir Henry grew also, but since I rather enjoy wanting to smack him, this was all of a piece. Miss Amelia was also grand, although I was super-disappointed how little time we spend with her; I'm hoping that's rectified in the final installment.
Good magic, good character development, good intrigue, good stakes. A heck of a cliffhanger for an ending. Bring on Part Three!
August 20, 2019
Privateer by Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes
This is the second of a trilogy, the first being Spymaster which I might add, I thoroughly enjoyed. Well nothing changed with the second volume, I loved it as well. The plot thickens for the man who doesn’t want to be king who is engaged to someone who is in love with his best friend. While that is complicated, the man who doesn’t want to be king is in love with a person of questionable antecedents. Said questionable person is best friends with a dragon who has issues of his own. Now this may sound cumbersome but it comes together beautifully in a book full of action and intrigue.
The complex and confusing loyalties and goals demonstrated by the authors may seem on first blush to be true fantasy. However, consider for a moment the complexity of the U.S. government doing back door negotiations with a socialist dictator want-to-be while decrying socialism from the highest platform at home. As complex as this plot is, you can follow it if you pay attention unlike realities current events.
The dragon Dalgren plays a large part in the first half of the book but seemingly disappears in the second half. I was a bit disappointed that he had such little word time in the second half but I am known to be inordinately fond of dragons.
The relationships between characters provide much of the interest to this book. Friends become enemies, enemies become friends and subordinates forget to subordinate.
The book was delightfully complex, interesting and captivating.
I highly recommend the trilogy.
This is the second of a trilogy, the first being Spymaster which I might add, I thoroughly enjoyed. Well nothing changed with the second volume, I loved it as well. The plot thickens for the man who doesn’t want to be king who is engaged to someone who is in love with his best friend. While that is complicated, the man who doesn’t want to be king is in love with a person of questionable antecedents. Said questionable person is best friends with a dragon who has issues of his own. Now this may sound cumbersome but it comes together beautifully in a book full of action and intrigue.
The complex and confusing loyalties and goals demonstrated by the authors may seem on first blush to be true fantasy. However, consider for a moment the complexity of the U.S. government doing back door negotiations with a socialist dictator want-to-be while decrying socialism from the highest platform at home. As complex as this plot is, you can follow it if you pay attention unlike realities current events.
The dragon Dalgren plays a large part in the first half of the book but seemingly disappears in the second half. I was a bit disappointed that he had such little word time in the second half but I am known to be inordinately fond of dragons.
The relationships between characters provide much of the interest to this book. Friends become enemies, enemies become friends and subordinates forget to subordinate.
The book was delightfully complex, interesting and captivating.
I highly recommend the trilogy.
May 18, 2020
This is one of the books with a complex narrative - but you don't feel it. It's clear that many people have their own plans and counterplans - we have Henry Wallace and his personal assistant Mr Sloan, who goes undercover to investigate Colonel Smythe (who has his own plans); Prince Tom and his decision to stop waffling about; his mother, Lady Constanza (although she plays a minor role); Sir Richard and the Faithful - on Colonel Smythe's side, but is ; and Countess Cecile de Marjolaine and her care for Sophia, while .
But somehow, there is a narrow focus on the main characters (Mr Sloan, Kate, and Prince Tom) - so while you're aware of these plots, it also doesn't feel overwhelming. I really appreciate such clear writing.
In between all of these plots is Kate, who is effectively a rogue - she starts off trying to save Dalgreen, before being unexpectedly involved in Colonel Smythe's plans. We leave everyone on a cliffhanger: the .
But somehow, there is a narrow focus on the main characters (Mr Sloan, Kate, and Prince Tom) - so while you're aware of these plots, it also doesn't feel overwhelming. I really appreciate such clear writing.
In between all of these plots is Kate, who is effectively a rogue - she starts off trying to save Dalgreen, before being unexpectedly involved in Colonel Smythe's plans. We leave everyone on a cliffhanger: the .
October 2, 2018
We learn a lot more about the Army of Retribution and their efforts to retake the Freyan throne for their own goals, even as they take advantage of Prince Tom and his relative naivete. Captain Kate has a daring nose for danger, and ends up entangled in Dalgren's efforts at atonement down bellow, meets Princess Sophia and the Countess along the way, and keeps bouncing around Pip to boot. Other characters from the Dragon Brigade get more involved as the plot to overthrow the Freyan Queen goes into high gear. On one hand, it's nice to see the two series intertwined, on the other hand, though, it takes some of the newness away. That's always a risk for a series vs. a standalone, so I'll keep going and enjoy the action, the plots, and the character developments. It's a rich and varied world and rewarding enough even so.
March 13, 2019
Although this story suffers from lack of an ending, it's a fun, swashbuckling ride with dragons and airships. There are all manner of royalty and spies lying and deceiving one another for reasons both personal and political. There is a (not well described) religion that impairs the minds of fundamentalist believers on all sides. And there is a fair amount of uncritical patriotism and xenophobia spread evenly throughout. As in the real world, this is a recipe for creating a great many misunderstandings and unnecessary deaths. Perhaps the third book in the trilogy will have all the characters sit down in a room together and discuss things like rational people. It could happen. This is fantasy, after all.
October 13, 2018
"Privateer" is a worthy successor to the first installment "Spymaster" with a good balance between the different characters' storylines eventually colliding to come together as a satisfying climax with a need to read even more. Unfortunately the next book hasn't come out yet at the time of my reading but I will certainly be on the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment of Captain Kate's stories!
November 1, 2018
Fantastic second book!! You see the characters grow and change after the initial book and the character I want to shake some sense into changed!! (As it seems my desire to shake some sense into the first one magically worked. Granted she's still far from perfect but something stuck with her!!)
Ended on a cliffhanger, like an edge of your seat moment so be warned! Can't believe I have to wait for the next one!!
Ended on a cliffhanger, like an edge of your seat moment so be warned! Can't believe I have to wait for the next one!!
June 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this book fantastic read. I have been reading book by weis since I was a teenager and each entry improves, this one is no exception.Privateer, builds upon the great worldbuilding established through the dragon brigade and the previous entry. The twits and turns are realistic and are great. I think my favorite character is Henry Wallace in the story. Overall, the plot sets itself up for a fantastic finale.
September 17, 2018
Privateer, the second book in The Dragon Corsairs series, starts off with an exciting escape from prison and stays action-packed throughout most of the rest of the book.
Even though I had read the previous books, I found myself a little lost sometimes.
I am looking forward to the third book because this book ends with a cliffhanger. It will be hard to wait to find out what happens.
Even though I had read the previous books, I found myself a little lost sometimes.
I am looking forward to the third book because this book ends with a cliffhanger. It will be hard to wait to find out what happens.
April 9, 2019
This book sits solidly in my "meh" zone. It's fine...at no point did I want to chuck it across the room and I'll probably read the next one eventually. But at times, the plot seems to jump a little, as if the authors didn't have time to build bridges, and it took me longer than expected to finish because it was too easy to set down and do something else.
February 10, 2022
You could probably skip the 1st book and jump to this one and would lose nominal storyline. A lot more political intrigue (monarchies so court drama ish) in this one which I enjoyed along with the web of characters becoming more entangled in unique relationships to one another. Still a swashbuckling adventure with some political nuance which I enjoyed and read so quickly!
January 6, 2024
Book 2 of The Dragon Corsairs series. This was a fun epic fantasy novel. We get to see the cold underworld and we get to really move forward in the story. This is a well known author and you can see why she is so popular with her writing. If you have not had a chance to enjoy I would recommend this series. Strong female lead.
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
Joseph McKnight
http://www.josephmcknight.com
February 6, 2019
Game of Thrones/Fire and Ice style story. Engaging story, from several viewpoints. 500+ pages in this second book of the series. No ending, story to be continued; I guess when the authors write it.
April 26, 2019
I love this series. But I need to remind myself to not start a trilogy by Margaret Weis until all 3 books have been published because it leaves you hanging until the next book. I can't wait for the last one in this series-Kingmaker, publishing in August!
August 19, 2018
Continuation of a great fantasy series. Can't wait til the next one comes out.
November 3, 2018
The ending was fantastic, and the characters were all interesting and well rounded.
July 11, 2019
This series has so much potential, but it gets bogged down with subpar writing. The author really needs a good hardass editor to clean this book up and another 2-3 drafts.
February 15, 2020
HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
July 26, 2020
Such a fun story. Lots of action and intrigue!
March 30, 2021
Great world building leading up to an exciting conclusion for the start of book 3!
September 12, 2021
The nicest, most well written, adventurous story I have read in a long time.
December 6, 2022
Tactic of starting with book #2 wins again. I liked the efficient recaps and backstory version of book #1. Will probably check out the final book
September 16, 2023
Even better than the first one
March 3, 2025
Second book in series. Excellent.
August 8, 2018
This fantasy book has a distinctly steam-punk vibe, capturing the essence of a pirates' swashbuckling tale which we know and love. The writing style is solid but could stand to improve in some places, especially where the writer tells rather than shows. I appreciate the attention to detail in the descriptions of each setting, and I love anything with dragons in it, so this definitely hits the mark.
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December 14, 2018As exciting as the first book in the series. Fun to read, lots of characters to admire; certain bits hinge on coincidentally running into people but all in the service of adventure.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews