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On a Pale Ship: A Privateer Tales Series
There’s a hero in all of us. And one scientist is willing to kill to find it…Dorian Anino thought her research would change the world. The discovery of the so-called “hero-gene” taught her and her team that it was possible for some humans to have incredible strength, speed, and agility. But when Dorian discovers that the gene only expresses in people on the brink of death, her team can’t help but be disappointed. Except for Dorian’s protégé, who opts to poison the water supply to unearth more heroes…
Luc Gray is a hero through and through. But when the squadron leader loses a pilot and then his position in quick succession, he has no idea what to do next. Without a mission, he jumps at an assignment from Dorian to investigate the pilot’s death. But when the mission puts him in grave danger, Luc is about to find out just how much of a hero he is…
To defeat a scientist who wants to play god, Dorian may just have to create her own team of heroes…
On a Pale Ship is the first book in a new series in the Privateer Tales universe, a set of military sci-fi space operas. If you like amazing tech, superhuman abilities, and interstellar action, then you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s powerful tale.
Buy On a Pale Ship to unlock your inner hero today!
Luc Gray is a hero through and through. But when the squadron leader loses a pilot and then his position in quick succession, he has no idea what to do next. Without a mission, he jumps at an assignment from Dorian to investigate the pilot’s death. But when the mission puts him in grave danger, Luc is about to find out just how much of a hero he is…
To defeat a scientist who wants to play god, Dorian may just have to create her own team of heroes…
On a Pale Ship is the first book in a new series in the Privateer Tales universe, a set of military sci-fi space operas. If you like amazing tech, superhuman abilities, and interstellar action, then you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s powerful tale.
Buy On a Pale Ship to unlock your inner hero today!
- GenresScience FictionFiction
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2017
197 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 1, 2017
I’ve been a fan of Jamie McFarlane’s Privateer Tales Stories since the very first one came out. As far as I’m concerned this author is writing books that are as good or better than those of top names today (such as David Weber) and grand masters of the past (this from someone who grew up reading Heinlein’s juvies and still regularly re-reads several of his classic adult stories). Now the author has started a new series set in the same universe, at a point about halfway through where that series is now (it is before discovery of the Kroerak by the heroes of that series), and involving a few of that series secondary characters, one as the lead here and others in important secondary roles. While set in that universe, however, this new series diverts significantly as much of it evolves around a “hero” genetic strain that can be exploited to created characters with pretty astonishing abilities. I’m not going to say more as I don’t want to spoil anything, but the bottom line is that this is a truly superb book which I can tell is the start of yet another superb series by Jamie McFarlane. If you are a long time fan like me then rejoice because you’ll end up with the same ”fiction-high” from this book as you get from the author’s other stories. If you’re a newcomer then you are in for a total treat as this is a universe of wonderful you’re about to enter. You do not need to have read anything else from the author to fully enjoy this book as it’s written as a total standalone that works perfectly for the McFarlane reading novice. That being said, despite in no way being needed, I’d start off reading the Privateer Tales series before turning to this book, because (a) they’re incredibly good and (b) it’s kinda fun (even if not needed) to see how this series fits in with that one. (As an aside, once you get into McFarlane’s stories, and get addicted as all his readers do, there is a whole other fiction universe “Witchy World” series for you to indulge in plus stand alone novels. Trust me you’ll want a “fix” - the high you’ll get from reading them - pretty desperately.)
I only wish I could rank this more than five stars. It’s just. that. good. Highly recommended is a total understatement.
I only wish I could rank this more than five stars. It’s just. that. good. Highly recommended is a total understatement.
November 13, 2017
This book requires sticking with it. The first part reminded me of a Russian sci-fi book. You know the ones where everyone dies. The second part was more of what I expected and wasn't a bad story. I just couldn't get into it as much as I do the author's Privateer Tales series.
February 9, 2018
2018 grade C+/B-
(Note: I grade books on content more than writing ability - which was excellent in this novel. This grade means it was OK and worth reading but not worth repeating.)
The first half dozen or so chapters were quite good. New characters, new situations, and new world building were all introduced, and in excellent prose. In fact I think it might be the best prose the author has ever written - third person, past tense, and multiple points of view with no confusion during the changes. Welcome to the big leagues Mr McFarlane.
But it lost my attention eventually. I'm afraid it was just not my kind of content.
The first problem was there was never a character I really cared whether they lived or died for very long. I liked one who had heart and cared. But she turned out to be a relatively minor secondary character. The rest of the characters were mostly military types or villains. They were well written, the villains very nasty and evil, and the protagonists had strength and personality. But even the protagonists were not particularly nice people.
The second problem was the story started rambling from fight to fight with little personality during the intervals. It is typical of modern action movies and many modern novels but I've read and seen too many to find it interesting.
In the book's favor, it does fit the expectations of current audience demographic so should do well. I can recommend it to that demographic. I am not the target demographic any more but the Kindle price is reasonable so it was worth a read. I hope it does very well.
(Note: I grade books on content more than writing ability - which was excellent in this novel. This grade means it was OK and worth reading but not worth repeating.)
The first half dozen or so chapters were quite good. New characters, new situations, and new world building were all introduced, and in excellent prose. In fact I think it might be the best prose the author has ever written - third person, past tense, and multiple points of view with no confusion during the changes. Welcome to the big leagues Mr McFarlane.
But it lost my attention eventually. I'm afraid it was just not my kind of content.
The first problem was there was never a character I really cared whether they lived or died for very long. I liked one who had heart and cared. But she turned out to be a relatively minor secondary character. The rest of the characters were mostly military types or villains. They were well written, the villains very nasty and evil, and the protagonists had strength and personality. But even the protagonists were not particularly nice people.
The second problem was the story started rambling from fight to fight with little personality during the intervals. It is typical of modern action movies and many modern novels but I've read and seen too many to find it interesting.
In the book's favor, it does fit the expectations of current audience demographic so should do well. I can recommend it to that demographic. I am not the target demographic any more but the Kindle price is reasonable so it was worth a read. I hope it does very well.
December 28, 2017
I'm a bit conflicted about this book. While I really enjoy the Privateer Tales series and Jamie McFarlane's writing, I found some of the premises that underline this new series to be a bit much for me to take. Bringing back people from the dead (sometimes) and enhancements to their bodies far beyond what Privateer Tales featured make me shake my head. When an elite special operations team is formed that features poor special operations/small unit tactics and confounding decisions by the leaders only to be saved by a Deus ex Machina ending, well, it isn't at all what I hoped for it to be. I am a bit of a hard critic of many "military" and thriller books because they often make basic tactical mistakes and feature poor decision-making, and unfortunately this book falls into the same traps. For all that, I do enjoy Jamie McFarlane's writing and I will read the next entry in the series in the hope that things improve.
June 8, 2021
Maybe a good beginning to another compelling space opera...
I got the impression that all those reviews classifying the Liam Hoffen series as YA may have inspired the author to write an "Adult" space opera. This book is violent, with a lot of raunchy sexual innuendo, and some pretty specific sexual action, and without many of the feel good vibes I pretty much take for granted in this type of novel.
That being said, it is still a book written by the talented Mr. McFarlane. This means it moves along at about warp 7 and tells a fascinating story, involving a group of characters who grow to seem very real by the end of the book. I didn't enjoy the "adult" elements, but there is definitely the potential for a pretty good series here. I would just hope the subject matter of future volumes is not quite so grim.
I got the impression that all those reviews classifying the Liam Hoffen series as YA may have inspired the author to write an "Adult" space opera. This book is violent, with a lot of raunchy sexual innuendo, and some pretty specific sexual action, and without many of the feel good vibes I pretty much take for granted in this type of novel.
That being said, it is still a book written by the talented Mr. McFarlane. This means it moves along at about warp 7 and tells a fascinating story, involving a group of characters who grow to seem very real by the end of the book. I didn't enjoy the "adult" elements, but there is definitely the potential for a pretty good series here. I would just hope the subject matter of future volumes is not quite so grim.
December 1, 2017
Murderous Intentions of Evil Scientists Confronted by Heroes
Several individuals are murdered so that evil scientists can resurrect them as monsters to dominate the known worlds, but scientists previously have resurrected heroes...whose resurrected pawns will win? The concept seems a little different, but leads to a very enjoyable story, set in a familiar "Corsairs" universe, with lots of small group military actions. I vaguely remembered the Corsairs series, so the beginning had a strange resonance -- not quite déjà vu -- as it opened on a familiar split world that was split between a knanate that controlled the surface and a more privileged, more familiar society occupying cities floating in the clouds. Very entertaining and highly recommended.
Several individuals are murdered so that evil scientists can resurrect them as monsters to dominate the known worlds, but scientists previously have resurrected heroes...whose resurrected pawns will win? The concept seems a little different, but leads to a very enjoyable story, set in a familiar "Corsairs" universe, with lots of small group military actions. I vaguely remembered the Corsairs series, so the beginning had a strange resonance -- not quite déjà vu -- as it opened on a familiar split world that was split between a knanate that controlled the surface and a more privileged, more familiar society occupying cities floating in the clouds. Very entertaining and highly recommended.
January 10, 2018
The chief problem with character driven fiction, is that you need interesting characters. This book takes place in the Privateer Tales Universe and while it does bring to focus some minor characters from that series it is meant to stand alone.
Jamie McFarlane has now established a strong history of clever fiction over several genres with interesting characters. This one felt like a miss to me. The most interesting character drops off the page and becomes nothing more than a minor sub-plot. McFarlane relies overly much on technology to make up for weak characters and it just doesn't work for me. Its not bad and I might try another in this series but it isn't as good as any of his other works.
Jamie McFarlane has now established a strong history of clever fiction over several genres with interesting characters. This one felt like a miss to me. The most interesting character drops off the page and becomes nothing more than a minor sub-plot. McFarlane relies overly much on technology to make up for weak characters and it just doesn't work for me. Its not bad and I might try another in this series but it isn't as good as any of his other works.
July 22, 2018
I really got sucked into the Rookie Privateer series, and this was an accessory to that series. I'm not sure if the handling of more adult material didn't seem to fit, or if I was burning out on the author's style after ?11? books in a row, but it just wasn't quite as enjoyable to me. Having read Rookie Privateer up through the Bold trilogy, this was a nice look at a side-character that had been seemingly left behind and some insights into a character that pops up at the last moment, and a brief visit to an old friend. It was good to see them some more, though with a dose of bittersweet too.
November 16, 2017
An excellent spin-off!
If you've followed the tales of Liam Hoffman and the rest of the Loose Nuts bunch then several names and characters will be familiar.
This is much more than a side story, but a full blown adventure.
What started out as a 'simple' interdiction near Nuage Gross turns into a team building exercise (almost but not quite like The Magnificent Seven meets the A-Team). Problem is someone else is up to the same trick.
If you've followed the tales of Liam Hoffman and the rest of the Loose Nuts bunch then several names and characters will be familiar.
This is much more than a side story, but a full blown adventure.
What started out as a 'simple' interdiction near Nuage Gross turns into a team building exercise (almost but not quite like The Magnificent Seven meets the A-Team). Problem is someone else is up to the same trick.
December 7, 2018
Very interesting
This is a very interesting side story to the Privateer Tales. It is definitely more risqué that the other stories but also fills in some gaps that the Privateer Tales left, especially with regard to Luc Gray. As with some of the other stories, there seems to be a lot of build up with a lot of detail going into the finale, but then McFarlane speeds through the finish. It would be nice to have a little more closure.
This is a very interesting side story to the Privateer Tales. It is definitely more risqué that the other stories but also fills in some gaps that the Privateer Tales left, especially with regard to Luc Gray. As with some of the other stories, there seems to be a lot of build up with a lot of detail going into the finale, but then McFarlane speeds through the finish. It would be nice to have a little more closure.
November 28, 2017
McFarlane knocks it out of the park again!
Anyone who has enjoyed the previous books in the Privateer Tales Series will not be disappointed. This book is a great standalone that can be enjoyed by all...even those not familiar with the Series. Non-Stop Action from cover to cover! ENJOY!
👍👍😎
Anyone who has enjoyed the previous books in the Privateer Tales Series will not be disappointed. This book is a great standalone that can be enjoyed by all...even those not familiar with the Series. Non-Stop Action from cover to cover! ENJOY!
👍👍😎
December 6, 2017
Good rollicking story!
Everything you want in an adventure. Brave hero’s, evil villains, and the fate of humanity in the balance. The writing style in the beginning is a little disconnected but the reward for sticking with is a good overall read. The last half of the book was read much quicker than the first as the story blossomed. Look forward to the next installment.
Everything you want in an adventure. Brave hero’s, evil villains, and the fate of humanity in the balance. The writing style in the beginning is a little disconnected but the reward for sticking with is a good overall read. The last half of the book was read much quicker than the first as the story blossomed. Look forward to the next installment.
January 3, 2018
Bailed early
At the three percent mark I had to stop reading. The opening air combat left me bewildered as to the who, what, why, where and how of the battle. The ships engaged and their opponents and the politics blended into a hot mess.
Perhaps it gets better but I no longer have patience to find the good parts in what seems poorly written. May you have better luck.
At the three percent mark I had to stop reading. The opening air combat left me bewildered as to the who, what, why, where and how of the battle. The ships engaged and their opponents and the politics blended into a hot mess.
Perhaps it gets better but I no longer have patience to find the good parts in what seems poorly written. May you have better luck.
June 18, 2018
Fast paced story in the Privateer Universe
We are back in the Tipperary system with several of the characters from the Privateer series. A great story that was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. Jaimie really knows how to spin a tale. A good book on its own made better with old friends from earlier books.
We are back in the Tipperary system with several of the characters from the Privateer series. A great story that was a roller coaster ride from start to finish. Jaimie really knows how to spin a tale. A good book on its own made better with old friends from earlier books.
September 12, 2018
Thank You
Mr. McFalane, Jamie, you have done me a favor by continuing in this "Anino Universe.
If you've read the Privateer series, you know Captain Luc Gray. This story branches off after our Privateer crew has left Nuage, and is every bit as fast and entertaining.
Try it. You'll like it.
Mr. McFalane, Jamie, you have done me a favor by continuing in this "Anino Universe.
If you've read the Privateer series, you know Captain Luc Gray. This story branches off after our Privateer crew has left Nuage, and is every bit as fast and entertaining.
Try it. You'll like it.
December 28, 2018
Becoming too much like a Marvel comic for my taste. It is well written and a good read for sure, but there are more and more characters with specialised superpowers. I prefer quick witted, 'ordinary' human characters, just my personal preference. I'll stick with the privateer tales which has only one of those superhumans.
November 28, 2017
Solid effort on a new storyline,
Enjoyable read with a few old characters and many new ones. This effort created a whole new group of super hero’s who, it seems, will be hunting down the people who are trying to destroy mankind. Can’t wait for book 2 in the series!
Enjoyable read with a few old characters and many new ones. This effort created a whole new group of super hero’s who, it seems, will be hunting down the people who are trying to destroy mankind. Can’t wait for book 2 in the series!
January 11, 2018
Good reading
I have loved a lot of Jamie McFarlane's books, but for some reason this book was not quite as good as his other series, but I will try another in this series just to be fare.
I have loved a lot of Jamie McFarlane's books, but for some reason this book was not quite as good as his other series, but I will try another in this series just to be fare.
March 15, 2018
Really enjoyable read thanks
Having read the privateer series I was happy to find this side story , it did take me some time to get into it but once I did I couldn't put it down, nice one Jamie.
Having read the privateer series I was happy to find this side story , it did take me some time to get into it but once I did I couldn't put it down, nice one Jamie.
March 19, 2018
When is the next story?
It's hard to believe. This book is even better than the last. Jamie McFarlane is growing as a storyteller by leaps and bounds. I can't wait for the next in this series.
It's hard to believe. This book is even better than the last. Jamie McFarlane is growing as a storyteller by leaps and bounds. I can't wait for the next in this series.
May 30, 2018
This was a good read. The characters are well thought out, and the story just moves right along to a dramatic finish. You'll love this and you'll be turning pages without even thinking. Great Reading Everyone!
August 30, 2018
Much more adult than most Privateer Tales, but I liked the new characters, a task force of enhanced humans, some new and some we have seen before. The book is set somewhere in the middle of the current series. Can't decide if I want to read more about Liam and Tabby or this new team.
January 10, 2020
Reaching for Glory
Liked this story for the richness of the people in it. I did it like the long lead in from the main plot. Will tell my friends to read it. Looking forward to the teams next mission.
Liked this story for the richness of the people in it. I did it like the long lead in from the main plot. Will tell my friends to read it. Looking forward to the teams next mission.
November 30, 2020
Cast offs no longer
Good characters from old stories get their own story line. It's great when a bit character from a previous story gets to come back as a main character and especially when it's a great stand alone story.
Good characters from old stories get their own story line. It's great when a bit character from a previous story gets to come back as a main character and especially when it's a great stand alone story.
February 4, 2021
I enjoyed the Privateer Series - all 19 books so far. I came in late, so I got to read all of them in one great binge.
This is a new series in the same universe, with some of the same people. You don't want to miss any of these.
This is a new series in the same universe, with some of the same people. You don't want to miss any of these.
March 30, 2021
Yuck
First two pages put me off. How would a cloud hide a close in fighter? Even stealthily stuff returns an echo once close enough. Highly trained fighter pilots do not ignore orders from their commanders, they don't get highly trained if that is their response to orders.
First two pages put me off. How would a cloud hide a close in fighter? Even stealthily stuff returns an echo once close enough. Highly trained fighter pilots do not ignore orders from their commanders, they don't get highly trained if that is their response to orders.
August 26, 2024
Good as are all of his books that I've read.
The story is stand alone but it fits into the series ...a side adventure featuring some wonderful players.
Will this turn into another series.
The story is stand alone but it fits into the series ...a side adventure featuring some wonderful players.
Will this turn into another series.
November 7, 2017
Good reading but definitely a change.
Something new from Jamie. It's not the Privateer saga which I really enjoy but I am looking forward to the next book with Luc and Dorian.
Something new from Jamie. It's not the Privateer saga which I really enjoy but I am looking forward to the next book with Luc and Dorian.
November 27, 2017
Suoer fun!
A well thought out story, high speed and fun. A great space opera for a quick weekend read!
It goes well with the Privateer Tales.seri3s although it is it's own story.
A well thought out story, high speed and fun. A great space opera for a quick weekend read!
It goes well with the Privateer Tales.seri3s although it is it's own story.
December 4, 2017
A good book overall; I would probably have enjoyed it more,
if I had read the earlier books in the series.
RECOMMENDED
if I had read the earlier books in the series.
RECOMMENDED
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews