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Privateer Tales #16

Privateers in Exile

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A scouting mission gone bad. A life-changing loss of time. Can a privateer team navigate a bloody revolution to find their way home?

Liam Hoffen is used to straightforward missions going off the rails. But when he emerges from a crash-landing, one look tells him he’ll need more than a simple repair job. Having spent years inadvertently trapped in stasis, life has done more than pass him by… it’s dumped his entire team into an alien revolution.

Stranded on a rugged world hundreds of thousands of light years from home, Liam and his crew are immediately swept up in incomprehensible planetary politics. Choosing the wrong side to defeat a fresh menace could be the difference between life and death.

Can Liam find a way off the planet before it becomes their final resting place?

Privateers in Exile is the 16th standalone book in the Privateer Tales series of military space operas. If you like alien firefights, galactic power-plays, and gritty heroes, then you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s rocket-fueled adventure.

Buy Privateers in Exile to wake up to an extraterrestrial battle today!

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2018

354 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Jamie McFarlane

64 books450 followers

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5 stars
745 (61%)
4 stars
331 (27%)
3 stars
98 (8%)
2 stars
31 (2%)
1 star
13 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for The Mysterious Reader.
3,589 reviews66 followers
December 1, 2018
Jamie McFarlane’s Privateer Tales has become one of my all-time favorite sci fi adventure series, right up with - and often times exceeding - the best of Heinlein and Weber. One of the neat things about this series is that it periodically finishes a major story arc and resets, using the sane core characters and some or all of the major supporting characters, starting a new arc. I think that’s what’s happening (actually in more than one possible way) with Privateers in Exile, the 16th book in the series is perfect example of why this series is so wonderful. This is a wonderful story in every regard and is easily worth five stars. Liam Hoffen and crew may be in a bot of trouble here - crash landed on a planet in the middle of a civil war that they seem to be on the wrong side of and, of yeah, they’re years in the future thanks to a new stasis system they tried out, so even if they knew where they were they’re friends and allies might not even be around any more if they could even figure out a way to reach them. Ouch - but don’t worry, this is Liam & Co we are talking about and I never bet against them (though I always bet on having a grand time reading about them - it’s a ”sure thing” bet). But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Mark Zodda.
801 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2019
This is a tough book for me to rate since I really enjoy Jamie McFarlane's writing and have enjoyed this series. Overall I didn't like this story very much. More than in the rest of the series it seemed like the characters made poor choices as a means of moving the plot forward and their actions didn't seem to be consistent with their past behavior. I will read the next entry, but am wondering if perhaps the series has gone on long enough.
Profile Image for Robert.
269 reviews
January 13, 2019
Lost me as a reader

A woman is engaged to the love of her life. Loses love of her life. When she is 45 she starts sleeping with a 23 year old she helped raise. Gets pregnant by the 23 year old. Loses baby and the love of her life comes back in the picture. Love of her life wants her back even though she was pregnant by another man? I am done with this author.
32 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2019
Okay I’ve tolerated this writers laziness long enough. I’m fine with the direction the book has taken though that too wasn’t my preference. But whatever. It has some good, no great moments. I’ll enjoy it so as long the writing is as good as the first few books and a few in the middle. But now it’s like Jamie wrote out a outline to the book and refused to deviate as it was written. From point a to point b it as if Jamie would simply say “this would be too easy and boring let’s have stupid unreasonable people and add in a giant space fish/lizard to spice things up a bit. Then did this the whole stinking book. Just stupid. Jamie Mcfarlane hear me! I’ve enjoyed your writing over all up to this point. but seriously if the next isn’t a league better than this one. I will never read your books again. Nothing personal.
Profile Image for Nancy.
Author 40 books668 followers
December 18, 2018
Privateers in Exile by Jamie McFarlane, #16 in the Privateer Tales
This story’s opening hook will grab you and not let go until the finale. Captain Liam Hoffen wakes up after using a new FTL Drive in his spaceship and finds himself on a strange planet where twenty years have passed. His friends who awoke after the ejection of their stasis pods have aged considerably, while to Liam, events occurred just yesterday. What’s worse than being stranded is discovering his fiancé has moved on after mourning him. She’s taken on a boyfriend—the grown son of Liam’s best friend. The survivors had only recently discovered the location of Liam’s pod and awakened him. Liam leads the way to make contact with the indigenous natives. He aims to rescue Ada, another crew member left in stasis. But signals from her pod indicate it’s inside a city across the mountains, ruled by thugs from the corrupt Belirand Corporation. It’s a race against time as Ada won’t last much longer as her nutrients run out. Then Liam and crew must find a way off the planet. The exciting tempo doesn’t let go throughout this enthralling tale. Already I’m eager for the sequel.
Profile Image for Duane Warren.
32 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2019
Didn't think it was possible!!

Wow, Jamie i thought maybe you just weren't into this series anymore for some reason out feels a long time since i got to check on with Liam,Tabbs, and the crew. I gotta tell you brother, Inf@#$%kingcredible!!!! You kept me on my toes..it took me a minute to get the grove back but from around chapter 2ish on. I literally couldn't put it down.
Dang Jamie this may be the most ckiffhangingist privateer you have written to date. I mean that and what a set up.
Omg please don't make us wait to long for the next one.
Seriously folks this book wether you read it alone (because it very much could be a stand alone)or in the series is one of my new favorite .the term instant classic..as much as i hate that term with apply here.
Mr McFarlane, you have outdone even yourself with this one. All i can say is don't ever stop my grind i believe I've read everything you have pour out three. Web site included and just speaking about stories on general.
This is probably one of the most exciting stories in your growing arsenal.
Warmest regards to you and your family my friend!
Signed.....Impatiently (but politely) awaiting #17.
Aka
Duane!
Profile Image for Noodle The Naughty Night Owl.
2,332 reviews38 followers
July 10, 2020
10/10: There is no comparison...This is the Mona Lisa of the fictional world!

I blew out an exasperated breath. The world was filled with frakking sadists.

OMG, this book! And that quote is, if anything, understated. This one tore an open wound in my chest and left me bleeding.

Well, at least, the first half of it did.

"What in the blue forests of Marfon happened to you, Liam Hoffen?" she asked. "You're all muscly, your skin is black and blue, and you look like a mountain man."

Stranded on an alien planet, up against stiff odds, and battling for more than survival, Liam and the team have it rough in this one.

I was so blown away by the divergent path the author had taken, I kept having to take a breather from reading.

But not for long (I just had to find out how things would play out in the end).

"The wind has changed," Marny said. "Smells like snow."

And boy, did it snow. Utterly brilliant!
Profile Image for Kort.
16 reviews6 followers
January 14, 2020
Jamie's Privateer series as really evolved over the years from humble beginnings to far-reaching galactic warfare, exploration, political intrigue and romance. While not my favorite installment, Privateers in Exile took risks and plunged the crew in a far off star system isolated from all that came before. They are lost in time too, with some of the crew having aged while others were in stasis. Against all odds and with the help of a new alien race reminiscent of elves, they once again go up against Beleriand, a nemesis since book 4.

If you have enjoyed the series thus far, you might find this installment a bit jarring. However it still delivers on the action and character interaction you've come to know and love. I don't recommend reading this book first, start at the beginning.

~ Kort
Profile Image for Shane.
631 reviews19 followers
December 10, 2018
I appreciate Jamie McFarlane wanting to try something different. This was a big change from many of the earlier books. Most of the Privateer books stand well on their own, even when part of a larger story arc. This one really requires prior knowledge of the character's history to really understand what is changing. I think it's this dependence or lack of internal resilience that detracted from the book for me.

For most of this series i have really felt that McFarlane is a modern day Heinlein analog. This book didn't have that feel for me. It is still good, just not as good as the others and it certainly won't stand alone.
86 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2018
I have been asked on numerous occasions, like ever time I finish a book, what I think. Do I like Jamie McFarlane’s work? FRAK yes! Just finished book 16 of this series, which, by the way, is sited on a planet Liam’s crew named Fraxus – you figure out what the planet is like. I don’t like to spoil things, but: imagine setting sail on an Anino constructed FTL ship (remember Hotspur? Think major upgrade) only to find that you have been locked out of the controls and after avoiding certain death only as the ship jumps, wind up waking in a long-lost stasis pod looking into the face of a young 20-something young man you remember as an infant (Little Pete). Hotspur? Lost. Your crew? All present less Ada, also lost, but 20 years older and stranded on a planet inhabited by Tolkien-like elves and controlled by Belirand bad-boys, also stranded because the planet held no economic value (no metals). That should be enough to get you started but not tarnish the joy of discovery and Liam et. al. do what they do. Thank you Jamie for what you do.
Profile Image for B.
49 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2019
It was a lot better than I was expecting based on early reviews and spoilers I read (by choice lol). I was a little sad for everyone for the first 2/3 of the book or so, I kept thinking that if they didn’t find some way to go back in time and undo it all that it would be a really cruel thing to do to your entire crew of characters. But by the end they were all back to, mostly, themselves and Liam had a lot of character growth and it all kind of worked out..:.except for poor Philbert who is probably just a cat skeleton in one of their abandoned/destroyed ships somewhere. But it was really good, and of course I can’t wait for the next one. Noah!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lawrence James.
90 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2019
Was not good turn of events

I'm not happy with the turn of events for the main characters. The story was hard to get through. The main characters going to mars made no sense to the issues of the house of the bold and the pirates / other hostile races they left for the rest of their people to deal with. Also the love triangle with Liam Tabby and Ada needs to finally come true. I mean it's space and another galaxy who cares if Liam has two wives? It is really annoying how this all has been stretched out over too many books. Hopefully the next book will fix these issues, and the story get back to being really good.
279 reviews4 followers
April 14, 2021
Not a fan of the way the series is going. Somehow the author is managing to take away everything enjoyed about the series and toss it aside for a out of control spiraling plot.

The plot here is new for the series, that is nice and all, but the unnecessary conflict between the characters is not enjoyable. I've given up all hope that this will ever turn itself around into what it was laid out as in the beginning. Right now it is just a patched together series plot that never seems to make much sense.
487 reviews2 followers
December 12, 2018
Too fantastical

Not one of my favorites of the Privateer Tales. It's too unbelievable. The author goes to a lot of trouble trying to get you to believe that events, feelings, and relationships could have taken place/changed as they had only to confirm that they didn't. Again, there was a lot of build up throughout the story, then a quick, incomplete finish. Also, the ending was too unfinished, predictable, and repetitive.
Profile Image for Kevin Beck.
966 reviews9 followers
April 20, 2020
This series had been entertaining up until this book. A little too much struggle and it seems as every success the team has is offset by some new group of bad guys. This book is when this series jumped the shark for me. The entire 20 year stasis thing and the Little Pete / Tabby hook-up thing is just unbelievable. I hope the next book is better or this will be the end of me reading this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
105 reviews
June 29, 2023
l did not like this book

I was very disappointed in this book. I found it to be very slow. It almost seem like it was written by a different person. I struggled reading through most of the book. The last couple of chapters kind of pull stuff to gather but overall it was a disappointing book I guess with having 15 previous books that were pretty good you have to expect one to be poor. I just hope that the next book gets back to its original great stories.
133 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2018
Jamie McFarlane is the best SiFi writer I've read to date

I have read all of th Privateer series and have enjoyed each book. The imagination and creativity to create new worlds for us to explore is phenomenal. And this one is no exception. Any in the series can be read as a stand alone novel, but the Irs cohesiveness between books.
72 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2019
I didn't like all that transpired, but it kept me riveted to find out what was next!! I've read all the previous books and they just keep getting better and better.

I didn't like all that transpired, but it kept me riveted to see what came next. I've read all the previous books in this series and they just keep getting better and better.
Profile Image for Stacy.
5 reviews2 followers
December 16, 2020
I've enjoyed this series but this book has changed that. Anytime Liam and crew have made any progress the author has them brought low again. This time we see Liam and crew lose 20+ years of their lives. Each book does end on a high note, but it's bittersweet as you know any gains are just temporary as some horrible situation will quickly take everything away.
391 reviews
May 13, 2021
OK

After the trilogy, this book was a disappointment. Author had Liam regress into acting like a petulant teen. Also after being such a masterful planner, suddenly, he makes constant mistakes?? Then, guess what? Yep, the start of the next book in this series has Hotspur under fire from a new enemy, how surprising...
Profile Image for Bruce Dinsman.
1,555 reviews3 followers
March 12, 2022
Shipwrecked, off course, and 20 years older? What else could go wrong when Anino hits a button.
Join Liam and the gang as they rescue themselves and the indigenous population while they are at it.
It was interesting because they couldn't figure out how they got to where they crashed and how they lost 20 years (well at least 2 of the crewmembers anyway).
2 reviews
July 8, 2023
not my favorite

The issues with Liam and Tabby are clumsily handled and poorly resolved in my opinion. Interesting ideas of how the evil corporate guys and the indigenous population have changed to overlord and subjugated population. Too simplistic a solution to that problem tho.
96 reviews
December 2, 2018
Excellent series

Can’t wait for the next book. This book took us in a different direction and based on the ending, I’m sure the next book will do the same. I really enjoy the dynamic of the characters and how they work together.
10 reviews
December 3, 2018
Great read

Again I have enjoyed all of his books including the last one so if you don’t have anything else to do.. sit down to read the Entire privateer books series.....
It’s well worth the effort and any dollars needed to purchase all the books

Read on Privateers
Profile Image for Michael.
20 reviews
December 5, 2018
Love the story

Jamie is one of my favorite authors. Only problem is I read too fast and continually waiting on next book. Great story, wonderful characters and technology I want now. Oh to have an earwig and AI.
67 reviews
December 22, 2018
Excellent

Another 5 star story! This is a great storyline. the entire series has been comprised of. Hard to put down novels. Looking forward to the next book. And does tinker join the group?


12 reviews
February 18, 2019
Another great addition.

Have really enjoyed the Privateer series. This latest addition was no exception. The unexpected twists in Exile made it hard to set down. Looking forward to the next installment!
2 reviews
February 26, 2019
Timing of some events seem off. Pushed far and never resolved that people’s were now 20 years apart. Gave up to soon on emotional damage from this me spent apart and taking on new lovers. Good fighter by and action though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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