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Privateer Tales #18
Freebooter's Hold
A critical food shortage. A colony under siege. Can he save his people before they’re extinguished from the galaxy?Captain Liam Hoffen aims to expand Elea Station into a thriving community. But after an enemy armada attacks his struggling station, limited resources threaten the entire population. With no other options, Hoffen must abandon his people in search of supplies deep in marauder territory.
Barely surviving his first battle, the bold captain is forced to partner with a double-dealing pirate to navigate treacherous space. But his fears multiply when he discovers the scarce provisions he needs demand trade with a once-defeated nemesis he swore never to trust.
Can Captain Hoffen return with life-giving rations before his station is annihilated?
Freebooter’s Hold is the eighteenth standalone book in the expansive Privateer Tales space opera saga. If you like cosmic twists and turns, cunning heroes, and impossible odds, you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s gripping adventure.
Buy Freebooter’s Hold to undertake a risky intergalactic mission today!
Barely surviving his first battle, the bold captain is forced to partner with a double-dealing pirate to navigate treacherous space. But his fears multiply when he discovers the scarce provisions he needs demand trade with a once-defeated nemesis he swore never to trust.
Can Captain Hoffen return with life-giving rations before his station is annihilated?
Freebooter’s Hold is the eighteenth standalone book in the expansive Privateer Tales space opera saga. If you like cosmic twists and turns, cunning heroes, and impossible odds, you’ll love Jamie McFarlane’s gripping adventure.
Buy Freebooter’s Hold to undertake a risky intergalactic mission today!
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2020
297 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 9, 2023
An enjoyable read.
February 16, 2020
This book feels sort of mismatched. I like the characters of the "Privateer Tales" series. The books so far from the "Elea Station" part of the series are okay as well. I just don't think they go together. With a little effort in building some new characters (something McFarlane does well) I think this could have been a good series on it's own. I never did completely understand the whole Mendari / Kroarack thing, so the could have stood on their own as well.
After 18 books, I'm not sure where this going anymore.
After 18 books, I'm not sure where this going anymore.
August 1, 2020
Excellent novel and series.
Space battles with plots of intrigue. Combat against major odds. Friends and family against pirates and rouge governments. Fighting to free your people from oppression.
Space battles with plots of intrigue. Combat against major odds. Friends and family against pirates and rouge governments. Fighting to free your people from oppression.
February 8, 2020
Some of the best Heroics Ever...
McFarlane’s books have always held my undivided attention. Written from a “grit your teeth and let’s get it done” perspective, he portrays not only the basic courage of people with heart and compassion, but stands as a outstanding example of how we should all act when it’s time to stand up and do the right thing, regardless of the circumstances.
He paints great but fallible characters, and writes well of what it is like before and after a battle, and captures the feelings of the aftermath of even a successful fight quite well.
I have enjoyed this series right from the start and hope there are many more to come.
Well done!
McFarlane’s books have always held my undivided attention. Written from a “grit your teeth and let’s get it done” perspective, he portrays not only the basic courage of people with heart and compassion, but stands as a outstanding example of how we should all act when it’s time to stand up and do the right thing, regardless of the circumstances.
He paints great but fallible characters, and writes well of what it is like before and after a battle, and captures the feelings of the aftermath of even a successful fight quite well.
I have enjoyed this series right from the start and hope there are many more to come.
Well done!
September 24, 2024
perfect entertainment
Characters, plot line, intricate politics, endless new twists. I have burned through this series without a break! Perfect to wind down at the end of a stressful day
Characters, plot line, intricate politics, endless new twists. I have burned through this series without a break! Perfect to wind down at the end of a stressful day
February 6, 2020
Good story that moves things along while getting back to what made this series a great read: a focus on team building and interactions with other worlds and cultures. As always, there is plenty of action with the team getting in one predicament after another, but always finding new and interesting ways of escaping and overcoming. This story sets the stage for what are hopefully some more interesting world building and trading interactions like there were at the start of the series. Really looking forward to the next entry in the series.
February 2, 2020
Another great read by McFarlane
Liam, Tabby, Ada, and their gang go on a mission to gather much needed supplies for their station. Just another routine supply run.
If you believe that you haven’t been paying attention.
New friends, old enemies, and a few unexpected frenemies round out another tale of House of the Bold.
Another page turner for sure.
Liam, Tabby, Ada, and their gang go on a mission to gather much needed supplies for their station. Just another routine supply run.
If you believe that you haven’t been paying attention.
New friends, old enemies, and a few unexpected frenemies round out another tale of House of the Bold.
Another page turner for sure.
April 15, 2021
After a span of disappointing books in this series, finally Freebooter's Hold is going in the right direction.
This book is based around a trading expedition, and it is the closest to the original series I've seen in many books. It only primarily deals with half of the cast which is a bit annoying, but not a deal breaker. Liam Tabby and Ada go off to get much needed supplies for their station, and of course they run into all sorts of trouble. It isn't all universe threatening trouble for a change, and they are actually capable of handling it. Freebooter's Hold the station is a welcome change as well, and it sets up the future books for a place for trade which is also dangerous. Maybe this means the books will finally make a turn towards what they were set out to be in the beginning.
The space and station combat isn't the only action in the book, and it is a very welcome change. They find themselves in combat situations, but also in trade and diplomatic situations as well. Forward progress is finally made, but at a cost. Overall this was a pretty enjoyable read. The cast gets time to be themselves, and they are finally equipped for the challenges that they face.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Liam's brother. If the goal is for the reader to like him...it is not working on me. He is a mix of inexperience, cockiness, and seems to be stuck thinking inside the box. On top of that he has antiquated feelings on some topics. This all makes him quite unlikable for me, and I hope he either changes or isn't involved with the main cast very much in future books. He reminds me of the younger Bishop, and that character was never redeemed in my eyes, he was simply dropped out of the books, only to return later seeming different.
I didn't enjoy this as much as the earlier books, but it was also much better than the most recent six or so. Instead of a predictable give and take, there was another give at the end which I appreciated. I've become so use to every book ending with the cast having nothing, this finally allowed for some change. I'm not sure it won't all be yanked away in the next book, but who knows. Maybe the series will actually get good again.
This book is based around a trading expedition, and it is the closest to the original series I've seen in many books. It only primarily deals with half of the cast which is a bit annoying, but not a deal breaker. Liam Tabby and Ada go off to get much needed supplies for their station, and of course they run into all sorts of trouble. It isn't all universe threatening trouble for a change, and they are actually capable of handling it. Freebooter's Hold the station is a welcome change as well, and it sets up the future books for a place for trade which is also dangerous. Maybe this means the books will finally make a turn towards what they were set out to be in the beginning.
The space and station combat isn't the only action in the book, and it is a very welcome change. They find themselves in combat situations, but also in trade and diplomatic situations as well. Forward progress is finally made, but at a cost. Overall this was a pretty enjoyable read. The cast gets time to be themselves, and they are finally equipped for the challenges that they face.
I'm still not sure how I feel about Liam's brother. If the goal is for the reader to like him...it is not working on me. He is a mix of inexperience, cockiness, and seems to be stuck thinking inside the box. On top of that he has antiquated feelings on some topics. This all makes him quite unlikable for me, and I hope he either changes or isn't involved with the main cast very much in future books. He reminds me of the younger Bishop, and that character was never redeemed in my eyes, he was simply dropped out of the books, only to return later seeming different.
I didn't enjoy this as much as the earlier books, but it was also much better than the most recent six or so. Instead of a predictable give and take, there was another give at the end which I appreciated. I've become so use to every book ending with the cast having nothing, this finally allowed for some change. I'm not sure it won't all be yanked away in the next book, but who knows. Maybe the series will actually get good again.
January 14, 2021
Moving back on course finally
The story seemed more like old times hopefully this continues into house of the bold rebuilding better than ever. It gets tiresome the Author thinks he needs to destroy Liams empire every ten books or so and he loves making them lose the interesting ships they have. This time he blows up intrepid and gives away Hotspur with some very weak reasoning. Other than that Marney and Nick being so much older than the rest still throws off the overall story and the new characters of Noah as Peter are just awful and take away from the main characters we do like. Maybe the Author should bring back the old characters they left behind in the sol system and the cloud city instead of making new ones that are terrible. You know like Nicks brother Tabbys parents the mercenary group from mars etc. Although since the age of the characters is all screwed up now that would not be as interesting.
The story seemed more like old times hopefully this continues into house of the bold rebuilding better than ever. It gets tiresome the Author thinks he needs to destroy Liams empire every ten books or so and he loves making them lose the interesting ships they have. This time he blows up intrepid and gives away Hotspur with some very weak reasoning. Other than that Marney and Nick being so much older than the rest still throws off the overall story and the new characters of Noah as Peter are just awful and take away from the main characters we do like. Maybe the Author should bring back the old characters they left behind in the sol system and the cloud city instead of making new ones that are terrible. You know like Nicks brother Tabbys parents the mercenary group from mars etc. Although since the age of the characters is all screwed up now that would not be as interesting.
February 17, 2020
Freebooter’s Hold is another home run!
This is book 18 of Privateer Tales. This series just gets better and better. The characters are more developed, just as you get to know people you meet in your day to day life. You get more info and see beneath the surface. The action packed scenes grip you so you can’t get the pages turned quickly enough. A good author is able to bridge the gap between science fiction and science. The scenarios and technology is extremely believable and rooted in authenticity. Lots of laughs and “oh, shit” moments to keep you going. Can’t wait for #19!
This is book 18 of Privateer Tales. This series just gets better and better. The characters are more developed, just as you get to know people you meet in your day to day life. You get more info and see beneath the surface. The action packed scenes grip you so you can’t get the pages turned quickly enough. A good author is able to bridge the gap between science fiction and science. The scenarios and technology is extremely believable and rooted in authenticity. Lots of laughs and “oh, shit” moments to keep you going. Can’t wait for #19!
February 2, 2020
Jamie McFarlane is back with another great addition to the current story arc in his absolutely glorious Privateer Tales series. For fans of this prolific author this is great news, as Freebooter's Hold (Book 18) is really wonderful. Old friends return and new ones introduced. Questions are resolved and new ones arise. But, as always, there’s an exciting story that perfect fun, whether read by this addicted to this series or by newcomers. Highly recommended.
March 16, 2020
Yet another good addition to the series!
It reminds me a lot of the earlier books in this series. The books about building up a corporation, settlement, house, ship or all four combined bwere my favorite. I really enjoyed this book, much more then book 16. Book 17 was good too, but this is better and getting back to being great.
I only wish it were a little longer!
Looking forward to the next!
It reminds me a lot of the earlier books in this series. The books about building up a corporation, settlement, house, ship or all four combined bwere my favorite. I really enjoyed this book, much more then book 16. Book 17 was good too, but this is better and getting back to being great.
I only wish it were a little longer!
Looking forward to the next!
July 13, 2020
9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.
"We'll either be drinking or dead in a couple of hours."
This is the end, my friend. Well, the end of the published books in this series. I believe another is coming, but what will I do with myself until then?
I'll be first to admit that my morals are occasionally malleable, especially when I'm under pressure.
I am sure going to miss Liam, though.
Please hurry with Black Cutlass. I'm hooked!
"We'll either be drinking or dead in a couple of hours."
This is the end, my friend. Well, the end of the published books in this series. I believe another is coming, but what will I do with myself until then?
I'll be first to admit that my morals are occasionally malleable, especially when I'm under pressure.
I am sure going to miss Liam, though.
Please hurry with Black Cutlass. I'm hooked!
February 6, 2020
Another great story for the Privateer Tales collection
It is an ‘age of plenty’ for sci-fi enthusiasts and yet even with a slew of talented authors around, Jamie McFarland continues to stand tall. His books are filled with characters that have have risen from the pages to become so much more..
It is an ‘age of plenty’ for sci-fi enthusiasts and yet even with a slew of talented authors around, Jamie McFarland continues to stand tall. His books are filled with characters that have have risen from the pages to become so much more..
February 8, 2020
Liam, Tabby, Ada and Nick (and a host of others) are in trouble (again) and are off on a mission to save the day (again :) ).
When asked by a guy at work what I was reading I had to go all the way back to Rookie Privateer to explain it, without giving too much away in order to bait him into the series. This is SciFi "pulp fiction" at it's best. Fast moving storyline, good guys (some with issues), bad guys (ditto), space combat, pirates, interspecies innuendo, and a whole lot of fun.
When asked by a guy at work what I was reading I had to go all the way back to Rookie Privateer to explain it, without giving too much away in order to bait him into the series. This is SciFi "pulp fiction" at it's best. Fast moving storyline, good guys (some with issues), bad guys (ditto), space combat, pirates, interspecies innuendo, and a whole lot of fun.
February 11, 2020
Another great book
This is my favorite series of books and I anxiously await each sequel. Freebooter's Hold turned out to be well worth the wait. It is extremely unusual to find an author who continues to present stories at the same level, book after book. I would say that Jamie McFarlane is the Louis Lamour of science fiction. I can give no higher praise.
This is my favorite series of books and I anxiously await each sequel. Freebooter's Hold turned out to be well worth the wait. It is extremely unusual to find an author who continues to present stories at the same level, book after book. I would say that Jamie McFarlane is the Louis Lamour of science fiction. I can give no higher praise.
February 14, 2020
Enjoyed getting to read another adventure with Liam and House Bold. With the odds always stacked against them, somehow they pull through and (spoilers sweetie!). Elea station is running out of both food and options so Liam, Tabby, and Ada head out to trade fuel for food and tech before the Mendari finish off their colony.
March 21, 2020
Captain Liam Hoffen splits his space battle-weary crew between defending Elea Station and seeking to trade surplus fuel for food to feed his desperate community. Along the way, he faces betrayal, pirates, enemy battleships and wily foes he can’t trust. Can he gather what he needs and return in time before it’s too late? Another exciting, action-packed installment in the Privateer Tales series.
July 8, 2020
You will want more!!
Be amazed because House of the Bold will Never fall! If you want a book series that will keep you in the edge of your seat this will be the one. You cannot put then down until they are done.
Jamie McFarlane will captivate you with his story. Follow Liam and his family you wont be disappointed.
Be amazed because House of the Bold will Never fall! If you want a book series that will keep you in the edge of your seat this will be the one. You cannot put then down until they are done.
Jamie McFarlane will captivate you with his story. Follow Liam and his family you wont be disappointed.
July 15, 2020
Excellent book
Once again Privateer Tales gets 5 Stars for solid story telling, excellent characters and a fast pace. Liam and his crew battle through tough odds facing incredible challenges. The cost in lives and damage is high but they persevere, I anxiously await the next book! Do yourself a huge favor and read this book!
Once again Privateer Tales gets 5 Stars for solid story telling, excellent characters and a fast pace. Liam and his crew battle through tough odds facing incredible challenges. The cost in lives and damage is high but they persevere, I anxiously await the next book! Do yourself a huge favor and read this book!
May 21, 2022
Another space adventure was completed and a new chapter opened as usual. Did I mention that the author is extremely good at creating alien races and describing them really well, rats, spiders, cows, crystals, for example? My point is that many sci-fi writers write human-centric and all other races are like two-dimensional cutouts. I'm ready for the next adventure.
February 8, 2020
Hats off to Me McFarlane
From Rookie to Freebooter, the Privateer series is an enthralling collection of 18 (so far) tales that kept me coming back for more. Well paced and written. Worth the money.
From Rookie to Freebooter, the Privateer series is an enthralling collection of 18 (so far) tales that kept me coming back for more. Well paced and written. Worth the money.
February 15, 2020
McFarlane does it again
This book is a lot of fun. As in most series you should not read this book by itself but as part of the series. The characters are interesting. The action is non-stop. I would recommend this book enthusiastically.
This book is a lot of fun. As in most series you should not read this book by itself but as part of the series. The characters are interesting. The action is non-stop. I would recommend this book enthusiastically.
February 17, 2020
Another emotional ride
I finished this latest thrill ride too quickly. It was a wonderfully crafted episode and I look forward to the next installment. Now excuse me while I read it again.
I finished this latest thrill ride too quickly. It was a wonderfully crafted episode and I look forward to the next installment. Now excuse me while I read it again.
February 18, 2020
Another fast paced tale
Things look bad. Very bad. But, new allies and some that are questionable at best are helping House Bold. But, is it worth the cost? Dancing with the devil has its price. Another great installment in the saga.
Things look bad. Very bad. But, new allies and some that are questionable at best are helping House Bold. But, is it worth the cost? Dancing with the devil has its price. Another great installment in the saga.
February 23, 2020
Great read.
Can’t wait for the next installment. Only complaint is that I wish each book was a longer read and the wait times between books wasn’t so long. Great job on this one. Really enjoyed it.
Can’t wait for the next installment. Only complaint is that I wish each book was a longer read and the wait times between books wasn’t so long. Great job on this one. Really enjoyed it.
February 23, 2020
Thanks Jamie for another fun ride. Looking forward to your next book.
Thanks Jsmie for another fun ride with Liam and the gang. I always look forward to the next adventure that you write, be it Privateers or one of your other fun adventures. Excuse the typo of your name Jamie.
Thanks Jsmie for another fun ride with Liam and the gang. I always look forward to the next adventure that you write, be it Privateers or one of your other fun adventures. Excuse the typo of your name Jamie.
February 24, 2020
Awesome read.
I’m pissed. Jamie, how do you do it? Seriously, I was in tears at the end, pride, for characters and people I’ve totally bought into. Sheesh. Well. Yes of course I’m eager to see what’s next. Brilliant series. Well done.
I’m pissed. Jamie, how do you do it? Seriously, I was in tears at the end, pride, for characters and people I’ve totally bought into. Sheesh. Well. Yes of course I’m eager to see what’s next. Brilliant series. Well done.
March 2, 2020
Another great story from Privateer Tales!
Liam's battles continue. Will he never find peace? This was another fantastic addition to the story. Well before I was ready, I had reached the end!
Liam's battles continue. Will he never find peace? This was another fantastic addition to the story. Well before I was ready, I had reached the end!
March 20, 2020
Tilting at windmills
I enjoyed this trip into space. I find the people in the story to be easily built in my mind. I continue to find the story plot to be easily followed. You will find all Jamie’s a joy to read.
I enjoyed this trip into space. I find the people in the story to be easily built in my mind. I continue to find the story plot to be easily followed. You will find all Jamie’s a joy to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews