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Junkyard Pirate #5

Junkyard Raiders

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Dumped on a backwater planet, heroic old vets will risk everything to take a stand against vicious alien invaders.
On the pastoral, backwater planet of Fimil Alpha, something or someone is eradicating the tribespeople of the Gauder Plains. Back on Earth, Albert Jenkins and his crew are enjoying the short-lived fame that accompanied their last adventure. What they don’t know is that by bringing back life-saving technologies to Earth, they’ve made powerful enemies who will do anything to see them quieted forever.

With a target on their back, AJ’s team needs to make themselves scarce. The problem is they have no idea of the brewing crisis. Fortunately, or possibly to their great harm, a quick-thinking US Army Intelligence officer makes a deal with highly advanced aliens to remove his team from danger. What she doesn’t know is that AJ’s team will be placed at ground zero of the emerging alien invasion.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire seems about right to AJ and his friends. Not prone to complaining about injustices done to them, they are quickly absorbed by the developing hostilities on Fimil Alpha when they bear witness to the eradication of their new, peaceful neighbors.

Can this small team of old vets stand in the way of yet another alien invasion? Or will they just be yet another casualty in a war that’s just barely started?

Junkyard Raiders is the fifth installment of the popular Junkyard Pirate series.
Buy Junkyard Raiders and help our vets send these alien invaders back home with tails between their legs.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2021

247 people are currently reading
83 people want to read

About the author

Jamie McFarlane

64 books452 followers

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5 stars
1,199 (66%)
4 stars
466 (25%)
3 stars
125 (6%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for M.
590 reviews21 followers
September 14, 2024
Lost 2 stars for NOT writing a Recap.

I think every reader needs to start doing this to force authors to write a quick Recap chapter, which readers can skip if they remember, and those who don't won't stop reading the series.
Profile Image for Enemymind.
12 reviews
December 27, 2021
Poorly paced

This story is going off the rails with it’s insane pacing. It would be amazing to see them get back to their previous business and actually grow to be a power and then maybe have a reason to get in such cartoon like scenarios. This Is getting to be one of those dumb marvel movies where they just send in some meaningless new guy with more power to kick the story down the road
Profile Image for Shane.
631 reviews19 followers
December 17, 2021
Three and a half stars. I enjoy McFarlane's storytelling and the characters that he creates. I just wish he carried a stronger vison of where his stories are going. The series seems to be falling off the rails very much like "Privateer Tales" did.

The overall effect is several good stories/series are crammed onto an existing framework that doesn't quite fit. It feels like literary remudeling.
Profile Image for Amyiw.
2,822 reviews68 followers
February 11, 2022
3 stars

So this series isn't getting better as it goes. The first book was almost good enough to bump to 5 but was more a high 4. It was a fun, learn that there were aliens and some symbiotic or parasitic to share or take over your body. All was new, and he and his friends were fun. The second had more but not quite as good and not quite as fun and they are now in space. Then the 3rd had lost its newness and had more battles than new interesting sparks and characters but still was very fun and they saved the day. This one... well, there is some good for certain, but it never was great or even really fun so it just stayed at that 3 level, it dragged in some places, it had a interesting scene, new thing, in another but it never got really good or really fun.

The crew is dropped on a planet awaiting judgment only the planet has dangerous creatures at the same time as a working population of beings and towns. Now the team wants to save the people that were helping them figure out how to escape and get off the planet. As they go further they realize that maybe they have been set up. Getting to the end, I thought it would have been even more of a twist and it was but I didn't feel like the whole was explained well and we are left we questions for the creatures that set them up. Again the crew save the day and even help the guy that sent them there but we are not sure what will happen with or even if that was the right thing.

This is probably my last Junkyard Pirate book. If it were more my genre, I might continue to the next but it had me coming back for the fun, not the battles and mech suits, that, although interesting, cannot carry the plot for me. It was still good and we get interactions with Lisa a lot this time. She becomes more of the crew, actually this and the making the cave livable was better than the battles.
Profile Image for Michael  Keller.
937 reviews10 followers
June 15, 2022
Albert "AJ" Jenkins and his Beltigersk rider "BB" have stepped in it again!

This time they find themselves trapped on an alien world fighting against monstrous tree like aliens they label Lagos. Their assigned task: saving the Fimel home world from the depredations of an advanced race. The raccoon-looking Tok have given them some illegal Vred armor and weapons not the least of which is a Raptor-like attack vessel nicknamed 'Seahag'. AJ, BB (Beverly), Jayne, Darnell and Lisa are going to have a fight on their hands against a wily opponent on this planet on the edge of the galaxy. Should be easy for a bunch of 'semi-sentient' humans, right?
Once more, the crew we've come to know and love are fighting for survival and higher ideals - saving a race of people (sorta) from bad, evil forces. And once again, they're in for the fight of their lives. But we know they're good for it. Maybe. Kinda. Well, we can hope! The storyline keeps them on their toes, as usual, fighting over their heads! It's going to take everything they have to get through this one intact! This is a great read!
173 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2022
Love this series!

Love this series! I always set my calendar to the date or at leasf, the next potential check in month for the newest release. I literally cannot say enough about Mr. McFarlane is ability to tell a story but its the characters and their deep development within the series and interactions with each other that makes them feel so real and keeps the reader so invested in each outcome. I hope this series never ends, that's how much I love it. And thanks to the innovative story and the options of worlds and universes created and new species along with crisis after crisis, I think this author can run with this series until he is old and grey and then proudly hand the baton to the next in his trusted generation. Now.... I'm off to read #6, after just finishing this one again as a review before starting on the next. 😉
Profile Image for Keith.
2,151 reviews6 followers
August 4, 2022
It’s OK

This installment starts well, with our protagonists setting into life and routine at home and then goes off on a wild ride through unknown parts of the universe. The storyline is interesting if you’re looking for action and battles, but the plot is just a bit too unbelievable to be comfortable. Too many instances of “magic tech” to cover for insufficient plot, and an ending that leaves the reader assuming things are OK with no facts or detail to support the assumptions.
Profile Image for Steven Reneau.
74 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2021
No Rest for Old Dogs

McFarlane has whipped up another action filled story about AJ, BB and the circle of rejuvenated, octogenarian Nam vets. Seems not everyone is happy with the gifts of cheap energy and miracle cures the gang freely shared. Assassins are hired, governments issue warrants and the Galactic Council wants our heroes banned from Earth. So, the Tok commander Cer finds a place for them and a problem for them to solve.
Profile Image for Mark Zodda.
801 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2022
I didn't really care for the last book in the series, but decided to try this one to see if I want to continue to read on. This was a bit better and I found it to be generally interesting and engaging though I still find many of the characters to be the kind of people I wouldn't want to be around. That said, Jamie McFarlane is a very good writer and that I usually enjoy his writing enough that I'm willing to read on.
Profile Image for Jim Kruszynski sr..
20 reviews
February 2, 2022
Great Book!

You would think that after five books in this series that the story would become stale but that is not the case! The characters were enjoyable and the story was just as fresh as the first book. I am only sorry that this is the last one. I will miss the characters. I highly recommend the entire series. The only trouble is now I have to figure out what to read next. I will probably pick something from the same author because he is such a great storyteller.
729 reviews2 followers
February 4, 2022
An excellent continuation

These books are just fun. The 4 main characters are well thought out and we'll developed. The inter play between them is truly fun to read
This time round, kicked off their home planet, dumped on a planet on the edge of the known galaxy and told to make the best of it
Turns out, the best of it, includes a whole new race of aliens and a very manipulative galactic alien
I was hoping the next in the series was out already, unfortunately I have to wait
57 reviews
June 8, 2022
The perils of self publishing

This is not a bad story, in fact, it is quite entertaining. However, the grammatical errors, the woeful inconsistencies in the storyline and clear thelack of professional editing conspire to make this book almost unreadable. Time and time again, you'll notice the author saying one thing in a previous chapter and then contradicting himself in the next. If not for all that, I might give it four stars.
906 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2021
Another Home Run!

What a great book! Twists, turns, action, and adventure. Suddenly on the run on earth making a desperate escape only to be snatched in space by the Tok, AJ, Darnell, Food Jayne and Lisa are dumped on a new planet as an unwitting force against an invader! Great well developed characters, and dialogue. I can't recommend this book enough!
13 reviews
December 10, 2021
I loved this story

These are the best sorries i’ve read and I have read over 400 ebooks since they have been available. I just wish you could produce them at a faster rate. I know that probably not possible but I can hope. Keep up the good work I’m looking forward to the next episode.
Profile Image for Steve.
221 reviews
Read
December 21, 2021
Another good storyline, a bit slow in the beginning but it got better!

The beginning lagged to the point I was questioning myself as to why I was reading. That said, I have read a good deal of this author's books to know it sometimes happens. It would have been good to have a bit more of an ending on this one but, oh well!
60 reviews
January 2, 2022
And another great story!

This latest installment of the Junkyard Pirate tales. Is very fun reading. Bringing together many of the old gang and new players. It will be interesting reading to see what future stories bring. The only thing I find myself complaining about is the use of " Metres and Yards " in the same paragraph. Why?
Profile Image for John Harvey.
20 reviews
January 24, 2022
The next episode of an on going tale of good old boys! And Gals!

Love this series of space opera tales, totally suits my style of reading and enjoying a good story well told, the characters are believable as stubborn old guys to bloody minded to back down from a fight they probably should not be in! Love it!
37 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2022
Very good read!

Believable, three-dimensional and good-humored protagonists. Since I was a young adult in the 1960s, even though I was not in the Vietnam war personally, The attitudes, actions and experiences of the individuals here are very believable., Great action story, I have enjoyed each one of the series just as much and can hardly wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Richard Moseley.
10 reviews
March 27, 2022
Good series

The series is great but there could have easily been more depth to the dialogue. Filler would have made the series longer, more in depth interactions amongst the characters and the descriptiveness of events and surrounding locations. Waiting for the next in the series and hoping for a more enlightening in depth novel.
301 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2022
Another excellent instalment

Having enjoyed the previous books in this series, this latest instalment did not disappoint.
The characters have all the same entertaining traits and we get to meet a few old favourites, even if only briefly.
It all builds to a pivotal encounter that might surprise you.
Roll on number 6.
206 reviews11 followers
July 1, 2025
Great action! Also great characters & plot!

The Junkyard Raiders/Junkyard Pirates series continues to delight. This series definitely ain’t no junk! ;). You literally have no idea what’s going to happen next, but in a good way. Read this book & this series, you WILL be very glad you did! :)
17 reviews
December 4, 2021
Cracking pace and story

Fast, fun and full of act. Would have loved it to have been longer. Thoroughly recommend this book and the whole series so far. Can't wait for the next episode..
34 reviews
December 6, 2021
Well written story

Well developed characters, with a believable plot. Lot of action and human emotions on display. Interesting aliens 👽, very easy to see this as a real possible future.
73 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2021
Another good one!

These books are real good reads. Great diverse characters with crucial female contributions. It has an interesting twisty plot. Not a lot of rough language, but plenty of action.
Profile Image for Jim.
755 reviews
December 12, 2021
Book 5 in the series

AJ, Jayne, and the rest of the crew are suddenly transported to another planet by Cer a very high ranking Tok politician. That’s when the action starts. A great story.
6 reviews
December 15, 2021
Junkyard Raiders a Hoot

More fun than a barrel of monkeys, the characters are real, the banter adorable! The enemy is politics! What more could you ask for! My only question is when will the next book be out?
Profile Image for Michael.
20 reviews
December 26, 2021
Always in the soup

Love the continuing story of AJ and his family. Good tale that must setup the next story. Friends are getting tighter nit and aliens are getting stranger. Very enjoyable and read in one long sitting. Great job 👍👍
13 reviews
January 4, 2022
Junkyard Pirate Series

This is an amazing series that I can identify with. AJ is a character that could have been me, only I don't get shot and injured quite as much and I don't have a Symbiot. Wish it would have been more than 5 books!
Profile Image for Bernard.
491 reviews6 followers
January 17, 2022
This book picks the action up a bit. There are a few interesting twists. A lot of the book is been-there-done-that.

I hope the author isn't going any further with this series. I think it has been milked for as many books as possible.
12 reviews
February 19, 2022
More Great Story Telling

A very fun yarn, a real page turner, and action-adventure tale. Mc Farlane kept up his end of the bargain, recommended if you have read the earlier books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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