Very Solid Storyline well performed

This is a straight forward coming of age adventure story set in an easily imagined future. It is a cut above the typical sci fi space opera and makes no pretense of being anything other than fun reading. Nothing mystical, no paranormal stuff, no characters that are too anything to be believable.

So what if it is not a candidate for best science fiction book of the year. It's definitely 4+ entertainment. And if it is somewhat predictable (the good guys do win), the characters are not cardboard, the resolution is not preposterous, and it leaves you with that 'feels good' feeling that we all like to have now an then.

Rookie Privateer is a good start to series that can probably support about 5 books to play out the current loose ends. (Book 2 chases down one of those loose ends.) I have listened to it twice and I suspect I will give it another listen somewhere down the line, perhaps to refresh my memory when book 4 appears. No regrets about this purchase.

13 people found this helpful

Almost well done

The author seems to be very new to the business. The main character is naive to the point of ridiculousness. Major plot points can be seen a mile away and leave you scratching your head.

With that said the main characters are likable and there is some talent here in the authors storytelling abilities. If you want to start a book or two into the series it probably wouldn't hurt and I bet the plots get much better.

I hope so because I am downloading the next book and giving the series a good chance to win me over. Right now there are tons of sci-fi series out there I would recommend but I have read most them at least once so here it goes.

3 people found this helpful

If you like Space Adventure then this book is for you!

I was recommended this book by a friend and let me just say... What a fun ride! The characters were well thought out and the story was solid. Sure it was a bit over the top at moments but it reminded me a lot of a small mercenary from another series. I am off to get the next audiobook. Keep up the good work.

2 people found this helpful

Loved it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

absolutely. This novel had the feel of one of Heinlein's YA SF novels. It pulls you into the SF elements subtly through the characters, but doesn't overwhelm you w/ excess math, while still being technical enough to feel like its real tech instead of star-trek deflector dishes.

What did you like best about this story?

I like that, dispite the story being told from the 'main character's POV, the secondary characters get their character development, and it feels every bit as awkward and ill planned as any 18-21 yr olds decisions.

Which scene was your favorite?

the MC's repeated attempts to 'talk pirate' and no one gets it.

Any additional comments?

I underfstand the author has more books in this series finished. I sincerely hope they make it to Audible as well, and i really enjoyed the story + narrator combo.

4 people found this helpful

A Really Good Find

I thought this book sounded good when I bought it, but it was even better than I initially expected. I really can't place my finger on exactly what about the story was so good, but I couldn't stop listening after the first 2 hours...

The book takes place several centuries in the future where there are space colonies all over the solar system, and most of them are mining colonies established by corporations to extract raw materials for Earth and Mars. Liam, the main character, and his two friends live on one of these colonies deep in the asteroid belt. Discontent with his inevitable life as a miner, Liam watches one of his two best friends (and secret crush) prepare herself to leave for the Naval Academy. Just before her departure, pirates attack the mining colony. Desperate to save their friends, family, and home, they hatch a plan to fight back and defeat the pirate attack. After successfully beating them back, and capturing one of their ships in the process, the three are deemed heroes. With his secret crush off to the Naval Academy, Liam and his friend Nick are awarded the captured ship and a privateer's license by the Navy.
I don't want to spoil any of the story beyond this, but lets just say that it gets nothing but better as the two friends set out into the solar system to make a profit... And get revenge for the attack on their home and loved ones...

Narration was pretty good as well. Not excellent, but definitely good enough for a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

You won't be disappointed by this one. It's definitely worth the credit!

19 people found this helpful

great listen

one of the best books I have listened to in a while. the characters have depth and grow through out the book.

1 person found this helpful

One of the few pleasant Sci Fi surprises on Audibl

This one threw me for a loop - I got it expecting it to be pretty bad based on the cover art, and it turned out to be much better than I ever expected. Worth the credit in my humble opinion.

1 person found this helpful

ROOKIE PRIVATEER:BOOK 1

Excellent Space based science fiction story. A story that answer the question about what to do as lifelong friends reach the point about what to do when it's time to quit being kids and it's time to grow up and be adults. Liam and his best friend accidentally fall into circumstances that write their ticket.
Filled with action and excitement, Rookie Privateer is what paperback readers call 'a really page turner.' I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading!

1 person found this helpful

Good Book! easy read and or listen!

this was a easy read, not too dark. fells like old sci-fi writing, but up to date tech...good book and read!

Currently on book 17 that should tell you somethin

I won't review everybook, but I will say that this guy's plan has worked out great. Each 3 book in between the spin-offs are self-contained trilogies. I want sure how that would pan out when I started but I think he pulled it off really well. Since the story still revolves around mostly the same characters you don't have to re-learn personallies and quirks of the characters. Same with abilities such as excellent piloting, or insane strength. They don't have to prove themselves to the readers again once they've show what they can do. Because of that, and how rapidly the author changes focus (once every 3 books) then I as the reader, stay interested because I don't have to remember for event from 10 books ago to enjoy the book in reading. However, having all that backstory(the previous books) only helps improve our enjoyment of this one. All in all I'd say it a good series to try if your looking for some long term entertainment.