Fool Me Once

Book two of Jamie McFarlane’s Privateer Tales series, this continues the storyline from the first book following the adventures of a bit character that appeared late in the tale. It is actually a more focused read than Rookie (as perhaps can be deduced from the 104 page length) and I mostly enjoyed it. McFarlane is no Heinlein, Asimov, or Piers Anthony, but he has a unique take on sci-fi and knows how to weave characters you care about.

The lead heroine Celina is a damaged survivor that I found relatable in both her pain and strength. I’m not a fan of the constant first person perspective from Lina. I feel it limits the storytelling somewhat, but I rolled with it. The ending is rather abrupt as well. but wrapped up the action on an appropriate note. If you like sci-fi space opera and were wondering to whether to continue with this series after book one, then I recommend it. Otherwise, there are probably better novels out there that deliver a bigger payoff at the end. Still, if you’re an avid reader looking for good characters, interesting galaxy world building, and something light to pass the time, this is worthwhile.

~ Kort

This is a short book in the ‘Privateers Tales’ series. It picks up a minor character from the first story and gives her her own book. It seemed less plausible to me in general but was a good read.
I do like the imaginary universe that the author is building. It is set, so far, in the Solar System from Mars outward through the belt. One of the best parts of the book had the heroine experience, Mars, her first planetfall after a life in the asteroid belt. The heroine is tough and not always nicy nice.
I have a couple of other books on my stack but will be back to this series by the weekend.
Good, thoughtful, scientifically possible, and socially believable science fiction.

Its an OK read, in general I liked it, but the plot is a little unbelievable .The heroine makes her own trouble in the first chapter by not doing away with the antagonist who she has every right to detest and she continues to not learn from her mistakes. The when looking for clothing she happens to pick a clothier who happens to send her to a boutigue who not only gives her a blaster proof cloak, without her even asking, who in turn sends her to someone who provides a knife and gun. Oh, by the way, the clothier’s daughter happens to be a private detective, ex military, has police and ex miliary friends, and is willing to help. Come on people, I wish I had that degree of good luck. Possibly this short story is designed for the younger reader.

I’ve enjoyed the Privateer series. I have listened to the first three audiobooks and this is the second one in the series. I’ve listened to it about 5 times already. A great listen for while you are out jogging/driving/working! I don’t like to listen to audiobooks that have a bunch of bad language in it. I don’t talk like that and I don’t like to listen to it either. The author must be the on the same page. There are times where you would usually hear bad language in another book, but in this one the words are substituted with easier to swallow words. If you’ve ever watched the reboot Battlestar Galactica or the Firefly TV series, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

I read for escapism. The series that starts with Liam Tabby and Nick as teens who grow up way to fast due to no fault of their own, is a wonderful tale of space, love, friendship, leadership, conflict, understanding, family, with the ability to grow and keep learning for the characters and the reader. There are a few slow sections, some battles read so fast I get sucked right in. Later books the language gets stronger (no real story line need, IMHO, but still within my semi-prudish personal acceptance norm. It could have been done without and not lost anything.)

If you enjoy watching and growing with this team from youth through adulthood, I recommend them. Warts and all. (Lord knows that part is real!)

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