The Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start
For readers looking to dive into the Privateer Tales universe, the absolute best starting point is the very first novel, Rookie Privateer (2014). This book introduces Liam Hoffen, a young asteroid miner on Colony 40. When a brutal pirate raid turns his world upside down, Liam and his close friend Nick James make the daring decision to leave their mining rigs behind and embark on a privateering career aboard the starship Hotspur. Rookie Privateer establishes the core characters, the tech, the factions, and the overall stakes of the universe.
We highly recommend following the publication order. While the series features distinct character perspectives and self-contained story arcs, the overall narrative progresses linearly. Characters grow, alliances shift, and the political landscape of the solar system evolves from book to book. Reading out of order can lead to major spoilers regarding character fates, ship upgrades, and the outcome of galactic conflicts.
Publication Order vs. Chronological Order
For the most part, the chronological timeline matches the publication order. The main exception is the prequel stories that flesh out the backstory of key characters before the events of Rookie Privateer.
The primary chronological outliers are:
- Big Pete (Book 4): While published fourth, this story is a prequel set during the Great Amazonian War, focusing on Liam's father, Pete Hoffen, when he was a Marine. Reading it in its publication slot (after Parley) works perfectly, as it adds rich history to the Hoffen family right when the main narrative starts digging deeper into the universe's history.
- Pete, Popeye and Olive (Short Story): This tale focuses on Pete Hoffen's time in the Amazon rainforest and his transition into the Mechanized Infantry, serving as another prequel to the main series.
- Life of a Miner (Short Story): A side story following the rescue of two young orphans, Priloe and Milenette, with the assistance of Liam Hoffen. This fits best alongside the mid-series novels.
Because these prequels and side stories are supplementary, you can read the 20 main novels in order first, or slot the novellas in as they were published. The safest and most rewarding path remains the publication order.
The Privateer Tales Reading List
Here is the complete list of Privateer Tales books and short stories in their recommended publication order:
- Rookie Privateer (2014)
- Fool Me Once (2014)
- Parley (2014)
- Big Pete (2014) — Prequel Novella
- Smuggler's Dilemma (2015)
- Cutpurse (2015)
- Out of the Tank (2015)
- Buccaneers (2015)
- A Matter of Honor (2015)
- Give No Quarter (2016)
- Life of a Miner (2016) — Short Story
- Pete, Popeye and Olive (2016) — Short Story
- Blockade Runner (2016)
- Corsair Menace (2017)
- Pursuit of the Bold (2018)
- Fury of the Bold (2018)
- Judgment of the Bold (2018)
- Privateers in Exile (2018)
- Incursion at Elea Station (2019)
- Freebooter's Hold (2020)
- Black Cutlass (2020)
- Privateer's Supremacy (2022)
Understanding the Subseries and Arcs
As the series grew, Jamie McFarlane structured certain blocks of books into distinct narrative arcs. Understanding these arcs helps set expectations for how the story shifts focus:
The Liam Hoffen and Crew Arc (Books 1–12)
The first dozen books represent the core journey of Liam Hoffen, Nick James, Tabitha Masters, and Marny Bertrand. These books follow their growth from green rookies into legendary privateers, battling asteroid pirates, dealing with corporate espionage, and navigating the fragile peace of the solar system.
The "Bold" Trilogy (Books 13–15)
Starting with Pursuit of the Bold and running through Fury of the Bold and Judgment of the Bold, this three-book arc follows the adventures of the crew of the "Loose Nuts." While it remains firmly set in the Privateer Tales universe and maintains the same swashbuckling tone, it concentrates on a tighter, highly focused mission that readers often treat as a distinct sub-trilogy.
The Later Adventures (Books 16–20)
From Privateers in Exile to Privateer's Supremacy, the series deals with the fallout of earlier conflicts. The crew faces exile, new space station incursions, and the ultimate test of their tactical skills and loyalties as the primary Privateer Tales storyline reaches its climax.
The Next Generation: The Afterwar Saga
If you finish the 20 core books of Privateer Tales and want more adventures in this universe, you do not have to say goodbye. Jamie McFarlane penned a follow-up sequel series titled The Afterwar Saga. Set twenty years after the conclusion of the main Privateer Tales events, this series focuses on the next generation of space explorers, including Liam Hoffen's children. The sequel saga begins with Brigand's Choice: A Privateer's Legacy and is essential reading for fans who want to see how the solar system rebuilt itself after the wars.
What to Know Before You Start
Jamie McFarlane's writing is heavily inspired by golden-age science fiction, drawing comparisons to Robert A. Heinlein's classic juvenile novels but updated for a modern audience. The technology is grounded and gritty—from realistic asteroid mining operations to the mechanical limitations of space suits and starship hulls. Themes of personal honor, family legacy, and stubborn perseverance run deep through every story.
Notably, the series features strong representation of characters overcoming physical challenges. Liam Hoffen starts the series losing a foot, and his path of adapting to prosthetic technology while continuing to serve as a capable leader is a key element of his character growth. The books balance intense space combat with relatable human moments, making it a highly accessible and comforting read for space opera fans.