The Terran Privateer

The Duchy of Terra, Book 1

By: Glynn Stewart

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Earth is conquered. Sol is lost. One ship is tasked to free them. One Captain to save them all.

When an alien armada destroys the United Earth Space Force and takes control of the human homeworld, newly reinstated Captain Annette Bond must take her experimental hyperspace cruiser Tornado into exile as Terra's only interstellar privateer.

She has inferior technology, crude maps, and no concept of her enemy, but the seedy underbelly of galactic society welcomes her so long as she has prizes to sell and money to spend.

But when your only allies are pirates and slavers, things are never as they seem - and if you become all that you were sworn to destroy, what are you fighting for?

©2016 Glynn Stewart (P)2016 Podium Publishing

Absolutely Magnificent

I tend to like most space science fiction, but this book was in a class all it's own. Not only was it excellent, I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction. There is action, adventure, space exploration, space battles, and everything fans of similar series like Honor Harrington and Lost Fleet will love.

The story begins with the presentation of new military technology to an Admiral of the United Earth Space Force. Privately funded research has developed advanced new military technology including new engines, armor, and missiles. The new prototype ship is immediately purchased by Space Force and it's Captain, Annette Bond, recommissioned. Formally a navy Captain, Bond was unjustly driven out by her peers for doing the right thing in a bad situation. However, all of Earth may come to depend on Bond when an alien fleet arrives in nearby Earth space. After demanding the immediate surrender of all military forces and subjugation of all Earth governments, the Space Force fleet (lacking the new upgrades) is destroyed with little effort by their invaders. When it is apparent that Earth will not prevail, Bond is given orders to leave the battle and flee Earth.
Her mission: Become a privateer, disrupt and capture alien shipping, collect intelligence, and return valuable technology and information to the secret resistance network on earth.
Along the way, Bond manages to defeat other pirates, recruit experienced and knowledgeable alien personnel to her crew, capture wildly valuable cargos, upgrade the systems on their ship, incorporate new technologies, make new allies, explore surrounding space, collect valuable intelligence, and even come to understand Earth's new overlords... And their far more dangerous enemies.

I found it difficult to press the pause button, even for short periods, while listening to this book. The writing was good, the story and plot were excellent, and the narration was top-notch.

5 stars all around for this must-read science fiction adventure!

Fantastic story and performance!

Glynn Stewart has outdone himself with this one! The story and characters are compelling, Hillary Huber does a masterful job with the narration as well. I was pleased to see many diverse types of humans and aliens. It's the kind of character cast I always hope for. Most scifi books disappoint in that regard, but this one shines brightly in a time when we need it more than ever. The plot was completely engaging. Once I got started, I couldn't put down this novel. The usual trope of one ship against invaders is turned on its head. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for the rest of this series!

What a great book.

This book is the great story of a warriors honor and loyalty when she has no home to give it to. the main character grows through the book to understand the enemy she thought she knew the twists and turns in this book were many and kept me enthralled. I have great hopes for this series.

Refreshing and engaging

This sci-fi story renders you eager to delve further into Capt Bond's journey. Superb narration.

outstanding space ballad of the old school

for me, it started a bit slow, then took off and never looked back. just sit back and enjoy it.

Love it!

Love how much imagery is tucked into this book. the complexity of the characters and how drawn in inwas from the start. cant wait to listen to the next book!!!

fun and easy to listen to

It was an enjoyable easy listen but lacking true conflict. The crew is too lucky and the adversary too bland. That doesn't detract from the book's quality though.

Brilliant!

Absolutely brilliant! Awesome characters, backgrounds. Reader was perfect. Made me think of Star Trek: Voyager but epically better! Need the next book!!!

Best Yet

What did you love best about The Terran Privateer?

This is the First of a series which brings humans and aliens as allies against the darker side of the universe be it pirate, slaver or worse.
A complicated relationship with and alien who is member of the race who conquered earth
A realization that the conquers are possibly who they claim they are say they are protectors.
The uncovering of a 5th column within the conquers with ties to a slaver race with designs on domination.

What did you like best about this story?

The Lead Character does not bend her principals and is able by her character and honour bring other alien races to serve alongside her crew.

Have you listened to any of Hillary Huber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

?

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

still working on this

Any additional comments?

How soon will a sequel be available

Hilary won me over;....

What made the experience of listening to The Terran Privateer the most enjoyable?

at first it seemed that the sound of her voice wasn't animated to the story. I continued the story because of Glynn's compelling storytelling. The twist and turns in the story were delightfully original, the pacing of the story generated and maintained an expectant feeling for the next steps in the story. Hillary grew on me along the way, and I'll be more than happy hearing her voice other books in this story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Terran Privateer?

When Annette meets Kick!-tonna on Rekiki's Fang. Also when Kick!-tonna tells of her life circumstances.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the Duchy is awarded to her.