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Backyard Starship #15
Constant Sorrow
Humans have been in the stars far longer than Van originally thought, and they’ve been busy.
But not every visitor to or from Earth has good intentions, and the Peacemakers are faced with an uncomfortable reality. The Earth is about to meet aliens. Some of the aliens are bringing goods to trade. And among those items—are weapons.
When a secret cabal of humans who want to exploit the Earth is revealed, Van has to decide how and where to fight this threat. Along the way, he reveals a secret history that began in the Great War—and ends with mass chaos on his home planet.
Van won’t let that happen—at least not without a fight, and to hold back the gears of war, he’s going to need a lot of help. With Torina at his side, the crew faces a decision that will change the future of the stars themselves, and challenge the Guild, the Earth, and the Equal Grasp as the universe gets smaller with each contact between humans and aliens.
How can Van manage the clash, save earth, and deliver peace?
If he can, what will it cost him?
But not every visitor to or from Earth has good intentions, and the Peacemakers are faced with an uncomfortable reality. The Earth is about to meet aliens. Some of the aliens are bringing goods to trade. And among those items—are weapons.
When a secret cabal of humans who want to exploit the Earth is revealed, Van has to decide how and where to fight this threat. Along the way, he reveals a secret history that began in the Great War—and ends with mass chaos on his home planet.
Van won’t let that happen—at least not without a fight, and to hold back the gears of war, he’s going to need a lot of help. With Torina at his side, the crew faces a decision that will change the future of the stars themselves, and challenge the Guild, the Earth, and the Equal Grasp as the universe gets smaller with each contact between humans and aliens.
How can Van manage the clash, save earth, and deliver peace?
If he can, what will it cost him?
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 23, 2023
1147 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 25, 2023
Five stars is not enough!
This book, this entire series is the best sci-fi I've read in ages. Not only exciting but full of fun characters that I want for my friends! I want to go have drinks with Van and the gang. Icky doesn't even have to wear pants!
This book, this entire series is the best sci-fi I've read in ages. Not only exciting but full of fun characters that I want for my friends! I want to go have drinks with Van and the gang. Icky doesn't even have to wear pants!
February 9, 2024
Another great installment
The Backyard Spaceship series is a very fun series of space cop adventures that I consider a lot like Mass Effect. This seems to be setting up the final arc, though and I'm both excited and sad.
The Backyard Spaceship series is a very fun series of space cop adventures that I consider a lot like Mass Effect. This seems to be setting up the final arc, though and I'm both excited and sad.
January 30, 2024
The action starts right from the first page of the first chapter in this one and then it continues to go all over the place. You’d think that Peacemaker Van Tudor and his crew of the Fafnir would get tired of always finding themselves being shot at, ambushed or involved in every evil scheme the bad guys can come up. But no, they haven’t decided to quit yet, far from it.
Still, they do have time to do some improvements to their ship, the Fafnir. Rab, Netty-=, and Perry were sent back to Anvil Dark (HQ for the Peacemaker Guild) to get the repairs the Fafnir needed. Perry, the AI bird, also needs some repairs. While they were gone, Van, Torina (Van’s new wife), Funboy, Gabby and Icky were proceeding to the *Iowa*, their battleship protecting Earth.
When Van and the *Frankie* arrived at the *Iowa* they were met with one of their older friends, a human, from South Africa, Blessing Mbana, or Essie for short. He related a story to Van about meeting a lawyer named Forester. That guy was part of the Equal Grasp, a corporations wanting to capitalize on Earth’s emergence into the galactic neighborhood. They had even already introduced the Earth to aliens by having a TV personality interview several aliens that were part of the Equal Grasp. The only problem was that no one on Earth took the aliens as serious or even as real. But, Van knew that someday Earth was going to have to be brought into the galactic fold. He also realized that while the Equal Grasp had their own agenda, there were other alien races that were just waiting for an opportunity to get markets on Earth either to raid it’s resources or to sell advanced weapons to whomever want to pay the price. Van knew he needed to get involved in this Earth introduction, but he wanted to do it slowly and over time.
So he agrees to work with the Equal Grasp as long as they only start introducing medical technology to humans that will help with some of their long term medical problems, like cancer for one. He also set up a means to introduce the Earth to a broad range of galactic aliens by bringing his crew down and going on a local TV show in of all places, Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Once again, the world ignores his shipload of aliens and doesn’t believe they were real. But, Van and company have other problems.
It seems like their arch enemy, Dohlennz, is out and about causing all sorts of trouble. So, they turn their attention back to capturing this worst of all enemies. He must be stopped at all cost. He’s still causing problems of stealing living beings and transplanting their consciousness into computers, of course without the consent of the being. Their original bodies are destroyed so there’s nothing left for these transplanted beings to go back to unless rescued by the Peacemaker Guild and primarily Van Tudor.
This effort to stop Dohlennz is going to cost a great deal. Van even has to deal with his mother before going directly after Dohlennz and that sidetrack results in the death of an important character in the series. Things are going to change, people are going to die so at the end of the book it’s gets pretty brutal.
I can’t tell what’s going to become of Van Tudor and his crew after this book. Things have taken a significant change both in the galaxy and back on Earth. Maybe it will be sorted out in book 16, “Heavy is the Crown”, now available on Amazon.
Still, they do have time to do some improvements to their ship, the Fafnir. Rab, Netty-=, and Perry were sent back to Anvil Dark (HQ for the Peacemaker Guild) to get the repairs the Fafnir needed. Perry, the AI bird, also needs some repairs. While they were gone, Van, Torina (Van’s new wife), Funboy, Gabby and Icky were proceeding to the *Iowa*, their battleship protecting Earth.
When Van and the *Frankie* arrived at the *Iowa* they were met with one of their older friends, a human, from South Africa, Blessing Mbana, or Essie for short. He related a story to Van about meeting a lawyer named Forester. That guy was part of the Equal Grasp, a corporations wanting to capitalize on Earth’s emergence into the galactic neighborhood. They had even already introduced the Earth to aliens by having a TV personality interview several aliens that were part of the Equal Grasp. The only problem was that no one on Earth took the aliens as serious or even as real. But, Van knew that someday Earth was going to have to be brought into the galactic fold. He also realized that while the Equal Grasp had their own agenda, there were other alien races that were just waiting for an opportunity to get markets on Earth either to raid it’s resources or to sell advanced weapons to whomever want to pay the price. Van knew he needed to get involved in this Earth introduction, but he wanted to do it slowly and over time.
So he agrees to work with the Equal Grasp as long as they only start introducing medical technology to humans that will help with some of their long term medical problems, like cancer for one. He also set up a means to introduce the Earth to a broad range of galactic aliens by bringing his crew down and going on a local TV show in of all places, Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Once again, the world ignores his shipload of aliens and doesn’t believe they were real. But, Van and company have other problems.
It seems like their arch enemy, Dohlennz, is out and about causing all sorts of trouble. So, they turn their attention back to capturing this worst of all enemies. He must be stopped at all cost. He’s still causing problems of stealing living beings and transplanting their consciousness into computers, of course without the consent of the being. Their original bodies are destroyed so there’s nothing left for these transplanted beings to go back to unless rescued by the Peacemaker Guild and primarily Van Tudor.
This effort to stop Dohlennz is going to cost a great deal. Van even has to deal with his mother before going directly after Dohlennz and that sidetrack results in the death of an important character in the series. Things are going to change, people are going to die so at the end of the book it’s gets pretty brutal.
I can’t tell what’s going to become of Van Tudor and his crew after this book. Things have taken a significant change both in the galaxy and back on Earth. Maybe it will be sorted out in book 16, “Heavy is the Crown”, now available on Amazon.
August 2, 2023
More sinister manoeuverings by the bad guys!
One of the biggest weapons of the bad guys is not a thing but an idea - doubt. Things happen that make Van wonder and doubt who he can trust of his outer circle (nothing wrong with the inner circle.... Probably )! The progression towards first contact hastens, leading van to orchestrate things and minimize the ability of others to abuse the situation. New foes are identified while old foes are rooted out as much as possible.
The terraforming race that restored Helso are being targeted due to their psionic abilities and so the peacemakers need to protect them leading to a number of battles and assaults while sleight of hand is employed by Dohlenz.
This novel has a healthy mixture of suspense, surprises, sacrifices, mystery and revelations making for an enthralling and entertaining read. I look forward to seeing where this series will go next....
One of the biggest weapons of the bad guys is not a thing but an idea - doubt. Things happen that make Van wonder and doubt who he can trust of his outer circle (nothing wrong with the inner circle.... Probably )! The progression towards first contact hastens, leading van to orchestrate things and minimize the ability of others to abuse the situation. New foes are identified while old foes are rooted out as much as possible.
The terraforming race that restored Helso are being targeted due to their psionic abilities and so the peacemakers need to protect them leading to a number of battles and assaults while sleight of hand is employed by Dohlenz.
This novel has a healthy mixture of suspense, surprises, sacrifices, mystery and revelations making for an enthralling and entertaining read. I look forward to seeing where this series will go next....
August 12, 2023
Pretty damn good
A new threat, an old enemy, a possible resurrection of what everyone thought was. Beaten
If it can get more complicated than that, I don't know how
Van and crew do their usual saving the universe act, but with a tad more sadness than previous books. Won't go into the details, it will spoil it
There are a few laugh out loud moments in amongst the angst that lighten the mood and the repartee between the crew is as light hearted as ever
Usually by the 15th book most series are starting to sound tired and repetitive, some how tg
His one isn't. Looking forward to 16
A new threat, an old enemy, a possible resurrection of what everyone thought was. Beaten
If it can get more complicated than that, I don't know how
Van and crew do their usual saving the universe act, but with a tad more sadness than previous books. Won't go into the details, it will spoil it
There are a few laugh out loud moments in amongst the angst that lighten the mood and the repartee between the crew is as light hearted as ever
Usually by the 15th book most series are starting to sound tired and repetitive, some how tg
His one isn't. Looking forward to 16
October 18, 2023
The series just gets better and better with each book
Every review I write has a recurring theme - the high quality of writing that sets up the escapism perfectly for me.
The ease with which the authors move from serious story telling to flippant, humour is an art that I haven’t encountered in other works.
The next bit is an example, and assumes extracts don't get pulled in the review of the review process. Otherwise it just goes blank.....
“Until now, I’ve been interested in the Vela. Now, I’m fascinated by them.” Ominous silence fell. For a moment, until Icky suddenly gestured around with all four hands. “Wait a minute. This is all sex stuff, isn’t it?”
Every review I write has a recurring theme - the high quality of writing that sets up the escapism perfectly for me.
The ease with which the authors move from serious story telling to flippant, humour is an art that I haven’t encountered in other works.
The next bit is an example, and assumes extracts don't get pulled in the review of the review process. Otherwise it just goes blank.....
“Until now, I’ve been interested in the Vela. Now, I’m fascinated by them.” Ominous silence fell. For a moment, until Icky suddenly gestured around with all four hands. “Wait a minute. This is all sex stuff, isn’t it?”
December 23, 2025
Back to form
The series started off fun but along the way hit a few speed bumps and a couple missed turns. These misadventures resulted in story arcs that were, frankly, boring. I enjoyed the series when Peacemaker Tutor is doing his job. Tracking down bad guys that are interesting characters on their own, that are doing crime the way goofballs aliens do crime. These early stories were fun, and while this book didn't shy away from Wartime Tutor, it somehow remembered to have fun along the way.
Still interested to know where the story is heading and how it will conclude. Just hope the next set of stories continue to remember how it started and stay true to form.
The series started off fun but along the way hit a few speed bumps and a couple missed turns. These misadventures resulted in story arcs that were, frankly, boring. I enjoyed the series when Peacemaker Tutor is doing his job. Tracking down bad guys that are interesting characters on their own, that are doing crime the way goofballs aliens do crime. These early stories were fun, and while this book didn't shy away from Wartime Tutor, it somehow remembered to have fun along the way.
Still interested to know where the story is heading and how it will conclude. Just hope the next set of stories continue to remember how it started and stay true to form.
August 14, 2023
Every Book is better!
The story gets better with every book. You get to know the characters and love them. So, everything that happens makes you apprehensive. This was a great book. Van finds out a few things about his mom, his grandmother, B and the other ferals. Someone close to him betrays his trust while others cement that trust. Finally getting a lead on Dolhennz, but it’s not gong to be easy to bring him in. Read this excellent installment to find out what happens.
The story gets better with every book. You get to know the characters and love them. So, everything that happens makes you apprehensive. This was a great book. Van finds out a few things about his mom, his grandmother, B and the other ferals. Someone close to him betrays his trust while others cement that trust. Finally getting a lead on Dolhennz, but it’s not gong to be easy to bring him in. Read this excellent installment to find out what happens.
July 28, 2023
A little wordy but worth the time and effort
The tale is nearing its end. It has been a very good ride for the most part. There are unexpected twists near the end of this book. I skipped a few pages, but if you have read my reviews that is common. Some books I have skipped maybe a hundred pages because they were so wordy.
All in all, I would this is well worth your time to read.
The tale is nearing its end. It has been a very good ride for the most part. There are unexpected twists near the end of this book. I skipped a few pages, but if you have read my reviews that is common. Some books I have skipped maybe a hundred pages because they were so wordy.
All in all, I would this is well worth your time to read.
August 13, 2023
Backyard Starship is my favorite series
I love these books. Plenty of action, funny characters, they have me laughing out loud sometimes. I am a big fan of free roaming space crew stories - Han Solo was also a favorite. Van Tudor channels a lot of those characteristics too. Icky and Funboy are simply hilarious. These books are good solid outer space fun. Thanks Chaney and Maggert! Keep them coming!
I love these books. Plenty of action, funny characters, they have me laughing out loud sometimes. I am a big fan of free roaming space crew stories - Han Solo was also a favorite. Van Tudor channels a lot of those characteristics too. Icky and Funboy are simply hilarious. These books are good solid outer space fun. Thanks Chaney and Maggert! Keep them coming!
July 22, 2024
Backyard Starship: Constant Sorrow
It has been an amazing journey with the crew of the Fafnir so far. The intensity of their adventures draws me in so I find myself picking up my tablet at every spare moment to continue reading. Van and his crew have faced difficult times before but in Constant Sorrow they all face challenges that ultimately bring Van to accept his role as a leader in this new life he chose. Thank you for bringing me on this wonderful adventure.
It has been an amazing journey with the crew of the Fafnir so far. The intensity of their adventures draws me in so I find myself picking up my tablet at every spare moment to continue reading. Van and his crew have faced difficult times before but in Constant Sorrow they all face challenges that ultimately bring Van to accept his role as a leader in this new life he chose. Thank you for bringing me on this wonderful adventure.
September 26, 2024
Art Imitating Life...
This book was pretty much as awesome as the first fourteen of the series but this review comes with a caveat. What I mean is that reading 'Constant Sorrow' brought both joy and sorrow, hence the title. You may want to have a few tissues available for both the laughter and the tears. Again, a great story! Thank you authors for your continued excellence in creating such heartfelt novels.🙂😪
This book was pretty much as awesome as the first fourteen of the series but this review comes with a caveat. What I mean is that reading 'Constant Sorrow' brought both joy and sorrow, hence the title. You may want to have a few tissues available for both the laughter and the tears. Again, a great story! Thank you authors for your continued excellence in creating such heartfelt novels.🙂😪
July 27, 2023
Ripped my heart out and stomped on it
By book 15, the characters feel like family (or the author is doing a bad job of writing). My family is smaller, and I'm sad. Funboy and Rovan-ir are priceless. The worldbuilding is excellent, the body count is high (crying), there is graphic violence....and a lot of sadness.
By book 15, the characters feel like family (or the author is doing a bad job of writing). My family is smaller, and I'm sad. Funboy and Rovan-ir are priceless. The worldbuilding is excellent, the body count is high (crying), there is graphic violence....and a lot of sadness.
July 28, 2023
Great story can wait for the next in the series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
August 14, 2023
The title tells the story
With the recent release of this book I decided to go back and relive the BSB's from start to finish. Over the last couple of weeks I've been immersed, entertained and saddened. The author has done an amazing job with this extended tale - one of my Top 10 Series of all time.
With the recent release of this book I decided to go back and relive the BSB's from start to finish. Over the last couple of weeks I've been immersed, entertained and saddened. The author has done an amazing job with this extended tale - one of my Top 10 Series of all time.
August 28, 2023
Sorrow is thy heart heavy?
Excellent book and the characters are the best! I have a mental list of my favorite character's and 2 of them are in this series. This is such a good series for you space junkies looking for some hero's and if not we'll then I'm sure there still publishing Nancy Drew Mysteries.
Excellent book and the characters are the best! I have a mental list of my favorite character's and 2 of them are in this series. This is such a good series for you space junkies looking for some hero's and if not we'll then I'm sure there still publishing Nancy Drew Mysteries.
November 18, 2023
I was disappointed by this book. Normally I can't put down books in the series, but this book was slow going, and it really feels like they've jumped the shark.
The author has built up a laundry list of problems for van to tackle, and it's like with each book the story just gets bigger, which requires the pace to slow to cover all the bases.
The author has built up a laundry list of problems for van to tackle, and it's like with each book the story just gets bigger, which requires the pace to slow to cover all the bases.
December 25, 2023
Aptly named.
You peel a layer off an onion and there's another underneath. And another, and another. So it seems to be with the bad guys here. I hate it when main characters are taken away. But it means that they have taken on a life and kind of reality.
Thank you for creating and writing a story that makes so much sense I feel that loss too.
You peel a layer off an onion and there's another underneath. And another, and another. So it seems to be with the bad guys here. I hate it when main characters are taken away. But it means that they have taken on a life and kind of reality.
Thank you for creating and writing a story that makes so much sense I feel that loss too.
April 5, 2025
This book is sad because readers lost characters they they cared about.
This book series has introduced readers to characters of many diverse species which are capable of the virtues and vices which manifest in humans. It is interesting and entertaining to see the Peacemakers Guild keeping the galaxies safe for all.
This book series has introduced readers to characters of many diverse species which are capable of the virtues and vices which manifest in humans. It is interesting and entertaining to see the Peacemakers Guild keeping the galaxies safe for all.
July 6, 2025
War is Sorrow Concentrated into Constant Emotional Reaction and Grief
Tudor and his team are forced to rescue the victims of the evil doctor's efforts to destroy the weak and less advanced races while building a business to make the rich and powerful even stronger as he reaped the profits himself.
Tudor and his team are forced to rescue the victims of the evil doctor's efforts to destroy the weak and less advanced races while building a business to make the rich and powerful even stronger as he reaped the profits himself.
October 22, 2025
It was OK.
It has all the ingredients we havecome to expect of the Backyard Starship series, but it lacks some of the magic present in earlier books.
This is half way through the series written so far, I believe. Maybe it's gone on too long, or maybe I just need to read something else for a while.
In the hope later books will bring Backyard Starship back to life, I'm going to take a break from them for a while.
It has all the ingredients we havecome to expect of the Backyard Starship series, but it lacks some of the magic present in earlier books.
This is half way through the series written so far, I believe. Maybe it's gone on too long, or maybe I just need to read something else for a while.
In the hope later books will bring Backyard Starship back to life, I'm going to take a break from them for a while.
July 29, 2023
Don't you just
Hate it when you get to the end of a book knowing that you have to wait for the next book( episode ) to appear.
Loved every bit of the series so far great fun to read and highly recommend.
Steve
Hate it when you get to the end of a book knowing that you have to wait for the next book( episode ) to appear.
Loved every bit of the series so far great fun to read and highly recommend.
Steve
July 29, 2023
Great read...
What a great continuation of the story. I love the main characters. The action is never ending. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. And yes I even shed a tear. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
What a great continuation of the story. I love the main characters. The action is never ending. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times. And yes I even shed a tear. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
August 1, 2023
Crush evil and never quit
Life is always hard and how we live it determines our life. Each day we choose what our lives will be like. Planning how to live is not how it will be viewed later
Life is always hard and how we live it determines our life. Each day we choose what our lives will be like. Planning how to live is not how it will be viewed later
August 2, 2023
Pretty damn good installment.
Van Tudor and his crew are going on with his vision of family and personal virtue, which really works for me as I'm sure it will for you. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
Van Tudor and his crew are going on with his vision of family and personal virtue, which really works for me as I'm sure it will for you. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
August 5, 2023
Another good book
More really, a brilliant book, such a story line, characters you get to know and in some ways feel the loss of them, even though you know it's only a story, can't wait for the next book.
More really, a brilliant book, such a story line, characters you get to know and in some ways feel the loss of them, even though you know it's only a story, can't wait for the next book.
August 6, 2023
Heavy Book
Rare that a #15 in a series book is this good. Really had some emotions at the ending. Sign of an author creating deep likable characters.
So keep them coming. Great story arc to this point so don’t see a drop in quality anytime soon.
Rare that a #15 in a series book is this good. Really had some emotions at the ending. Sign of an author creating deep likable characters.
So keep them coming. Great story arc to this point so don’t see a drop in quality anytime soon.
August 12, 2023
Can’t wait for book 16!!
I felt like I was on the battlefield and definitely had a vivid picture in my mind! I understand that everyone cannot come through unscathed but was shocked at some of the casualties of war!
I felt like I was on the battlefield and definitely had a vivid picture in my mind! I understand that everyone cannot come through unscathed but was shocked at some of the casualties of war!
August 12, 2023
Awesome read
It is a great continuation of the saga but has more matured and refined aspect to the story and characters which I really enjoyed. I've already pre-ordered the follow on anxious to get back to the aftermath and unknown beyond.
It is a great continuation of the saga but has more matured and refined aspect to the story and characters which I really enjoyed. I've already pre-ordered the follow on anxious to get back to the aftermath and unknown beyond.
August 15, 2023
Book 15 in the series
Another well written and enjoyable story in this series. Includes the usual very diverse characters, even the bad guys. Some of the previous crimes are back. Lots of battles but not too much gore. A great read.
Another well written and enjoyable story in this series. Includes the usual very diverse characters, even the bad guys. Some of the previous crimes are back. Lots of battles but not too much gore. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews