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Backyard Starship #26
Wolves Among the Stars
Seven young Peacemakers. One newly commissioned ship. Two decades of relative calm.
As Van continues his role in unifying the known stars, reports flow in to the Fist of Orion that ships are going missing. Not stolen or destroyed, but vanishing from the ports and digital records that stretch back centuries. All that remains of these ships is a digital echo—a ghost. A spirit. A cry for help, stretching across the endless miles of void and mystery.
And every ship’s journey brought them close to an area the Peacemakers have avoided for years, and even decades.
The Deeps.
There’s something out there, and it’s taking ships and lives and history, and Van won’t allow it—even if finding out means sending his own children into the blackest parts of known space.
But first, the Fafnir will go, because Van doesn’t command from the rear. He leads from the front, and that means the old man—and his seasoned crew—will go into the unknown one more time.
For the Guild. For justice. And, maybe, just because Van still has a burning desire to see what’s out there, where the maps end. . . .and ghosts call out across the void of eternity, so endless and deep.
As Van continues his role in unifying the known stars, reports flow in to the Fist of Orion that ships are going missing. Not stolen or destroyed, but vanishing from the ports and digital records that stretch back centuries. All that remains of these ships is a digital echo—a ghost. A spirit. A cry for help, stretching across the endless miles of void and mystery.
And every ship’s journey brought them close to an area the Peacemakers have avoided for years, and even decades.
The Deeps.
There’s something out there, and it’s taking ships and lives and history, and Van won’t allow it—even if finding out means sending his own children into the blackest parts of known space.
But first, the Fafnir will go, because Van doesn’t command from the rear. He leads from the front, and that means the old man—and his seasoned crew—will go into the unknown one more time.
For the Guild. For justice. And, maybe, just because Van still has a burning desire to see what’s out there, where the maps end. . . .and ghosts call out across the void of eternity, so endless and deep.
- GenresScience Fiction
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2025
1104 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 17, 2026
LOVED hearing about Abel's journey! And at the end, father and son and a complicated relationship for Van. There were times I laughed out loud and times I held my breath. Good stuff.
I don't know if this series will continue on into "tens of books" (IYKYK) but I am here for them. Bravo Chaney and double bravo for Jeffrey Kafer, who brings them to life.
I don't know if this series will continue on into "tens of books" (IYKYK) but I am here for them. Bravo Chaney and double bravo for Jeffrey Kafer, who brings them to life.
June 17, 2025
WOLVES AMONG THE STARS is fun but has some minor issues. The gigantic time skip is something that takes a bit to get used to in the Backyard Starship series as now the protagonist and his wife have kids who are entering the Fists of Orion themselves (which is not really distinguished from the Galactic Peacekeeping Guild despite all of the build up). Still, it's the same sort of funny quips, bird robots, and Mystery Science Theater friendship crossed with crime fighting IN SPACE.
March 27, 2025
Good story that needed better proof reai
Really good continuation of the story line, but I was jarred by the random switching between first and third person. I am accustomed to Van speaking in first person, but occasionally the "I" cropped up in chapters specifically dealing with the kids and no Van......
Really good continuation of the story line, but I was jarred by the random switching between first and third person. I am accustomed to Van speaking in first person, but occasionally the "I" cropped up in chapters specifically dealing with the kids and no Van......
April 15, 2025
Good story but...
This is the least edited book of the series and I love the series. However, in one sentence, it's first person and the next sentence is third person. Also I'm often not clear which character we're following at the time. Story line is good, I read the whole book and will continue the series but I felt like this one lacked the depth of character in the children.
This is the least edited book of the series and I love the series. However, in one sentence, it's first person and the next sentence is third person. Also I'm often not clear which character we're following at the time. Story line is good, I read the whole book and will continue the series but I felt like this one lacked the depth of character in the children.
May 20, 2025
It seems as though we’ll be with the Tudor family for ever. Several years have now passed since the Calamity episode and things have been relatively peaceful. Van Tudor has now established the Nexus has his contact point for introducing products from space to the Earth. Of course it’s in Iowa right near the farm that his Grandfather had and that Van grew up on. The farm house still stands and is used by all when they are not busy doing Nexus or Fist of Orion or Peacemaker Guild (now Guild of Orion) work. So there is a lot still going on.
Now we also find out that the children of our favorite *Fafnir* crew are all grown up and have graduated from the Academy established by Van Tudor to train new officers for the Guild of Orion. Initially, they will be devoted to the protection of Earth and the Solar System, but Van and other parents fully expect their children to become full fledged Peacemakers enforcing galactic law. But for now their training continues under the watchful eye of Rab. Rab is now the Captain of the *AnaDarko*, an operational ship of the Fist of Orion. He and his charges are going on actual missions for the Fist of Orion, but mostly they will conduct some simple scientific investigations.
Rab is accompanied by Adept Abel Perry Tudor and Adept Kisni Tudor the progeny of Van Tudor and Torina Milon, then we have Adept Clip (Clivax) and Adept Tiki whose parents were Icky and Paxomar. Additionally among the crew were Melly and Budge, the children (adopted) of Funboy and Gabby. And lastly, we have Adept Zeke Mandeville. All of these children had graduated from the Bogalusa Academy and now were being taught how to be a crew of an operation spaceship. Rab, needless to say, had his hands full, but he was more than capable of keeping these young people in-line and on mission.
This first assignment had been a relatively easy one, going to Europa and exploring the icy depth below. Melly and Zeke had taken a class-2 workboat deep into a crevasse in the icy moon’s surface and were not attempting to grab some biological samples of the living beings beneath all that ice. They could see them on sensors and most of them were big, very big. All they needed was just a tiny sample from one of them and then they could leave. Well, that was the plan and it mostly worked. Still, it seems the entity that they took the sample from had definitely noticed the probe nipping him and didn’t care for it much. Melly and Zeke had a little trouble getting back into their workboat when this big alien broke through the ice. Still, some fast work by both young people saved the day and the sample. Now it was back to Earth and specifically Point Alus Kyr so the sample could be thoroughly analyzed.
And that’s kind of how the rest of the book goes. There is some scientific mystery around what they found on Europa and on a large gas giant planet named Harriot where they also found some strange aliens, but these were flying around in the gaseous atmosphere of the gas giant. Not only was the finding of these three previously unknown but very similar genetic partners a mystery, but they also seemed to link to Gabby in some way. She even recognized some of the sounds these aliens were making as a language, but nothing she could understand. And surprisingly, she did know of two uncles that kind of spoke the same language. So another mission for the crew of the *AnaDarko*.
But back on Earth, Van Tudor is seeing his own problems starting up again. It seems that someone is gathering a large, very large army out near Jupiter. For what purpose and how they are doing this is a real mystery that he and his Fafnir crew are going to have to find out. This could lead to finding some very bad guys who might be in the mood to shoot people that were snooping around what Van was trying to investigate. He didn’t want to bring in the *AnaDarko* as potential backup, but his kids and the others were going to have to learn someday that what they were doing could be very dangerous. So, with the concurrence of the other parents, he brought the *AnaDarko* into the investigation. And of all places for these kids to start was right there in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A riot had developed it was rumored that something had been done at the Nexus that the people of Iowa didn’t like.
So, there’s a lot of things happens in this story that but none of it dreadful. Yes, the kids get involved, but they don’t really come into much danger. In fact, Van Tudor kind of solves the biggest problem before it actually does anything. Still, it seems that the story is getting ready to move the original players out and move in the new kids. I’m not sure that’s going to last. But, I do know that book 27, “Forged in Stillness” is out now on Amazon and I’ve added it to my reading list. It also seems that book 28, “A Rumor of War”, is also planned for release on 20 July 2025. Now that one has a very interesting title. More good reading coming.
Now we also find out that the children of our favorite *Fafnir* crew are all grown up and have graduated from the Academy established by Van Tudor to train new officers for the Guild of Orion. Initially, they will be devoted to the protection of Earth and the Solar System, but Van and other parents fully expect their children to become full fledged Peacemakers enforcing galactic law. But for now their training continues under the watchful eye of Rab. Rab is now the Captain of the *AnaDarko*, an operational ship of the Fist of Orion. He and his charges are going on actual missions for the Fist of Orion, but mostly they will conduct some simple scientific investigations.
Rab is accompanied by Adept Abel Perry Tudor and Adept Kisni Tudor the progeny of Van Tudor and Torina Milon, then we have Adept Clip (Clivax) and Adept Tiki whose parents were Icky and Paxomar. Additionally among the crew were Melly and Budge, the children (adopted) of Funboy and Gabby. And lastly, we have Adept Zeke Mandeville. All of these children had graduated from the Bogalusa Academy and now were being taught how to be a crew of an operation spaceship. Rab, needless to say, had his hands full, but he was more than capable of keeping these young people in-line and on mission.
This first assignment had been a relatively easy one, going to Europa and exploring the icy depth below. Melly and Zeke had taken a class-2 workboat deep into a crevasse in the icy moon’s surface and were not attempting to grab some biological samples of the living beings beneath all that ice. They could see them on sensors and most of them were big, very big. All they needed was just a tiny sample from one of them and then they could leave. Well, that was the plan and it mostly worked. Still, it seems the entity that they took the sample from had definitely noticed the probe nipping him and didn’t care for it much. Melly and Zeke had a little trouble getting back into their workboat when this big alien broke through the ice. Still, some fast work by both young people saved the day and the sample. Now it was back to Earth and specifically Point Alus Kyr so the sample could be thoroughly analyzed.
And that’s kind of how the rest of the book goes. There is some scientific mystery around what they found on Europa and on a large gas giant planet named Harriot where they also found some strange aliens, but these were flying around in the gaseous atmosphere of the gas giant. Not only was the finding of these three previously unknown but very similar genetic partners a mystery, but they also seemed to link to Gabby in some way. She even recognized some of the sounds these aliens were making as a language, but nothing she could understand. And surprisingly, she did know of two uncles that kind of spoke the same language. So another mission for the crew of the *AnaDarko*.
But back on Earth, Van Tudor is seeing his own problems starting up again. It seems that someone is gathering a large, very large army out near Jupiter. For what purpose and how they are doing this is a real mystery that he and his Fafnir crew are going to have to find out. This could lead to finding some very bad guys who might be in the mood to shoot people that were snooping around what Van was trying to investigate. He didn’t want to bring in the *AnaDarko* as potential backup, but his kids and the others were going to have to learn someday that what they were doing could be very dangerous. So, with the concurrence of the other parents, he brought the *AnaDarko* into the investigation. And of all places for these kids to start was right there in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A riot had developed it was rumored that something had been done at the Nexus that the people of Iowa didn’t like.
So, there’s a lot of things happens in this story that but none of it dreadful. Yes, the kids get involved, but they don’t really come into much danger. In fact, Van Tudor kind of solves the biggest problem before it actually does anything. Still, it seems that the story is getting ready to move the original players out and move in the new kids. I’m not sure that’s going to last. But, I do know that book 27, “Forged in Stillness” is out now on Amazon and I’ve added it to my reading list. It also seems that book 28, “A Rumor of War”, is also planned for release on 20 July 2025. Now that one has a very interesting title. More good reading coming.
May 22, 2025
Twenty years later and old problems may be returning....
This novel catches us up 20 years after the events of the last book meaning that the kids are now becoming or are adults. This therefore is a connecting bridge between the old generation and the new, though the old does not a backseat.
Connections between certain lifeforms living in gaseous and liquid conditions and Gabi are discovered, though someone doesn't want these uncovered.... There appears to be a new (or is it an old) foe who maybe trying to thwart the success of the Nexus and exploit humanity as certain events occur and clues are uncovered.
This novel dwells deeply on Parenthood and your fears for your children as well as introducing the new generation as they learn the ropes. There is suspense, surprise, intrigue and the return of almost all the old favourites in this novel that relaunches/continues the Backyard Starship saga. A fun read for all fans and new converts to the series.
This novel catches us up 20 years after the events of the last book meaning that the kids are now becoming or are adults. This therefore is a connecting bridge between the old generation and the new, though the old does not a backseat.
Connections between certain lifeforms living in gaseous and liquid conditions and Gabi are discovered, though someone doesn't want these uncovered.... There appears to be a new (or is it an old) foe who maybe trying to thwart the success of the Nexus and exploit humanity as certain events occur and clues are uncovered.
This novel dwells deeply on Parenthood and your fears for your children as well as introducing the new generation as they learn the ropes. There is suspense, surprise, intrigue and the return of almost all the old favourites in this novel that relaunches/continues the Backyard Starship saga. A fun read for all fans and new converts to the series.
March 28, 2025
BYSS is well written, and comfortable…
My familiarity with the storyline, and the characters, only makes the anticipation for each chapter better. The level of snark as a new generation of Peacemaker is being prepared to enter the big dark, has not lost any of its edge! This was an easy going transitional book. And we all know this does not mean we won’t lose crew moving forward. Life occurs, even in space.
Thank you Chaney, Maggert, for the 20 year storyline break, and for preparing us for what I hope will be multiple forks in the future of this journey. Van, Perry, and their family and friends, have unlimited potential, and I cannot wait!
My familiarity with the storyline, and the characters, only makes the anticipation for each chapter better. The level of snark as a new generation of Peacemaker is being prepared to enter the big dark, has not lost any of its edge! This was an easy going transitional book. And we all know this does not mean we won’t lose crew moving forward. Life occurs, even in space.
Thank you Chaney, Maggert, for the 20 year storyline break, and for preparing us for what I hope will be multiple forks in the future of this journey. Van, Perry, and their family and friends, have unlimited potential, and I cannot wait!
April 18, 2025
The Story is not over!
I thought the story was done. Everything was wrapped up so nicely, a great ending to an awesome story. But, I was wrong. Marggret and Chaney continue the story with Van, his crew and their children. The Guild is resurrected to something better, but not perfect. The Fist of Orion is the part of the guild that takes care of Earth and earth space. And the academy is going strong with all of Vans friends and family pitching in. Some everything is good, or is it. Some old enemies had a change to regroup. Evil doesn’t sleep, it only festers.
I thought the story was done. Everything was wrapped up so nicely, a great ending to an awesome story. But, I was wrong. Marggret and Chaney continue the story with Van, his crew and their children. The Guild is resurrected to something better, but not perfect. The Fist of Orion is the part of the guild that takes care of Earth and earth space. And the academy is going strong with all of Vans friends and family pitching in. Some everything is good, or is it. Some old enemies had a change to regroup. Evil doesn’t sleep, it only festers.
March 25, 2025
Another Great BYSS Book!
As always, Chaney and Maggert have put together another great chapter in the BYSS series. Fun loving and intense, happy and sad. Was surprised that this was set 20years after the last book, and it took a bit to catch up with the "children" and who belonged to who. I am enjoying the fact that it looks like there will be a total of 35 books in this series, Have already pre-ordered book 27..
As always, Chaney and Maggert have put together another great chapter in the BYSS series. Fun loving and intense, happy and sad. Was surprised that this was set 20years after the last book, and it took a bit to catch up with the "children" and who belonged to who. I am enjoying the fact that it looks like there will be a total of 35 books in this series, Have already pre-ordered book 27..
May 3, 2025
Despite the long series this book does not disappoint- - -
And it doesn't become repetitive. Many situations are alike, however the authors craft them well enough that the reader isn't bored. That's only one example of the books qualities.
This series is good enough that I have recommended it to some family members and that is something I only do for top shelf authors/books.
The books have been well received. I recommend this series to anyone!
And it doesn't become repetitive. Many situations are alike, however the authors craft them well enough that the reader isn't bored. That's only one example of the books qualities.
This series is good enough that I have recommended it to some family members and that is something I only do for top shelf authors/books.
The books have been well received. I recommend this series to anyone!
March 26, 2025
BYSS the next generation
A new era, 20 years after the last book with a bunch of new characters. A bit of setup with the new characters but that's ok. The humor ones expects is all there. A bit less action but one hardly notices because there are interesting mysteries to wonder about. I am really looking forward to the next book.
A new era, 20 years after the last book with a bunch of new characters. A bit of setup with the new characters but that's ok. The humor ones expects is all there. A bit less action but one hardly notices because there are interesting mysteries to wonder about. I am really looking forward to the next book.
April 13, 2025
Adding new players to the team
So now the kids are all grown up and graduated from military school, the real learning begins. As bright and educated as they are, thete are still gaps of experience.
So Van and his team of now parents plot a course in the school of hard knocks. That, of course, goes sideways with a covert attempt to invade Earth.
Fun times.
So now the kids are all grown up and graduated from military school, the real learning begins. As bright and educated as they are, thete are still gaps of experience.
So Van and his team of now parents plot a course in the school of hard knocks. That, of course, goes sideways with a covert attempt to invade Earth.
Fun times.
July 19, 2025
Wolves Among the Stars Gather Bonds and Slaves
The Tudor Team has gathered more qualified supporters and family Peacekeepers to try to protect Earth from the new attacks and an Army of URU soldiers stored near Jupiter. The new Secretary is hiring forces to attack Tudor and take over Earth.
The Tudor Team has gathered more qualified supporters and family Peacekeepers to try to protect Earth from the new attacks and an Army of URU soldiers stored near Jupiter. The new Secretary is hiring forces to attack Tudor and take over Earth.
September 5, 2025
now the kids are adults
Now that the kids are adults. I am happy to see the Fafnir team is still very active and now the Annadarko team (the kids) are learning through hard knocks.
Aggregation and Chaney have opened this storyline up to all new adventures. I can’t wait to read all about them.
Now that the kids are adults. I am happy to see the Fafnir team is still very active and now the Annadarko team (the kids) are learning through hard knocks.
Aggregation and Chaney have opened this storyline up to all new adventures. I can’t wait to read all about them.
March 25, 2025
Great start to a new arc
This is a great jumping on point for new fans, even if I would suggest they start at book 1. JN Chaney and Terry Maggert have crafted a beautifully written universe with memorable characters that I love coming back to again and again.
This is a great jumping on point for new fans, even if I would suggest they start at book 1. JN Chaney and Terry Maggert have crafted a beautifully written universe with memorable characters that I love coming back to again and again.
March 28, 2025
great 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.
March 30, 2025
Good read
This series continues to be worth reading late into the night. I know there will be a passing of the torch but I hope Van, Torina, Perry and the gang will continue to be an important part of the story.
This series continues to be worth reading late into the night. I know there will be a passing of the torch but I hope Van, Torina, Perry and the gang will continue to be an important part of the story.
April 3, 2025
Boring!
This is the first book in the series with little to no action. I was 40% into the book wondering if anything was going to happen. Not sure I'm gonna continue reading this series. It seems this story is never going to end.
This is the first book in the series with little to no action. I was 40% into the book wondering if anything was going to happen. Not sure I'm gonna continue reading this series. It seems this story is never going to end.
April 13, 2025
What an adventure
The whole point of continuing reading this series, was to see how the kids handle the job. Wow it went from mundane to masterful in 3.6 seconds of reading! I love where this is going!
The whole point of continuing reading this series, was to see how the kids handle the job. Wow it went from mundane to masterful in 3.6 seconds of reading! I love where this is going!
April 25, 2025
The saga continues in good form
The Tudor clan and extended family has continued a great yarn with the introduction of the next generation of Peace Makers. Looking forward to the next book.
The Tudor clan and extended family has continued a great yarn with the introduction of the next generation of Peace Makers. Looking forward to the next book.
April 29, 2025
Unbelievable
That the two of them can keep the quality up for 26 volumes is just plain unbelievable. I was ever so pleasantly surprised at the story line in the beginning, and remain so. It is great. Hope they can keep it up for a while longer.
That the two of them can keep the quality up for 26 volumes is just plain unbelievable. I was ever so pleasantly surprised at the story line in the beginning, and remain so. It is great. Hope they can keep it up for a while longer.
May 7, 2025
Evolving
I enjoyed reading this episode and the growth of the characters who we knew would grow into the next story sooner rather than later, if you enjoy following the next generation this is just what you need.
I enjoyed reading this episode and the growth of the characters who we knew would grow into the next story sooner rather than later, if you enjoy following the next generation this is just what you need.
May 7, 2025
Good read...
It took me some time to get used to the kids. I liked it better when Van and the rest of the family got involved. And whatever happened to that tablet? Will we ever discover where they came from?
It took me some time to get used to the kids. I liked it better when Van and the rest of the family got involved. And whatever happened to that tablet? Will we ever discover where they came from?
May 20, 2025
Next gen carries on...
Good read, the new kids on the block are developing nicely, and the story is still entertaining. Unlike some other very long series I've tried to read, this one actually works!!
Good read, the new kids on the block are developing nicely, and the story is still entertaining. Unlike some other very long series I've tried to read, this one actually works!!
May 29, 2025
Very good!
Definitely a little slower than other backyard starship books, however once you get into it the story flows excellently. Definitely worth a read if you enjoyed the other 25 books.
Definitely a little slower than other backyard starship books, however once you get into it the story flows excellently. Definitely worth a read if you enjoyed the other 25 books.
August 23, 2025
Wonderful
Another wonderful BYSS tale. Love seeing the next generation get their start and seeing the established characters continue to develop. Great action and plot twists. Highly recommended!
Another wonderful BYSS tale. Love seeing the next generation get their start and seeing the established characters continue to develop. Great action and plot twists. Highly recommended!
November 24, 2025
I really struggled with this one
I normally fly through the books in this series and this is the first one I really had trouble with. I couldn't keep the kids' names straight, and overall, it just wasn't interesting. I'm hoping the next is better.
I normally fly through the books in this series and this is the first one I really had trouble with. I couldn't keep the kids' names straight, and overall, it just wasn't interesting. I'm hoping the next is better.
January 16, 2026
some of my favorite writers of all time!
Some of my favorite writers of all time ! J N Chaney grabbed my attention with the excellent series Renegade Star. Fun and personable characters. Hard to put down…
Some of my favorite writers of all time ! J N Chaney grabbed my attention with the excellent series Renegade Star. Fun and personable characters. Hard to put down…
March 26, 2025
Strange but in a good way
Van and crew are parents of soon to be Peacemakers. More eclectic than their parents and maybe tad smarter. Part genetics and part upbringing.
Van and crew are parents of soon to be Peacemakers. More eclectic than their parents and maybe tad smarter. Part genetics and part upbringing.
March 28, 2025
It’s fine but slow moving…
This one is okay but not a lot of meat to the story. It can be better written. Also the pace is too slow and too many side plots
This one is okay but not a lot of meat to the story. It can be better written. Also the pace is too slow and too many side plots
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews