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First Peacemaker #4
Knights Errant
Alexander Hawkes built the Galactic Knights Uniformed to be different. Not mercenaries. Not enforcers. Peacekeepers.
But ideals don't pay the bills.
Now the Charter Directorate speaks a new language—one of revenue targets and moral flexibility. While Alexander patrols shopping malls, the galaxy's ugliest truths fester in the shadows. The Nacendo are being herded onto transports like cattle. Planets are harvested for profit. And entire ecosystems are poisoned for mineral rights.
When the organization he founded fails to act, Alexander faces an impossible fall in line or strike out alone. Only this time, he won't be fighting a Puloquir invasion force.
He'll be fighting the system itself.
Sometimes a knight must break the rules to keep his oath. Even if it makes him an outlaw in the eyes of his own order.
But ideals don't pay the bills.
Now the Charter Directorate speaks a new language—one of revenue targets and moral flexibility. While Alexander patrols shopping malls, the galaxy's ugliest truths fester in the shadows. The Nacendo are being herded onto transports like cattle. Planets are harvested for profit. And entire ecosystems are poisoned for mineral rights.
When the organization he founded fails to act, Alexander faces an impossible fall in line or strike out alone. Only this time, he won't be fighting a Puloquir invasion force.
He'll be fighting the system itself.
Sometimes a knight must break the rules to keep his oath. Even if it makes him an outlaw in the eyes of his own order.
586 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2025
475 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 29, 2025
The Knights lose sight of their original goals
As time passes, it becomes clear that the Knights raison d'etre is becoming corrupted as the people that need help are overlooked and everything becomes focused on profit. Conflict is brewing between a number of the signatory races and historical skeletons in closets are unearthed. Advances are made in examining Four, but some if the plans for him are against everything that the Knights stand for...
Alex tries to protest about the changes in the direction of the Knights but is essentially ignored and so sets out to change things from within...
The seeds of a familiar foe for Backyard Starship readers are flowering as different factions vie for attention...
There is much intrigue, suspense, corruption, double crossing, humor, perversion of justice, and AI shenanigans in this entertaining novel.
As time passes, it becomes clear that the Knights raison d'etre is becoming corrupted as the people that need help are overlooked and everything becomes focused on profit. Conflict is brewing between a number of the signatory races and historical skeletons in closets are unearthed. Advances are made in examining Four, but some if the plans for him are against everything that the Knights stand for...
Alex tries to protest about the changes in the direction of the Knights but is essentially ignored and so sets out to change things from within...
The seeds of a familiar foe for Backyard Starship readers are flowering as different factions vie for attention...
There is much intrigue, suspense, corruption, double crossing, humor, perversion of justice, and AI shenanigans in this entertaining novel.
October 6, 2025
Ponderously Mundane, Boring & Unending Repetition
“Knights Errant (The First Peacemaker Book 4)” is another sub-franchise series spawned from the “Backyard Starship” franchise which is up to of thirty (30) books to-date [yawn]. “The First Peacemaker” claims three (3) authors, having added an apparent subcontractor to scribe this ponderously mundane, boring, unendingly repetitious drivel of navel gazing by the OCD genius as the main protagonist. Storylines and plot lines used in “Backyard Starship” are re-booted with gimmicky alterations to form the structure for “The First Peacemaker.” A ‘Calamity’-esque super AI antagonist becomes the villain in the pseudo prequel this sub-franchise asserts to be.
“Knights Errant (The First Peacemaker Book 4)” is another sub-franchise series spawned from the “Backyard Starship” franchise which is up to of thirty (30) books to-date [yawn]. “The First Peacemaker” claims three (3) authors, having added an apparent subcontractor to scribe this ponderously mundane, boring, unendingly repetitious drivel of navel gazing by the OCD genius as the main protagonist. Storylines and plot lines used in “Backyard Starship” are re-booted with gimmicky alterations to form the structure for “The First Peacemaker.” A ‘Calamity’-esque super AI antagonist becomes the villain in the pseudo prequel this sub-franchise asserts to be.
December 21, 2025
The insurgents aren’t even close to who they claimed to be!
While moving in fits and starts in an odd creaky sort of way. Any time Alex, Ban or the other players think they find the modern equivalent of cockroaches scurrying around in the dark.
Even his stolid partner Ban is forced to take a break from capturing bad guys in order to learn HOW to track and capture the more insidious monsters.
The group is off to a fine beginning with new kindred spirits welcome.
While moving in fits and starts in an odd creaky sort of way. Any time Alex, Ban or the other players think they find the modern equivalent of cockroaches scurrying around in the dark.
Even his stolid partner Ban is forced to take a break from capturing bad guys in order to learn HOW to track and capture the more insidious monsters.
The group is off to a fine beginning with new kindred spirits welcome.
December 10, 2025
Deception upon deception
The best book I have read in all of the varied series. A clear description of the embryonic and childhood stages of the GKU. One deception is revealed and address (partially) and more appear. Exciting, action packed and riveting.
The best book I have read in all of the varied series. A clear description of the embryonic and childhood stages of the GKU. One deception is revealed and address (partially) and more appear. Exciting, action packed and riveting.
September 16, 2025
Rollercoaster time
What bunce has masterfully been crafting over 3 books hits a peak and the rollercoaster ride starts. Can't wait for book 5.
What bunce has masterfully been crafting over 3 books hits a peak and the rollercoaster ride starts. Can't wait for book 5.
September 17, 2025
story keeps getting better
Did not see the plot twist coming. Now I have to wait until November to find out what happens next? Well I guess 1800STARSHIP will have to keep me busy…
Did not see the plot twist coming. Now I have to wait until November to find out what happens next? Well I guess 1800STARSHIP will have to keep me busy…
Read
September 18, 2025Slow start but picked up the pace through to the end, looking forward to the next book.......
September 27, 2025
Write faster!
Hard to wait for next installment. Awesome plot, great characters, what a wild ride! This is real science fiction, people.
Hard to wait for next installment. Awesome plot, great characters, what a wild ride! This is real science fiction, people.
October 21, 2025
Outstanding
This series has turned out to be outstanding, albeit complicated. Things turn on a dime and are sometimes deliberately confusing. That's life. Makes for a good story.
This series has turned out to be outstanding, albeit complicated. Things turn on a dime and are sometimes deliberately confusing. That's life. Makes for a good story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews