What do you think?
Rate this book
Backyard Starship #2
Red Bounty
Van left his old life behind, but some things remain the same.
Even in space, crime still exists.
After taking a Peacemaker job to find missing fuel, Perry finds something far more sinister than simple theft—a voice, crying out in a forge of heat and flame, and the discovery reveals a series of acts so vicious that nothing short of revenge will suffice.
Following leads across the stars, Van, Perry, and Torina discover the wealthy elite are doing more than just taking fuel.
They’re stealing lives.
But it takes money to make justice, and Van has to work. Torina’s land must be restored, and the Dragonet needs new armor, and Van’s sword isn’t going to sharpen itself.
So Van throws himself into the life of a Peacemaker, where he discovers that doing his job—and doing it well—makes him a target.
He’s got the will. He’s got the sword. And he’s got help. Now all he needs is a little fuel.
And maybe a gun or two
Even in space, crime still exists.
After taking a Peacemaker job to find missing fuel, Perry finds something far more sinister than simple theft—a voice, crying out in a forge of heat and flame, and the discovery reveals a series of acts so vicious that nothing short of revenge will suffice.
Following leads across the stars, Van, Perry, and Torina discover the wealthy elite are doing more than just taking fuel.
They’re stealing lives.
But it takes money to make justice, and Van has to work. Torina’s land must be restored, and the Dragonet needs new armor, and Van’s sword isn’t going to sharpen itself.
So Van throws himself into the life of a Peacemaker, where he discovers that doing his job—and doing it well—makes him a target.
He’s got the will. He’s got the sword. And he’s got help. Now all he needs is a little fuel.
And maybe a gun or two
436 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2021
2149 people are currently reading
532 people want to read
About the author
J.N. Chaney
462 books9,607 followersIf you want to stay up to date on my releases, concept art, or speak to me directly - you should join my Facebook fan group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/67862...
We have discussions on everything from books, movies, shows, and all things scifi. Come join the conversation.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/67862...
We have discussions on everything from books, movies, shows, and all things scifi. Come join the conversation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
January 15, 2024
This is the second book in the series. I gave it two tries and most likely will not try a third. The narrator, Jeffrey Kafer, is one of my favorites but that is not enough to make me continue.
I read this as an audio book downloaded from Audible. The book is nine hours and three minutes.
October 29, 2021
Publishing Date: 2021
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: Well that grit that was present in the first novel has given way to a patterned sense of writing where all outcomes are based on the unsurprising. You really know when the snark and ribald interchanges are coming yet the sad part is that it is no longer engaging. The characters have gone the route of sappiness with lengthy exchanges based on their “unique” characters. The AI bird is no longer a mysterious construct that gives little information while remaining aloof, noooo. Now the bird is haughty and without guile whom gifts our hero with ribald platitudes.
Torina has morphed, also from the aloof, into a sword expert/martial arts guru and an insanely rich heiress. They make a joke about this throughout the novel but it falls on deaf eyes as they ram this plot device down your throat. Perry and Torina are getting the hots for each other which makes you wonder how Mr. Wonderful has kept his dick in his pants for two years with all the galactic opportunity out there. Why not have a Salusian merchant with a high libido jump his alien bones. Nope. It is all G-Rated.
A felling disappointment to a promising series.
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: Well that grit that was present in the first novel has given way to a patterned sense of writing where all outcomes are based on the unsurprising. You really know when the snark and ribald interchanges are coming yet the sad part is that it is no longer engaging. The characters have gone the route of sappiness with lengthy exchanges based on their “unique” characters. The AI bird is no longer a mysterious construct that gives little information while remaining aloof, noooo. Now the bird is haughty and without guile whom gifts our hero with ribald platitudes.
Torina has morphed, also from the aloof, into a sword expert/martial arts guru and an insanely rich heiress. They make a joke about this throughout the novel but it falls on deaf eyes as they ram this plot device down your throat. Perry and Torina are getting the hots for each other which makes you wonder how Mr. Wonderful has kept his dick in his pants for two years with all the galactic opportunity out there. Why not have a Salusian merchant with a high libido jump his alien bones. Nope. It is all G-Rated.
A felling disappointment to a promising series.
July 20, 2022
BACKYARD STARSHIP is a fun series that starts with the unique premise of its protagonist inheriting a space ship as well as a legal writ from his grandfather that makes him one of the galaxy's peacekeepers. Teamed up with some AI companions that remind me of the ones from MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 and a beautiful noblewoman martial artist, he fights crime or at least tries to.
I really enjoyed the first book and the sequel, RED BOUNTY, is a decent follow-up. The Backyard Spaceship series is basically a episodic crime show in space with its heroes solving one case after another. They sort of remind me of the original Mass Effects' sidequests, which is some of the strongest writing.
I really enjoyed the first book and the sequel, RED BOUNTY, is a decent follow-up. The Backyard Spaceship series is basically a episodic crime show in space with its heroes solving one case after another. They sort of remind me of the original Mass Effects' sidequests, which is some of the strongest writing.
October 19, 2021
Great “beach” reading stuff: snappy dialog, humor, sci fi with enough action in every chapter
The characters are just a bit more than two dimensional and their development never gets in the way of the endless action. Feels like a space western (is that a term?) with the marshals patrolling space and pursuing bad guys (and girls and aliens) and with gusto. For quick fun reading!!!
The characters are just a bit more than two dimensional and their development never gets in the way of the endless action. Feels like a space western (is that a term?) with the marshals patrolling space and pursuing bad guys (and girls and aliens) and with gusto. For quick fun reading!!!
May 1, 2022
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Had a such a fun time reading it! Onto Anvil Dark #3!!
July 10, 2023
Hard to get through. Dialogue is plain. Story just sort of ends? I recognize this is a series but there’s not much left at the end of the book to warrant continuing. The last 1/4 of the book is so rushed it’s like the authors were just trying to get it done. I don’t think I’m going to continue this series.
Read
October 21, 2021I Want More!
Chaney and Margery have produced another winner! Interesting characters, a well-written story, and a plausible future universe. I could not put it down. I am already waiting for the next story.
Chaney and Margery have produced another winner! Interesting characters, a well-written story, and a plausible future universe. I could not put it down. I am already waiting for the next story.
April 8, 2022
Pretty decent follow up. If you like pulp sci-fi then this series is right up your alley. Its been fun so far and while not Heinlein level of quality it is well worth a read if you want a relaxed fun book.
February 13, 2025
Action-packed space adventure. The characters are more developed in this second book. The comradery, space battles, and assorted villains continue.
I would suggest this book to whoever wants a good space adventure.
I would suggest this book to whoever wants a good space adventure.
October 20, 2021
Red Bounty
A great read leaving one wishing the next book was available now.
A good story line and characters for future books.
A great read leaving one wishing the next book was available now.
A good story line and characters for future books.
January 6, 2022
' Great book. Just as good as the 1st. Book, can't wait for book #3 & #4.
March 8, 2022
Enjoyed
I really am enjoying this series. Its a great book to read and realize how enjoyable a new author and their story's can change your heart thinking
I really am enjoying this series. Its a great book to read and realize how enjoyable a new author and their story's can change your heart thinking
May 6, 2022
Easily my favorite new series that I discovered last year, really enjoy this series. It's got humor, action, a good story, fun space stuff and is an easy quick read. Can't wait to get more.
September 2, 2025
Very good book lots of things that van gets to do. Hard to stop reading find myself laughing out loud. must read.🤓
October 19, 2021
The story continues
Chaney and Maggert hit it out of the park on this one also.
Just don't like waiting for number 3
Chaney and Maggert hit it out of the park on this one also.
Just don't like waiting for number 3
October 19, 2021
Excellent
Funny and entertaining Characters are Characters enjoying these books
Couldn't put it down waiting for the next Book hope it's just as good
Funny and entertaining Characters are Characters enjoying these books
Couldn't put it down waiting for the next Book hope it's just as good
October 19, 2021
Syfi fun
Nice straightforward story, boy meets star ship falls in love. No really a story of our possible future in the stars.
Nice straightforward story, boy meets star ship falls in love. No really a story of our possible future in the stars.
October 18, 2021
Did it again
It’s a book that you don’t want to put down until you get to the end and you don’t have a choice.My new favorite series.
It’s a book that you don’t want to put down until you get to the end and you don’t have a choice.My new favorite series.
October 18, 2021
Another good book
You have another good book. Keep it up. The story and the characters are good and easy to follow. Thank you
You have another good book. Keep it up. The story and the characters are good and easy to follow. Thank you
September 15, 2023
Red Bounty is a romping good fun space adventure that takes readers on a journey filled with hijinks across the galaxy. In this thrilling instalment, Van and his crew uncover a sinister conspiracy involving the wealthy elite, all while delivering a mix of action, humor, and social commentary.
January 31, 2023
Why didn’t I realize earlier— it’s mass effect. Down to the side quests and everything.
April 18, 2025
Better than the first one!
I think that this book is better because it not only continues the story but it also has even more of the snarky comments and dad jokes than the first book. I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, and while there’s still a bit of extra luck going their way the story is pretty satisfying.
Van is starting to internalize the RNA education given him via the injection (in book 1). He’s also gaining useful experience on the ins & outs of what being a Peacemaker means for him specifically.
With the assistance from Perry, Netty and especially Torina he’s developing a good reputation as not only capable, but honest as well.
I think that this book is better because it not only continues the story but it also has even more of the snarky comments and dad jokes than the first book. I enjoyed the interplay between the characters, and while there’s still a bit of extra luck going their way the story is pretty satisfying.
Van is starting to internalize the RNA education given him via the injection (in book 1). He’s also gaining useful experience on the ins & outs of what being a Peacemaker means for him specifically.
With the assistance from Perry, Netty and especially Torina he’s developing a good reputation as not only capable, but honest as well.
April 26, 2022
I think Van Tudor is quickly getting the hang of being a Peacemaker. He's assembled a rather strange, but very effective team who are now heavily involved in solving another criminal mystery. It was good to see Van team up with Torina, although why she would want to tag along with a Peacemaker is hard to believe considering how wealth she must be, but she's doing the job and Van has rightly designated her his Second. I can't for sure determine if Van and Torina have a romantic relationship or not, but it doesn't really matter and is not necessarily germane to the story. So, with Perry, the bird construct AI, and the highly intelligent ship AI, Netty, this Peacemaker team is making a mark on their part of the universe.
Right now they are searching for people or entities that have been stolen/kidnapped and transformed into computer chips. That's right, this future has the ability to download whatever is considered a conscious mind into a computer chip which is programmed to do whatever the user wants it to do. I guess it's like having a highly intelligent AI doing all the work for you, but sometimes these former people are aware that they are no longer in their bodies and realize they are now prisoners of whomever kidnapped them. Van and his associates want to track down who is running this dastardly business and end them, violently if possible! They are picking up leads as they go and are being helped by a senior Peacemaker name Lunzy.
We get to see a little more into the previous life of Torina in this book. She takes Van back to her homeworld that has been restored to its former peaceful conditions. He meets Cataric Innsu, a Master in the Art of Innsu or hand-to-hand combat and begins learning some valuable skills that he'll definitely need if he's to continue his Peacemaker profession. It's kind of ironic that he's learning a hand-to-hand combat technique when some of the bad guys he'll meet don't even have hands, just tentacles and such! Still, he needs to at least try to become as proficient as Torina so he can protect himself. Being a Peacemaker is dangerous business as Van Tudor is quickly finding out.
So, in this book we get insight into who is leading despicable operation of turning sentient beings into computer chips. It turns out that she is the mother of a new character we'll meet who goes by the name of Icky. You'll have to read about this encounter, but I think it's going to be one that pays dividends to Van and Torina in the long run. While everything seems to be going well in their investigation, Van has been informed that he has a cousin that has just joined the Peacemakers. How that happened, Van has no idea, considering that a few months ago he had no idea that the galaxy beyond Earth even existed, it's not surprising. Still, of all his cousins, which he doesn't have many, why did Carter Yost have to show up? He is a spoiled brat of a person, self-centered, egotistical narcissist and down-right terrible person, but now he's a Peacemaker Initiate just like Van. Who in the heck would sponsor a guy like this and more importantly, why? Van doesn't believe it's going to turn out very well with his cousin around because his cousin is also the very, very jealous type. He doesn't like sharing the spotlight with anybody and especially not with Van Tudor. So how much of a problem is he going to be. Read the story!
I like how this story is written. It's interesting but more like a detective book than a military science fiction book. Still, they do get into some fighting taking down the bad guys so there's that. It seems though that so far Van and Torina have not been really challenged all that much. With Perry and Natty backing them up, they seem to be able to apprehend whomever they are going after without a lot of problems. Even when they decide they need more help, it always seems to be available. So far, neither Van nor Torina have been seriously shot in any of their fights although they do wear armor and are occasionally outgunned. I guess things just seem too perfect to the point of them solving their mission and then what?
Don't know how this series will continue, but it certainly does. In fact, there are six books in this series already available via Amazon with a seventh book coming in May, 2022. I think I'm going to continue reading this series by starting bok 3, "Anvil Dark", right now!
Right now they are searching for people or entities that have been stolen/kidnapped and transformed into computer chips. That's right, this future has the ability to download whatever is considered a conscious mind into a computer chip which is programmed to do whatever the user wants it to do. I guess it's like having a highly intelligent AI doing all the work for you, but sometimes these former people are aware that they are no longer in their bodies and realize they are now prisoners of whomever kidnapped them. Van and his associates want to track down who is running this dastardly business and end them, violently if possible! They are picking up leads as they go and are being helped by a senior Peacemaker name Lunzy.
We get to see a little more into the previous life of Torina in this book. She takes Van back to her homeworld that has been restored to its former peaceful conditions. He meets Cataric Innsu, a Master in the Art of Innsu or hand-to-hand combat and begins learning some valuable skills that he'll definitely need if he's to continue his Peacemaker profession. It's kind of ironic that he's learning a hand-to-hand combat technique when some of the bad guys he'll meet don't even have hands, just tentacles and such! Still, he needs to at least try to become as proficient as Torina so he can protect himself. Being a Peacemaker is dangerous business as Van Tudor is quickly finding out.
So, in this book we get insight into who is leading despicable operation of turning sentient beings into computer chips. It turns out that she is the mother of a new character we'll meet who goes by the name of Icky. You'll have to read about this encounter, but I think it's going to be one that pays dividends to Van and Torina in the long run. While everything seems to be going well in their investigation, Van has been informed that he has a cousin that has just joined the Peacemakers. How that happened, Van has no idea, considering that a few months ago he had no idea that the galaxy beyond Earth even existed, it's not surprising. Still, of all his cousins, which he doesn't have many, why did Carter Yost have to show up? He is a spoiled brat of a person, self-centered, egotistical narcissist and down-right terrible person, but now he's a Peacemaker Initiate just like Van. Who in the heck would sponsor a guy like this and more importantly, why? Van doesn't believe it's going to turn out very well with his cousin around because his cousin is also the very, very jealous type. He doesn't like sharing the spotlight with anybody and especially not with Van Tudor. So how much of a problem is he going to be. Read the story!
I like how this story is written. It's interesting but more like a detective book than a military science fiction book. Still, they do get into some fighting taking down the bad guys so there's that. It seems though that so far Van and Torina have not been really challenged all that much. With Perry and Natty backing them up, they seem to be able to apprehend whomever they are going after without a lot of problems. Even when they decide they need more help, it always seems to be available. So far, neither Van nor Torina have been seriously shot in any of their fights although they do wear armor and are occasionally outgunned. I guess things just seem too perfect to the point of them solving their mission and then what?
Don't know how this series will continue, but it certainly does. In fact, there are six books in this series already available via Amazon with a seventh book coming in May, 2022. I think I'm going to continue reading this series by starting bok 3, "Anvil Dark", right now!
August 3, 2025
I would give this 3 1/2 stars if I could. It was pretty good.... just not as good as the first book in the series, "Backyard Starship".
The Story: Van is still rounding out his crew and upgrading his starship. To do that he needs to do a few well-paying jobs. Law enforcement in this universe means getting paid to do the right thing. In this case, it isn't hard to be motivated. People are being kidnapped, downloaded to a chip and then forced to run tractors and excavators because using them is cheaper than paying for an AI. People are willing to pay to rescue their loved ones, but only so many people have the money to do so, and after their love ones are rescued, only so many have enough money to pay for a new body to upload the mind into. Its tough and there is a lot of corruption involved. Unfortunately for Van, he is not corruptible... at least not in that way, and he does such a consistently good job that even his fellow officers want him dead... or at least incapacitated. He's cutting into their bottom line.
Any problems with this story? Well... it's not quite as funny as the previous novel but still has some good one-liners. I smiled a lot.
This book has a similar premise to the Bobiverse novels like "We Are Legion (We Are Bob)". It has a different tenor than Red Bounty. In Red Bounty the trapped personalities need rescuing. In The Bobiverse novels, Bob rescues himself.
The ending was good with a lot of action and plenty of room for yet another sequel. I'll probably go for that one too.
The Story: Van is still rounding out his crew and upgrading his starship. To do that he needs to do a few well-paying jobs. Law enforcement in this universe means getting paid to do the right thing. In this case, it isn't hard to be motivated. People are being kidnapped, downloaded to a chip and then forced to run tractors and excavators because using them is cheaper than paying for an AI. People are willing to pay to rescue their loved ones, but only so many people have the money to do so, and after their love ones are rescued, only so many have enough money to pay for a new body to upload the mind into. Its tough and there is a lot of corruption involved. Unfortunately for Van, he is not corruptible... at least not in that way, and he does such a consistently good job that even his fellow officers want him dead... or at least incapacitated. He's cutting into their bottom line.
Any problems with this story? Well... it's not quite as funny as the previous novel but still has some good one-liners. I smiled a lot.
This book has a similar premise to the Bobiverse novels like "We Are Legion (We Are Bob)". It has a different tenor than Red Bounty. In Red Bounty the trapped personalities need rescuing. In The Bobiverse novels, Bob rescues himself.
The ending was good with a lot of action and plenty of room for yet another sequel. I'll probably go for that one too.
January 23, 2025
While I don't hold this type of entertainment to a very high standard, I almost stopped reading (via audiobook) due to a glaring discontinuity that created a huge plot hole. I'm glad I powered through, as this book is indeed entertaining, but seriously, how did the authors, editor, or even audiobook producer not catch this huge of glitch!?
The glitch [spoilers]:
The heroes are trying to gain access to The Vault, an ultra exclusive high-end auction, because there are three mysterious items listed that are likely clues to the case. To attend the auction one must have unattainable connections and wealth, or list something incredibly rate. The heroes go looking for The Ancients' Call to list as a rare item. They find it in position of The Mistro, and in an attempt to persuade him to relinquish it to them promise [paraphrased] "it will only be used to help the enslaved people our case involves, we won't profit off it, nor will anyone we know profit off it's sale." After a side-quest for The Mistro they are given The Ancients' Call, list it in The Vault auction, attend the auction (where the sale of a couple random items is described), and sell The Ancients' Call for 3,000,000 bonds plus 100,000 bonds transport fee up front. They apparently leave the auction immediately to deliver it, forgoing the whole point of getting into the auction; learning what the three aforementioned items related to the case might be. Furthermore they pocket the money, divide it, and put it in an annuity!
It felt like the authors wrote up till the auction, took a long break, then continued forgetting what they had written. This sort of lack of attention to continuity makes me question reading the rest of the series...but now I'm invested in the characters, so I might risk it.
The glitch [spoilers]:
The heroes are trying to gain access to The Vault, an ultra exclusive high-end auction, because there are three mysterious items listed that are likely clues to the case. To attend the auction one must have unattainable connections and wealth, or list something incredibly rate. The heroes go looking for The Ancients' Call to list as a rare item. They find it in position of The Mistro, and in an attempt to persuade him to relinquish it to them promise [paraphrased] "it will only be used to help the enslaved people our case involves, we won't profit off it, nor will anyone we know profit off it's sale." After a side-quest for The Mistro they are given The Ancients' Call, list it in The Vault auction, attend the auction (where the sale of a couple random items is described), and sell The Ancients' Call for 3,000,000 bonds plus 100,000 bonds transport fee up front. They apparently leave the auction immediately to deliver it, forgoing the whole point of getting into the auction; learning what the three aforementioned items related to the case might be. Furthermore they pocket the money, divide it, and put it in an annuity!
It felt like the authors wrote up till the auction, took a long break, then continued forgetting what they had written. This sort of lack of attention to continuity makes me question reading the rest of the series...but now I'm invested in the characters, so I might risk it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2021
Fun, Witty, and Exciting
I really enjoyed this book, and the series is coming together nicely. The lengths of the books are great because Terry can fit so much into it. The characters are all great and I eventually stop thinking of people as alien and more as another character to interact with. Maybe that's a negative for some people, not having alien attributes shoved in your face, but I think the story is what matters. I love how honest but pragmatic our characters are. I HATE when a main character is self defeating by being too noble or honest or goes against everyone's advice.
There are a few gripes with the series/ universe this is built in. The nature of this universe is there are tons of alien races in known space, which only spans about 80-100 light years of space. I find it very difficult to believe that in thousands of years these races haven't spread out more considering they have faster than light travel. It ends up being that humans are much more common in space, despite Earth not even knowing about this situation.
Regardless, Van and Co are great, and he and Torina have built great chemistry with each other and the AI. I look forward to seeing their adventures in future books.
I really enjoyed this book, and the series is coming together nicely. The lengths of the books are great because Terry can fit so much into it. The characters are all great and I eventually stop thinking of people as alien and more as another character to interact with. Maybe that's a negative for some people, not having alien attributes shoved in your face, but I think the story is what matters. I love how honest but pragmatic our characters are. I HATE when a main character is self defeating by being too noble or honest or goes against everyone's advice.
There are a few gripes with the series/ universe this is built in. The nature of this universe is there are tons of alien races in known space, which only spans about 80-100 light years of space. I find it very difficult to believe that in thousands of years these races haven't spread out more considering they have faster than light travel. It ends up being that humans are much more common in space, despite Earth not even knowing about this situation.
Regardless, Van and Co are great, and he and Torina have built great chemistry with each other and the AI. I look forward to seeing their adventures in future books.
February 26, 2022
It continues to be a great sci fi series. Its rare that an author can introduce a galaxy and all the aliens in them and make them unique. That along with mostly great characters and its something you can read and enjoy.
The flaw in this series is the same as the first, but its slowly starting to get a little infuriating. Torina. She continues to be the perfect woman in all the galaxy. She is great at everything, nothing bad happens to her, and is just described as perfect with zero flaws. I say zero flaws cause the "flaw" that is portrayed is how rough she has it being mega rich and she is fighting the galaxy like she is one of those environmental activists. It was a small problem in book 1 and its getting more in book 2.
I still rate this 4 stars cause the story is that good even though. The sarcasm and Van's attitude is commendable writing. His contrast with Carter as cousins is probably the strongest part of this story so far. I would like more flaws in the supporting characters, real flaws, mostly for Torina and a little of Lunzy. We have flaws with Van, Perry, and Netty but not those. Its the only bad I can say about the book. Though if it continues I will have a harder time reading further.
The flaw in this series is the same as the first, but its slowly starting to get a little infuriating. Torina. She continues to be the perfect woman in all the galaxy. She is great at everything, nothing bad happens to her, and is just described as perfect with zero flaws. I say zero flaws cause the "flaw" that is portrayed is how rough she has it being mega rich and she is fighting the galaxy like she is one of those environmental activists. It was a small problem in book 1 and its getting more in book 2.
I still rate this 4 stars cause the story is that good even though. The sarcasm and Van's attitude is commendable writing. His contrast with Carter as cousins is probably the strongest part of this story so far. I would like more flaws in the supporting characters, real flaws, mostly for Torina and a little of Lunzy. We have flaws with Van, Perry, and Netty but not those. Its the only bad I can say about the book. Though if it continues I will have a harder time reading further.
November 4, 2021
This is the second book in the Backyard Starship series and I have to say that our main protagonist, Van Tudor, and his merry band of adventurers as well as the story itself grows on me.
In the first book I was a bit miffed that the author started off by more or less crippling this “backyard starship” of his and I feared that he was going to play the underdog that everyone beat up on for the foreseeable future.
Luckily we moved on from that rather quickly. Not that Van Tudor is flying around in some uberpowerful battleship or anything but thanks to the rather original story idea as to how the peacekeepers function he has been able to upgrade his ship so he can indeed kick some ass now.
The books is more or less a chain of adventures with a red thread following through them. Some of the concepts and story ideas in the book are somewhat silly and certainly not very realistic. The idea to steal brains of sentient species’ brains to run mundane equipment. Is pretty ridiculous. Especially in an age where AI is rather commonplace. But it does keep the story going so I can live with it.
Van Tudor’s battle AI is hilarious and the bantering between Van, Perry and Torina is quite enjoyable. The story wanders between science fiction and fantasy fiction but it is quite fun to read.
Van Tudor & Co ventures back to Van Tudor’s home for a few chapters in this book. I really hope that the author writes in some nice jaw dropping surprise moments for some of Tudor’s friends back on Earth and that a bit more connection is made to Earth. Preferably with some ass-kicking retired marine or something. Certainly not any of our dumbass politicians of course.
There are some treacherous scheming going on inside the peacekeepers, a kind of story I’m not too keen on, but it’s not too bad and I really hope Van Tudor gets to do some more ass kicking with respect to this despicable and generally useless relative of his. I have to say that I am rather looking forward to the next book in the series.
In the first book I was a bit miffed that the author started off by more or less crippling this “backyard starship” of his and I feared that he was going to play the underdog that everyone beat up on for the foreseeable future.
Luckily we moved on from that rather quickly. Not that Van Tudor is flying around in some uberpowerful battleship or anything but thanks to the rather original story idea as to how the peacekeepers function he has been able to upgrade his ship so he can indeed kick some ass now.
The books is more or less a chain of adventures with a red thread following through them. Some of the concepts and story ideas in the book are somewhat silly and certainly not very realistic. The idea to steal brains of sentient species’ brains to run mundane equipment. Is pretty ridiculous. Especially in an age where AI is rather commonplace. But it does keep the story going so I can live with it.
Van Tudor’s battle AI is hilarious and the bantering between Van, Perry and Torina is quite enjoyable. The story wanders between science fiction and fantasy fiction but it is quite fun to read.
Van Tudor & Co ventures back to Van Tudor’s home for a few chapters in this book. I really hope that the author writes in some nice jaw dropping surprise moments for some of Tudor’s friends back on Earth and that a bit more connection is made to Earth. Preferably with some ass-kicking retired marine or something. Certainly not any of our dumbass politicians of course.
There are some treacherous scheming going on inside the peacekeepers, a kind of story I’m not too keen on, but it’s not too bad and I really hope Van Tudor gets to do some more ass kicking with respect to this despicable and generally useless relative of his. I have to say that I am rather looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 8, 2022
Justice for chipped people!
Towards the end of the previous novel Van Tudor, Torina, Perry and co uncover a nefarious scheme whereby beings are transferred to a chip and used to run objects. This novel deals with the Peacemakers attempts to stop this scheme. While hunting for chipped beings they come across the last of a species who can communicate almost telepathically and somehow senses others. They realize that these others have been chipped so the hunt begins to track down the remaining entities. In their search, they track down a mother who prefers money to her husband and child - the latter 2 become great friends with Van and co. They discover at least one of the traitorous peacemakers sand gave showdowns with pirates and sorcerors!
Another entertaining read as we follow Van and his crew exploring the universe and meeting a variety of different species as well as some old 'friends' from the previous novel....
Towards the end of the previous novel Van Tudor, Torina, Perry and co uncover a nefarious scheme whereby beings are transferred to a chip and used to run objects. This novel deals with the Peacemakers attempts to stop this scheme. While hunting for chipped beings they come across the last of a species who can communicate almost telepathically and somehow senses others. They realize that these others have been chipped so the hunt begins to track down the remaining entities. In their search, they track down a mother who prefers money to her husband and child - the latter 2 become great friends with Van and co. They discover at least one of the traitorous peacemakers sand gave showdowns with pirates and sorcerors!
Another entertaining read as we follow Van and his crew exploring the universe and meeting a variety of different species as well as some old 'friends' from the previous novel....
December 23, 2021
Chaney, J. N., and Terry Maggert. Red Bounty. Backyard Spaceship No. 2. Kindle, 2021.
Van, a white-hat hacker who inherited his grandfather’s spaceship and combat AI, is now a Peacemaker with a human female partner. The Peacemakers are a for-profit police force with more official authority than power. Their life is a struggle to upgrade and supply the ship and repair damage from their encounters with the bad guys. It is complicated because the courts and the Peacemakers themselves are often corrupt. Organized crime is rampant throughout the galaxy. Bodies are in short supply and artificial intelligence chips are valuable. Kidnapping people and downloading their consciousnesses onto chips and selling them as Ais. Van and his team hop from star to star to rescue some of the victims. In the process combat AI bird Perry gets his metal feathers more than ruffled. Silly but fun. 3.5 stars.
Van, a white-hat hacker who inherited his grandfather’s spaceship and combat AI, is now a Peacemaker with a human female partner. The Peacemakers are a for-profit police force with more official authority than power. Their life is a struggle to upgrade and supply the ship and repair damage from their encounters with the bad guys. It is complicated because the courts and the Peacemakers themselves are often corrupt. Organized crime is rampant throughout the galaxy. Bodies are in short supply and artificial intelligence chips are valuable. Kidnapping people and downloading their consciousnesses onto chips and selling them as Ais. Van and his team hop from star to star to rescue some of the victims. In the process combat AI bird Perry gets his metal feathers more than ruffled. Silly but fun. 3.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews