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Backyard Starship #3
Anvil Dark
The guild is under attack, and Van is right in the middle of it all.
When Master Yewlo is abducted by unknown forces, the Peacemakers are thrown into chaos as the rescue mission begins. Finding Yewlo will be hard, but the search reveals secrets the guild might not survive—secrets about a system so corrupt, it will take Van and his team’s best efforts to untangle the truth.
And they might not like what they find.
On the grimy station known as Halcyon, Van will track and confront thieves who deal in stolen lives, all in order to save a Master who might not have the guild’s best interest at heart. With Sorcerers and Cloaks and every other kind of criminal, Van, Torina, Perry and Icky learn that friends come in all shapes and sizes—and so do enemies.
From the depths of space to Iowa, join Van as he fights to save his guild, free stolen lives, and discover that money makes the universe go around—money and lies, that is.
And Van will find the truth, no matter what the cost.
When Master Yewlo is abducted by unknown forces, the Peacemakers are thrown into chaos as the rescue mission begins. Finding Yewlo will be hard, but the search reveals secrets the guild might not survive—secrets about a system so corrupt, it will take Van and his team’s best efforts to untangle the truth.
And they might not like what they find.
On the grimy station known as Halcyon, Van will track and confront thieves who deal in stolen lives, all in order to save a Master who might not have the guild’s best interest at heart. With Sorcerers and Cloaks and every other kind of criminal, Van, Torina, Perry and Icky learn that friends come in all shapes and sizes—and so do enemies.
From the depths of space to Iowa, join Van as he fights to save his guild, free stolen lives, and discover that money makes the universe go around—money and lies, that is.
And Van will find the truth, no matter what the cost.
ebook
Published November 21, 2021
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J.N. Chaney
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
July 20, 2022
BACKYARD SPACESHIP is a series that I really enjoy and am glad to have picked up on Kindle Unlimited after it was recommended to me a few hundred times by Amazon. The premise is that a ex-Army intelligence officer inherits a spaceship from his grandfather and teams up with an eccentric crew of AI as well as capable space aristocrat to fight crime. They're more or less episodic stories as he stops one nefarious gang after another with very little in the way of a larger narrative--which is fine. It would make a fantastic TV show.
This book deals with the increasing corruption of the Peacemakers and I very much enjoyed how our hero, himself, is tempted with breaking the laws regarding corruption for the greater good. Especially when his friends verge on bankruptcy. It adds a layer of nuance to things that wouldn'r normally be there.
This book deals with the increasing corruption of the Peacemakers and I very much enjoyed how our hero, himself, is tempted with breaking the laws regarding corruption for the greater good. Especially when his friends verge on bankruptcy. It adds a layer of nuance to things that wouldn'r normally be there.
November 24, 2021
Publsihing Date: 2021
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 1.3/5
Review: Honestly I don’t think this series is ever going to end. As evidenced by this installment, it becomes apparent that this was a filler novel with no real story line or understandable outcome.
Again with the To and Fro-ing across the galaxy with no intent other than to uncover the bad guy aliens that seem to be everywhere and nowhere. The idea that there were corrupt Masters within the Guild was good, but then we traipse off to another place only more confused than before while poor princess Torina cwys like a baby cuz the big bag mercenawies killed some pwants on her home world. Now lets dash this way to buy a new ship, screw some crooked capybaras out of the sale, joke and smirk with a computer bird and promise vengeance…..to things and stuff.
This was a lame setup for novels to come and a colossal waste of time
Genre: SciFi
Rating: 1.3/5
Review: Honestly I don’t think this series is ever going to end. As evidenced by this installment, it becomes apparent that this was a filler novel with no real story line or understandable outcome.
Again with the To and Fro-ing across the galaxy with no intent other than to uncover the bad guy aliens that seem to be everywhere and nowhere. The idea that there were corrupt Masters within the Guild was good, but then we traipse off to another place only more confused than before while poor princess Torina cwys like a baby cuz the big bag mercenawies killed some pwants on her home world. Now lets dash this way to buy a new ship, screw some crooked capybaras out of the sale, joke and smirk with a computer bird and promise vengeance…..to things and stuff.
This was a lame setup for novels to come and a colossal waste of time
April 17, 2025
Van’s adventure continues
Van, Torrina, Icky and Perry (plus Netty of course) dig deeper into the criminal organization that is “chipping” people as well as poisoning the land belonging to Torrina and her family. He also learns more about the missing Masters.
The snarky attitudes continue to make the book fun.
Van, Torrina, Icky and Perry (plus Netty of course) dig deeper into the criminal organization that is “chipping” people as well as poisoning the land belonging to Torrina and her family. He also learns more about the missing Masters.
The snarky attitudes continue to make the book fun.
May 16, 2022
“I knew one thing to be true, no matter how surreal the realization. I was meant to be in space.”
Another 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ premise! I’m loving this series so much! It’s finely written, deftly combining so many emotional elements together that makes this series a delightful pleasure to read. Next in line is Legacy of Stars #4, already in my Kindle App Library!
Another 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ premise! I’m loving this series so much! It’s finely written, deftly combining so many emotional elements together that makes this series a delightful pleasure to read. Next in line is Legacy of Stars #4, already in my Kindle App Library!
April 29, 2022
Peacemaker Van Tudor is settling into his new job and new situation just fine. He's earning a name for himself by cracking some very interesting cases that have, good and bad, brought him to the attention of numerous bad guys. But, that comes with the territory. His team of Torina, Perry (an advanced AI in the form of a bird) and Netty (the Farfnir's AI) are doing very well together. And with the recent addition of Icky, an exceptionally talented engineer, they all make quite a team.
They are still trying to figure out who is behind all the disgusting acts of placing sentient beings in computer chips thereby making them slaves to whatever programming the chip may have. Some of these chips have been employed in the most hideous places other have been just used to control mind-numbing repetitive tasks that could go on forever. But, since the last book in which they found and later killed one of the ring-leaders, they have run out of leads. Then they receive a Peacemaker call for all Peacemakers to report to Anvil Dark "for an emergency hostage retrieval".
It seems that one of the Peacemaker Masters has gone missing. Yet, this strange occurrence isn't turning out as you would expect. There isn't a mass panic about Master Yewlo's disappearance and it turns out that the Peacemaker Guild wants to really keep this on the quiet. The reason for that is they can find no evidence of foul play nor can they find how Master Yewlo even left the Guild HQ without a trace. If someone could kidnap a Peacemaker Master right from HQ without anyone knowing how, that wouldn't help the Peacemaker's image of competent law enforcers one bit.
So, Van and his team initially start working on this problem by visiting Yewlo's home only to find it a seal warren that can't be accessed by anyone no matter the reason. In fact, the warren hasn't been heard from in years and there's no indication that anyone is even alive inside the below ground habitat. And it seems that the habitat was sealed right after Yewlo's last visit some eight years ago! So there is some strange things with this case. Then another Peacemaker Master goes missing! What is going on with the Guild?
But another problem pops up that's directly affecting Torina. As you're aware, Van had helped Torian and her family to restore their planet after it was illegally stolen from her parents and then stripped mined. They tore up the planet something terrible and Torina was devastated at how badly her home planet had looked. That is until they found the Synergists. These were a collection of beings that Van called space hippies and they were experts in restoring planets. So they were hired and had done a wonderful job restoring the planet back to it's original condition. But now, Torina has just been informed something else was happening to her home planet so Van said they would go and find out what was going on. This leads to all sorts of problems, but one that will lead the Peacemakers to attack a mercenary stronghold, something that was never, ever done.
I do like this story, but it seems to get kind of boring in places. Van Tudor is not a typical human, that's for sure. Here's he surrounded by very intelligent, advanced AI's yet he's the one coming up with most of the solutions to their problems. That's probably not the way things would work out. Additionally, Van is gone a long time from Earth, yet when he returns, there's no one concerned with his lengthy absences. Yes, he only has an Aunt that checks on the farm periodically, but you'd think she should be wondering where he went all the time. Additionally, while Van Tudor is making big Bonds in space, he's not making any money on Earth, so who's paying his bills and with what? I'll keep reading this series, but you can figure most everything bad works out in Van Tudor's favor. He's going to be a Peacemaker Master pretty soon, I would guess.
They are still trying to figure out who is behind all the disgusting acts of placing sentient beings in computer chips thereby making them slaves to whatever programming the chip may have. Some of these chips have been employed in the most hideous places other have been just used to control mind-numbing repetitive tasks that could go on forever. But, since the last book in which they found and later killed one of the ring-leaders, they have run out of leads. Then they receive a Peacemaker call for all Peacemakers to report to Anvil Dark "for an emergency hostage retrieval".
It seems that one of the Peacemaker Masters has gone missing. Yet, this strange occurrence isn't turning out as you would expect. There isn't a mass panic about Master Yewlo's disappearance and it turns out that the Peacemaker Guild wants to really keep this on the quiet. The reason for that is they can find no evidence of foul play nor can they find how Master Yewlo even left the Guild HQ without a trace. If someone could kidnap a Peacemaker Master right from HQ without anyone knowing how, that wouldn't help the Peacemaker's image of competent law enforcers one bit.
So, Van and his team initially start working on this problem by visiting Yewlo's home only to find it a seal warren that can't be accessed by anyone no matter the reason. In fact, the warren hasn't been heard from in years and there's no indication that anyone is even alive inside the below ground habitat. And it seems that the habitat was sealed right after Yewlo's last visit some eight years ago! So there is some strange things with this case. Then another Peacemaker Master goes missing! What is going on with the Guild?
But another problem pops up that's directly affecting Torina. As you're aware, Van had helped Torian and her family to restore their planet after it was illegally stolen from her parents and then stripped mined. They tore up the planet something terrible and Torina was devastated at how badly her home planet had looked. That is until they found the Synergists. These were a collection of beings that Van called space hippies and they were experts in restoring planets. So they were hired and had done a wonderful job restoring the planet back to it's original condition. But now, Torina has just been informed something else was happening to her home planet so Van said they would go and find out what was going on. This leads to all sorts of problems, but one that will lead the Peacemakers to attack a mercenary stronghold, something that was never, ever done.
I do like this story, but it seems to get kind of boring in places. Van Tudor is not a typical human, that's for sure. Here's he surrounded by very intelligent, advanced AI's yet he's the one coming up with most of the solutions to their problems. That's probably not the way things would work out. Additionally, Van is gone a long time from Earth, yet when he returns, there's no one concerned with his lengthy absences. Yes, he only has an Aunt that checks on the farm periodically, but you'd think she should be wondering where he went all the time. Additionally, while Van Tudor is making big Bonds in space, he's not making any money on Earth, so who's paying his bills and with what? I'll keep reading this series, but you can figure most everything bad works out in Van Tudor's favor. He's going to be a Peacemaker Master pretty soon, I would guess.
August 1, 2022
An enjoyable series. It is not War and Peace mind you, but if you are looking for some light escapist reading this does it.
March 31, 2023
This is one of the more difficult reviews to write because I really WANT to like this series. The concept is interesting and the authors have created a highly interesting and enjoyable world. The characters are also relatively interesting and the dialogue contains enough sarcasm to bring a smile, but not too much to where it becomes annoying. In many ways, this should scratch my “space adventure with interesting technology and snarky AIs” itch. (Yes, I know that’s a weirdly specific book preference.)
So, why am I giving it a two star rating (and most likely not reading the next book)? The books have quite possibly the weakest plot development of any book series I’ve read in a long time. The books often feel like a series of side quests on an RPG video game. Van goes to Anvil Dark and talks with this main character. Then, he goes back to Spindrift and talks with these characters. On the way, he captures a ship and sells it for profit. Torina’s home world needs help, so he stops by there. While there, he receives a call that new information has come in and heads to Anvil Dark. While there, he runs across a missing leader. Eventually, these side quests come together as all relating to one main “bad guy.”
Each of these stops feels like the authors mapped out the storyline and then just wrote a handful of paragraphs about that storyline point and moved on to the next. What this means for me, the reader, is that I feel like I’m reading a series of antidotes of the main character’s day. In other words, it’s not particularly compelling writing.
This leads to my biggest gripe about this latest book. The payoff at the end is terribly weak. SPOILER ALERT! I was 91% of the way through the book and still hadn’t reached the dénouement (not a good sign). Finally, Van is facing the bad guy and has enlisted the help of one of the Masters (who then calls in ALL of his favors to track down and take out the bad guy). What does ALL of the favors from one of the Masters result in? Van poisons the food supply of the bad guy and gets the name of another bad guy who hired the current bad guy. That’s it. Space battle? Nope. Epic gun fight? Nada. Desperate flee through the enemy’s space station. No way. Basically, he verbally confronts the bad guy and then leaves. The master does nothing. The big bad gunboat that they hired (using ALL of the favors from the Master) does nothing. Just a bunch of talking and “I poisoned your food.” Let down? You better believe it.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, we’re 95% of the way through the book and the authors still haven’t wrapped things up. Van sells some satellites and intentionally keeps the money on hand so another group of bad guys will come after him. OK. Weird way to end the book, but I’m sure Van has a reason for this, right? Nope. He gets his ship attacked and no one can come help him. Apparently, he planned to get the enemy to attack him, but didn’t have any way to defend himself when he did get attacked. He’s about to get destroyed so he does a last ditch thing – climbs out of his ship and uses his space sword to cut into the enemy ship. We’re at 98% now, so I’m interested to see how in the world the authors can finish this in two pages. Turns out that (with no explanation from the authors) the ship Van attacks decides it wants to lose its hull integrity and rips apart throwing the bad guys into space. That’s one powerful space sword!
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why this series is rated so highly on Goodreads and Amazon. Maybe it’s the worldbuilding and people don’t mind the lack of plot development. For me, I just can’t take it any more.
I almost quit after the first book because of these, but I just couldn’t help myself. The possibilities are there! They’re just left at possibilities. Maybe if I’m desperate I’ll come back to this series in the hopes that the authors will get better over time, but…
So, why am I giving it a two star rating (and most likely not reading the next book)? The books have quite possibly the weakest plot development of any book series I’ve read in a long time. The books often feel like a series of side quests on an RPG video game. Van goes to Anvil Dark and talks with this main character. Then, he goes back to Spindrift and talks with these characters. On the way, he captures a ship and sells it for profit. Torina’s home world needs help, so he stops by there. While there, he receives a call that new information has come in and heads to Anvil Dark. While there, he runs across a missing leader. Eventually, these side quests come together as all relating to one main “bad guy.”
Each of these stops feels like the authors mapped out the storyline and then just wrote a handful of paragraphs about that storyline point and moved on to the next. What this means for me, the reader, is that I feel like I’m reading a series of antidotes of the main character’s day. In other words, it’s not particularly compelling writing.
This leads to my biggest gripe about this latest book. The payoff at the end is terribly weak. SPOILER ALERT! I was 91% of the way through the book and still hadn’t reached the dénouement (not a good sign). Finally, Van is facing the bad guy and has enlisted the help of one of the Masters (who then calls in ALL of his favors to track down and take out the bad guy). What does ALL of the favors from one of the Masters result in? Van poisons the food supply of the bad guy and gets the name of another bad guy who hired the current bad guy. That’s it. Space battle? Nope. Epic gun fight? Nada. Desperate flee through the enemy’s space station. No way. Basically, he verbally confronts the bad guy and then leaves. The master does nothing. The big bad gunboat that they hired (using ALL of the favors from the Master) does nothing. Just a bunch of talking and “I poisoned your food.” Let down? You better believe it.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, we’re 95% of the way through the book and the authors still haven’t wrapped things up. Van sells some satellites and intentionally keeps the money on hand so another group of bad guys will come after him. OK. Weird way to end the book, but I’m sure Van has a reason for this, right? Nope. He gets his ship attacked and no one can come help him. Apparently, he planned to get the enemy to attack him, but didn’t have any way to defend himself when he did get attacked. He’s about to get destroyed so he does a last ditch thing – climbs out of his ship and uses his space sword to cut into the enemy ship. We’re at 98% now, so I’m interested to see how in the world the authors can finish this in two pages. Turns out that (with no explanation from the authors) the ship Van attacks decides it wants to lose its hull integrity and rips apart throwing the bad guys into space. That’s one powerful space sword!
For the life of me, I can’t figure out why this series is rated so highly on Goodreads and Amazon. Maybe it’s the worldbuilding and people don’t mind the lack of plot development. For me, I just can’t take it any more.
I almost quit after the first book because of these, but I just couldn’t help myself. The possibilities are there! They’re just left at possibilities. Maybe if I’m desperate I’ll come back to this series in the hopes that the authors will get better over time, but…
February 13, 2022
Missing masters!
Van gets called in to Anvil Dark, the peacemakers headquarters, because one if the 7 masters has gone missing. At the same time he us still following the trial of the people chippers and bad news cones from Torina's home. The soil has been poisoned by nanotech so the reclamation by the space hippies needs to be redone with it taking 3 years to remove the toxins and redo everything.
A second master also goes missing. Van investigates the family of each missing master and one is living in squalor and doesn't talk to the master and the second appears to have been wiped out....
Money is always useful in helping track people so Van comes up with a plan to get some money. Of course when people know you have money, someone always wants it... Bursts if action and intrigue occur on a backdrop of relationships and mystery. A fun read.
Van gets called in to Anvil Dark, the peacemakers headquarters, because one if the 7 masters has gone missing. At the same time he us still following the trial of the people chippers and bad news cones from Torina's home. The soil has been poisoned by nanotech so the reclamation by the space hippies needs to be redone with it taking 3 years to remove the toxins and redo everything.
A second master also goes missing. Van investigates the family of each missing master and one is living in squalor and doesn't talk to the master and the second appears to have been wiped out....
Money is always useful in helping track people so Van comes up with a plan to get some money. Of course when people know you have money, someone always wants it... Bursts if action and intrigue occur on a backdrop of relationships and mystery. A fun read.
December 2, 2022
Icky has left her father's ship to join the Fafnir as Van's new engineer. The crew of the Fafnir carries on with their mission to hunt down sorcerers responsible for putting sentient being's minds inside AI equipment to use as operating software but are diverted when one of the masters on Anvil Dark disappears. Anvil Dark being the Peacemaker's home base.
As the Fafnir heads out to search for leads, they receive a message from Torina's home. Changing direction, they rush to find that her home is once again under attack. The land is dying.
This series so far has one major underlying quest: to find all the stolen minds and rescue them as able. But you know how a day goes. Stuff happens. Plans change. New information comes in. There's always more than one thing going on with the crew of the Fafnir and it's always entertaining.
As the Fafnir heads out to search for leads, they receive a message from Torina's home. Changing direction, they rush to find that her home is once again under attack. The land is dying.
This series so far has one major underlying quest: to find all the stolen minds and rescue them as able. But you know how a day goes. Stuff happens. Plans change. New information comes in. There's always more than one thing going on with the crew of the Fafnir and it's always entertaining.
January 28, 2023
Like The Novelization of a Great Sci-Fi RPG
Want spaceships? Got tons. Awesome weapons. Those too. Fun, well-developed, and interesting characters? Yep. Tightly woven plots with solid surprises and even a few moments of, “Oh, whoa, REALLY?!?” Done and done.
This third book in the series really takes everything that works so well about the last two and kicks it up a few notches. The earning of upgrades to ships and weapons, the addition of new crew and supporting characters… it’s all there. It’s like all the best storytelling elements from your favorite video games but without the need to dungeon-crawl to slowly grind away. I love where this is going.
Want spaceships? Got tons. Awesome weapons. Those too. Fun, well-developed, and interesting characters? Yep. Tightly woven plots with solid surprises and even a few moments of, “Oh, whoa, REALLY?!?” Done and done.
This third book in the series really takes everything that works so well about the last two and kicks it up a few notches. The earning of upgrades to ships and weapons, the addition of new crew and supporting characters… it’s all there. It’s like all the best storytelling elements from your favorite video games but without the need to dungeon-crawl to slowly grind away. I love where this is going.
January 19, 2022
Fun read, non stop story progression
This series of books has more sub plots than a Clancy novel. The main story/investigation remains constant, but the number of side stories boggles the mind and is all the better for it
This time round, mercenaries, genetically modified weed killer and all the usual pirates and thieves all have there 5 minutes of fame, just prior to Van making deals with them, killing them or on rare occasions actually arresting them
It's a great fun read. Off to the next in the series
This series of books has more sub plots than a Clancy novel. The main story/investigation remains constant, but the number of side stories boggles the mind and is all the better for it
This time round, mercenaries, genetically modified weed killer and all the usual pirates and thieves all have there 5 minutes of fame, just prior to Van making deals with them, killing them or on rare occasions actually arresting them
It's a great fun read. Off to the next in the series
August 16, 2022
A journey you’ll share with friends.
The “ Backyard Starship “ series is continuing to get better and better. I’ve just finished book three Dark Anvil and I’m eagerly waiting for book four to arrive in my kindle inbox.
The writing has taken me back to writers of the 70’s who could capture your imagination and draw you into the lives of the characters.
Terry Maggert and J.N. Chaney have raised the bar for future science fiction writers to reach.
All I can say to them is “ Good luck”.
The “ Backyard Starship “ series is continuing to get better and better. I’ve just finished book three Dark Anvil and I’m eagerly waiting for book four to arrive in my kindle inbox.
The writing has taken me back to writers of the 70’s who could capture your imagination and draw you into the lives of the characters.
Terry Maggert and J.N. Chaney have raised the bar for future science fiction writers to reach.
All I can say to them is “ Good luck”.
August 3, 2023
Memorable characters whom you care about doing things that you will think are COOL.
I very much appreciate this series. It's a hoot. The characters are well-developed, and you definitely feel like you can identify with them. The descriptions of the technology are minimal, but absolutely nothing breaks the sense of a reliably-predictable universe that is based in Newtonian realities - no "fantasy-spiritual silliness" here.
I look forward to reading the rest of this lengthy series.
I very much appreciate this series. It's a hoot. The characters are well-developed, and you definitely feel like you can identify with them. The descriptions of the technology are minimal, but absolutely nothing breaks the sense of a reliably-predictable universe that is based in Newtonian realities - no "fantasy-spiritual silliness" here.
I look forward to reading the rest of this lengthy series.
April 21, 2025
Hard to put down!
I read the first Back Yard Starship just as a change from a run of dark fantasy books, and it certainly was a lot lighter - and compelling.
The author writes in an easy-to-read way, adding in a good deal of humopur, whilst dealing with sometimes serious topics. The book was such a refreshing change, and I was so invested in the principal characters, that I found myself going on to book two, then book three- - Anvil Dark.
Anvil Dark is more of the same, a highly entertaining read. I have already gone on to book four. I'm a bit worried I may be down this rabbit hole a while, as I see there are 24 0r 26 books in the series!
I read the first Back Yard Starship just as a change from a run of dark fantasy books, and it certainly was a lot lighter - and compelling.
The author writes in an easy-to-read way, adding in a good deal of humopur, whilst dealing with sometimes serious topics. The book was such a refreshing change, and I was so invested in the principal characters, that I found myself going on to book two, then book three- - Anvil Dark.
Anvil Dark is more of the same, a highly entertaining read. I have already gone on to book four. I'm a bit worried I may be down this rabbit hole a while, as I see there are 24 0r 26 books in the series!
July 27, 2025
I listen to these books with my husband who is addicted to the series. I am quickly joining him. Since we only listen while together in the car it can be weeks in between listening again. To show you how good they are, I still remember the story, the characters, the plot. Just WOW.
Lots of conspiracies, action and mind games are in Avil Dark. They just don't know who to trust. When I think I have figured out; I am wrong. The different species never cease to amaze me. Time to figure out somewhere to go so I can keep listening to the next book.
Lots of conspiracies, action and mind games are in Avil Dark. They just don't know who to trust. When I think I have figured out; I am wrong. The different species never cease to amaze me. Time to figure out somewhere to go so I can keep listening to the next book.
December 8, 2021
Justice in space
Van and co. are chasing the baddies all over space and putting their own lives at risk. Sometimes it seems as though they skirt the line of legality but they come out clean every time. Unfortunately, they can’t just get rid of the pesky bad guys but they can let them get themselves into situations they can’t survive! A good fast series that has originality in its favour.
Van and co. are chasing the baddies all over space and putting their own lives at risk. Sometimes it seems as though they skirt the line of legality but they come out clean every time. Unfortunately, they can’t just get rid of the pesky bad guys but they can let them get themselves into situations they can’t survive! A good fast series that has originality in its favour.
January 31, 2022
A Great Exciting Adventure
This was a ton of fun to read. While there are certainly some plot holes that I wonder about, I really have enjoyed this series. It's pretty crazy to think that in this universe, even near space to Earth is FILLED with aliens! I've read other series where there isn't alien life anywhere near us. Regardless, I recommend this book to anyone who likes fun space operas and crazy leads.
This was a ton of fun to read. While there are certainly some plot holes that I wonder about, I really have enjoyed this series. It's pretty crazy to think that in this universe, even near space to Earth is FILLED with aliens! I've read other series where there isn't alien life anywhere near us. Regardless, I recommend this book to anyone who likes fun space operas and crazy leads.
March 17, 2022
Continued good reading
I think this maybe the best of the series to date. Characters are finding themselves. Story line continues to progress nicely. Sort of like a good sitcom after a couple of episodes.
Basically, It just feels good to have a story with characters that are fundamentally likable. Plus I’m from Iowa so they keep hitting the sweet spot with those in story references.
I think this maybe the best of the series to date. Characters are finding themselves. Story line continues to progress nicely. Sort of like a good sitcom after a couple of episodes.
Basically, It just feels good to have a story with characters that are fundamentally likable. Plus I’m from Iowa so they keep hitting the sweet spot with those in story references.
November 26, 2022
I’m enjoying the twists and escalations in each addition to this series. The cast is fun and sometimes hilarious ;) don’t want to get Perry the combat AI bird into a fit. He’s my favorite, though I love all of the characters we meet. This reads like good ol fashion sci-fi but for us cool adults. Kids probably dig it too. The moon sword is an awesome bit of gear and I Iove the Gamelit element of advancing it. The audio performance is spot on. I’m on board for book four!
August 1, 2023
Although not much really happens in this installment, I do enjoy this series. The universe it's set in is very well defined and I can imagine it existing. There isn't any deep message here, but it is lots of fun.
One thing though -- the old TV series "Mannix" is referenced incorrectly. He was a P.I., not a cop, and was very clear he couldn't arrest anybody. The quote they use just doesn't work for him. There. Glad I got THAT off my chest.
One thing though -- the old TV series "Mannix" is referenced incorrectly. He was a P.I., not a cop, and was very clear he couldn't arrest anybody. The quote they use just doesn't work for him. There. Glad I got THAT off my chest.
August 7, 2025
I like this series a lot but not enough to give it 4 stars. I am enjoying following along with the story.
In this story Master Yewlo is abducted. That is either good or bad. Hard to tell since there is apparent wide-ranged corruption amongst the Peacemakers and the Masters. Van Tutor is living up to his grandfather's reputation for a lack of corruption.. mostly. Well... no one is perfect.. but close enough.
In this story Master Yewlo is abducted. That is either good or bad. Hard to tell since there is apparent wide-ranged corruption amongst the Peacemakers and the Masters. Van Tutor is living up to his grandfather's reputation for a lack of corruption.. mostly. Well... no one is perfect.. but close enough.
November 23, 2021
I loved this book!
Rootin, tootin, shooting space western featuring a classic group of freewheeling humans, aliens, battle robots, and AI systems. Great dialog and effective storytelling make this book even better than the previous ones. I hope these guys can keep up the pace as I can't wait to read the next one.
Rootin, tootin, shooting space western featuring a classic group of freewheeling humans, aliens, battle robots, and AI systems. Great dialog and effective storytelling make this book even better than the previous ones. I hope these guys can keep up the pace as I can't wait to read the next one.
November 30, 2021
The story continues with wisecracks and snark.
The story continues with more wise cracks and snark. An entertaining and enjoyable escapist read. Just finished too darn soon. Looking forward the the continuation, but dreading the wait for it. The author made a human story with enough future tech to keep a science junkie
The story continues with more wise cracks and snark. An entertaining and enjoyable escapist read. Just finished too darn soon. Looking forward the the continuation, but dreading the wait for it. The author made a human story with enough future tech to keep a science junkie
December 2, 2021
Decent Book
Third in a series, but so much reviewing of past episodes that I ended up slipping a lot of pages. There was also to much useless description of "everything", along with comparing alien history with earth history. I am going to read book 4, hopefully it will hold my interest.
Third in a series, but so much reviewing of past episodes that I ended up slipping a lot of pages. There was also to much useless description of "everything", along with comparing alien history with earth history. I am going to read book 4, hopefully it will hold my interest.
February 2, 2022
I just live e these characters!
Put your good buddy p in space with some decent hardware, great computers and an assortment of incredible friends, then find ways for them to try to repair some really nasty criminal damage. They get it done. Very entertaining and another page turner!
Put your good buddy p in space with some decent hardware, great computers and an assortment of incredible friends, then find ways for them to try to repair some really nasty criminal damage. They get it done. Very entertaining and another page turner!
April 23, 2022
Another fun outing in the Backyard Starship series.
The characters are fun, interesting, well written and consistent. The story moves along nicely. The action never gets overly violent or unsettling. This is classic space opera that any age from teen to 100 can readily relax and enjoy. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
The characters are fun, interesting, well written and consistent. The story moves along nicely. The action never gets overly violent or unsettling. This is classic space opera that any age from teen to 100 can readily relax and enjoy. I look forward to reading the next in the series.
May 21, 2022
Sci fi and humour, what's not to like. Just read it.
I can't write catchy titles sadly, but this book just appeals to me on so many levels. The characters are superbly written and have a great, dare I say it, level of humorous banter, that just sits really well with me.
That's the first three books done, onto the next one.
I can't write catchy titles sadly, but this book just appeals to me on so many levels. The characters are superbly written and have a great, dare I say it, level of humorous banter, that just sits really well with me.
That's the first three books done, onto the next one.
May 22, 2022
Entertaining Book, Series
Van and Torina are getting closer as he helps with her family's problems on their home world. He and his crew, are finding more culprits in the identity theft and chipping slavery. I like the action, humor and a bit of romance. I look forward to the next book.
Van and Torina are getting closer as he helps with her family's problems on their home world. He and his crew, are finding more culprits in the identity theft and chipping slavery. I like the action, humor and a bit of romance. I look forward to the next book.
September 26, 2022
Enthralling
I am totally enthralled with this series. This book, number 3 in the series is an action packed mystery adventure. Characters are excellent and the story line perfect. Will our hero Van hook up with Torina? Will Perry get thrown at anyone else? And whats happening with the Masters? You have to read to find out. On to the next.
I am totally enthralled with this series. This book, number 3 in the series is an action packed mystery adventure. Characters are excellent and the story line perfect. Will our hero Van hook up with Torina? Will Perry get thrown at anyone else? And whats happening with the Masters? You have to read to find out. On to the next.
January 9, 2023
A story too good to put down!
The story keeps up the great dialog as in the first two books! The action is well written and there are many instances of action sprinkled into the plot! Plot twists are still in the story that moves the plot along. You will enjoy this story and the series!
The story keeps up the great dialog as in the first two books! The action is well written and there are many instances of action sprinkled into the plot! Plot twists are still in the story that moves the plot along. You will enjoy this story and the series!
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