Backyard Starship · #17

Ghost in the Deep

Name: Ghost in the Deep
Rating: 10 (2 reviews)

J.N. Chaney, Terry Maggert

Science Fiction Space Opera

10.0 / 10

2 ratings

For Van and his crew, danger is no longer just among the stars.

On earth, the Fafnir has drawn the attention of the most dangerous predator known to humanity—

Bureaucrats.

Between human enemies and alien allies, Van finds himself on the edge of a powerful change in his career.

From the depths of his own family history, an old enemy returns with plans for power at any cost. Just as his grandfather did fifty years earlier, Van will meet and challenge the threat of an ancient empire that spans deserts and stars and time. This enemy will force Van’s hand as he confronts a question at the heart of who is is—what does it mean to be alive, and who controls your life?

But there’s more than just war and crime. There might be a wedding, and there will be cheese, and Funboy has a growing career as a television personality in the Midwest, but only if he can wear a tuxedo, of course.

Join Van and the crew as they find that friendship never dies, and neither does greed—at least, not around the Guild.

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Published: October 29, 2023

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Backyard Starship

The series

Full series details →

In a quiet corner of the universe, where most would never think to look, Van Tudor stumbles upon a discovery that will change everything. Beneath the familiar ground of his grandfather’s farm lies a hidden starship—an extraordinary vessel with a history as mysterious as the cosmos itself. As Van embarks on a journey across the stars, he quickly learns that the universe is far bigger, more dangerous, and infinitely more complex than he could have ever imagined.

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Backyard Starship invites readers into a universe where human ingenuity meets the unknown. The series stands apart with its deeply personal storytelling, blending the heart of space exploration with the pulse of military sci-fi. What begins as a simple adventure into the stars evolves into a tale of growth, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds formed between humans, AIs, and the technology that changes their world.

From the start, this series offers more than just high-tech battles and alien encounters. It's about Van, a man who's been thrust into a vast galaxy of challenges and moral dilemmas, and Perry, his combat-ready AI companion who is as loyal as she is unpredictable. Together, they navigate a universe filled with ruthless enemies, questionable alliances, and the kind of mysteries that could shake the foundations of reality itself.

The beauty of Backyard Starship lies in its world-building—rich, detailed, and immersive. Each book unfolds new layers of the galaxy, introducing a diverse array of characters and environments that feel alive and complex. From the tense corridors of alien starships to the quiet moments in the cockpit of a forgotten spacecraft, every setting is meticulously crafted to pull readers deeper into its world.

It’s not just the action and adventure that make this series special—it’s the exploration of what it means to discover your purpose in a universe that is constantly shifting. As Van and Perry evolve, so too does their understanding of themselves and the universe they inhabit. The stakes grow with each chapter, and the tension between loyalty, ambition, and survival creates an emotional depth that will linger long after the final page is turned.

Whether you’re drawn to gripping space battles, emotional character arcs, or intricate plots that twist with each turn, Backyard Starship offers something for every science fiction fan. With each new installment, the series continues to expand, taking readers on a journey that challenges not only their sense of adventure but their understanding of what it means to explore the unknown.