Van is offered the position of Master in the Guild, but feels he has more pressing things to do. The scourge of ID chips again rears its head as a new version of the Sorcerers appears. In addition, things are changing on Earth as the bit players there try to gain an advantage. At first, the Ferals appear to be up to no good his mother released from jail. New evidence suggests things may not be so clear cut against his mother and the new Sorcerers appear to be kidnapping people.... Funboy, though, simply offered a shrug. “In the words of the great philosopher Freddy Mercury, they do make the world go around.” But the threat isn’t just among the stars. For the first time in his career, Van must protect his home planet from people who look at humans as a resource—and Peacemakers as the key to untold wealth. With Van’s decision comes long term effects, and an Earth that is no longer alone in the universe, but connected to the stars... However, I would say just be careful whose sensibilities you touch upon: “Um, excuse me, Liverpool has hooligans. We Manchester United adherents are enthusiastic fans,” Essie replied with some dignity."

Backyard Starship Series by J.N. Chaney - Goodreads

And the BS on Earth needs to be resolved. Van needs to bring in professionals to help Earth ease into the galaxy. And he needs to be a Master to do it right. When I was a kid I read tons of books. I loved to read series of books. Tarzan, Gor, Pellucidar, Quartermain. Xanth. A long list of others.

His grandfather used to tell him fantastic stories of spacemen and monsters, princesses and galactic knights. Little did Van realize, the old man’s tales were more than fiction. They were real. The problem was that after the first dozen or so they became repetitive. Especially Gor. Ugh. They got old. Boring. With his combat AI, an android bird named Perry, Van takes his first steps into the wider galaxy. He soon finds that space is far busier and more dangerous than he could have ever conceived. Yeah, there are parts that are frustrating. I am tired of the mystery of Mark's past. Van needs to get over himself and be a Master. Yeah, that will change the series' dynamic but I think that it is strong enough to survive the change. The Guild is in shambles. The 32 might be a myth. And an entire race has chosen Van Tudor as their enemy—and they’ll stop at nothing to end his life in the name of power and money.

Backyard Starship eBook : Chaney, J.N., Maggert, Terry

His grandfather used to tell him fantastic stories of spacemen and monsters, princesses and galactic knights. Little did Van realize, the old man's tales were more than fiction. They were real. Van, what is it? A flash of insight?” Torina asked. “Yeah, it is,” I said, turning to Perry. “The frog’s singing couldn’t have all been in the guy’s head. Remember that the cop heard it while the guy and the frog were in that park.” Torina stared, then sighed. “I could have married anyone in known space. Anyone.” There is so much to write about in this book. I just can't see how this series is ever going to end - not that I want it to - with so much going on.Awash with loss and surrounded by enemies, Van and his crew are faced with the same challenge Mark Tudor dealt with decades earlier.