Aces Books in Order

Aces is a self contained space adventure that shows Craig Alanson writing for younger readers while still leaning into the things his fans enjoy, high stakes, found family, and a sense of humor about the chaos.

The story follows Kaylee and her little brother Manny on a transport bound for the new colony world Valhalla. The trip is supposed to be slow and uneventful, a long stretch of cramped corridors and routine shipboard life before they ever see their new home.

That promise of safety shatters when a crew of thieves boards the ship to steal a mysterious alien artifact being moved under tight security. In the confusion Kaylee and Manny are separated from their parents and realize the adults in charge are outmaneuvered and outgunned.

From there the book becomes a cat and mouse game through cargo bays and maintenance spaces as the children try to warn people, stay hidden, and figure out what the thieves are really after. The artifact itself is more than a simple prize, and the closer they get to it, the stranger and more dangerous things become.

Because the story is told from the viewpoint of kids, the focus stays tight on family, friendship, and the small choices that add up to courage. Kaylee in particular has to wrestle with fear, anger at the adults who failed them, and the responsibility of keeping her brother alive when the professionals cannot.

At the same time Aces fits neatly into Alanson's wider style, with clear, approachable science fiction world building rather than dense technical detail. The colony project, the cramped ship, and the hints of ancient alien history all feel big enough to matter, yet the book never forgets that the most important question is whether two scared kids can get their family back.

Readers who like Expeditionary Force will recognize the mix of tense action and sideways jokes, just scaled to a younger hero and a single volume. It works both as an entry point for teens into his work and as a quick, punchy side trip for longtime fans.