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Shamans & Shifters Space Opera #1
Her Robot Wolf: Gift of Gaia
Jaya Romanov is an independent star ship shaman. She studies the energy flows of the universe and—for a price—will harness them to her employer’s purpose. Wormholes are a whole lot safer to travel when a shaman guides the jump.
Vulf Trent is a bounty hunter. It was that or join the family business, piracy, and Vulf is too much the lone wolf to tolerate the demands of a large pirate crew. Where his family enjoys the bonds of pack, he prefers the freedom of ranging the universe, alone.
Seven generations ago, humanity evacuated Earth and the shifter clans’ ability to transform into their animal forms was one of the most terrible losses of that time. Now, the werewolves, werebears and other shifters are trapped in their human bodies and slowly losing the essence of their primal souls. Jaya is determined to heal their torn transformational abilities, but Vulf doesn’t believe her.
He didn’t kidnap her for her healing abilities.
***
“Her Robot Wolf” is a fabulous adventure in which rare, mystical science replaces magic, pirates are taught to respect lone women, the galaxy is imperilled —and perhaps, rescued—and a fated mate pair contemplate kicking Fate in the teeth. Have fun! Don’t forget to buy Galactic Insurance before leaving Earth!
Space opera, paranormal romance and a galactic array of aliens, mysteries, startling revelations and breath-taking heroics.
Vulf Trent is a bounty hunter. It was that or join the family business, piracy, and Vulf is too much the lone wolf to tolerate the demands of a large pirate crew. Where his family enjoys the bonds of pack, he prefers the freedom of ranging the universe, alone.
Seven generations ago, humanity evacuated Earth and the shifter clans’ ability to transform into their animal forms was one of the most terrible losses of that time. Now, the werewolves, werebears and other shifters are trapped in their human bodies and slowly losing the essence of their primal souls. Jaya is determined to heal their torn transformational abilities, but Vulf doesn’t believe her.
He didn’t kidnap her for her healing abilities.
***
“Her Robot Wolf” is a fabulous adventure in which rare, mystical science replaces magic, pirates are taught to respect lone women, the galaxy is imperilled —and perhaps, rescued—and a fated mate pair contemplate kicking Fate in the teeth. Have fun! Don’t forget to buy Galactic Insurance before leaving Earth!
Space opera, paranormal romance and a galactic array of aliens, mysteries, startling revelations and breath-taking heroics.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2017
About the author
Jenny Schwartz
106 books482 followersAustralian science fiction & fantasy author.
http://authorjennyschwartz.com/
http://authorjennyschwartz.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
May 29, 2024
Don't be put off by the weird title, this is a fun space fantasy with shifters and mate bonds, aliens and intrigue.
It's less hopeful than the xeno-archaeologist series from this same author, which I just blitzed through (loving it so much that I'm now hitting up her backlist), but no less enjoyable. Space, magic, shifters, aliens, politics, betrayal (there are some really painful ones) and ancient super aliens. What's not to love?
It's less hopeful than the xeno-archaeologist series from this same author, which I just blitzed through (loving it so much that I'm now hitting up her backlist), but no less enjoyable. Space, magic, shifters, aliens, politics, betrayal (there are some really painful ones) and ancient super aliens. What's not to love?
December 3, 2021
*4.25* Even with the occasional info dumps, I really liked this space opera/pnr story. I almost didn’t read this because of the title, glad I gave it a try.
This story begins far in the future where Earth has been abandoned, destroyed by a nuclear war. There are spaceships, wormholes, bounty hunters, magic, secrets, true mates, shamans, and shifters in this book.
I was disappointed that there is zero in the romance department here. The characters grow to like each other, but it felt like any actual romance was set aside to add tension, and to get the reader staying with the series.
This story begins far in the future where Earth has been abandoned, destroyed by a nuclear war. There are spaceships, wormholes, bounty hunters, magic, secrets, true mates, shamans, and shifters in this book.
When humanity evacuated Earth, many thing were lost. Now, werewolves, werebear and other shifters are trapped in their human bodies and slowly losing the essence of their primal souls. However, their instincts remain strong.My favorite character was a spaceship IA named, Ahab. I want to be his friend.
I was disappointed that there is zero in the romance department here. The characters grow to like each other, but it felt like any actual romance was set aside to add tension, and to get the reader staying with the series.
June 27, 2017
Fun rea
I really enjoyed this book. Entertaining plot, great characters and a hiss worthy villain. I highly recommend this book. Buy it
I really enjoyed this book. Entertaining plot, great characters and a hiss worthy villain. I highly recommend this book. Buy it
April 11, 2022
More please
What a non-stop trip. Vulf and Jaya fit together so well. Vulf's family is interesting and Ivan is Ivan. Can't wait to see where the story goes from here. The only question I can ask without spoilers is who Jaya's father may be and the impact he may have. So many other questions flitting around in my head.
Hope the author revisits this universe soon.
Highly recommend this story and author, her books never disappoint me.
What a non-stop trip. Vulf and Jaya fit together so well. Vulf's family is interesting and Ivan is Ivan. Can't wait to see where the story goes from here. The only question I can ask without spoilers is who Jaya's father may be and the impact he may have. So many other questions flitting around in my head.
Hope the author revisits this universe soon.
Highly recommend this story and author, her books never disappoint me.
August 24, 2023
5 stars
Shamans and shifters in space. I like how this book takes normally held sci fi standards and turns them on their ear without being wacky or zany. Happily moving on to the next one.
Shamans and shifters in space. I like how this book takes normally held sci fi standards and turns them on their ear without being wacky or zany. Happily moving on to the next one.
September 20, 2021
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
It could have been a fun story, but instead, yuck.
The main character is a woman who is defined by the two men in her life. She, single handedly, set the Women's Rights movement back several decades. She is torn between playing at the naive victim and getting into her captor's pants. And speaking of the captor...
I don't even think Flat Stanley is as one-dimensional as this character. It's convenient that he's in "heat" and can just strut around exuding testosterone, but even with that, the "knight in silver armor" schtick is just too much.
It is possible that I am not the intended audience for this book, but I had read one of the author's previous series and thought this one sounded interesting. Nope.
Skip it!
It could have been a fun story, but instead, yuck.
The main character is a woman who is defined by the two men in her life. She, single handedly, set the Women's Rights movement back several decades. She is torn between playing at the naive victim and getting into her captor's pants. And speaking of the captor...
I don't even think Flat Stanley is as one-dimensional as this character. It's convenient that he's in "heat" and can just strut around exuding testosterone, but even with that, the "knight in silver armor" schtick is just too much.
It is possible that I am not the intended audience for this book, but I had read one of the author's previous series and thought this one sounded interesting. Nope.
Skip it!
August 31, 2023
This was so much fun!
July 25, 2023
DNF at 56%
I think if i was in abetter state of mind i would love this but i think ive read to many none reverse harems this week and i cant stomach another one right now.
Great plot and cool characters.
I think if i was in abetter state of mind i would love this but i think ive read to many none reverse harems this week and i cant stomach another one right now.
Great plot and cool characters.
February 21, 2023
The author spent so much time explaining about sha energy but I am still confused as to what it is lol. I’m trying to picture the shamans like Scarlet Witch’s bc I don’t really know what her power really is- I just know that she’s super OP. Basically a shaman is super powerful and can do anything and all the other species in the galaxy are scared of them. Of course our heroine is most powerful shaman that anyone had never seen before. Except all she does is shiver and wince or something of that form. I dunno, she just doesn’t have any personality and I don’t feel any sympathy for her and her abandonment issues. I rolled my eyes at the romance between her and Vulf. It was so cringey I can’t believe I finished the book.
December 20, 2018
A robot wolf DOES make some sense, after all.
I hesitated over reading this SFR despite a promising sample, because I just couldn't see how the author would win my suspension of disbelief over a person shifting into an inorganic being (plus there's the kidnapper/kidnappee aspect which is often questionable in a romance). But it turned out that I quite liked it.
The protagonists, not only Jaya and Vulf but also Ahab, Vulf's ship's AI, were likable throughout, consistent and/or plausibly evolving in their priorities and loyalties.
The depiction of shamanic powers was well-done, and well-integrated (Gaahh, my new tablet's hyperactive Auto-Correct just tried to turn that adjective into the noun self-interest! Why?!) with the interstellar, tech setting. There were a couple interesting sentient alien species described, one mainly only in a bit of backstory, but the other with a major role in the climax. I will be pleased to see more of this universe.
I think I finally decided to read this because I plan to re-read the little Christmas story in the same universe that was my first, enjoyable introduction to the author's writing. (It's that time of the year, and I'm [re]reading several such.)
Oh, editing: pretty good, though not flawless, in the proofreading department. I spotted a couple instances of present perfect used instead of past perfect tense, a couple where an objective pronoun should've been a subjective one (though all the specifically "I"/"me" uses were correct; they probably got an extra checking!), and a few other minor one-off errors. I only marked one missing necessary comma, which is notable for an indy book, in my experience.
I have one question, though: am I just forgetting, or was the Orion's *exterior* never described, despite Jaya's having wondered whether a mLa'an-made spaceship was in any way distinctive?
One other point I should probably mention: at least in this first book, the leads' sexual attraction (Good grief, Auto-Correct, I'm not talking about PRESS leads, so don't turn "leads'" into "press's" on me!) is not yet consummated, since they (with an unusual-in-romantic-fiction amount of sense) choose to wait for a less-fraught moment. That means there's no sex scene[s], which will be a relief to some readers and a disappointment to others.
I hesitated over reading this SFR despite a promising sample, because I just couldn't see how the author would win my suspension of disbelief over a person shifting into an inorganic being (plus there's the kidnapper/kidnappee aspect which is often questionable in a romance). But it turned out that I quite liked it.
The protagonists, not only Jaya and Vulf but also Ahab, Vulf's ship's AI, were likable throughout, consistent and/or plausibly evolving in their priorities and loyalties.
The depiction of shamanic powers was well-done, and well-integrated (Gaahh, my new tablet's hyperactive Auto-Correct just tried to turn that adjective into the noun self-interest! Why?!) with the interstellar, tech setting. There were a couple interesting sentient alien species described, one mainly only in a bit of backstory, but the other with a major role in the climax. I will be pleased to see more of this universe.
I think I finally decided to read this because I plan to re-read the little Christmas story in the same universe that was my first, enjoyable introduction to the author's writing. (It's that time of the year, and I'm [re]reading several such.)
Oh, editing: pretty good, though not flawless, in the proofreading department. I spotted a couple instances of present perfect used instead of past perfect tense, a couple where an objective pronoun should've been a subjective one (though all the specifically "I"/"me" uses were correct; they probably got an extra checking!), and a few other minor one-off errors. I only marked one missing necessary comma, which is notable for an indy book, in my experience.
I have one question, though: am I just forgetting, or was the Orion's *exterior* never described, despite Jaya's having wondered whether a mLa'an-made spaceship was in any way distinctive?
One other point I should probably mention: at least in this first book, the leads' sexual attraction (Good grief, Auto-Correct, I'm not talking about PRESS leads, so don't turn "leads'" into "press's" on me!) is not yet consummated, since they (with an unusual-in-romantic-fiction amount of sense) choose to wait for a less-fraught moment. That means there's no sex scene[s], which will be a relief to some readers and a disappointment to others.
September 20, 2021
3.5 And I Would Break The Galaxy To Save My Own Stars
Her Robot Wolf is the first installment in the Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series by Jenny Schwartz.
Let's start with the upsetting aspects I found littered throughout Schwartz work, shall we?
Mainly, it was the utter lack of intense world building. The kind of introspective, deeply seeded crafting of fiction that I've come to expect when throwing myself into truly delicious space operas. Where every simple machine has a copyrighted & ridiculous name, every species is described in detail of appearance and origin. But there were so many moments in this book were I lamented the lack of adjectives and pronouns.
Secondly, how utterly obvious Vulf and Jaya's instinctual attraction was from the title of the book alone. I'll give the author the consideration that perhaps you could draw the correlation between this title and her handiwork in drawing out his long thought lost other half, but ultimately their romance was advertised.
I have so many questions for the Meitj, mainly regarding the Ceph and if we should fear them or fear for them? How this recent experience will affect Jaya's future as a Justice? What action of Jaya's brought out his wolf, and if it can be released for Shifters all? Who her father is, and if he holds any level of importance? If there is suspicion in her mother's death? Why Ivan so zealously approached freeing the Ceph? If he is as mad and evil a man as this book has depicted?
Her Robot Wolf is the first installment in the Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series by Jenny Schwartz.
Let's start with the upsetting aspects I found littered throughout Schwartz work, shall we?
Mainly, it was the utter lack of intense world building. The kind of introspective, deeply seeded crafting of fiction that I've come to expect when throwing myself into truly delicious space operas. Where every simple machine has a copyrighted & ridiculous name, every species is described in detail of appearance and origin. But there were so many moments in this book were I lamented the lack of adjectives and pronouns.
Secondly, how utterly obvious Vulf and Jaya's instinctual attraction was from the title of the book alone. I'll give the author the consideration that perhaps you could draw the correlation between this title and her handiwork in drawing out his long thought lost other half, but ultimately their romance was advertised.
I have so many questions for the Meitj, mainly regarding the Ceph and if we should fear them or fear for them? How this recent experience will affect Jaya's future as a Justice? What action of Jaya's brought out his wolf, and if it can be released for Shifters all? Who her father is, and if he holds any level of importance? If there is suspicion in her mother's death? Why Ivan so zealously approached freeing the Ceph? If he is as mad and evil a man as this book has depicted?
June 24, 2022
I found the story interesting at first, the space opera universe is well described, complex and well detailed. I got a bit off when the main character . The heroine, at this point in the story, suddenly becomes a headless hen who is unable to think properly. I wish she was more badass.
I liked the AI character. So, kudos for the universe, but personally, I will not continue this series.
I liked the AI character. So, kudos for the universe, but personally, I will not continue this series.
June 26, 2017
I really loved this book. It was definitely a page turner, thank you for letting me sleep at 4 am finally!!!
Non stop action, deep and mysterious characters, very original and interesting universe and extraterrestrial species, this book has it all. The fact that we keep learning new thing at every turn keep us totally hooked until you reached the end, waiting and expecting so much more. I really CAN'T wait for a sequel!!!!! Please please please!!!!
The only reason I didn't give a 5 star reviews is that I would have LOVED to have a bit of Vulf POV, even just a little bit. ;)
Non stop action, deep and mysterious characters, very original and interesting universe and extraterrestrial species, this book has it all. The fact that we keep learning new thing at every turn keep us totally hooked until you reached the end, waiting and expecting so much more. I really CAN'T wait for a sequel!!!!! Please please please!!!!
The only reason I didn't give a 5 star reviews is that I would have LOVED to have a bit of Vulf POV, even just a little bit. ;)
June 9, 2020
Meh... This book has all the right ingredients to make a good read, but just falls short.. Can't put my finger on why.
The characters are a little one dimensional and world building isn't sufficient.
Not good enough. Sorry
The characters are a little one dimensional and world building isn't sufficient.
Not good enough. Sorry
December 30, 2021
Fun read! Now the book title makes sense!
December 25, 2018
Jaya is a natural born shaman, and an orphan. No wonder she pledges her loyalty to the one man who acts like he gives a damn about her, even if he has a strange way of showing it. For him, she’d do anything, without hesitation. But that loyalty is questioned when he steals something precious from her whilst escaping a formidable bounty hunter. And in that one moment, she’s gone from betrayed to kidnapped because that bounty hunter knows there’s a connection between the two humans that Jaya can’t or won’t reveal.
Vulf Trent is a bounty hunter, werewolf, pirate, and determined to live alone. Kidnapping Jaya isn’t his first choice, but if that means using her to capture his target, he’ll do it. But the damn woman knows too much about his kind. And why should he care if she claims to want to help the Were community regain its ‘shifter’ abilities. He’s heard enough lies to last a life time. Yet there’s something about her that goes far beyond appearance, however unwilling he is to admit it.
Sci-fi romance is a new area for Ms Schwartz, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by reading her story. I found it seamless. It didn’t hurt that it had a that paranormal twist I love so much, but seriously, is there nothing she can’t do? My envy for her writing skills is skyrocketing. (Pun not, well, maybe just a little, intended.) Again, Jaya and Wulf were characters who balanced each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and what do you know, Ms Schwartz has plans to continue their tale. :)
Vulf Trent is a bounty hunter, werewolf, pirate, and determined to live alone. Kidnapping Jaya isn’t his first choice, but if that means using her to capture his target, he’ll do it. But the damn woman knows too much about his kind. And why should he care if she claims to want to help the Were community regain its ‘shifter’ abilities. He’s heard enough lies to last a life time. Yet there’s something about her that goes far beyond appearance, however unwilling he is to admit it.
Sci-fi romance is a new area for Ms Schwartz, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that by reading her story. I found it seamless. It didn’t hurt that it had a that paranormal twist I love so much, but seriously, is there nothing she can’t do? My envy for her writing skills is skyrocketing. (Pun not, well, maybe just a little, intended.) Again, Jaya and Wulf were characters who balanced each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and what do you know, Ms Schwartz has plans to continue their tale. :)
December 28, 2018
Okay
There were some highs and some lows with this one.
First I’m going to start by saying I adore science fiction so this should have been a home run for me. I did enjoy the world, the different species and descriptions of shamans and what they see and do, it was all very unique and interesting. On plot and writing alone this would have been a 4-4.5 easily.
The main issues for me at least were the cover and... robot wolf. Yes I try not to judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest with a TBR pile in the hundreds, the pretty covers are more likely to go first. I did read it so obviously it wasn’t that big a determinant. I think the ‘robot’ wolf was the problem. I just, cringed every time I read it (and it’s a whole lot towards the end of the book) I just feel like there are such better ways to get this across without making it an almost laughable term. And the repetition, I honestly think the word ‘robot’ was used upwards of 5 times on one page. There are other ways to convey the image, shifted, his form, heck I’ll take metal wolf.
I’m on the fence about continuing the series as it seems to follow the same couple and ... I just don’t think I can read more ‘robot’ shifting. So if you can overlook the cringey term, it is a very unique and compelling world, and shifter sci-fi lovers should definitely give it a shot.
There were some highs and some lows with this one.
First I’m going to start by saying I adore science fiction so this should have been a home run for me. I did enjoy the world, the different species and descriptions of shamans and what they see and do, it was all very unique and interesting. On plot and writing alone this would have been a 4-4.5 easily.
The main issues for me at least were the cover and... robot wolf. Yes I try not to judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest with a TBR pile in the hundreds, the pretty covers are more likely to go first. I did read it so obviously it wasn’t that big a determinant. I think the ‘robot’ wolf was the problem. I just, cringed every time I read it (and it’s a whole lot towards the end of the book) I just feel like there are such better ways to get this across without making it an almost laughable term. And the repetition, I honestly think the word ‘robot’ was used upwards of 5 times on one page. There are other ways to convey the image, shifted, his form, heck I’ll take metal wolf.
I’m on the fence about continuing the series as it seems to follow the same couple and ... I just don’t think I can read more ‘robot’ shifting. So if you can overlook the cringey term, it is a very unique and compelling world, and shifter sci-fi lovers should definitely give it a shot.
December 15, 2021
Cool concept and world building, good plot, and good writing.
Seven generations after a federation of aliens rescued humanity from a nuclear destroyed Earth, Jaya is a powerful shaman, a small population of people that can manipulate unseen energy to do pretty much anything you would think someone with magic powers can do. Vulf, a successful bounty hunter, is a shifter, though no shifter has been able to actually shift since leaving Earth. They do retain a certain duality of spirit and the typical physical enhancements though. Both characters are capable and badass but not perfect and undefeatable, thank God.
Boy meets girl while trying to apprehend girl's grandfather for attempting to steal an important relic from the leader of the aliens that helped to save humanity. He kidnaps her, and off they go on galaxy wide adventures to figure out her sketchy grandfather's motivations, navigate galactic politics, unravel secrets of her past, solve the shifters' not-shifting problem, and explore a relationship between them.
Seven generations after a federation of aliens rescued humanity from a nuclear destroyed Earth, Jaya is a powerful shaman, a small population of people that can manipulate unseen energy to do pretty much anything you would think someone with magic powers can do. Vulf, a successful bounty hunter, is a shifter, though no shifter has been able to actually shift since leaving Earth. They do retain a certain duality of spirit and the typical physical enhancements though. Both characters are capable and badass but not perfect and undefeatable, thank God.
Boy meets girl while trying to apprehend girl's grandfather for attempting to steal an important relic from the leader of the aliens that helped to save humanity. He kidnaps her, and off they go on galaxy wide adventures to figure out her sketchy grandfather's motivations, navigate galactic politics, unravel secrets of her past, solve the shifters' not-shifting problem, and explore a relationship between them.
June 22, 2022
What a great read
If you like novelty and action in your sci-fi you’ve found a great read. Jenny Schwartz has created believable characters interacting in her own unique spin on shaman and werewolf lore in a post-earth galactic setting.
Winding throughout is the mysterious sha energy which can only be sensed and manipulated by rare, gifted humans. The sha energy sometimes acts with it’s own volition and results in the surprising robot wolf. And a twist towards the end extends the unknown potential of sha and another sha welding species.
Non-human species are somewhat standardised with the exception of the mLa’an which are quite unique but Schwartz’ blend of the familiar with her own creative twist provides us with an engaging and absorbing story. I’m looking forward to reading book two.
If you like novelty and action in your sci-fi you’ve found a great read. Jenny Schwartz has created believable characters interacting in her own unique spin on shaman and werewolf lore in a post-earth galactic setting.
Winding throughout is the mysterious sha energy which can only be sensed and manipulated by rare, gifted humans. The sha energy sometimes acts with it’s own volition and results in the surprising robot wolf. And a twist towards the end extends the unknown potential of sha and another sha welding species.
Non-human species are somewhat standardised with the exception of the mLa’an which are quite unique but Schwartz’ blend of the familiar with her own creative twist provides us with an engaging and absorbing story. I’m looking forward to reading book two.
December 9, 2017
I enjoyed this book. A little bit more proof reading was needed, but it’s not unreadable. There were a few places that left questions in my mind or didn’t make sense to me, but overall it was enjoyable. Vulf and Jaya are great characters, that suited each other well. I kept thinking that Jaya must be from one of the original cultures on earth (since this is futuristic) that had Shaman religious figures, but it never really said. Some of that background of the story is vague, not sure if that’s intentional or what. I would have liked to find out who Jaya’s father’s was though, & seen if she could get all the shifter tribes to be able to shift again. I felt is was definitely a worthwhile read.
August 8, 2018
This was a fast paced, thrilling intergalactic space adventure that I enjoyed reading a lot in spite of the romance that was not to my taste. I liked characters, especially AI, various interesting alien species, even Ivan, because you can rely on him to be very devious almost no matter what. The twist with 'robotic wolf' blew my mind, really liked it.
Romance, however, was not what I would term as 'clean'. It was a bit too lusty compared to my usual reads. If I'd known beforehand there'd be something like 'the mating heat' in the book I would've passed. I think that judging by the way how romance part was written I was not the target audience. There was no sex scene though, explicit or otherwise.
Romance, however, was not what I would term as 'clean'. It was a bit too lusty compared to my usual reads. If I'd known beforehand there'd be something like 'the mating heat' in the book I would've passed. I think that judging by the way how romance part was written I was not the target audience. There was no sex scene though, explicit or otherwise.
June 11, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I have been reading Jenny Shwartz's various series and have found her to be inventive when it comes to developing worlds and characters. I loved that one of her main characters shifted into a robotic version of a wolf instead of a flesh and blood wolf. I appreciate how her characters struggle with moral dilemmas. Jenny finds ways of illuminating so many of the social issues we struggle with. Much like the original Star Trek series I watched back in the 1960's. Both bring the issue of "us" and "other" into focus. She defuses the emotional reaction to these sensitive issues by using other realities and aliens to disguise them. This particular series is about children and how some abuse and use them in horrific ways. In contrast some cultures are extremely protective of children, any and all. The value of life is a central theme.
February 23, 2019
This book has been on my to be read list for a while and I can kick myself for not reading it sooner. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested and engaged - much as I enjoyed Jaya and Vulf I think Ahab was my favorite.
A final thought - the underlying "power" of Jaya is shamanism. This is not really a slant found in the stories of most European or American authors, with the exception of Native American story traditions. That is one of the joys of reading an author from another country or culture. Through their different experiences and traditions new perspectives and horizons are opened for me.
A final thought - the underlying "power" of Jaya is shamanism. This is not really a slant found in the stories of most European or American authors, with the exception of Native American story traditions. That is one of the joys of reading an author from another country or culture. Through their different experiences and traditions new perspectives and horizons are opened for me.
May 28, 2020
Interesting world with a crossover from paranormal to science fiction. There's the sha energy that we understand is magic, shifters who have lost their shift since evacuating earth, and then a ton of non-earthlings with various shapes and sizes. There is a solid plot with some twists. Characters are nicely illustrated. Romance is slow burn PG-15, but it is not the focus of the novel. There were some moments of sentence construction that were confusing or just rough, and the novel could have benefited from another editing pass. However, overall it was a good read, and I will definitely read the next book in this series.
April 19, 2021
Loved this series! Love Jaya and Vulf
Humanity was evacuated from Earth 7 generations ago by the Meitj, a very old, powerful and respected insectoid race, renowned for their ethics. They have sponsored humanity in the coalition. A strange thing happened to the people of Earth when they left. The shifters were on longer able to shift. Their animal trapped in their human form. The Shaman's gained in power and in respect. Their ability to manipulate sha, the unseen force that surrounds and flows through everything. The individuals who posses this gift aid in everything from healing, helping things, grow, traveling through worm holes and officers of justice for the Coalition.
With Earth in a nuclear winter the shifters separated from the rest of Earth's people. They became legal pirates, and over time founded their own world, Corsairs, a world where the shifters can live in peace and raise their kids. The world that many races sent their kids for education and protections. Shifters will protect any young.
Jaya Romanov, is 26, a powerful Shaman, as a Voyage Contractor, navigating worm holes. She is much more powerful than anyone knows. An orphan, she was left at the Academy, when she was 3. Fostered by a Galactic Justice and his wife. When she was 8, her foster mother died and her entered the Academy as a student.
Vulf Trent is a alpha loan wolf shifter, who works at a bounty hunter. His ship the Orion is in habited by an very unusual AI that goes by the name Ahab. The Orion is unique in that it is a m'La'an designed ship. Another very old race, who are as fiercely protective as shifters of children.
Vulf meets Jaya, in his hut from a rogue Shaman, who attempted to steal a Meitj treasure. When he sees her with Ivan, he kidnaps' her. Things are complicated. Jaya is his mate, and the man he is hunting is family to her. Ivan took something from her, and has kept things about her parents from her and Jaya wants answers. The chase leads to Earth, and another betrayal, Vulf and Jaya's lives in danger triggers Vulf's wolf to come out and he takes a unique form to survive Earths deadly environment. Ivan has to be stopped. He is threatening genocide of one people to free another.
Great start to a series. Fun, fast paced, great world building and secondary characters.
Humanity was evacuated from Earth 7 generations ago by the Meitj, a very old, powerful and respected insectoid race, renowned for their ethics. They have sponsored humanity in the coalition. A strange thing happened to the people of Earth when they left. The shifters were on longer able to shift. Their animal trapped in their human form. The Shaman's gained in power and in respect. Their ability to manipulate sha, the unseen force that surrounds and flows through everything. The individuals who posses this gift aid in everything from healing, helping things, grow, traveling through worm holes and officers of justice for the Coalition.
With Earth in a nuclear winter the shifters separated from the rest of Earth's people. They became legal pirates, and over time founded their own world, Corsairs, a world where the shifters can live in peace and raise their kids. The world that many races sent their kids for education and protections. Shifters will protect any young.
Jaya Romanov, is 26, a powerful Shaman, as a Voyage Contractor, navigating worm holes. She is much more powerful than anyone knows. An orphan, she was left at the Academy, when she was 3. Fostered by a Galactic Justice and his wife. When she was 8, her foster mother died and her entered the Academy as a student.
Vulf Trent is a alpha loan wolf shifter, who works at a bounty hunter. His ship the Orion is in habited by an very unusual AI that goes by the name Ahab. The Orion is unique in that it is a m'La'an designed ship. Another very old race, who are as fiercely protective as shifters of children.
Vulf meets Jaya, in his hut from a rogue Shaman, who attempted to steal a Meitj treasure. When he sees her with Ivan, he kidnaps' her. Things are complicated. Jaya is his mate, and the man he is hunting is family to her. Ivan took something from her, and has kept things about her parents from her and Jaya wants answers. The chase leads to Earth, and another betrayal, Vulf and Jaya's lives in danger triggers Vulf's wolf to come out and he takes a unique form to survive Earths deadly environment. Ivan has to be stopped. He is threatening genocide of one people to free another.
Great start to a series. Fun, fast paced, great world building and secondary characters.
September 13, 2021
I kept jumping between 3 and 4 stars for my rating of this book while I read it.
At first I was very much on board.
Although I think some naming conventions, speech, and little things like food etc. were too indistinguishable from the current age Earth and lacked imagination, I liked the setting.
Then, we reached the 'uncontrollable mating' and I was out.
Then it settled a bit and I still liked the setting enough to continue reading.
But I do think that there a lot of little things that are either too obvious and signal of lack of imagination, or too unbelievable and logically disconnected (like the whole robot wolf). It's a mix of likable things and mleh things.
At first I was very much on board.
Although I think some naming conventions, speech, and little things like food etc. were too indistinguishable from the current age Earth and lacked imagination, I liked the setting.
Then, we reached the 'uncontrollable mating' and I was out.
Then it settled a bit and I still liked the setting enough to continue reading.
But I do think that there a lot of little things that are either too obvious and signal of lack of imagination, or too unbelievable and logically disconnected (like the whole robot wolf). It's a mix of likable things and mleh things.
November 5, 2023
Interesting read. 3,5 stars.
To enjoy it you have to really really throw any kind of logic or reasonable concept of natural laws out of the window. It was pretty original (mostly - it had some similarities with the world building e.g. the Starship Mage concept by Glynn Stewart), but the pure chaos of the world building made it quite unique, ahem.
I liked the protag, but unfortunately the development went lightning quick into happy mate with ready made family and into very sappy territory. I would have preferred more of a slow burn, but ok.
It is another one of those series I will only continue because it is free (aka kindle unlimited), I wouldn't pay to read the next installment.
To enjoy it you have to really really throw any kind of logic or reasonable concept of natural laws out of the window. It was pretty original (mostly - it had some similarities with the world building e.g. the Starship Mage concept by Glynn Stewart), but the pure chaos of the world building made it quite unique, ahem.
I liked the protag, but unfortunately the development went lightning quick into happy mate with ready made family and into very sappy territory. I would have preferred more of a slow burn, but ok.
It is another one of those series I will only continue because it is free (aka kindle unlimited), I wouldn't pay to read the next installment.
November 13, 2023
The thing I've noticed about Schwartz's books is that they often read like a first draft: the ideas and resolutions are interesting but new plot twists or settings or subjects come out of nowhere. It's unfortunate, because there's the germ of a really good book in here, but instead you're just kind of whizzing along for the ride and by the end I was irritated enough that it was hard to finish. When you have no idea of what's coming next, you don't have as much of an emotional response when it comes, if that makes any sense. Three stars because there weren't glaring grammatical errors or anything, it just wasn't very good.
August 10, 2024
Something In The Wind
Shamans&Shifters1
Jaya Romanov is a starship shaman, able to see passive energy fields called “sha” and manipulate them. It’s a useful skill for traversing wormholes. But, there is a whole lot more to those energies.
Vulf Trent is a bounty hunter, looking for Ivan Mishkin, wanted for attempted theft, of an article that would cause intergalactic conflict. Ivan is also Jaya’s unacknowledged grandfather, and a successful unregistered shaman.
Finding out why Ivan is trying to steal the Imperial Crown forces Jay to temporarily align with Vulf; but, there are deeper issues in play.
And, it’s those deeper issues that shape this series.
Time to read!
Shamans&Shifters1
Jaya Romanov is a starship shaman, able to see passive energy fields called “sha” and manipulate them. It’s a useful skill for traversing wormholes. But, there is a whole lot more to those energies.
Vulf Trent is a bounty hunter, looking for Ivan Mishkin, wanted for attempted theft, of an article that would cause intergalactic conflict. Ivan is also Jaya’s unacknowledged grandfather, and a successful unregistered shaman.
Finding out why Ivan is trying to steal the Imperial Crown forces Jay to temporarily align with Vulf; but, there are deeper issues in play.
And, it’s those deeper issues that shape this series.
Time to read!
July 2, 2017
Such fun
I have read other works by this author, so I was sure I would enjoy this like I had before. I found myself smiling, giggling, and waiting for the next paragraph with such anticipation. I could not put it down and read straight through till morning. I am so excited that the author will be continuing writing about Jaya and Wulf because I never want the story to end when I feel so excited about their story. Looking forward to the next one, can only hope that it will be soon.
I have read other works by this author, so I was sure I would enjoy this like I had before. I found myself smiling, giggling, and waiting for the next paragraph with such anticipation. I could not put it down and read straight through till morning. I am so excited that the author will be continuing writing about Jaya and Wulf because I never want the story to end when I feel so excited about their story. Looking forward to the next one, can only hope that it will be soon.
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