Four years ago, Thelma Bach thought she’d lost everything when she was exiled to the Saloon Sector. She was wrong. Life on the frontier has given her the galaxy’s best—if sometimes most stubborn—husband, the cutest ever baby boy, an adolescent AI who thinks of Thelma as her mom, and the most loyal, loving and meddlesome group of family and friends anyone could wish for.
But when her son’s life is threatened, Thelma’s perfect world comes crashing down.
The galaxy will learn that there’s no force in the universe as powerful as a mother determined to save her child. The Badstars will tremble. Murderous truths will be revealed. And one special baby will find his voice. “Ma?”
Jenny Schwartz has a degree in sociology and history, and a lifelong fascination with understanding people. Her character-driven science fiction and fantasy novels explore other worlds and how people navigate strange situations and complicated emotions, while retaining their sense of self. Her plots are twisty and unexpected.
*** I've curated my bookshelf to share books which I hope readers of Caldryn Parliament will enjoy. With the older books, please be aware that they are a product of their times and read with care.
Terrific fourth entry in a fabulous, SF, romantic-adventure series
In this novel, the romance of Thelma and Max advances to their marital pairing expanding to encompass an adorable baby boy named Silas. For the past two years, they've also been in charge of acting as foster parents to Ruth, the newest AI individual in this SF universe. This is the first time an advanced AI has ever been raised in a human family.
This book also introduces the concept of a "nascent intelligence" in the form of Jesse, a different type of AI than Lon, a central character in the first two books of this series. Jesse pilots the new spaceship that Max and Thelma acquired after their ship was blown up by evil villains in the previous novel.
It was a huge relief to learn at the end of the previous novel that Lon is not dead but, rather, has moved on to an advanced state of AI existence. I do miss his constant presence from the previous novels, but at least he had a few cameos in this book.
Ruth, Jesse, and baby Silas are fascinating and lovable new characters. I enjoyed them very much. I also appreciated the many continuing characters who have become part of Max and Thelma's ever expanding family of affiliation. The people whom Thelma and Max consider their family of choice are all true friends to them and play significant parts in the central adventures this novel. Thelma and Max are such amazing, compassionate, loyal, and loving people, it is no wonder that anyone invited into their inner circle feels both delighted and privileged.
Thelma's role intergalactically greatly expands in this novel. She is an absolutely amazing diplomat. Her marital and political alliance with Max continues to grow and evolve in positive ways as well. Max is a wonderful MMC.
Though every book in this series effectively and fully wraps up the central crisis that needs to be solved, the door is wide open for more adventures of Max, Thelma and baby Silas and all their many friends should JS choose to add any books to this series later. I truly hope she does, because I adore this series.
Dumped right into the thick of things 3 years after the end of the previous book with zero explanation. Was such a buzz killer whiplash after the last 3 books that I'm gonna have to come back to this later.
A lot more drama than the first two book as Max and Thelma are now so much more than their titles, they are world shakers and problem solvers. So much of a heavy load for anyone to carry. I love Ruth and her AI body resembling a lovely plant. Hilarious to switch forms, but she is designing her own.
Lots of drama, angst, and family worries , but a great read.
This book is the fourth, and final book in a series. You will not understand this book unless you have read the previous books as it is a continuous story.
This book is set three years after the previous book in the series and things have changed significantly for Thelma and Max. At the end of the last book they agreed to raising a ‘baby’ AI. The Federation AIs jointly bought a Raphus Geode, the seed for starting the life an AI and gave Thelma and Max the AI ‘born’ from that geode, to help raise into a valued and loved sentient being. The idea was the both Max and Thelma had proved their loyalty, friendship and love towards individual AIs and always saw them as people. The result of the experiment to raise an AI to have no purpose allocated to them other than to be valued for their existence, was the lovely Ruth. Ruth built a body based on a flower with three faces and flexible and strong tendrils to manipulate her surroundings. She is loving towards Silas, the infant that had been raised alongside her for the last 10 months, after Max and Thelma found themselves procreating the old fashioned way.
Thelma has proven herself time and again to be in important places and manipulating important events in order to help those she interacts with. Though her title is ‘Information Broker’ Thelma doesn’t operate solely for a profit, she has to see some good, or at the least no harm, in what she is doing before she acts. This time she finds herself in the middle of a situation that seems to have no good outcome as children are at risk, and she fears that the problem is too close to home.
At the end of the book, the author notes that she wrote this book in 2020 during the pandemic and as such she included a lot of her feelings about this situation into a book that was originally intended to be a light hearted romp through the sectors. It’s not obvious that that the author is drawing parallels to the behaviour of individuals and politicians during the pandemic but there is definitely an influence in the direction of her writing.
This book was emotional and difficult to read in places as we are still being sideswiped by the pandemic that doesn’t quit, but it was also fascinating and entertaining. One aspect in particular that I enjoyed was the nature of parenting and the responsibility of helping to raise somebody who is more intelligent and insightful than oneself. The differences in raising and AI and a squishy child are obvious and the similarities are less so. Throughout this book Thelma and Max come across as excellent parents to both Ruth and Silas and this aspect of the book is really heartwarming.
There is also a lot of politics in this book. There were a few terrifying examples of how a government can throw away people’s lives and what is right for the sake of the popular vote. It reminded me of something we would see today and in our past. I hope we don’t see it in the distant future, but I have little hope and it appears neither does the author.
Max and Thelma are wonderful characters and I’ve enjoyed spending time with them immensely. Their interactions with AI society has been fascinating and I wish there was more about them and their future. Maybe the author can do a new series about AIs as she seems to enjoy writing about intelligent houses in some of her other series. I’m sad to say goodbye to this fascinating world and lovely characters. Maybe one day they’ll be revisited.
**MINOR SPOILERS** This book is the fourth and final book of the Interstellar Sheriff series. I think it is best for the series to be read in order. I thought the series was excellent and recommend it. An epidemic has broken out on a planet outside of Federation space. Because it is near the border, the sheriff of that area, Max, has to work out a plan to contain the epidemic including watching what spaceships come into his space. At the same time, he is asked to look into a death that seems to point towards one group, but it may be misdirection. Thelma, Max’s wife, is asked to use her information broker contacts to try to find out more about where the epidemic started and what the symptoms are, how it progresses, etc. Max and Thelma work with their AI friends to make progress. Max and Thelma are trusted by the Ais of the Federation and have just finished helping a baby AI system reach maturity (which happens at 2 years old). They also recognize a new type of intellect called nascent intelligence as people, but it was not completely clear what the difference was between them. It raises interesting questions about what is a person. This book alternates between Thelma and Max’s point of view. I liked Thelma’s character. She is smart and resourceful. Max is a protector and very honorable and smart. I liked the questions asked that have a philosophical or ethical cast to them. The pace of the book is fast. It would have been nice if the book included a map. I plan to read other books by this author.
Set 2 years after Space Spector. Max and Thelma have a 10 month old son, who has a diverse extended family. They have Ruth, the AI, that Lon, asked them to take part in raising. At age 2, she is ready to find her place in the universe. Max and Thelma are torn, wanting to keep her close and wanting to see the places she goes and the parson she is to become. Trouble is brewing. Mayda is a colony in the Bad star sector. Home to the law abiding descendents of the bandits, and something is killing their children. Thelma is working as a go between. Max and Carl are called in to investigate the murder of a business man who's company is doing trials for a product that may benefit the Navy. Max"s investigation crosses with Thelma's humanitarian work in unexpected ways. Then a new government take power and puts the Sheriff's office in greater danger and threatens the the people of Mayda and an all out war with the bandits. A nudge from Ruth offers Thelma a chance to end the war before it starts. Great story. Loved Jesse. Ruth has ambitious dreams. Happy for Helen and Carl. Leaves an open ending for more stories. Love this series.
As I delved into this extraordinary literary journey, I found myself completely immersed in a world that captivated my imagination from the very first page. The characters were intricately crafted, each with such depth and nuance that they felt like dear friends by the time I reached the final chapter. The author's masterful world-building transported me to a richly detailed universe, where every description and narrative element seemed meticulously designed to draw readers deeper into the story. With a heavy heart, I turned the last page, knowing I would deeply miss the incredible adventures and compelling narrative that had become such a significant part of my reading experience. Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend this remarkable series to anyone seeking an unforgettable literary escape that will linger in their thoughts long after the final word.
2025 bk 101. Oh my - the space baby is here, well are here. This book takes place at least one full year after the previous title, and maybe a bit more. We find the duo has now become a family, parents to their own human baby, and an AI infant named Ruth. Ruth at age 2 has reached maturity and the parents find themselves parents to a toddler child and a teen AI - and going through all the joys of teenage parenting as Ruth seeks to find her way in the universe. When an epidemic threatens the frontier, the family attempts to do what they can to help, binding them into a power struggle that is epic in proportion. Sadly, this is the last book of the series and I want more. I'll just have to wait a bit and read it again - or read one of Schwartz's other series that I havn't started yet.
Jenny Schwartz has built a universe around the concept of a family of choice and love. Where a person is not defined by how they look, and that personal agency and responsibility are fundamental.
One of my professors had a term called “scheming virtuously” when I expressed abhorrence at manipulating circumstances and people. I very much did not like “The Prince”, however through this series Jenny illustrated that scheming virtuously may have merit.
Previous books in the series were light fun. This one takes a more serious turn and comes up with a fiendishly complicated plot. The Saloon Sector, where Thelma Bach works as an information broker, is on the border between the Federation and the Bad Stars. When she hears that the children of bandits on one of the planets among the Bad Stars are dying, she is compelled to take action. Thelma is a terrific character and turns out to be a genius at both tactics and strategy.
The Interstellar Sheriff series is great science fiction adventure. There are great writing and world building, fantastic aliens and AIs, bad stuff and funny stuff. Space Baby blew me away; I have loved Thelma and Max from the beginning, but this book is just plain awesome science fiction.
This series is a great science fiction seies The characters are very likeable , the story is fascinating and very well written. The main female character is strong but very human. We meet all kinds of persons , organic , inorganic and even specters. I enjoyed rhe books very much and will miss them.
Good to see everyone again. Two years have passed and things have changed. New characters, new president and new problems. Leave it to Them to find the solution where their did not seem to be one. I love this series. The things I expected were not there. Instead I found a much better story and more room for interesting plots.
What started that way to a very serious twist mid way through the story. I entertained thoughts of putting the book down but I pushed through to the end. The storyline was strong and well written even if not what I look for in a "!ight and fun" novel. A I will consider the next novel.
I started this series as lighter reading while waiting on the new release for a more hard core sci-fi series. This series is so refreshing and at times funny. I have so enjoyed reading Thelma & Max's journey but need to see more of them and all of their friends and family, especially the AIs and the nascent intelligences.
I've read a few of Schwartz's series. This one was intense for me. Maybe because of the parallel to the real world while being different. Don't know. But I do know I like the characters, I would have liked more of Max's POV in this. Especially his views on fatherhood.
This series has slid past science fiction and into the realm of unbelievable fantasy. Previous installments were minimally grounded in reality but this book has definitely jumped the shark. I felt I was slowly pushed out of the narrative by scenes that failed to make sense. This book was a DNF and I just don’t care.
Author Jenny Schwartz has created a series of tremendous fun, populated with ordinary people being forced into solving extraordinary problems. It is quite a space operetta, with pathos and humour and a whole lot of love. This was super fun to read and quite a balm in these times.
I wasn't certain if I liked this book or not. As a matter of fact, I almost gave up on it. The only reason I didn't was because of the author and how much I always enjoy her work. So I'm glad I did, and so should you.
Author changed her plot after COVID hit, so instead of fun max thelma Harry Lon and new ais you get angst-ridden oh our poor children bandits bad politicians bad. Was looking for something to take my mind off my issues. This was not it.
Book four of this series is as exciting and enticing as the first three books. Capturing a reader's interest in all four books means the author is a superb author. Thanks for an exciting series.
Nicely collected together and yet left still open in case someone else or the author wants to extend this universe. A lot of good characters enough that even some of our greatest science fiction franchise characters could show up. Lots of fun read it.
It is an OK book. It is a bit summary-ish, just to sum up some loose ends. But I liked the series as a whole. But I might be biased as I read the series "The adventures of a xeno-archaeologist" first. And liked that one a lot. I probably will read it again.
More serious, but very enjoyable. I was happy about Carl and Helen and the the murder mystery added another layer to the story. I am glad I found this author.
I’m always sad at the end of a good book or series and this falls into that category. I’ve read two of her series now and enjoyed both of them immensely.
I thoroughly enjoyed this series from MS Schwartz. The characters are realistic and the story line is plausible. I look forward to reading more from her.
I just had to see it through. This book resulted in several hours of my life I will never get back. This was the most horrible book and conclusion to the series.