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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
680 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Schwartz
110 books567 followersAustralian science fiction and fantasy author.
Avid reader.
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.
Avid reader.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 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
August 28, 2025
What a tasty little one sitter.
Decent plot. The dialogue didn’t make me want to kms. No spice though 🥲. But I’ll read the next one anyway.
I would say the last lil bit of action didn’t need to happen but I’ll forgive.
The amount of ‘sha’ this and ‘sha’ that I just had Jen shah in my head the whole book. ‘It’s Shah- Mazing!!!!’
Someone make this gal a decent book cover she deserves for an actually good book.
Decent plot. The dialogue didn’t make me want to kms. No spice though 🥲. But I’ll read the next one anyway.
I would say the last lil bit of action didn’t need to happen but I’ll forgive.
The amount of ‘sha’ this and ‘sha’ that I just had Jen shah in my head the whole book. ‘It’s Shah- Mazing!!!!’
Someone make this gal a decent book cover she deserves for an actually good book.
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.
November 22, 2024
Fantastic sf-fantasy romance!
Jaya Romanov is a 26-year-old, freelance shaman, whose main, marketable skill is guiding starships through wormholes. As far as she is aware, she is an orphan. She has no idea who her father is, and her mother died when she was three. At that time, because of her obvious shamanic abilities, she was placed at the Star Guild Shaman Academy, a boarding school dedicated to training young shamans. Jaya did not meet her maternal grandfather, Ivan Romanov, until she was nine, and she has only seen him intermittently in the years since. However, as her only known relative, she is extremely attached to him. Ivan is a powerful shaman, who is over 100 years old and still youthfully vigorous, because shamans live much longer lives than ordinary humans.
Vulf Trent is a wolf shifter who, at 18, chose to become a bounty hunter rather than participate in the the intergenerational business of his clan and become a space pirate, formally known as buccaneers, with a Letter of Marque from Galaxy Proper, the ruling body of the federation of planets. At age 21, as a reward for risking his life and undergoing torture while rescuing a kidnapped child of the mLa'an, the most technologically advanced civilization within the federation, they gifted him with an incredibly sophisticated, and extremely valuable, private spaceship, which has an embedded, enormously powerful, sentient AI named Ahab.
The first meet of Jaya and Vulf occurs when she has answered a summons from her grandfather, and Vulf arrives at their rendezvous, determined to apprehend Ivan. Jaya is shocked to learn that there is an enormous bounty on Ivan's head, but she is even more shocked, and feels bitterly betrayed when, after Ivan vanishes through an interdimensional portal to escape Vulf's clutches, she realizes that her grandfather stole a crystal from around her neck, in which she had been systematically storing sha energy for the past five years. Before she realizes the risk to her safety, Vulf knocks her out with a sucker punch, kidnaps her, and imprisons her aboard his spaceship. Not a seemingly very propitious start for the love story of fated mates.
I love both Jaya and Vulf, who are both what I call Positive Warriors, who consistently utilize their considerable magical powers to defend and protect others. JS does a fabulous job of both worldbuilding and creating a fascinating cast of characters in this terrific sf-fantasy romance. So far, there are three books starring this wonderful couple, and there will probably be multiple additional books. This one and the subsequent two novels provide not only exciting action-adventure scenes, but a whole host of loyal and loving relationships above and beyond the terrific romance. In fact, this entire series focuses heavily on the formation of an extensive family of affiliation AKA found family, which is one of my absolute favorite tropes in a romance novel.
All of the books in this series are available through Kindle Unlimited.
Jaya Romanov is a 26-year-old, freelance shaman, whose main, marketable skill is guiding starships through wormholes. As far as she is aware, she is an orphan. She has no idea who her father is, and her mother died when she was three. At that time, because of her obvious shamanic abilities, she was placed at the Star Guild Shaman Academy, a boarding school dedicated to training young shamans. Jaya did not meet her maternal grandfather, Ivan Romanov, until she was nine, and she has only seen him intermittently in the years since. However, as her only known relative, she is extremely attached to him. Ivan is a powerful shaman, who is over 100 years old and still youthfully vigorous, because shamans live much longer lives than ordinary humans.
Vulf Trent is a wolf shifter who, at 18, chose to become a bounty hunter rather than participate in the the intergenerational business of his clan and become a space pirate, formally known as buccaneers, with a Letter of Marque from Galaxy Proper, the ruling body of the federation of planets. At age 21, as a reward for risking his life and undergoing torture while rescuing a kidnapped child of the mLa'an, the most technologically advanced civilization within the federation, they gifted him with an incredibly sophisticated, and extremely valuable, private spaceship, which has an embedded, enormously powerful, sentient AI named Ahab.
The first meet of Jaya and Vulf occurs when she has answered a summons from her grandfather, and Vulf arrives at their rendezvous, determined to apprehend Ivan. Jaya is shocked to learn that there is an enormous bounty on Ivan's head, but she is even more shocked, and feels bitterly betrayed when, after Ivan vanishes through an interdimensional portal to escape Vulf's clutches, she realizes that her grandfather stole a crystal from around her neck, in which she had been systematically storing sha energy for the past five years. Before she realizes the risk to her safety, Vulf knocks her out with a sucker punch, kidnaps her, and imprisons her aboard his spaceship. Not a seemingly very propitious start for the love story of fated mates.
I love both Jaya and Vulf, who are both what I call Positive Warriors, who consistently utilize their considerable magical powers to defend and protect others. JS does a fabulous job of both worldbuilding and creating a fascinating cast of characters in this terrific sf-fantasy romance. So far, there are three books starring this wonderful couple, and there will probably be multiple additional books. This one and the subsequent two novels provide not only exciting action-adventure scenes, but a whole host of loyal and loving relationships above and beyond the terrific romance. In fact, this entire series focuses heavily on the formation of an extensive family of affiliation AKA found family, which is one of my absolute favorite tropes in a romance novel.
All of the books in this series are available through Kindle Unlimited.
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 24, 2024
Romance:
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. ;)
September 23, 2025
Her Robot Wolf by Jenny Schwartz (Shamans & Shifters Space Opera 1)
Fast paced action packed with twists and turns. A bounty hunter who is able to shift into a wolf and a woman who has the ability to pull energy out of the air and tame it.
Fast paced action packed with twists and turns. A bounty hunter who is able to shift into a wolf and a woman who has the ability to pull energy out of the air and tame it.
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. :)
May 25, 2025
well written, highly imaginative, fast paced,
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Well here’s another series I’m totally addicted to and binging right through. After finding author Jenny Schwartz through her Stars Die novel, I started diving into her other books and found this series.
Shamans and Shifters is such an unusual and amazing series. A complete science fiction adventure series that deals with scientific based magic, paranormal creatures, fated mates, fantastical alien worlds and societies, found families and galactic political intrigue. And romance.
It’s well written, highly imaginative, fast paced, and has a character that has grabbed at my heart and mind is the ship Orion’s IA Ahab. The ship belongs to a bounty hunter wolf shifter Vulf Trent who’s on a collision course with Jaya Romanov, a star ship shaman.
The storyline, which revolves around the hunt for a man named Evan, introduces the universe of the series, the background of the races and the science behind the magic involved. Or the beginning of the science. More will be explored as the series expands into deeper details and greater understanding of the political landscape and mysteries happening.
It’s a fast paced , exciting story and leaves you immediately gravitating towards the next book. Which I did.
Loved everything about this.
Including the covers. Highly recommended.
Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series:
Her Robot Wolf
Cosmic Catalyst
Shattered Earth
Jingle Stars
The Ceph Sector
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Well here’s another series I’m totally addicted to and binging right through. After finding author Jenny Schwartz through her Stars Die novel, I started diving into her other books and found this series.
Shamans and Shifters is such an unusual and amazing series. A complete science fiction adventure series that deals with scientific based magic, paranormal creatures, fated mates, fantastical alien worlds and societies, found families and galactic political intrigue. And romance.
It’s well written, highly imaginative, fast paced, and has a character that has grabbed at my heart and mind is the ship Orion’s IA Ahab. The ship belongs to a bounty hunter wolf shifter Vulf Trent who’s on a collision course with Jaya Romanov, a star ship shaman.
The storyline, which revolves around the hunt for a man named Evan, introduces the universe of the series, the background of the races and the science behind the magic involved. Or the beginning of the science. More will be explored as the series expands into deeper details and greater understanding of the political landscape and mysteries happening.
It’s a fast paced , exciting story and leaves you immediately gravitating towards the next book. Which I did.
Loved everything about this.
Including the covers. Highly recommended.
Shamans & Shifters Space Opera series:
Her Robot Wolf
Cosmic Catalyst
Shattered Earth
Jingle Stars
The Ceph Sector
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.
August 21, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
I think I'd prefer the book if it dropped the romance or if it'd been a slow burn growing in the series. I might just not be in the mood for the 'fated mate' trope.
The book really need a title that doesn't give away what I'm guessing is supposed to be a plot surprise!
First time read the author's work?: No -- I prefer some of her other series.
Will you be reading more?: Possibly
Would you recommend?: Possibly
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How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
I think I'd prefer the book if it dropped the romance or if it'd been a slow burn growing in the series. I might just not be in the mood for the 'fated mate' trope.
The book really need a title that doesn't give away what I'm guessing is supposed to be a plot surprise!
First time read the author's work?: No -- I prefer some of her other series.
Will you be reading more?: Possibly
Would you recommend?: Possibly
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
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.
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June 16, 2025I hated to rate this book when I feel so conflicted over it. At least I got to about 76% of the book and finally figured out where the odd title came from.
I enjoyed the story. It felt unique and original, but I just had a terrible time reading some sentences over and over to get what was trying to be said, because all of it needed more editing for better grammar and sentence structure.
I also wasn’t completely down with the magic because it didn’t make a ton of sense to me. I don’t think I’m giving much a away by stating that eventually the MMC shifts into a “robot wolf”, which sounds corny, and I’m not understanding how the FMC can just use her power, her “sha” energy, to make him transform from something organic to something completely inorganic. The math is mathing.
I DNFed because the story was lowering in quality the further I read. Needed to be more thought out.
I enjoyed the story. It felt unique and original, but I just had a terrible time reading some sentences over and over to get what was trying to be said, because all of it needed more editing for better grammar and sentence structure.
I also wasn’t completely down with the magic because it didn’t make a ton of sense to me. I don’t think I’m giving much a away by stating that eventually the MMC shifts into a “robot wolf”, which sounds corny, and I’m not understanding how the FMC can just use her power, her “sha” energy, to make him transform from something organic to something completely inorganic. The math is mathing.
I DNFed because the story was lowering in quality the further I read. Needed to be more thought out.
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.
July 20, 2025
Her Robot Wolf by Jenny Schwartz
Shamans and Shifters book 1
*magic in space
*fated mates (not my favorite, but there’s still choice and consent here)
*secrets and betrayals
*sentient AI
*wraiths
Jaya is a shaman. She can utilize Sha energy to affect the world around her. When the one person she has ties to escapes from a bounty hunter (Vulf, a wolf shifter, though, like all of his kind, he’s lost the ability to shift) Jaya is kidnapped by him so that she can help him locate her relative and bring him to justice. She wants to find him, too in order to rescue him, so and and the bounty hunter begin working together.
Another fabulous series from Schwartz! I find her writing totally addictive so I’m tabling the rest of my TBR until I finish these books.
Shamans and Shifters book 1
*magic in space
*fated mates (not my favorite, but there’s still choice and consent here)
*secrets and betrayals
*sentient AI
*wraiths
Jaya is a shaman. She can utilize Sha energy to affect the world around her. When the one person she has ties to escapes from a bounty hunter (Vulf, a wolf shifter, though, like all of his kind, he’s lost the ability to shift) Jaya is kidnapped by him so that she can help him locate her relative and bring him to justice. She wants to find him, too in order to rescue him, so and and the bounty hunter begin working together.
Another fabulous series from Schwartz! I find her writing totally addictive so I’m tabling the rest of my TBR until I finish these books.
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