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The unmissable conclusion to the science fiction series that has it all—ancient aliens, rogue AIs, beleaguered royalty, semi-repentant pirates, and the chance to go where no humans have gone before (well, not for five hundred years)—all wrapped up in the possibility of a happy-ever-after for everyone (bad guys excluded).
Resolve is the triumphant conclusion to Nora and Liam’s story, begun in Astray in the unexplored depths of the Avestan Range and the quirky precinct of Border Station.
Resolve is the triumphant conclusion to Nora and Liam’s story, begun in Astray in the unexplored depths of the Avestan Range and the quirky precinct of Border Station.
317 pages, ebook
First published June 29, 2022
551 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Schwartz
113 books550 followersAustralian science fiction & fantasy author.
Current series: Caldryn Parliament. Golden Age mysteries in the realm of science fiction & fantasy.
Magic parliament mysteries - political intrigue, family drama, and the cutest gremlin sidekick ever!
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.
Current series: Caldryn Parliament. Golden Age mysteries in the realm of science fiction & fantasy.
Magic parliament mysteries - political intrigue, family drama, and the cutest gremlin sidekick ever!
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 89 reviews
March 6, 2025
Man, oh man, where to begin?
First, I have to say I adored this series. I'm so glad to have found it. It is a wonderful space opera with a huge cast of fantastic characters and a very rich setting. I literally could not put this series down, and I'm now horribly sleep deprived, but I regret nothing.
There's so much that I truly enjoyed, too much to do it all justice, so I'm just going to hit a couple of highlights.
The writing. There was something lovely and philosophical about it, without being ostentatious or obnoxious. The commentary about love, relationships, family,... it was poignant and lovely.
The growth of the characters. They all grew and changed throughout, and one of my favorite things was the way that people who initially were on opposing sides shifted into fierce allies. The characters felt like vivid, evolving people. They learned, adapted, and grew. It didn't feel forced - they weren't instant best friends. It was done organically, like people who were on opposite sides in a war are drawn into a business relationship and see how similar they actually are, and grow a deep friendship. I won't say there were no bad guys in this series, but there were very few who were just straight assholes. Most were complicated people doing their best to navigate a volatile situation, and in that space, it is possible to grow. And I loved it.
It was hopeful, inspiring, and the warmth of the relationships in this vast found family that Nora and Liam created together was just wonderful.
I will definitely read more from this author.
Re-read May 2025
I really, really love this series - it is a firm favorite, and it seems I just crave it annually (I was shocked to see that I seem to re-read it every 10 months or so, haha).
First, I have to say I adored this series. I'm so glad to have found it. It is a wonderful space opera with a huge cast of fantastic characters and a very rich setting. I literally could not put this series down, and I'm now horribly sleep deprived, but I regret nothing.
There's so much that I truly enjoyed, too much to do it all justice, so I'm just going to hit a couple of highlights.
The writing. There was something lovely and philosophical about it, without being ostentatious or obnoxious. The commentary about love, relationships, family,... it was poignant and lovely.
The growth of the characters. They all grew and changed throughout, and one of my favorite things was the way that people who initially were on opposing sides shifted into fierce allies. The characters felt like vivid, evolving people. They learned, adapted, and grew. It didn't feel forced - they weren't instant best friends. It was done organically, like people who were on opposite sides in a war are drawn into a business relationship and see how similar they actually are, and grow a deep friendship. I won't say there were no bad guys in this series, but there were very few who were just straight assholes. Most were complicated people doing their best to navigate a volatile situation, and in that space, it is possible to grow. And I loved it.
It was hopeful, inspiring, and the warmth of the relationships in this vast found family that Nora and Liam created together was just wonderful.
I will definitely read more from this author.
Re-read May 2025
I really, really love this series - it is a firm favorite, and it seems I just crave it annually (I was shocked to see that I seem to re-read it every 10 months or so, haha).
April 3, 2023
I can't quantify how disappointing this series was. It started out so well, with likeable, well-written characters and an interesting story. Then it turned into a completely unrealistic romance (who gets married after two interactions??), and devolved from there into "royal" politics, posturing, and petty drama. It's a sad, tired trope when a woman protagonist ends up being "secret royalty" and everything that made her interesting gets flushed down the toilet to make her more "regal."
Other major issues with this book. It's almost like the author felt uncomfortable building up slowly to important events, and instead delayed them as long as possible, filling in the story with meaningless interactions and unnecessary characters, until she eventually threw everything together as quickly and succinctly as possible. The last few books were filled with pointless rehashings of prior events, useless explanations of things that the reader should be left to interpret, and sad caricatures that weren't necessary to the story and in fact were detrimental to it.
The sexism regarding women in positions of power was nauseating. There wasn't a single woman in a leadership/power position who wasn't completely out of her mind (Caroline/Evelyn/Sarah) or selfish/incompetent/actively Dislikeable (Willow, Molly). The only "likeable" women were those who had no power, like Cherry and Aria. Meanwhile, men in power positions (Francis, Liam, Dominic, Ivan, etc.) were all "good guys in tough situations" and were shown by the author to be redeemable, likeable, and trustworthy. Gee, thanks, author, for showing us that women can't handle power and shouldn't be trusted with it!
My final note -
Resolve: 1/5 stars
Entire series: 2/5 stars, only because the first book was good.
Other major issues with this book. It's almost like the author felt uncomfortable building up slowly to important events, and instead delayed them as long as possible, filling in the story with meaningless interactions and unnecessary characters, until she eventually threw everything together as quickly and succinctly as possible. The last few books were filled with pointless rehashings of prior events, useless explanations of things that the reader should be left to interpret, and sad caricatures that weren't necessary to the story and in fact were detrimental to it.
The sexism regarding women in positions of power was nauseating. There wasn't a single woman in a leadership/power position who wasn't completely out of her mind (Caroline/Evelyn/Sarah) or selfish/incompetent/actively Dislikeable (Willow, Molly). The only "likeable" women were those who had no power, like Cherry and Aria. Meanwhile, men in power positions (Francis, Liam, Dominic, Ivan, etc.) were all "good guys in tough situations" and were shown by the author to be redeemable, likeable, and trustworthy. Gee, thanks, author, for showing us that women can't handle power and shouldn't be trusted with it!
My final note -
Resolve: 1/5 stars
Entire series: 2/5 stars, only because the first book was good.
June 12, 2024
I have thoroughly enjoyed this five book series! It has all the awesomeness one looks for in sci-fi adventure with a hint of romance. I’m just sad that it doesn’t continue. There are SO many avenues yet to explore and I’ll admit I’m pretty attached to Nora, Liam and clan.
This specific book held the very best and the most challenging aspects of the entire series. It wraps everything up in an awesome way. The ending (ei; at the end of the book ending ;) was everything we hoped for throughout the ups and downs of the journey! There was an inordinate amount of re-telling and explaining things from previous books, however. I really don’t think this book could be read as a stand-alone, so all the redundancy was wasted on the readers, as 99% (a guess, but a good one) already know all that stuff! Still, if one skims over all those bits, the overall story is just as amazing as all previous offerings in this fabulous space opera!
This specific book held the very best and the most challenging aspects of the entire series. It wraps everything up in an awesome way. The ending (ei; at the end of the book ending ;) was everything we hoped for throughout the ups and downs of the journey! There was an inordinate amount of re-telling and explaining things from previous books, however. I really don’t think this book could be read as a stand-alone, so all the redundancy was wasted on the readers, as 99% (a guess, but a good one) already know all that stuff! Still, if one skims over all those bits, the overall story is just as amazing as all previous offerings in this fabulous space opera!
August 15, 2022
Optimistic Sci-Fi
I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.
This book is the final in a 5 book series and you need to read the first books to understand this one. I will say that though this book rounds off this narrative, not all the questions that are raised in the books are answered. However, the author states that she is hoping to write a follow up series set 3 years down the line with Cherry, Nora’s half-sister. Hopefully that will fulfil any sense of loss I feel from the end of this series.
The book starts with the announcement of the expedition to the Vapori Lens and Origin, where the colony ships got stuck after entering the sector by accident, 500 year earlier. Nora believes, and Jonah, the android embodied Vapori AI, agrees that she can operate the Lens to allow them access to the home sector of man.
Nora turns into a teacher of a different way to use the burrs, so instead of just being weapons that obliterate matter, they can be used to create and grow. Spending most of her time working with the burrs, and trying to create a good image to help ensure their safety means that Liam steps into the role of the head of all the business and leadership sectors of their growing ‘family’. Becoming aware of Jonah’s existence means that they can work together to best protect Nora and everyone they care about.
This book is about building power to protect each other. It’s about opening up the opportunities to change the way things are done in the Human Sector so there is a way to escape bad situations, such as the Towers where Nora grew up. It’s also about building a family, or Clan, to protect each other and everyone they care about, so they are all pulling in the same direction, with a joined purpose.
I really enjoy how Nora and Liam work as a couple. They are both strong and independent, capable of working alone and making decisions, but they also work together so well, providing love always and support when it’s needed. The way Jonah is part of their unit is also sweet. He is a support, a friend and vital member of the team, who watches out for Nora like a hawk, but has included Liam in his loyalties. They all care of Aria as if they had known her since a baby rather than adopting her as a 10 year old with little time for reflection on the decision.
There is lots of business and politics, peril and drama on a background of love and respect. This author describes her series as Optimistic Sci-Fi and I agree with her. There is danger and death but it is not the main focus of the series. The series is about making a difference, both to their immediate loved ones and, to society as a whole. I shall miss this series, but look forward to reading more in the same universe in the future (fingers crossed).
I’d probably give this book 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.
This book is the final in a 5 book series and you need to read the first books to understand this one. I will say that though this book rounds off this narrative, not all the questions that are raised in the books are answered. However, the author states that she is hoping to write a follow up series set 3 years down the line with Cherry, Nora’s half-sister. Hopefully that will fulfil any sense of loss I feel from the end of this series.
The book starts with the announcement of the expedition to the Vapori Lens and Origin, where the colony ships got stuck after entering the sector by accident, 500 year earlier. Nora believes, and Jonah, the android embodied Vapori AI, agrees that she can operate the Lens to allow them access to the home sector of man.
Nora turns into a teacher of a different way to use the burrs, so instead of just being weapons that obliterate matter, they can be used to create and grow. Spending most of her time working with the burrs, and trying to create a good image to help ensure their safety means that Liam steps into the role of the head of all the business and leadership sectors of their growing ‘family’. Becoming aware of Jonah’s existence means that they can work together to best protect Nora and everyone they care about.
This book is about building power to protect each other. It’s about opening up the opportunities to change the way things are done in the Human Sector so there is a way to escape bad situations, such as the Towers where Nora grew up. It’s also about building a family, or Clan, to protect each other and everyone they care about, so they are all pulling in the same direction, with a joined purpose.
I really enjoy how Nora and Liam work as a couple. They are both strong and independent, capable of working alone and making decisions, but they also work together so well, providing love always and support when it’s needed. The way Jonah is part of their unit is also sweet. He is a support, a friend and vital member of the team, who watches out for Nora like a hawk, but has included Liam in his loyalties. They all care of Aria as if they had known her since a baby rather than adopting her as a 10 year old with little time for reflection on the decision.
There is lots of business and politics, peril and drama on a background of love and respect. This author describes her series as Optimistic Sci-Fi and I agree with her. There is danger and death but it is not the main focus of the series. The series is about making a difference, both to their immediate loved ones and, to society as a whole. I shall miss this series, but look forward to reading more in the same universe in the future (fingers crossed).
October 20, 2025
I loved every book in this series. See my review of Astray for my overall opinion.
August 24, 2025
I love the storyline and multi characters in this series.
However, I found it a bit confusing while reading those sci-fi bits and not until Zac’s simple explanations right at the end of this series, I got the grasp what the ‘burrs’ actually are! 😳🫣😆
Anyway, I followed the story okay and like it very much! ☺️
❤️❤️❤️.
However, I found it a bit confusing while reading those sci-fi bits and not until Zac’s simple explanations right at the end of this series, I got the grasp what the ‘burrs’ actually are! 😳🫣😆
Anyway, I followed the story okay and like it very much! ☺️
❤️❤️❤️.
August 29, 2022
I felt like the story was explained to me, not like I was experiencing it. Boring.
June 30, 2022
Excellent sci fi adventure
I love Jonah and the donkeys, so this review may be biased.... The worldbuilding is excellent, although the story drags in spots due to needed explanations. Nora and her clan are a wonderful found family that brought tears to my eyes more than once, as well as making me laugh out loud. The ending is upbeat and full of possibilities. I would love more stories in this universe.
I love Jonah and the donkeys, so this review may be biased.... The worldbuilding is excellent, although the story drags in spots due to needed explanations. Nora and her clan are a wonderful found family that brought tears to my eyes more than once, as well as making me laugh out loud. The ending is upbeat and full of possibilities. I would love more stories in this universe.
July 29, 2022
Totally unintelligible
First couple of books were great. This book has to many characters that had convoluted interactions that made the plot unintelligible. It definitely didn't feel like anything was RESOLVEd.
First couple of books were great. This book has to many characters that had convoluted interactions that made the plot unintelligible. It definitely didn't feel like anything was RESOLVEd.
July 2, 2025
3,5 stars. At the beginning I was thrilled to meet main characters who were sensible and didn't do stupid shit for the sake of the plot. By the fifth book it had started to annoy me. No one can be that wise and levelheaded. The last book felt rushed, but the series was different enough to keep my interest till the end.
September 15, 2025
great end to the series!
I’ve so enjoyed following this series - wonderful characters, a really nice presentation of both alien and AI, and a clear direction in character growth and story evolution.
What an extraordinary talent this writer is! I’ve loved everything of hers I’ve read so far (MANY books!), and she doesn’t disappoint!
I’ve so enjoyed following this series - wonderful characters, a really nice presentation of both alien and AI, and a clear direction in character growth and story evolution.
What an extraordinary talent this writer is! I’ve loved everything of hers I’ve read so far (MANY books!), and she doesn’t disappoint!
March 5, 2024
[4 Mar 2024]
This fifth book in the Nora/Liam/Jonah story was actually rather disappointing. Most of it was politics, with a little commerce, while they prepare for their expedition to the Origin Lens. Finally at about the 95% point of the book they actually arrived at the Lens. What happened then was totally unbelievable and the final resolution was rather anti-climactic.
This fifth book in the Nora/Liam/Jonah story was actually rather disappointing. Most of it was politics, with a little commerce, while they prepare for their expedition to the Origin Lens. Finally at about the 95% point of the book they actually arrived at the Lens. What happened then was totally unbelievable and the final resolution was rather anti-climactic.
July 18, 2022
There is something bittersweet about finishing the last book in a series. The characters are now like old friends and, after this last installment, you will never “see” them again. For me, what makes this particularly difficult is that I got sucked into this series when I read the first book thinking it was a stand alone. Here I am five books later and lamenting that I have reached the final book.
As I have said in my earlier reviews, there is little hard science in Jenny Schwartz’s books and the events are often pretty unbelievable. Still, you cannot help but fall in love with Nora and her “rag tag” followers. There is romance, aliens, politics, adventure, danger, and intrigue but this series centers around about people.
This fifth book is aptly named as Schwartz does, in fact, try to bring everything to a conclusion. The story line has meandered in many different directions and evolved to include a large cast of characters so there is a lot to resolve. In fact, I think that Schwartz has tried to sum it all up just a bit took quickly. Perhaps this book should have been split into two books or just extended another hundred pages as the ending seems just a little too rushed.
Overall I have really enjoyed this series. It has been fun to follow along as the characters develop. Additionally, it is interesting to read a science fiction book that is set in the future but in which one branch of the human race has evolved backwards to the time of royal families and palace intrigue. Of course we have plots and subplots and evildoers and heroes and romance along with several alien civilizations. Schwartz dug deep into her imagination and seemingly has left no stone unturned. Yet, as I have said before, the focus of her books are her characters and they are all interesting, multi-faceted, and engaging.
If you are looking for believable, hard science based science fiction, this is not the series for you. However, if you want an engaging, entertaining, and well written series that just happens to take place in a “galaxy far, far away” pick up the first book in his series, Astray; The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist #1 and dive into the adventure.
As I have said in my earlier reviews, there is little hard science in Jenny Schwartz’s books and the events are often pretty unbelievable. Still, you cannot help but fall in love with Nora and her “rag tag” followers. There is romance, aliens, politics, adventure, danger, and intrigue but this series centers around about people.
This fifth book is aptly named as Schwartz does, in fact, try to bring everything to a conclusion. The story line has meandered in many different directions and evolved to include a large cast of characters so there is a lot to resolve. In fact, I think that Schwartz has tried to sum it all up just a bit took quickly. Perhaps this book should have been split into two books or just extended another hundred pages as the ending seems just a little too rushed.
Overall I have really enjoyed this series. It has been fun to follow along as the characters develop. Additionally, it is interesting to read a science fiction book that is set in the future but in which one branch of the human race has evolved backwards to the time of royal families and palace intrigue. Of course we have plots and subplots and evildoers and heroes and romance along with several alien civilizations. Schwartz dug deep into her imagination and seemingly has left no stone unturned. Yet, as I have said before, the focus of her books are her characters and they are all interesting, multi-faceted, and engaging.
If you are looking for believable, hard science based science fiction, this is not the series for you. However, if you want an engaging, entertaining, and well written series that just happens to take place in a “galaxy far, far away” pick up the first book in his series, Astray; The Adventures of a Xeno-Archaeologist #1 and dive into the adventure.
August 1, 2025
I just feel kind of meh about this series after finishing it. I really enjoyed the premise and especially liked the first book, but the longer I read the books the more questions I had (and not in a good way.)
They have been in this new part of space (stranded, actually) for 500 years, but there's very little mention of how that's affected their life. They mention things like coffee, ice cream, dogs, horses, and donkeys casually. Were all these things brought over on the colony ships? Did they bring absolutely everything from Earth on those ships and there's nothing they've had trouble growing/maintaining due to the new environments? It just seemed weird to me because all the planets/space stations here felt like "Earth, but we're in space." The only time indigenous plants/etc are mentioned is when there's a convenient .
I thought this last book dragged a lot. We've had this build-up to the expedition to the Lens for 4 books, and it takes less than 10% of this book for them to actually go on this mission. The mission itself felt rushed, nonsensical, and confusing. There's a random (or not so random, given the series' track record) a
I also felt like Nora and Liam never really face consequences for their actions. They always seem to do the right thing or make the right decision based on their gut feelings, even when they haven't thought things through or don't know what's going on.
Idk, maybe I'm overreacting to the parts of the story I didn't like, but I was just disappointed with how it turned out.
They have been in this new part of space (stranded, actually) for 500 years, but there's very little mention of how that's affected their life. They mention things like coffee, ice cream, dogs, horses, and donkeys casually. Were all these things brought over on the colony ships? Did they bring absolutely everything from Earth on those ships and there's nothing they've had trouble growing/maintaining due to the new environments? It just seemed weird to me because all the planets/space stations here felt like "Earth, but we're in space." The only time indigenous plants/etc are mentioned is when there's a convenient .
I thought this last book dragged a lot. We've had this build-up to the expedition to the Lens for 4 books, and it takes less than 10% of this book for them to actually go on this mission. The mission itself felt rushed, nonsensical, and confusing. There's a random (or not so random, given the series' track record) a
I also felt like Nora and Liam never really face consequences for their actions. They always seem to do the right thing or make the right decision based on their gut feelings, even when they haven't thought things through or don't know what's going on.
Idk, maybe I'm overreacting to the parts of the story I didn't like, but I was just disappointed with how it turned out.
February 14, 2023
This book introduces us to Wicked Mommy Number Three. Daddies are for the most part weak-willed and unable to properly express their love for their children; mommies are murderous, crazed maniacs driven by their need for social status. There are a few good family units portrayed - this series has a million characters - but the recurring theme of “weak man, manipulative/antagonist woman” is surprisingly strong in this one. All the married royal women are horrific harpies; the born princesses are depressed nonentities, drug addicts, or dead. The royal men, on the other hand, seek or achieve redemption - through their love for their children, usually - despite being the actual rulers responsible for, oh, I don’t know, massive numbers of devastating wars.
In a more global sense, the last few books have really suffered from sloppy world-building; Schwartz constructed a complex space-bound universe in the first few books but when it comes to High Society and how the palaces, royals, and clans work, we don’t know anything about any of it until suddenly it’s once again Exposition Time. There are a lot of aspects that seem vague or "default" (why are only men rulers when women seem to be equal members of society including the military? why has medical science not advanced beyond the 21st century?) and it makes the narrative sag.
Over all, there were a ton of good elements to this series, but the narrative pacing was terrible, there was way too much exposition, and it just didn't live up to the potential of its parts.
In a more global sense, the last few books have really suffered from sloppy world-building; Schwartz constructed a complex space-bound universe in the first few books but when it comes to High Society and how the palaces, royals, and clans work, we don’t know anything about any of it until suddenly it’s once again Exposition Time. There are a lot of aspects that seem vague or "default" (why are only men rulers when women seem to be equal members of society including the military? why has medical science not advanced beyond the 21st century?) and it makes the narrative sag.
Over all, there were a ton of good elements to this series, but the narrative pacing was terrible, there was way too much exposition, and it just didn't live up to the potential of its parts.
August 14, 2023
This fifth and final instalment of the Xeno-Archeologist series was quite slow to work through. Work is chosen intentionally, because at times I was close to losing interest unfortunately. The at times odd sentence structures and lack of more editing added to the feeling, I'm afraid.
The plot of the series showed great promise, but most things I found interesting and relatable about Nora in the beginning, somehow got diluted a bit along the way. She was "cleaned up" so much that the edge, her free-spiritedness, was mostly lost.
I also questioned the relationship between her and Liam. Because there was so little focus on romance, it seems as if those portions were handled efficiently from a distance merely to have it be part of the story. And yet there were moments of telling but not showing that theirs was a hot marriage, even though it was to happen in secret away even from the reader. Not sure why this was necessary, because I have read slightly better solutions for a sprinkle of romance baked in between other genres.
The at times very detailed Silicaese descriptions and logical trains of thought felt a bit long-winded.
I admired Nora for her go-go attitude, but liked her (how she was portrayed) much more earlier in the series. Her scientific mindset that got to bloom in later instalments was a really nice touch though!
It pains me to criticise generally good writing and curious creativity like this, but to keep writing honestly, right now I think I won't re-read these novels. Still, I'm glad to have spent time with them.
The plot of the series showed great promise, but most things I found interesting and relatable about Nora in the beginning, somehow got diluted a bit along the way. She was "cleaned up" so much that the edge, her free-spiritedness, was mostly lost.
I also questioned the relationship between her and Liam. Because there was so little focus on romance, it seems as if those portions were handled efficiently from a distance merely to have it be part of the story. And yet there were moments of telling but not showing that theirs was a hot marriage, even though it was to happen in secret away even from the reader. Not sure why this was necessary, because I have read slightly better solutions for a sprinkle of romance baked in between other genres.
The at times very detailed Silicaese descriptions and logical trains of thought felt a bit long-winded.
I admired Nora for her go-go attitude, but liked her (how she was portrayed) much more earlier in the series. Her scientific mindset that got to bloom in later instalments was a really nice touch though!
It pains me to criticise generally good writing and curious creativity like this, but to keep writing honestly, right now I think I won't re-read these novels. Still, I'm glad to have spent time with them.
July 24, 2022
Hopefully More in the Future
I was unsure at first if I’d enjoy this series. I did. Plenty of things left that can be turned in to more books in the series. Things I most wanted cleared were, thankfully. A satisfactory ending for me and I will read again in the future. It could have been better but I’m also biased in that I’d probably want books through their whole lives. I invest so much time in characters I want to know their life story.
A negative, in this series, compared to the Interstellar Sheriff and Shaman & Shifters ones, to my recollection, there was a lot of “catching up” information in each and every book. As this is not a series of standalone books, it really irked me and I skipped through it each time. Most people I would think, would not start on book 3 in a 5 books series, so the repetition sucked! Most books have that but not pages of it, so these seemed to have. Don’t let that turn anyone away though, you can skip over it pretty quick. If you like her previously mentioned series, you’ll like this one too.
I was unsure at first if I’d enjoy this series. I did. Plenty of things left that can be turned in to more books in the series. Things I most wanted cleared were, thankfully. A satisfactory ending for me and I will read again in the future. It could have been better but I’m also biased in that I’d probably want books through their whole lives. I invest so much time in characters I want to know their life story.
A negative, in this series, compared to the Interstellar Sheriff and Shaman & Shifters ones, to my recollection, there was a lot of “catching up” information in each and every book. As this is not a series of standalone books, it really irked me and I skipped through it each time. Most people I would think, would not start on book 3 in a 5 books series, so the repetition sucked! Most books have that but not pages of it, so these seemed to have. Don’t let that turn anyone away though, you can skip over it pretty quick. If you like her previously mentioned series, you’ll like this one too.
July 9, 2022
Jenny Schwartz never disappoints.
Yet another excellent story from Jenny Schwartz. I've been with her since she was a new to Kindle author and she keeps getting better. She is one of my all time favorite authors. She never dumbs content down for her audience. Her writing has a concise, direct tone. No superfluous words or descriptions. Yet she allows herself to build very detailed story lines, which challenge the reader. She has much political content too and frankly is great with it. The fmc of this series, xenoarcheologist Norah, is a strong, confident, incredibly smart woman. That right there makes the series great. This author doesn't feel the need to impose youthful behaviors on a grown adult fmc. Norah is never gamey in relationship. She doesn't waver in her loyalty. She has healthy expectations of others and doesn't allow herself to be disrespected. Its just so damn refreshing to have an fmc's behave this way. Thank you, Jenny Schwartz.
Yet another excellent story from Jenny Schwartz. I've been with her since she was a new to Kindle author and she keeps getting better. She is one of my all time favorite authors. She never dumbs content down for her audience. Her writing has a concise, direct tone. No superfluous words or descriptions. Yet she allows herself to build very detailed story lines, which challenge the reader. She has much political content too and frankly is great with it. The fmc of this series, xenoarcheologist Norah, is a strong, confident, incredibly smart woman. That right there makes the series great. This author doesn't feel the need to impose youthful behaviors on a grown adult fmc. Norah is never gamey in relationship. She doesn't waver in her loyalty. She has healthy expectations of others and doesn't allow herself to be disrespected. Its just so damn refreshing to have an fmc's behave this way. Thank you, Jenny Schwartz.
June 15, 2025
I'm actually rounding from a 3.5. So many things that I liked about the series suffered a bit in this finale. Nora really didn't get to shine in this one as the smart resourceful character she has been. This book focused heavily on Liam and the business development side of the relationship. The building of the "family" into a clan. Lots of politics - as evidenced in the previous 2 books. All of that could have survived but I feel like the repetitive and overly descriptive narrative impacted the book moving forward. While we learn all about the character's hair colors and clothing choices, we're left in the dark about relevant things like world building or global reactions to a royal's death. As a few have commented, the ending just didn't cut it for me. I was ok with the plan, but the execution was definitely lacking. Editing issues did impact understanding and sentence structure in a few places also.
July 2, 2022
Fascinating series, very relatable characters. It sucks you in:)
This is one of the best series I have read in a long time! I have read the first four books several times and enjoyed each time through. I was very excited about this final book coming out and I was NOT disappointed!
I love the main characters and the fact the surrounding characters are also well fleshed out. Their responses to events are realistic in a hopeful way which I appreciate. I love the way family/clan are top priorities for them.
I am sad this series is ended but I thought the way it ended was a satisfying conclusion...for now;)
I would love another series focusing on other people from this series like Cherry or Logan or.... I could keep going:)
(And an update on how our main characters are doing would be great too)
This is one of the best series I have read in a long time! I have read the first four books several times and enjoyed each time through. I was very excited about this final book coming out and I was NOT disappointed!
I love the main characters and the fact the surrounding characters are also well fleshed out. Their responses to events are realistic in a hopeful way which I appreciate. I love the way family/clan are top priorities for them.
I am sad this series is ended but I thought the way it ended was a satisfying conclusion...for now;)
I would love another series focusing on other people from this series like Cherry or Logan or.... I could keep going:)
(And an update on how our main characters are doing would be great too)
April 14, 2023
5 Books in a week
I read the whole series in a week on holiday. Usually, I like a gap between books in a series but I couldn't wait. I loved the characters and enjoyed the constant introduction to new characters, although at times I had to remind myself about who they were. The storyline changes for each book following Nora's life were good and retained focus to Nora and her immediate family.
The only thing I wasn't happy with was how prosaic Jenny Schwartz is about the really big happenings in each book. For example when Norah was kidnapped in a previous book, it's all over and done with in a few pages! I can think of three huge events over the series that felt like they were skipped over in continuing a fast paced story.
Overall, I loved these books and Jenny Schwartz is still one of my favourite authors. Thanks Jenny for keeping up the good work
I read the whole series in a week on holiday. Usually, I like a gap between books in a series but I couldn't wait. I loved the characters and enjoyed the constant introduction to new characters, although at times I had to remind myself about who they were. The storyline changes for each book following Nora's life were good and retained focus to Nora and her immediate family.
The only thing I wasn't happy with was how prosaic Jenny Schwartz is about the really big happenings in each book. For example when Norah was kidnapped in a previous book, it's all over and done with in a few pages! I can think of three huge events over the series that felt like they were skipped over in continuing a fast paced story.
Overall, I loved these books and Jenny Schwartz is still one of my favourite authors. Thanks Jenny for keeping up the good work
July 25, 2024
Whole Lotta Growin’ Goin’On
XenoArchaeo5
This was a real shake-out-your-hands book. The action got so tense, that one forgot to move.
Nora Devi has stood by her brother, and the sheer normalcy of life around her, let him keep his bearings. The clan home concept she tried to develop at Border Station comes to fruition here. And Nora sets limits as to how much manipulation she will tolerate, which sticks.
Liam Kimani realizes what he knows and doesn’t know, and sets out to give their clan the diversity they need to thrive through the business sector. Integrity has been his byword throughout his career, and he digs in to cover Nora and the found family she treasures.
There is so much more to this story that you have to read the series for yourself. Enjoy.
XenoArchaeo5
This was a real shake-out-your-hands book. The action got so tense, that one forgot to move.
Nora Devi has stood by her brother, and the sheer normalcy of life around her, let him keep his bearings. The clan home concept she tried to develop at Border Station comes to fruition here. And Nora sets limits as to how much manipulation she will tolerate, which sticks.
Liam Kimani realizes what he knows and doesn’t know, and sets out to give their clan the diversity they need to thrive through the business sector. Integrity has been his byword throughout his career, and he digs in to cover Nora and the found family she treasures.
There is so much more to this story that you have to read the series for yourself. Enjoy.
July 9, 2022
I've been eagerly awaiting this book for a few months, especially since it is the last in the series and we get to find out Nora and Liam's conclusion to their adventures. I loved this, it was a lovely political and people centred plot, with deception, allies and adventure. It was satisfying but somehow I am left with so much more desire to read more of this world. Jonas needs more and I desperately want to know what happened 'beyond' that ending. I really hope the author write more in this world some day. All in all a wonderful series and I loved every second of it. I look forward to whatever the author writes next, because whatever she does it's wonderful lose yourself reading.
July 6, 2023
Good
Nora, Liam and Jonah proceed with their plans to open the millrace of the black hole for business, all the while having to dodge politics and those who fear them.
So much going on in this book, that it’s hard to describe. The journey we began back in book one comes to an end (a happy one) and there are even enough loose ends that another series or two might come out of it!
Anyway, this was an excellent sci-fi series, with some truly fascinating characters, and a very intriguing setting. Jonah was by far the star of the series, so I do hope we’ll see more of him in the future.
If you’re looking for an engrossing sci-fi tale, then I highly recommend this series.
Nora, Liam and Jonah proceed with their plans to open the millrace of the black hole for business, all the while having to dodge politics and those who fear them.
So much going on in this book, that it’s hard to describe. The journey we began back in book one comes to an end (a happy one) and there are even enough loose ends that another series or two might come out of it!
Anyway, this was an excellent sci-fi series, with some truly fascinating characters, and a very intriguing setting. Jonah was by far the star of the series, so I do hope we’ll see more of him in the future.
If you’re looking for an engrossing sci-fi tale, then I highly recommend this series.
December 10, 2023
Why oh why I have to write that the last two books are useless and a waste of precious time.
I love when authors think they can write a very long series and are incapable to maintain a good standard. And I love even more when dumb readers like me here believe it.
The last two books were so slow and meaniless that I couldn't believe myself:
The donkeys
The hair colors changes
The pointy nails
And so many additional useless characters kept popping from God knows where
and sometimes rushed to a point of confusion specially in the most important parts:
The wedding
The lens
Better if I stop now before I start swearing.
I love when authors think they can write a very long series and are incapable to maintain a good standard. And I love even more when dumb readers like me here believe it.
The last two books were so slow and meaniless that I couldn't believe myself:
The donkeys
The hair colors changes
The pointy nails
And so many additional useless characters kept popping from God knows where
and sometimes rushed to a point of confusion specially in the most important parts:
The wedding
The lens
Better if I stop now before I start swearing.
August 18, 2025
The series finished well enough, but this was a wrap-up book, almost like an extended epilogue. There was very little conflict, and between the main three characters they all developed competencies that mean there are no real problems for any of them. There were a few developments that looked like they were going to lead to new issues or larger conflicts, but they were all resolved quickly and easily, probably in the name of finishing off the series.
It was a nice wrap-up to everything that had been going on, but I would have liked to see more actual challenges rather than a "day in the lives of..." entry, which is what this felt like in the end.
It was a nice wrap-up to everything that had been going on, but I would have liked to see more actual challenges rather than a "day in the lives of..." entry, which is what this felt like in the end.
October 2, 2022
I must have a very different sense of time than Nora, Jonah, Liam, et al. The way this reads is this is all happening in a short period of time… yes there are months of time spent traveling, and one presumes, exploring burr usage and taking over business monopolies. But the time gaps aren’t shared with the reader. So the time that Liam and Nora have been married feels like months when I guess it has been years? We only know because the kids get older. It would have helped to tell the time at the beginning of each chapter… otherwise it seems so fast.
December 3, 2022
Good storyline, a bit repetitive
Overall interesting storyline, with characters that kept me in through all 5 novellas. However, I thought there was a lot of unnecessary repetition in them; not just from book to book, but within each. The entire 5 book series could have been published as a trilogy without leaving out a thing! It was just short of irritating enough to kill my interest to follow it through to the ending though. I hope future work by the author sees her grow out of this habit
Overall interesting storyline, with characters that kept me in through all 5 novellas. However, I thought there was a lot of unnecessary repetition in them; not just from book to book, but within each. The entire 5 book series could have been published as a trilogy without leaving out a thing! It was just short of irritating enough to kill my interest to follow it through to the ending though. I hope future work by the author sees her grow out of this habit
March 8, 2023
Although this is the longest book of the series so far, it could have been at least a hundred pages shorter without the over long descriptions, often of things that really didn’t need describing.
Also this is book five in the series, why does the author still think it's necessary to keep repeating information from the previous four books.
However even though the story has turned into a soap opera, I still enjoyed following the main characters, it’s just not what I hoped for and the ending was a bit of a non-event.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
Also this is book five in the series, why does the author still think it's necessary to keep repeating information from the previous four books.
However even though the story has turned into a soap opera, I still enjoyed following the main characters, it’s just not what I hoped for and the ending was a bit of a non-event.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
July 28, 2023
Enjoyable, but not my favorite of the 5-book series.
For all of its attention to detail, I wish the narrative had taken more seriously the dramatic personal "stretching" of the main character as her relationships expand exponentially. She goes from basically being a solitary explorer to a huge number of complex relationships, and just basically needs a little meditation time?!
I also felt that the narrative climax was ho-hum by the time we reached that point of the story.
Still, enjoyable.
For all of its attention to detail, I wish the narrative had taken more seriously the dramatic personal "stretching" of the main character as her relationships expand exponentially. She goes from basically being a solitary explorer to a huge number of complex relationships, and just basically needs a little meditation time?!
I also felt that the narrative climax was ho-hum by the time we reached that point of the story.
Still, enjoyable.
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