Rating: 4⭐️

 Jenny Schwartz, especially her recent work, is an auto read for me. Her world building is detailed, fascinating and imaginative. And her universe is filled with characters that are memorable even if their roles are ones that are secondary in nature, or even just narrative beautifully crafted flashes of beings that make indelible impressions. 

More often than not, these are AI beings, or beings other than humans who capture the reader’s attention and engage with their emotions. 

It’s Harry the Mech and the Interstellar ship, the Lonesome, with their own stories and secrets. I adore them. 

Thelma Bach, the outrider from a mining planet who naively thought she’d overcome the prejudices against her “kind” is a terrific character. I really wanted to know more about her planet, upbringing, the type of society that raised someone like her and her brother Joe.  

This is an area of background I wish Schwartz had explored more. Because the prejudice against “Rockers”, their sort of unique accent is mentioned frequently and a historical context is required here. 

 The masterpiece of the story is the universe building, the types of chemistry, minerals and asteroids mining that’s going on. And how some of the different elements are used in this world. And exploited. By companies, governments and sought after by interstellar pirates.  The political system and layers of bureaucracy seem very realistic and credible. 

Back to the main characters. Thelma who’s in an awful position at the beginning of the book is a resourceful woman. And I appreciate that about her. 

What’s not credible about this book is the romance. It’s a no spice, no chemistry, and imo, ‘where’s the time to actually set up any relationship between them’ sort of romantic dynamic. Blink and they are spouting feelings of love. Without any reason for it. She had no idea. But ok let’s go with it. 

And that’s an issue. Because Thelma is trying to adjust to a new world, new people in whatever form they make take, new jobs including one she’s trying to create for herself, and several galactic or interstellar missions to answer as a newbie. 

So why push a credible woman character into a relationship with her boss , flag of unequal power issues, (who isn’t as multi dimensional a personality as she is) in the first book. Whenever Max appears in a scene, all I see is a generic bland male character. For one who is supposed to be a ex-soldier, dangerous etc, the character comes across as none of those things. I’m thinking he’s my grandmother’s soap operas lead. Not good. 

So the women characters are well done. The romance aspect is puzzling. The world building is everything. Love the supporting cast of characters. Especially the diner owner. Love her!

It’s intriguing enough that I’m going on. It’s a quick read. Which is another win for it.

Interstellar Sheriff series:

Space Deputy # 1

Space Rodeo #2

Space Specter #3

Space Baby #4

Buy link:

 Book 1 of 4: Interstellar Sheriff 

Blurb 

Welcome to the Saloon Sector, Deputy!

Thelma Bach graduated top of her class after four years at the Galactic Justice academy. But she’s a Rock Sector citizen. She was a fool to believe the core worlders would ever allow her to beat them at their own game. She’s been assigned to serve her seven years as a deputy in the Saloon Sector. The message for the Federation’s out-world citizens is clear: you’ll never be our equal, so don’t even try.

The core worlders chose the wrong person to push around.

Assigned to the despised frontier, Thelma will get her revenge even if she has to subvert a sheriff with a mysterious background (one who served with her Star Marine brother – will she be a baby sister forever?), charm artificial intelligences, fight bandits and negotiate with aliens.

It’s not a question of whether Thelma will survive her exile, but whether the Saloon Sector will survive her!

***

If you love hopeful science fiction with strong characters, fast-paced action, and a sense of fun, dive into the Interstellar Sheriff series, now.

Publication date

July 12, 2018

Language

‎English

Print length

220 pages

Book 1 of 4

Interstellar Sheriff

Galactic fiction, science fiction,