A review by mactammonty
Originator: by Joel Shepherd

5.0

A book series from the view point of an AI that has been built in the human image. One that has been forced to fight and die in a war that spans the universe. Or at least the human universe.

The first book starts off wonderfully. It introduces us to Cassandra (Sandy) by describing her physical characteristics and her desires to find a job in a new place. By not letting the reader in on the fact she is an android, Joel Shepherd engages our sympathies for her. A woman who is being chased by a larger entity that is out to destroy or use her.

His series continues to explore the many themes of being an outsider, an immigrant, slavery, friendship, love, family and what it really means to be human.

In this last installment he continues to push the barrier on how far societies should go on ensuring people are not seen as other. That they have the right to self determination, what ever that self determination may be.

His exploration of child soldiers, children as non combatants in a war zone and so much more makes this series more than just the candy it could have been.

It does help that his main character is a bad ass who has a sex drive. The secondary characters are no shrinking violets either. All of them being fully developed human beings with well rounded lives.

I will be diving into his other series with much enthusiasm.