Operation Shield

Readers may want a scorecard to keep track of all the plots within plots of Shepherd’s fifth Cassandra “Sandy” Kresnov SF thriller (following 23 Years on Fire). Sandy is a GI, an artificial human built by the Federation to be a super-soldier. Retired from the military, she now works with the Federation Security Agency to free other GIs illegally built and manipulated by corporations. As Sandy uncovers foul political doings, schemers try to discredit her standing with the GIs she’s trying to help. Some villain is also targeting the three orphans Sandy rescued and is considering adopting. Shepherd piles on the political intrigue and action, producing enough fireworks to power a Hollywood blockbuster. Readers new to the series will feel a bit lost, but Shepherd provides plenty of excitement and shenanigans to enjoy once they’re up to speed. (Apr.)