Stephan Martiniere

For your viewing pleasure, the front cover of Joel Shepherd’s Breakaway, the second book in the Cassandra Kresnov series. The first book in the series, Crossover, was released this past August. It was described by Publishers Weekly thusly: “Set in the far future, Australian author Shepherd’s energetic debut introduces Cassandra Kresnov, an experimental killer android-with-a-heart….Shepherd’s intriguing heroine and strong female characters bode well for this projected series. Lacing Cassandra’s search for identity and acceptance with plenty of hand-to-hand combat and racy sexual exploits, Shepherd also convincingly presents vividly realized ethical dilemmas….Shepherd grapples with some genuinely thought-provoking questions on the nature of humanity.”

Artwork is by the incomparable Stephan Martiniere, whose cover for the previous Cassandra Kresnov book, Crossover, was shown at the Hugo Ceremony when his nomination for Best Artist was read out. Design is once again by Prometheus’ Jacqueline Cooke. Breakaway appears from Pyr in April, 2007.