🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Kat Wallace, once a Thrall of Senator Rob Abernathy and now officer in the Bosch Pirate Force (or, BPF), is still on her mission to eradicate human trafficking on New Earth. But that means she may have to swallow some of her pride, and make nice with some of the most politically important people of the independent island nation of Bosch. And, maybe put aside her plans for revenge on her former master. Not only that, but she’s traversing the shark infested waters of a loveless marriage, raising her three children and thwarting multiple plots on her own life. Can Kat win over those who oppose her, and can she somehow keep those she loves safe?
This is Kat’s third outing, and each book has gotten better and better. Branson writes her heart and soul into these astonishing novels, bringing the reader joy and heartbreak in equal measure. And a little bit of anger as the various villains plot their nefarious plans. We meet new characters that come flying into Kat’s life, and we say goodbye to some that have flown on by.
What I especially love about the world that Branson has built within her Pirates of New Earth saga, is that Kat isn’t a perfect heroine. She’s messy, chaotic and makes a lot of mistakes with those she loves most; often causing her to spiral into a rage. But Kat owns it; every mistake she makes (or believes she’s made), she steps up and attempts to ensure she makes it right. She owns almost everything; except maybe her triumphs. She’s modest, but not overly so – just enough to make her endearing. Her fierce loyalty and single-mindedness to the BPF and her extended family makes her an obvious target for Kat’s enemies. She’s the most imperfect heroine that I’ve ever had the pleasure to read, and it’s what makes her so compelling.
As mentioned above, there are several different villains in Pirates of New Earth, and Branson has even treated us to a couple of additional ones in Burn the Ship.. But what is most remarkable about these villains is that they’re not all the typical bad guy you’d expect from a swash buckling dystopian novel. They’re varied, as normal, everyday people are. They come in all shapes and sizes, from different backgrounds and have various motives. It’s a brilliant narrative on how you can never really know who someone is behind closed doors; how even the most perfect, upstanding seeming family will have their own bogeymen in the closets. And how the most chaotic seeming people can actually be angels in disguise.
I only hope Kat’s story is to continue. The snippets that were revealed about her past life in Burn the Ship were so devastating, so heart wrenching – and with enough left unsaid that leaves you thirsting for more. Bravo, Sarah.
S. A
I was sent this book directly by Sarah Branson as an ARC to review fairly and honestly. If you would like me to review your book, please do not hesitate to get in contact with me.
Burn the Ship will be available to purchase soon. I will update with links as soon as I have details.