A Merry Life

Pirates of New Earth #1

by Sarah Branson

Kat Wallace is on a mission. After escaping tortuous enslavement, she sets her sights on ending the human trafficking that has flourished in 24th century Earth. Adopted by the leader of the pirate nation of Bosch, Kat Wallace is determined to prove herself as a member of the Bosch Pirate Force and use her skills to avenge her enslavement and free other thralls. But unexpected love and a test of loyalty threaten to rob her of what she wants a home.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy

326 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2022

About the author

Award-winning feminist speculative fiction author Sarah Branson spent close to thirty years as a midwife before turning to fiction. Drawing on a life that has taken her from hospital delivery rooms to classrooms in the U.S., Brazil, and Japan, she writes tales of action, adventure, revenge, and romance firmly rooted in the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. Her New Earth universe imagines a future where diversity of identity is simply the texture of life — peopled with characters as varied, complicated, and courageous as the world itself.
Her debut novel, A Merry Life, has been honored as the 2022 Connecticut Adult Fiction winner by the Indie Author Project, the 2022 Kindle Book Award winner for science fiction, and a 2022 Book of the Year finalist in both action/adventure and science fiction by the Independent Author Network. It is the first book in the four-book new adult series Pirates of New Earth. The second book in the series, Navigating the Storm, was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer Award. The series was followed by the young adult spin-off Unfurling the Sails, a 2025 Wishing Shelf Book Award finalist. In 2024, A Pirates' Pact, her first middle-grade novel, was released — earning the 2025 Wishing Shelf Book Award Gold Medal for books for 9–12-year-olds and a da Vinci Eye finalist honor from the Eric Hoffer Award for its cover artwork. In January 2025, she returned to the adult series with North Country, a stand-alone Kat Wallace adventure, followed in September 2025 by For the Love of Glitter: A Grey Shima Adventure, her most recent young adult release, which earned a Foreword Indie Award Honorable Mention.
Sarah's newest releases mark an exciting expansion beyond the New Earth universe. This Is Halloween, a cozy women's fiction novella with a touch of paranormal, releases September 17, 2026, as part of the multi-author Blue Spruce Hills series. In early October, she launches Life Ends, Love Remains: A Revolutionary Ghost Story — a literary novel set mostly in present-day Ridgefield, Connecticut, poised between the paranormal and the deeply human. Sarah lives with her husband in Connecticut.

Reviews

[Jane Clements]

Four and a half stars graded up.

I enjoyed A Merry Life far more than I expected to. It’s well written, almost lyrical in some parts, without the many grammatical errors that usually see me giving up on a book before a quarter of the way through. I made it to the end of the book but not only that, I found myself eager to pick up my kindle to keep reading.

Kat’s story is compelling – don’t tell, but I even shed a tear or two – and the world-building is convincing. I can’t wait to read more books in the series so I can revisit that world.

No book is perfect and I usually have some gripes but for A Merry Life those gripes are few and relatively minor. One of my gripes is that Kat seemed to master an awful lot of skills in a short time. This a common gripe though, and maybe I’m just a slow learner.

The other problem I had with the book was the ending. I can see that it may have been necessary to keep Kat away from Bosch so she can pursue Abernathy in the next book, but Teddy didn’t need to make Kat an accomplice in his suicide. And certainly not in a way that made it certain she would be charged with murder. Even if he thought she could hide her involvement it was putting her at great risk when he could have so easily done it by himself. It brought Teddy down in my estimation, honestly.

If you enjoy badass heroines (and who doesn’t?) and space pirates sound like your thing, don’t hesitate to give A Merry Life a chance. You’ll be glad you did.

Note: I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl]

I enjoy a good sci fi/futuristic. Which is why I really liked this book. Instantly, I was drawn into the story as well as the world that author, Sarah built. Kat is the type of heroine that me and other readers need. She is a fighter who is willing to fight for what she believes in no matter how hard the situation gets.

Yet, Kat is not the only character that I was drawn to. The rest of the Bosch Pirate Force are engaging and enjoyable characters as well. It really helps when the characters are very engaging as it makes the story that more intriguing. Which I found myself reading several chapters at a time. I look forward to reading book two. A Merry Life is a delight read!

[Julia S]

Wow! What a fast paced Sci-Fi read that is packed with action, adventure and characters that will stay with you for a long time after you have finished the book.

Kat Wallace manages to escape from her life of excruciating enslavement and finds herself in Bosch, a Pirate nation. It is there that she finds a new found freedom, found family and the chance to join the Bosh Pirate Force. Kat vows that she will avenge all the suffering that she has endured and will free those who are still enslaved.

Kat is such an unforgettable character. She has been subjected to horrific experiences and torture within her lifetime yet still finds the strength, determination and grit to fight for what she believes in.
Just a heads up , there are moments within the book that are quite dark and there are triggering subjects such as SA that are addressed in detail. Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

A Merry Life is the first in the series, Pirates of a New Earth and I have already downloaded the second book in the series. I am keen to find out what happens next in Kat's journey!

A massive thank you to @bookpublicityservices & @author_sarah_branson for sending me a copy of this book!

[McKenna Johnson]

Audiobook Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author @author_sarah_branson and @bookpublicityservices for the #gifted audiobook.

WOW. This book completely surprised me in the best way! From the very first chapters, I was hooked and found myself fully invested in the story. I honestly wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did, but this action-packed sci-fi adventure had me turning pages (and listening for every spare minute) until the very end.

Set in the 24th century, the story follows Kat Wallace, a survivor of human trafficking who finds a new purpose and sense of belonging within Bosch, a pirate nation. As she works to build a new life and serve her new community, an unexpected romance forces her to question where her loyalties truly lie. The combination of high-stakes adventure, emotional depth, found family, and romance made this such an engaging and memorable read.

And can we talk about the audiobook? Helen Laser was absolutely phenomenal! She brought so much life, emotion, and energy to the story and truly captured the spirit of the book. Her performance elevated an already fantastic story, and I would happily listen to this audiobook again. I’ll definitely be looking for more books narrated by her in the future.

If you enjoy sci-fi adventures with pirates, action, heart, and characters you can’t help but root for, I highly recommend picking this one up. I cannot wait to continue the Pirates of New Earth series!

[Kat Hills]

After a dramatic escape from being enslaved on an island, Kat Wallace is adopted into a Bosch pirate family. She trains to become a Bosch pirate, learning to fight and fly and taking on dangerous missions with her Bosch father, Teddy. The book moves quick, following Kat as she becomes an officer, falls in love, and fights to end enslavement, specifially of women and girls.

I’m not sure how a fast-paced, dystopian fantasy read about pirates (& that covers quite a few heavy topics) can still feel cozy, but this one did. Kat is a likable and strong woman with a history of trauma throughout her childhood and young adulthood. Despite (because of?) this, she finds her way and builds a life filled with found family. I love the depictions of Kat as both a daughter and a mother; her love is fierce and protective. Looking forward to Book #2 and hoping Kat gets some of the revenge she is due!

Read if you like: The Testing series by Joelle Charbonneau, or A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross (more strong female leads!)

Special thanks you to Book Publicity Services & author Sarah Branson for sending me a copy of this book along with a bit of book merch (bookmarks and a note!). Much appreciated!

[VickydpBooks]

Sci-Fi Adventure Romance | Pirates of New Earth #1

Escaped slave Kat joins a pirate crew to fight trafficking and build a new life. Family, revenge, love, and loyalty collide in this rich, thrilling future world. Action-packed, heartfelt, and unforgettable.

Slavery, trauma, violence; handled sensitively

Epic, emotional, and totally immersive—brilliant start to the series! ⚔️✨

[Heidi]

Well I didn't go into this book thinking I would cry, but sure enough I did. It was so amazing. A different take on the pirate life. I read it so fast. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I wish I had it now because I would surely binge read it.

[Nancy Coiner]

A Sojourner Truth of a protagonist

Kat is fierce and determined to save other young women from the kind of slavery she endured (& from which she escaped by luck & skill). And she loves the family who take her in & teach her to be a pirate/soldier, as well the children she raises in her (somewhat vexed) marriage. She’s also impetuous, even rash, in ways that complicate her life & alliances. An interesting type!

[Amanda McCormick]

loved it!

I had no idea what to expect coming into this but I was immediately captured by the story line. I didn’t want to put it down! I am excited to see what happens next for Kat. Definitely recommend!

[Hot Mess Book Lover]

A Merry Life is not my typical genre; however, I thoroughly enjoyed this narrative where dystopian fiction, science fiction, and suspense collide. Branson masterfully shifts between scenes while steadily building tension throughout the story. I also had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, and the narration elevated the experience even further. A compelling and immersive read from start to finish.

Thank you to Sarah Branson and Book Publicity Services for the opportunity to listen and to leave a review.

[Thad Allen]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a page turning thriller disguised as science fiction. We find ourselves on New Earth about three hundred years from now. No ray guns, no light sabers, no aliens from other planets, just an earth that is a water world. Kat Wallace is an escaped thrall (slave) who happened to stow away on Commander Teddy Bosch's ship. She is taken in by Bosch and trains to be a Bosch pirate. Her personal goal is to get back to punish her former owner for all the mistreatments to her and other thralls. There is much more to the story and it seems that a lot of things have not changed in three hundred years.

I highly recommend this book. Do not be put off by the science fiction description if you are not a fan. Embrace it if you are a science fiction fan.

[Bronwyn]

This is a challenge to review. The story is generally well written, and I wanted to know what would happen. It's clearly the first book in a series, and I'll read the second. But I didn't always love the the time jumps and shifting POVs, which were sometimes disruptive. There are also weirdly unresolved threads. Not than once someone does a big bad thing that is just glossed over never mentioned again. Despite being
* post eco-acopalypse with air-ship-flying drug-mining and -running pirates, and
* needing CW's for human trafficking, on-page violence, SA, and some other weighty topics, the story is ... almost cozy fantasy with the lack of genuine conflict or realistic follow-up for Kat's trauma or anyone's behavior.

[Ashley]

So fun, a futuristic pirate adventure with a heartwarming family story intertwined.

[David]

I really enjoyed this book. From the very first pages you’re thrown straight into Kat Wallace’s fight for survival, and I was rooting for her almost immediately. She has been through so much, but she’s such a strong, independent character who refuses to give up. Watching her fight for her freedom and slowly find people she can call family was one of my favourite parts of the story.

This is more than just a sci fi adventure. It’s about survival, family, loyalty and learning that the past never really goes away. The characters made me laugh, broke my heart a little, and kept me turning the pages.

Bonus points for having a map, I love following where the story is taking place!

The setting in the year 2349 is well imagined without ever feeling overwhelming, and the world building unfolds naturally alongside the story. Sarah Branson has created characters I genuinely cared about, and by the end I was invested in what happens to them next.

Overall, I thought this was a really well written book with a memorable main character and an engaging story. I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf)]

I was so excited for this book after reading the blurb and it did not disappoint! The Merry Life is a sci-fi, futuristic novel that drew me in from the first page. Kat Wallace was an amazing character. Her courageous, confident, unapologetic, and determined nature is what drew me to her character. This was a beautifully written novel about Kat, the injustices she faced, and how it shaped her into a fearless woman who fights for what she believes in.

This was a compelling read which I could not put down! I’m looking forward to reading more in this series!

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Sally Altass]

Kat Wallace is a Thrall, a slave, to an unbelievably rich and powerful man. After three failed escape attempts – for which she’s faced almost life ending beatings, she finally manages to stow away on a small plane (or vessel). There, she’s taken into the care of a Pirate Captain, and given the chance to start to live her life.

It is the second half of the 24th century, and earth as we know it has been ravaged. Floods, fires and pandemics (sound familiar?) have decimated land mass and the population. New nations have risen and new civilisations flourish – a Federal Alliance runs most of the planet – protecting its peoples; but as with most civilisations their reach is only so far. In some areas crime, trafficking and drugs are still the main currency.

What follows is a story that meanders beautifully over the next eight or so years of Kat’s life. She’s adopted into the kindly Pirate Captain’s family, and becomes a Pirate herself. She learns to love her new family as well as give her heart to a man. She learns how to be patient, how to stay her hand when the opportunity for revenge presents itself at an unexpected moment. She becomes everything she never thought she would be, a leader, a daughter, a wife and a mother. As Kat’s story unfolds, your heart will break along with hers; you’ll feel her joy and her terror.

As the book reached its climax, I was sobbing. A testament to how beautifully written this was. It was a true rollercoaster – with soaring highs, a few belly laughs, true desperation and overwhelming sadness. I sincerely look forward to the next instalment in Kat’s story.

S.A.

I originally reviewed this book on Reedsy Discovery, via their Advanced Reader Program.

[Melissa (honeybee.reads)]

A Merry Life is book 1 in the Pirates Of New Earth series. It was definitely a fun adventure, it was original and different. The world building was not overly complicated, so it was easy for me to comprehend. There were a lot of time jumps and shifting POV’s that did sometimes confuse me but the story was so immersive that it did manage to hold my attention. The storyline was fun to follow, filled with action that had my head spinning and kept me invested.

The FMC Kat was such a badass and I loved her character so much. Her story is heartbreaking at times but the way she grows from what she's been through is amazing. I loved watching her learn new skills and become even stronger than she already was.

Overall, this is definitely a different and original read that had me intrigued. It didn't disappoint and I'm glad I gave it a shot. I love that I'm expanding my reading horizons this year!

✨ Thank you to @bookpublicityservices & @sarahbranson for my gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sean Halladay]

Even though it’s just the first entry in the series it could also be enjoyed as a standalone as long you don’t mind a little unresolved villain arc. I’ll definitely be continuing the series though because that was the only big issue I had.

What I did like was the mix of heartwarming story mixed with action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I also appreciated the timeliness of Kat Wallace’s main mission in life, which is to end the human trafficking so prevalent even in a world 300 years removed from our time.

Just as frustrating as it is for her as it is for us, it takes more than just a thirst for justice/revenge and a rebellious spirit. She’ll have to learn to advance though the Bosch Pirate Force with the help of the man who unintentionally rescued her from enslavement and becomes the father she never had growing up.

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks)]

Thank you to my partners @katerockbooktours and @author_sarah_branson for partnering with me and #gifting me a copy of this book!

Thoughts: I was originally attracted to the idea of this book because duh there are pirates included in it. I am expanding my horizons some lately and thought who doesn’t love a badass pirate?! That’s exactly what Kat Wallace is in this book. I loved her character. She was hard core, unapologetic for her mouth and actions and overall going to kick your booty if you cross her. As a young girl she was wronged and with courage and determination escaped. I absolutely loved her relationship she formed with her adoptive Mom and Dad. There is something about amazing parent child relationships I am drawn to in books. 💕

[Alicia Allison-Morgan]

Kat Wallace has just escaped enslavement and finds herself in the pirate nation of Bosch. Surrounded by courageous people who stand their ground and adopted by their leader, she is determined to prove herself and free those still trapped. Along the way, she falls into a romance that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself and what she wants.

Branson’s writing is exceptional, reading far more like a well established author than a debut. From the first page, Kat’s rebellious zest to fight for a better world is engaging. She is compelling and layered, and her journey, especially through the second half of the book, is incredibly heartfelt and touching. With that said, the book contains some very dark themes, and I found her recollections of her time in captivity difficult to read despite being handled with care and purpose. The time jumps and rushed pacing left some emotional themes I would have loved to see further explored. Still, A Merry Life is a powerful, thought provoking work of speculative fiction that will linger with me for years to come.

Thank you to Book Publicity Services for the audio review copy of this book. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

[TBRTrentBeReading]

I received a copy of this book from Sara Branson and Book Publicity Services in exchange for an honest review.

Trigger Warnings: Verbal, mental and sexual abuse, human trafficking.

A Merry Life follows Kat Wallace, a survivor of human trafficking who escapes years of abuse and finds refuge with a pirate company in the nation of Bosch. For the first time in her life, she experiences something she's never really had before: family.

What stood out to me most was Kat's journey. This isn't just a story about escaping captivity. It's about learning to believe in yourself after years of being told you have no value. As Kat works to confront her past and track down those responsible for human trafficking, she slowly begins to find her own voice.

I especially enjoyed the found family element. The pirates and their families become the support system Kat never had, and the star-crossed romance subplot adds another layer to her story as she struggles with the cultural barriers and disapproval surrounding the relationship.

What made this book work for me was watching Kat learn that her past doesn't have to define her future. The trauma never magically disappears, but neither does her determination to keep moving forward. If you enjoy character-driven sci-fi with found family, healing, and a resilient protagonist, A Merry Life is worth checking out.

[Andrea Searls]

Wow, talk about a roller coaster of emotions! The FMC, Kat, is an absolute bad@ss from beginning to end! Her eagerness to fight for what’s right, while also living her life to the fullest is so empowering! Definitely not your typical pirate story, but soooo good!

[Ketura Sumner]

This book was absolutely action packed from page one! Kat Wallace is a force to be reckoned with and an unforgettable character. The story is all consuming and by the end of the book, it feels like her journey is just getting started!

[Jan Mij]

am very consciously writing this review of A Merry Life by @author_sarah_branson without any spoilers as I want you to experience the book the way I did.

I went into this not knowing what the book was about - my preference - so there’s no expectations to be met. That said, I was hooked from the beginning and was cheering the FMC throughout. It has been a while since I got all teary-eyed (ok, sobbing) reading but the ending of this book did just that.

Thank you so much, @bookpublicityservices , for sharing this book with me.

[Leanna Streeter]

Sci-fi AND pirates?? Two of my favorite things, so obviously I was going to have a good time with this one. And DID I MENTION PIRATES?!

A Merry Life was such a fun, fast-paced read. I was pulled into Kat’s story immediately and loved watching her fight for her freedom, find her place among the Bosch Pirate Force, and become part of this wonderfully chaotic crew.

I also really enjoyed the futuristic setting. It gave me everything I love about sci-fi without bogging the story down, and there was enough action and adventure to keep me flying through the pages.


I had so much fun with this one and absolutely recommend it.

[Logan Hutto]

A pirate tale, told in the 24th century, great themes of love, revenge, and growth - 4/5 stars

This book shocked me by how enjoyable it was. Kat is such a wonderful FMC, and purely embodies not wanting to take any s**t from anyone. Having the ultimate support group around her was great, and seeing "mama" and "papa" bring her in and love her as if she was their own was great.

I did hope for a little more comraderie from her peers throughout to form more of a ragtag group, but being the standoffish fighter that she is, that was hard, and I think the book depicted that well.

Despite taking place in the 24th century, this book provided a great narrative into some things going on now, and I do think that is a tell of a great dystopian/sci-fi novel. I do wish there was a tad more in the book about the fall of civilization as we know it now, but maybe that comes later in the series, which I do think I will continue.

Thank you to Sarah Branson, and Book Publicity Services for this opportunity! This book was sent to me as a paperback and an audiobook (I used both formats and did love the narrator) for free in exchange for a HONEST review.

[bookbreaks_n_hottakes]

“Dying is not an option. At least not today. Freedom is my only goal.”

Summary:
The old earth is gone, and the new earth is come but for Kat, All she’s ever known is pain and heartache. Growing up in a family unloved and unwanted, she becomes a property of a proud man with huge goals and dark secrets. This first book in the series, follows her journey of achieving freedom, physically, emotionally, and relationally.

Review:
Overall I gave this book 3 stars, I enjoyed the concept, and the ideas behind the characters, but I often feel confused. I felt confused with the timeline and there were some plot holes/ Places I felt were rushed to move the story along. The main character, appears to be strong, and have a growth sequence, but it feels at both Rushes and slow. This first book takes place over a 10-15 year Gap, so that may have contributed to feelings of disjointed this, and confusion.

Would I read the next book is given the chance? Probably. I would like to see the rest of kat’s healing journey, and see justice served. There are several different ways the author could go with a story, and I would be curious to see where they go with it.


Trigger warnings, sexual assault, rape.

DISCLAIMER: I received a free advanced copy of this book With the hope that I would provide an honest review.

[Samantha Riddle]

I have read some very touching and moving books; however, none can compare to this amazing novel. The ending had me sobbing for like an hour and a half. Kat's journey in discovering herself and finding that she is more than what has happened to her is amazing storytelling and shows how we can turn hard times into learning opportunities into changing our world and ourselves for the better. I can't wait to read more of Kat's story and more of Sarah Brandon's writing.

As always, reviews are based on each person's own personal preferences.
Spread love, not hate.

[Liyah]

From beginning to end the story had me hooked. Not only was Kat a great protagonist but a complex character at the same time. I’ve been a sci-fi nerd for all of my life and this just strengthened my love for the genre.

Thank you to @bookpublicityservices on Instagram for the free copy.

[Bri B]

This was an adventure of a novel - sci fi, futuristic pirates on airships, and a strong willed female main character? Yes, please!