Born Andromeda

by K.M. Watts

Overview

Born Andromeda, the action-packed YA debut from K.M. Watts, is perfect for fans of Aurora Rising, Daughter of the Pirate King, and Crown Chasers.

Being eighteen is difficult, especially when you’re a cyborg and heir to the entire kingdom of the Moon. Disillusioned with royal life, Princess Andromeda dreams of nothing but freedom and adventure outside the protective dome of royalty. But when her parents arrange her marriage to an Earthen prince, she is forced to put her kingdom before her dreams of independence. While traveling to Earth, Andromeda’s ship is attacked by galactic pirates led by her father's sworn enemy, the Lord Captain Bran. Taken prisoner, Andromeda realizes that her captors are unaware of her true identity and sees an opportunity: To best her enemies, she may have to join them.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781951954215
Publisher:	Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
Publication date:	11/15/2022
Pages:	284
Sales rank:	1,089,226
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Lexile:	600L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 18 Years

About the Author

K.M. Watts is a debut novelist who first dreamed of becoming an author when she won her school's Young Author Award at the age of five. She enjoys reading and writing YA fantasy and sci-fi, though she also dabbles with YA romantic thrillers. In her free time, she enjoys canyon hiking in her home state of Arizona.  

Editorial Reviews

10/17/2022

Before this book’s start, Princess Andromeda of lunar kingdom Celestine was in an airship wreck that nearly killed her, and half of her body was replaced with top-of-the-line robotics to save her life. Now an 18-year-old cyborg, reserved Andromeda would much rather get her hands dirty fixing engines than perform her royal responsibilities, especially when one of the latter duties involves entering into a politically advantageous marriage to an Earth prince she’s never met. When her shuttle to Earth is hijacked by space pirates and Andromeda is taken hostage, she claims to be a mechanic named Andy. After the fearsome pirate Lord Captain Bran inexplicably declares her under his protection, Andromeda begins trusting the crew, developing feelings for both charming guard Allen, who promises to keep her real identity secret, and flirtatious doctor Mars. As she sails across the stars, she wrestles with her dual desires to return home and to embrace freedom. While Andromeda’s adventures can occasionally feel episodic, leading to disconnected storytelling, Watts capably threads royal intrigue and queer romance alongside themes of discovering one’s identity and rejecting expectations. A lively if predictable story, with likable characters and an expansive universe to explore. Ages 12–up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

"An action-packed space opera that’s not afraid of guts, glory, or going against the grain, K. M. Watts’s Born Andromeda showcases a new type of princess whose success hinges on being true to herself." —Foreword Reviews

"Watts capably threads royal intrigue and queer romance alongside themes of discovering one’s identity and rejecting expectations."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2022-09-28
Naïve princess joins pirates.

White-coded, bisexual Princess Andromeda of far-future Celestine (the terraformed moon) struggles with panic attacks after an airship wreck that necessitated replacing much of her body with robotics. Her upcoming dynastic marriage to an Earth-born prince causes more stress; she’d rather tinker with engines but understands that her role is to rule Celestine rather than to live her dreams. En route to Earth, her spacecraft is hijacked by the crew of the pirate Lord Captain Bran. Although at least one crew member knows who she is, he agrees to keep the secret, and Andromeda becomes aspiring mechanic Andy, although Bran nevertheless seems strangely focused on her. Once aboard the pirate ship, Andy builds new friendships, engages in flirtation with a man called Allen and a woman named Mars (a possible polyamorous romance is hinted at), and learns hard truths both personal and political about her world. Clunky writing and retrograde monarchies (absolute, dynastic, and more concerned with image than good governance) detract from the excitement. Some violent scenes involving the space pirates clash with the more tender found-family story threads. Secondary characters are diverse in skin tone, gender, and sexual orientation, all of which are non-issues in this otherwise old-school future. A late game introduction of possible fantasy elements sets up the sequel but further occludes narrative coherence.

An interesting premise that doesn’t quite coalesce. (Science fiction. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews