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jainabee's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Banned Book Box favorite! I’ve never read "Treasure Island,” so the comparisons of that Scottish classic to this Queer BIPOC remix would be lost on me. However, the themes of sword-wielding pirates and hidden treasure maps marked with an “X" are woven through a tale that turns out to be more about self-realization, chosen family, and questioning the authority of greedy oppressive regimes on both sides of the law. Quite satisfying!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Grief, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, and Pregnancy
Inspired by the real life of Zheng Yi Sao; a female pirate who commanded a fleet of over 40,000 pirates in the early 19th century.irezelina's review
5.0
Thank you BookishFirst, author C.B. Lee, and her publishing company for providing a copy of A Clash of Steel - A Treasure Island Remix for me to read and review. I really enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes stories with strong female characters, gay protagonists, adventure, romance, and family themes.
The story's protagonist is Xiang, a single child raised in a rural village who strives to gain her mother's attention and acknowledgment. Her mother is a very successful businesswoman and Xiang wants to run her mother's teahouse business one day. The story starts when Xiang finally gets to leave the quiet village she has spent her whole life in and visit her mother's business in the large city of Canton. There, she runs into a sailor called Anh and after spending a full day exploring the city together with her, Xiang starts to catch feelings for Anh. One thing leads to another (read the book to find out!), Xiang and Anh go on an adventure together.
I love how the relationship between Xiang and Anh starts, grows, and concludes in this story. Xiang starts off shy and awkward about her feelings, not sure if they are going to grow, if anything will become of it, and whether or not she should follow her feelings. But her heart continues to lead her towards Anh, and all her decisions are ultimately based off of her feelings, which I am glad is reciprocated by Anh. There are multiple plot twists in this story and I was very relieved that Anh's feelings for Xiang were also true and didn't end up being a plot twist. Xiang has pondered about whether or not Anh is manipulating her because of her feelings, and this inner turmoil and doubt made the relationship more realistic. I also love how there were recurring conversations about whether or not someone can survive on just love, and Anh adamantly believes that love is not the solution, and then things turn out differently :)
I also really like the family theme in this book, how a family is not just with people that share the same blood as you, but people that you choose. Sometimes, blood doesn't mean anything at all, and friends could act more like family than your actual blood relatives. I have a group of very close friends that I consider family and this book reflected that, which is really cool to read about. If any part of my review got you curious about what I was trying to allude to (I try not to write any spoilers!) then hurry and read the book!
The story's protagonist is Xiang, a single child raised in a rural village who strives to gain her mother's attention and acknowledgment. Her mother is a very successful businesswoman and Xiang wants to run her mother's teahouse business one day. The story starts when Xiang finally gets to leave the quiet village she has spent her whole life in and visit her mother's business in the large city of Canton. There, she runs into a sailor called Anh and after spending a full day exploring the city together with her, Xiang starts to catch feelings for Anh. One thing leads to another (read the book to find out!), Xiang and Anh go on an adventure together.
I love how the relationship between Xiang and Anh starts, grows, and concludes in this story. Xiang starts off shy and awkward about her feelings, not sure if they are going to grow, if anything will become of it, and whether or not she should follow her feelings. But her heart continues to lead her towards Anh, and all her decisions are ultimately based off of her feelings, which I am glad is reciprocated by Anh. There are multiple plot twists in this story and I was very relieved that Anh's feelings for Xiang were also true and didn't end up being a plot twist. Xiang has pondered about whether or not Anh is manipulating her because of her feelings, and this inner turmoil and doubt made the relationship more realistic. I also love how there were recurring conversations about whether or not someone can survive on just love, and Anh adamantly believes that love is not the solution, and then things turn out differently :)
I also really like the family theme in this book, how a family is not just with people that share the same blood as you, but people that you choose. Sometimes, blood doesn't mean anything at all, and friends could act more like family than your actual blood relatives. I have a group of very close friends that I consider family and this book reflected that, which is really cool to read about. If any part of my review got you curious about what I was trying to allude to (I try not to write any spoilers!) then hurry and read the book!
nervousleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
My only real complaint is that I think the “twist” is telegraphed way too hard, even for a YA book. It felt a little like Lee didn’t trust the audience to pick up on more subtle clues.
However! This was still an enormously enjoyable read. Very fun and gay coming of age in an engaging setting, and the differences in the ending from Stevenson’s original were pretty satisfying.
However! This was still an enormously enjoyable read. Very fun and gay coming of age in an engaging setting, and the differences in the ending from Stevenson’s original were pretty satisfying.
tessaofthepnw's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
loveliaslibrary's review
3.0
✨ 3 and a half stars! ✨
this couldve been really good if it didnt feel like something was missing from the story... like it felt a bit too juvenile and predictable, and the pacing and the romance didn't have time to develop either, like why were we just now getting into it 50% into the book
this couldve been really good if it didnt feel like something was missing from the story... like it felt a bit too juvenile and predictable, and the pacing and the romance didn't have time to develop either, like why were we just now getting into it 50% into the book
Spoiler
and girl why are you saying u love her when y'all only kissed like twice and have known each other for a few months girl plsaubreyv's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
sierra82's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vagaybond's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
rep: chinese lesbian mc, vietnamese sapphic love interest, background & secondary characters from pretty much anywhere seafaring with special attention to those sailing around the south china sea, some queer partnerships in the background as well.
.
I loved this story. I loved that it brought a real historical figure into the retelling, and that the contrasting ways different pirate ships ran was depicted. This felt like a real thing that could have happened along with a retelling.
.
I loved this story. I loved that it brought a real historical figure into the retelling, and that the contrasting ways different pirate ships ran was depicted. This felt like a real thing that could have happened along with a retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
ekimball's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0