A review by jainabee
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee

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!

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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.