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

A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix Reviews

• 
  CW ✨

  This is probably my favourite pirate book in existence. A retelling of Treasure Island, darling and daring queer Asian girls go on an adventure in search of legendary treasure. I LOVED this.
  
  - Follows Xiang, a sheltered girl who discovers that the pendant left by her dead father may contain clues to treasure - and goes off on a whirlwind adventure with a motley crew of sailors, including the alluring girl named Anh, in search of treasure - and also herself.
  - I loved how this book puts Zheng Yi Sao or Cheng Shih, one of the most notorious and most successful pirates - who was a woman! - in history, front and center. I've been craving for a story about Zheng Yi Sao and A Clash of Steel integrates her significance in history into this story.
  - This book balances the thrills of adventure with the tenderness of first love. It's also about found family, what it means to trust someone and to find yourself.
  - The romance in this was gorgeous. I loved Xiang and Anh so much and loved their slow-burn romance.
  - Love the 'there's only one bed' and 'our clothes were wet so let's take them off to dry them off even thought there's so much romantic tension between us' tropes? You'll love this.
  
  Content warning: death of loved one, physical violence (sword and fist fight scenes), alcohol consumption
  
  I received a digital advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  katie ❀

  so... pirate sapphics, anyone??
  
  // god this was perfect, rtc!
• 
  Shelley Parker-Chan

  A wonderfully sapphic remix of Treasure Island (or, if you haven’t read Treasure Island, you can think of it like a remix of that other Treasure Island remix, Pirates of the Caribbean) ft. girls who want more than they were given, fresh and non-exoticised settings on the South China Sea, and China’s absolutely badass female pirate Ching Shih. The women of this story are so much fiercer than you’ll expect, and a key event totally wrung a joyous cry of “oh no you DIDN’T” out of me.
  
  It’s a ‘true YA’, if you know what I mean, so dive in for the feminist action-adventure rather than steamy romance vibes. But there IS a romance, and it’s definitely sapphic.
• 
  May

  Read this book if you like:
  
  ↝Historical fiction and retellings
  ↝Pirates and learning about the “Dragon Fleet”
  ↝Found Family
  ↝Sapphic slowburn romance with one bed trope
  
  This book meant the world to me. Seeing Asian (Chinese and Vietnamese) sapphics that made me feel represented get their adventure made me so happy it hurts <3
  
  Pacing and Plot
  I took off a star since I think this book definitely struggles a bit with the pacing. The first 1/3 was just build up about Xiang’s background that I found bearable but could have used a speed booster. The second 1/3 was where the found family of the crew developed. It might’ve seemed slow but I think it was like Six of Crows type of event like (sword fighting lessons) that make you fall in love with the characters and setting. The last third was INCREDIBLE. So many events that I didn’t see coming and left me thinking “just one more chapter”. The plot overall was enjoyable and loved the historical events infused into it.
  
  Xiang and Anh
  Omg my love for these characters is infinite. Xang was the sheltered girl with wit and quick learning. Her character flaws and growth was so much fun to see. Anh on the other hand was experienced at sea but struggled to not deflect emotions (I saw some of myself in her and was very grateful for the Vietnamese representation)They were the perfect pair. Their love felt very natural and fills your heart with warmth.
  
  Side Characters
  I think this book had a common problem of the side characters needing more development. However, I think they played a nice part in the found family and added funny moments. A special place is in my heart for Captain Hoa because she was an incredible leader and mother.
  
  Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children Publishing for an earc in exchange for honest opinions.
  
  ~~~~~
  Thank you netgalley gods for coming through, I’m screaming of excitement right now!!
• 
  rose ✨

  “i have no answers, only questions about why in every story i’ve heard, the pirates were always the ones portrayed as monsters.”

  
  
  a clash of steel is part treasure island, part historical fiction, and part reimagining of the historical figure zheng yi sao, who was perhaps the most successful pirate in history—and a woman. i loved the concept of this book, but the story itself was so predictable and lacked a lot of the nail-biting adventure i expected from a pirate story.
  
  xiang grows up in a remote village, raised on stories of faraway places and desperate to prove herself to her often-absent mother. when a chance to leave her village and show herself capable of taking over her mother’s business goes awry, she goes on the run in pursuit of the long-lost treasure of zheng yi sao and soon finds herself questioning everything she believed she wanted out of life.
  
  the writing is lush and descriptive, with vivid settings (i especially loved canton), but the pacing dragged until around the 75% mark. there are also a few very anachronistic conversations that pulled me out of the story—i think it’s so interesting to explore gender nonconformity, lgbtq+ identities, etc., in historical fiction, but it frustrates me when it’s done through overly modern language and ideas. if you’re going to include those themes in your historical fiction, you should be able to write them through the lens of the time period your characters live in.
  
  the romance between xiang and ahn was sweet but underdeveloped. xiang was smitten early on, but i thought their overall relationship was rushed and ahn’s entire personality seemed to change once she acknowledged her feelings for xiang. the other characters were frustratingly one-dimensional, and i was particularly irritated with the portrayal of zheng yi sao. based on what i’ve read, she was a fascinating, impressive woman; here she’s reduced to a caricature.
  
  i think the biggest issue with a clash of steel is its length. this did not need to be a 400+ page book, and if it was trimmed down to 300–350 pages i think it would be closer to a three-star read for me.
  
  i received an arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
  rating: 2/5 stars
• 
  megs_bookrack

  I love the sounds of this new series, from various authors, releasing in 2021. I think the folks at Feiwel and Friends are definitely onto something with this!
  
  
  
  Treasure Island is one of my favorite classics. I'm really looking forward to seeing C.B. Lee's spin on it.
  
  Bring it on!
• 
  Hannah

  4 STARS
  
  Sapphic pirates? Um, yes please. How could I not read a historical fantasy book featuring Asian sapphic pirate MC's? I know I say this a lot but I feel like this book was made for me.
  
  A Clash of Steel is a young adult historical fantasy novel. It is a retelling of Treasure Island, but with queer Asian girls. When Xiang's pendant is stolen by a girl named Anh, they strike a bargain that leads to them setting sail in pursuit of a treasure. A tale of adventure and love, A Clash of Steel is a release that you do not want to miss.
  
  This book was magical. The premise was enticing right off the bat. The characters were loveable and pretty well developed. Anh and Xiang were definitely the most compelling characters, but the side characters were also fun to read about. The writing was excellent at capturing the world through vivid desciptions. I felt like I was in the world with the main characters. I do feel like the first part of the book was a little slow, but once the inciting incident occured, I was hooked. A Clash of Steel has such great found family and there were so many cute moments. The love story was beautiful and made me wish I was there with them. This is my first book by C.B. Lee, but now I'm excited to read more!
  
  Thank you to C.B. Lee and BookTalk for sending me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Kate

  Zheng Yi Sao is a figure shrouded myth and mystery. She was known as a pirate active in the early 1800s operating in the South China Sea. Zheng Yi Sao commanded a fleet of over 1500 to 1800 ships crewed by 80,000 sailors, and went up against went up against the East India Company, the Portuguese Empire, and Qing China. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest pirates that ever lived. Of course an Asian retelling of Treasure Island is going to involve her!
  
  Before I picked up A Clash of Steel, I already knew that this was going to involve Zheng Yi Sao in some way. As the book started out and we’re introduced to Xiang and Anh, it slowly becomes obvious just how deeply involved and enmeshed the legendary Zheng Yi Sao is in this story. One of my favorite tropes ever is when a staid, stern figure turns out to have a secret badass past, and A Clash of Steel has this trope in spades.
  
  Any story that was inspired by Zheng Yi Sao has to be one hell of a thrilling pirate story. A Clash of Steel definitely delivers. I could almost see Anh, Xiang, and their crew sailing the South China Sea, complete with the theme of Pirates of the Caribbean playing in the background. The theme of adventure is carried throughout the entire treasure hunt, which is described in as old school a manner as possible. Clues hidden in poetry. Secret maps. Navigating treacherous cliffs, forests, and caves. This is every high-stakes adventure movie that we loved as kids, but elevated by a really damn good and meaningful story.
  
  
  🌿 Read my full review at my blog, Your Tita Kate! 🌿
• 
  Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany)

  Actual Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up
  
  If you're looking for a fun adventure story with lady pirates and a sapphic romance you should definitely try A Clash of Steel! This book reimagines Treasure Island, but set in 1800's China where there really was a powerful woman pirate I had heard very little about before. Her story is woven into the narrative here which is cool.
  
  Much like the original, this is a coming of age story surrounding the search for a legendary stash of treasure, except we follow a young woman experiencing the world for the first time, determined to prove herself capable while falling for a girl she meets along the way. This does deal with some difficult subject matter like parental neglect and emotional abuse, but overall the tone is fun and adventurous. I have been loving this series of remixed classics and you don't want to miss this one! I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway (I know! I'm shocked people actually win these too! First time for me) so thank you to Fierce Reads for the copy!
• 
  soph (rhy kinnie)

  3.5
  I actually think this book is pretty good! I had fun while reading it and i definitely recommend it. Since we're starting off very positively here, let me tell you what i liked about it.
  - the vibes
  - the plot
  - anh
  - the romance (kind of, you'll find out why in the stuff i disliked)
  i love love love the vibes of a good pirate book and this gave me exactly that. It wasn't giving as much as i wanted to but it was still giving. The plot is interesting and easy to follow as well, and i was hooked by it. I rarely like mcs lmao that's probably why i was more interested by anh. Idk i just liked her character archetype more tho i wished there was more focus on her as i thought that would give her character much more depth. The romance too is cute, they had really good moments and really good lines.
  
  What i disliked
  - the world-building
  - the romance (i just have one nitpick)
  - the ending
  to me, the world-building relied way too much on heavy descriptions of food and clothes instead of actual important information. I get that it's urban fantasy but as someone who's unfamiliar with chinese history, i wish that was discussed a little bit more cause it plays quite a part in the story. There's also so many scenes were Xiang would overhear other people talking about important information, it all just felt too convenient for me. I like Xiang and Anh well enough but it's too insta-lovey. They hanged out once and Xiang is immediately in love with Anh so her realization of her feelings later in the book didn't feel impactful because it was obvious from the very beginning. Their progression wasn't my fave but im weak for the gays so i still think they're cute. The ending was a little too hard to follow for me, too many plot twist it was lowkey hard to keep track of everything, and some parts felt a little too convenient.
  
  Overall, if you want a good sapphic pirate book to read this one is definitely it. Once you get past the first 100 pages every should be smooth sailing (no pun intended). I should also mention that I've never read treasure island so im judging it as it's own story.
• 
  ellie ☽

  3.5 stars.
  
  This is, at its heart, a story about sapphic love, what defines familial bonds, and finding your way in the world.
  
  The romance and characterization was definitely my favorite part of the novel. Our two main characters were so well developed and their relationship was absolutely stunning. The protagonist, Xiang, lives a sheltered life and over the course of the novel we see her learn how to define herself and break free from the expectations of other. She is a very raw and vulnerable character and her growth is so rewarding. She also adores poetry, and her love of poetry ends up being an important part of the story (a fact that my poetry-loving self greatly appreciated). Anh is a very different sort of character. All hard-edges and practically, the contrast between her and Xiang is interesting to see.
  
  Anh and Xiang's relationship is a slow-ish burn, but the tension is their from the beginning. I practically screamed with joy when they finally kissed. I've read a few queer books recently that felt like queer books written by and for straight people (*cough*
  Tryst Six Venom *cough*) and this was such a welcome change from that. This is a beautiful queer book, very obviously written by a queer person for queer people. Xiang's longing for Anh and her slow acceptance of her identity as a queer woman was so well written and felt so familiar to me. I can't get over how gorgeously, emphatically queer this story is.
  
  This book did feel initially slow, and took me a while to get into, but once Anh shows up things do start to speed up. There were some more slow parts in the middle but that ending made it mostly worth it. Not to mention the plot twist... The last 50 or so pages were such a roller-coaster. Unfortunately I didn't care hugely about the plot until the very end, but Xiang and Anh and their relationship were enthralling enough to keep me reading
  
  The pirate found-family dynamic was very fun, though I do wish we could've gotten to know everyone aboard the crew a little better. I think the novel does a very good job exploring the difference between blood family and chosen family, and what it means to choose your family for yourself. After reading this I definitely wanna hop aboard Captain Hoa's ship and join Xiang, Anh, and the rest of the crew.
  
  This book has fueled my new-found obsession with sapphic pirates and I might have to go rewatch Pirates of the Carribean just for Keira Knightley and pretend Elizabeth Swann is a lesbian.
• 
  Julia Ember

  I’m gobsmacked in the best possible way. This book was so vivid and beautiful, and made such clever use of poetry. It was also dark and compelling with a twist that SHOCKED me (and I’m not easily surprised at all). I loved Xiang and Anh, and their playful, can’t quite bring themselves to be enemies romance, and the wonderful execution of the queer found family trope. What an imaginative pairing of history and a classic story.
• 
  Sherwood Smith

  I hadn't heard of this series, pairing authors with classics for a "remix" but if the rest are like this one, sign me up.
  
  My heart sank when I saw that it was written in present tense, but that seems to be the fashion in YA these days. It was far less awkward here than in many books I've read of late; after the initial jolt it became invisible, I was so immersed in the vivid depiction of southeast Asia in the early decades of the 1800s, the era of Zhen Yi Sao, the most successful pirates who ever lived--who happened to be a woman.
  
  This is supposed to be a retelling of Treasure Island; Lee's take was so fresh that I forgot completely about the origin story as we get to know Xiang, who is eager to break away from the stifling village where she was sequestered, and test her abilities by running the tea house her mother owns.
  
  Xiang misses the obvious clues that her mother is far more than she seems, she is so determined to prove herself--in spite of her mother's insistence she stay at home with her books and studies. One day she takes off to wander Canton, and meets a girl her own age, who turns out to be a thief. Xiang is hurt doubly, not just to find her father's precious pendant gone from around her neck, but that the first friend she had ever made turned out not to be one.
  
  However, she meets Ahn again, and discovers that Ahn's mother runs a small fishing boat, but she is after a famous (infamous) treasure. Xiang runs away with them, and so the adventure begins
  
  Lee has a sure hand with the details of the time. I was totally immersed in the wild life of the southeast sea coast at a volatile period of history. The characters were vivid, the pacing swift, and I loved the tentative, sometimes spiky friendship between Xiang and Ahn that gradually developed into something closer.
  
  The climax is a real roller coaster of action and emotional highs and lows. I loved Xiang's arc--and Ahn's. I think Lee did a terrific job making these queer Asian heroines girls very much of their time, but accessible to the modern teen reader.
  
  Copy provided by NetGalley
• 
  Kalena W

  3.5/5 stars, an interesting treasure island retelling!
  
  Going into this book I had very high expectations because of the cover, I mean it's absolutely stunning and I so badly wanted the story to be the same way. There were a few things that lowered the review rating for me, that I'll talk about, but there were also some amazing aspects. I will try the author's other works in the future, as I think it was a very interesting idea, just not the best execution.
  
  The plot of this book was set up to be really interesting, two girls end up going on an adventure to find long-lost pirate's treasure. This was a retelling of Treasure Island and while I haven't read that classic in a really long time I could totally see the similarities. I think the plot traveled a little too fast for my liking, everything was happening but it felt sped up. There were some moments that lasted too long however, and some that were too short. I think the pacing was just a bit disjointed for me.
  
  The setting for this novel is in the South China Sea, and with that brings a giant circle of diversity. I think that was my favorite part of the whole book, there were people from all over asia in this story. I loved seeing the culture mix with this old classic story, and hear stories of the Dragon Fleet and such. The worldbuilding for this was really fun and I just know that the author could have expanded it a little bit more, but it was still super fun.
  
  Xiang was the story's main character and actually really sweet, she grew up in a small river village and it definitely shows in her character. She's naive and just wants adventure when the reader is first introduced to her, and it was a bit annoying. However, people do learn from experiences and that was obvious as the story went on with her character growth. Xiang brought a really fun air of positivity throughout the story, even when she discovered secrets about her own life.
  
  Anh was the other main character and the love interest to Xiang throughout the story. As a whole, I think I enjoyed her a bit more than I did Xiang, but I wish that there had been a bit more character growth or depth to her. It felt as though we got to see who she was mostly just on the surface, she really didn't feel that complicated. Straight-forward characters are fine, and I still enjoyed her, but it was just a bit disappointing.
  
  At the beginning of the story, it is established that Xiang is a bit naive and has never been outside her small village. When she arrives at the big city she meets Anh, and from that very first page begins to fall in love with her, if not totally in love then. I really don't like insta-love storylines and this felt like one of them. You could argue that Xiang was enamored with Anh at first, but not totally in love. However, even if that is the case they grew so close so quickly without even admitting their feelings. It all was just moving super fast and I wish the romance between the two young women had been given more time to develop, as they were really rather good for each other.
  
  Overall, it's a really interesting and fun story with quick readability, just not perfectly executed. The culture and diversity implemented into this treasure island retelling was the best part, and I adored seeing it be handled well. Things just felt a bit disjointed for me, in terms of plot pacing and the actual romance between the main characters. If you want to mix up the sorts of retellings that you read, including classics, I highly recommend this as it might be a great fit for you.
  
  [TW: death of a loved one, violence (with a sword), gore (very light), alcohol, manipulation]
• 
  Sana

  'From the novel, you can expect lots of gay disaster moments, and flirting disguised as swordfighting lessons, and lots of adventure.'
  
  YES, THANK YOU. THIS IS ALL I NEEDED TO KNOWWWW
  
  Plus, the cover is pretty af!
  Feifei Ruan out here winning covers (also designed the ones for
  Descendant of the Crane,
  Last Night at the Telegraph Club and
  A Psalm for the Wild-Built)
  
  
  Source
• 
  Andy

  Narrated by the phenomenal Emily Woo Zeller.
  
  Wow I loved this one! I thought this was a fantasy book, but it's actually historical fiction set in past China. I really loved the two MCs and seeing them grow close. Also found family on a pirate ship!? A new fave. Cannot recommend this one enough.
  
  Rep: Chinese sapphic (lesbian coded) cis female MC, Vietnamese sapphic cis female MC, cast of Chinese and Vietnamese characters.
  
  CWs: Death of parent, death, murder, violence, blood, abandonment, emotional abuse (parent to child), gun violence. Moderate: Alcohol consumption, misogyny, sexism, colorism/racism, xenophobia, general queerphobia/queermisia, child abuse, animal death, war.
• 
  Julie

  This was a swashbuckling delight of a story! It felt like reading a new classic (which is the idea of this whole series!).
• 
  Mallory

  I really enjoyed this remix of Treasure Island so much more than I was expecting! I loved the Asian/female/queer twists so much and wish hat these characters could have a series of their own. I felt like the pacing of the book was a little off, the first big chunk was really slow background that could have been shortened a lot. Xiang is an interesting character who doesn’t really begin to bloom until she goes off on her own. While a lot, including her mother’s identity, was pretty obvious I felt like the story was more than what twists would come. The relationships between he characters were beautiful and the slow burn romance was just about perfect for this story. Xiang is desperate to prove herself to her mother, so when she learns she’s been carrying around a secret that could lead to the biggest pirate treasure of all time she joins Ahn and her family’s ship.
• 
  Taylor

  they're GAY, YOUR HONOR.
• 
  Rachel & Lindsey

  (thank you to Bookish First and Macmillan Children's Publishing for a finished copy in exchange for a review!)
  
  I really enjoyed this book! I had a few issues with it, so that's why it got 4 stars, but I really did like the end.
  
  My main issue was the pace of the book. Overall, it was a little off for me. We didn't get to the sailing/pirate part of the adventure until almost 200 pages, or halfway through the book. Some of the details of Xiang's time in Canton, at least in my opinion, could've been omitted and these issues would've been resolved. It was around this point where I found myself struggling to motivate myself to read a bit. On the other end, the pacing of the last 70 or 80 pages was quick, and I loved it! I read it all in one night.
  
  My favorite part of the books were the characters, because they were all so complex. Xiang was an enjoyable narrator. She became less sheltered and learned to stand up for herself. I loved the complexity of the relationships between her, her mom, and Master Feng (and there were plot twists intermingled in the story that were completely unexpected!).
  
  The romance in the book was interesting as well. It was a bit of a slow burn, especially on one end, but the end was really satisfying! I also didn't mind the ambiguity of the end. I think that it leaves room for a sequel, even though this series is all standalones.
• 
  akacya ❦

  Xiang is desperate to prove herself to her mother, a well-esteemed businesswoman from whom she hopes to one day inherit her business. Her mother, however, has other plans for her, and begins searching for a suitable husband for Xiang. All Xiang has of her father is the pendant that hangs around her neck, which is later revealed to have a long-lost map tucked inside. She goes with Anh and her crew to search for the legendary treasure, once thought to be lost forever.
  
  Spoilers ahead!
  
  I had fun reading this book, though quite a few plot points were predictable, Xiang’s mother being the Head of the Dragon being the biggest one. Still, I really enjoyed seeing Xiang jump into pirate life. I also loved Xiang’s relationship with Anh and seeing that develop, especially since they started off on a bad note with Anh stealing Xiang’s pendant!
• 
  Adri

  CWs: some underage drinking and intoxication; brief references to past sexual harassment; descriptions of death, blood, injury, and violence
  
  I don't have any kind of personal connection to the original Treasure Island, but this remix is sensational! Not only is A Clash of Steel a fun reclamation of a classic adventure story, but it also does such a great job of showing that pirates have existed across cultures and across the world for as long as there have been pirates. This story also definitely stands on its own, so it's broadly accessible whether the reader is familiar with the original text or not.
  
  This story has such an infectious sense of discovery, joy, and adventure, and it’s really satisfying to see how Xiang grows from being such an uncertain person into a swash-buckling adventurer who unwaveringly knows her worth and value. There's also a constant hunger that underscores her as a character. She's hungry to prove herself to her mother and earn her independence. But when she realizes that she'll never be able to do that within the confines of "proper society," especially as someone who's queer, she knows that she has to break away and dare to write her own script. Historically, pirates have been understood as those who are "other"—those who dare to rail against the rules, laws, and social norms—and I love the way the story embraces that "otherness" as essential to Xiang's freedom.
  
  I also have to say that C.B. Lee excels in creating dynamic relationships between characters. There is depth and complexity to every relationship in this story—whether it’s familial, romantic, found family, platonic, or between friends. The slow-burn romance between Xiang and Anh is one of my favorite parts of the story, and it's also satisfying to see how closely the dynamic between them is paralleled by this epic treasure hunt. To that end, I also love how the story doesn't waste a single moment and uses every inch of narrative space. There is something exciting or enticing constantly happening with every page you turn, and the adventure aspect is fast-paced and gripping.
  
  I think it's also important to acknowledge how the story beautifully addresses cultural overlap, especially in 1826 China. The story does such a great job of balancing and addressing both Chinese culture and Vietnamese culture, and understanding how and why the two would overlap during this specific time period—whether it's in terms of adapting language or exchanging foods and customs. I can't speak to the representation present, but I can say that I appreciate how the story portrays historical China with such depth and shows the complex interplay of multiple Asian cultures in one place.
  
  The one thing I will say is that I wish there was even more mystery and more obstacles when it came to deciphering the treasure map and then actually navigating the island itself. In some respects, the story is supposed to revolve around this legendary plunder that’s extremely well hidden, and it just felt like even more could’ve been done in that respect to amp up the adventure even further. But I still loved this so much! Drama, loss, tension, romance, and adventure all come together in this epic story, and I think it's well worth the read!
• 
  Mari

  Treasure hunting, pirates and gays, what a time to be alive.
• 
  kashvi

  i'm crying this book was amazing asjdhbwfh 😭
• 
  Ashley (wickedreads)

  Clash of Steel is a sapphic Treasure Island retelling taking place in 1826 south-east asia.
  
  Xiang has grown up in a small village up river hoping to one day take over her mother’s tea house. Her mother has other plans. She wants Xiang to marry a nice young man who can take care of her and take over the family business.
  
  In a bid to prove herself Xiang joins Anh, a beautiful young thief Xiang can’t help but feel connected to, on a quest to find the legendary treasure of the fabled Dragon Fleet.
  
  Anh sails with her mother, the captain of a trading ship, and a rag tag group of sailors who make up their found family.
  
  Aboard the ship Xiang finds all of the encouragement and acceptance she craves from her mother while learning the ropes (literally, ‘cause they’re sailing) and gaining confidence in her ability to survive away from the cradle of her village and tutor. But her mother is not going to let her go so easily…
  
  I absolutely loved this book which is wild because I typically do not go for historical narratives but Lee does a fantastic job integrating actual historical events and her own culture into a fresh and engaging story. To go with this the author also provides an author’s note, language notes, a pronunciation guide, historical notes, and suggested reading for you to learn more all on top of having a BEAUTIFUL map and illustrations on the inside covers.
  
  Fantastic plot, adorable relationship, great character growth, yes I predicted the plot twist but really there was no other option.
  
  I highly recommend the audiobook as well!
  
• 
  Abby

  (2.5 rounded to 3)
  
  For more of my reviews, check out my
  blog!
  
  Content Warning: violence, murder, death, misogyny, (slight) internalized homophobia, emotional abuse.
  
  
  Xiang dreams of life beyond the shores of her tiny fishing village. Finally managing to convince her cold, powerful mother to take her to Canton, where she can learn to run one of the family teahouses, she's excited by the opportunity not only for more freedom, but the chance to show her mother what she's capable of. When Xiang meets a troublemaking girl named Anh, who steals the only memento Xiang has of her father, they inadvertently stumble upon something shocking: a treasure map, locked in Xiang's pendant. And not just any treasure map -- but the clues to find the fabled, notorious Dragon Fleet's legendary riches. But things are not always as they seem...
  
  Let me admit something upfront: I've never actually read Treasure Island. I know the beats of the story, of course, but most of my familiarity with the tale comes from two other retellings -- Treasure Planet, the charming Disney film, and Black Sails, which tells the (somewhat humble) beginnings of Captain Flint, Long John Silver, and many other characters from Louis Stevenson's original. So, I can't say much about that aspect of A Clash of Steel; I kept in mind that it was intended as a sort of riff on that book, but I primarily treated it as its own fresh story.
  
  It only took me a few chapters to realize that this was perhaps not the book for me, but I very, very rarely quit reading a book once I've started it, so I decided to keep pushing forward. Besides, I sometimes find myself warming to a story even if I didn't quite like it in the beginning, so I had hopes that that might be the case here. Sadly, though, it wasn't: for me, this felt like a pain to get through. Probably the main issue is that I just didn't like the writing, which struck me as painfully juvenile; yes, I know that this is YA, but the current style that permeates the genre always strikes me as feeling amateurish. Told in first-person, present-tense (not my favorite at the best of times, to be fair), I'm not exaggerating when I tell you that so many paragraphs begin with "I" that it was giving me a headache.
  
  The worldbuilding is vague. This book is categorized as fantasy, I suppose because it's kind of alternate historical fiction, but aside from that, I can't really tell you what the so-called "fantasy" elements were. Do pirates and hidden treasure automatically qualify a book for the fantasy genre? I'm not sure, so I'll have to get back to you on that one. The images that Lee is able to conjure with her descriptions are beautiful, however. The only problem is that there is too much detail -- the plot ends up dragging because of it.
  
  I liked Xiang well enough, but I'm not sure I ever really became emotionally attached to her. I liked her love interest, Anh, a little better; she's spunky, a little prickly, and ambitious. The rest of the characters never felt fully developed or realized, and even though Xiang tells us time and time again how bonded she ends up becoming with the ragtag crew she joins up with (not a spoiler, as it's in the synopsis!), I never really saw any evidence of that with my own eyes. Sure, she told us, but as far as scenes that show us these friendships, they scarcely exist at all. It was actually similar to her relationship with Anh on that score, too. Although she does spend more time with Anh than any of the others, and there is a touch more development between them, there's still a lot of telling us that Anh did this, said this, likes or dislikes this, etc. without ever putting those interactions down on-page.
  
  The plot itself doesn't really kick into high-gear until around 70%, and the pacing is extremely slow. I don't mind a book that takes its time, but it was disappointing that the fun, somewhat emotionally charged action scenes don't happen until the very end. I wanted to root for Xiang and Anh and the rest, but everything was just a little too shallow for me to ever become fully invested. I also couldn't get over how conveniently they find everything, how easily their obstacles are overcome, and that they decipher the map basically within seconds, even though they don't actually take their time to ponder it until they're on the island hiding the treasure!
  
  Now, with all of that being said, I think I would have probably loved this if I'd read it when I was sixteen. Teenagers will probably adore this, and I did love the fun ideas at work here (I've been a bit pirate-obsessed since childhood), with the added bonus of a diverse cast and fascinating Vietnamese and Chinese culture woven into the story. It didn't work for me, but tons of people loved this story, and I don't want you to not read it based simply off my review -- for many young people of Vietnamese and/or Chinese descent, this story will probably have a depth and meaning that I simply can't understand.
  
  I do want to add one last note: the author includes a beautiful note at the end of the book which tells us a bit about how she ended up deciding to write this, and her family's story of immigration. I loved that her family's own history inspired her to craft this story, and regardless of how I ended up feeling about this book, there's a wonderful meaning behind it.
• 
  Ashley Marie

  Not quite what I was expecting but I enjoyed it all the same! If you're looking for a great feminist adventure story (or a solid pirate fix), this is your book. I didn't get the Treasure Island vibe until late in the story, but it came roaring in before the end. And as with most books that take a deep dive into food descriptions, alllll I wanted while listening to this was Chinese food. Thank the gods for local spots! Includes a lovely Author's Note, Language Notes, and Historical Notes from CB Lee.
  
  Read by Emily Woo Zeller.
  Popsugar 2022: Found family
  MSBBT 2022: Shiver me timbers
  WBTM ATW 2022: South and Southeast Asia
• 
  Oyinda

  3.5 ✨
• 
  Shenwei

  Originally posted on
  my blog
  Because my attention span is almost nonexistent a lot of the time these days, getting into a book can take a while. With A Clash of Steel, I didn’t struggle nearly as much as usual, however. Even without a deadline setting a fire under me, I was still sucked into the story from early on.
  
  At the core, A Clash of Steel is a story about yearning, in various senses of the word. Xiang yearns for many things: her mother’s approval, a more exciting life and future outside of the bounds her mother has set for, and control over her own destiny. When she meets Anh, the yearning for a special someone to be by her side forever blooms as well.
  
  A Clash of Steel is very much a classic quest narrative, with a treasure trove waiting at the end and many obstacles, including a cryptic poem, standing in the way. Thematically, the story’s external conflicts reflect Xiang’s internal conflicts as she is forced to make decisions about what she values most. Moving from a sheltered life inland to braving the boundless ocean, worlds of possibility open up before her. Watching Xiang take her first steps into becoming herself free of her mother was satisfying, and thanks to the gorgeous and detailed prose, I found myself also immersed in the rhythms of life in a busy port city and on a ship weathering wind and rain.
  
  Central to Xiang’s growth is Anh, who takes a chance on her, teaches her new things, and provides a different perspective as someone who has lived the unstable life of a seafaring laborer. The sapphic romance between Xiang and Anh made my heart ache. For a while, Xiang tries her best to suppress her feelings for Anh, believing that there is no place in the world for two women to love and find happiness together. There’s so much tension built up over the book that when Xiang finally acts on her feelings, it feels like a deluge.
  
  One of the refreshing aspects of A Clash of Steel is the unapologetic diversity. The South China Sea was historically (and still is) a host to people from all different places. When Xiang joins the crew of the boat captained by Anh’s mother, Huyền Vũ, she becomes a part of a found family from various backgrounds—Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, and Nepali. Furthermore, since the seafaring folk don’t adhere strictly to the laws of the landbound political institutions, there is greater freedom for queer people to be themselves. Two of the men on board the boat, Châu and Arthrit, are married and everyone is fine with it. It shouldn’t be a surprise, given that same-gender relationships are a part the real history of maritime life, but unfortunately this history is often erased in fiction, along with the racial and ethnic diversity of pirates and sailors.
  
  A Clash of Steel was a very special read to me because it has shown me I can write a historical fiction story with Asian pirates and there will be an audience for it. My family is from Taiwan, which has been a critical player in maritime trade for centuries, and I have plans to write a story connected to that history.
  
  Anyway, if you’re looking for a high-stakes adventure, aching romance, and heartfelt coming-of-age story, read A Clash of Steel!
• 
  Enne

  thank u c.b. lee