You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Thank you for this wonderful, accessible, Asian, queer remix of Treasure Island. The language was beautiful, the scenes gorgeous, and it sucked me in and didn't let me go.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-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:
No
Adored this retelling!
I have never watched Treasure Planet in its entirety but what I vaguely remember is you've got pirates, you've got a flying ship (maybe lol) and a journey...welp yep you've got that here lol
I really loved the friendship/relationship sparked between Xiang and Anh, it was sweet yet challenging. Anh takes her under her wing and helps her see outside of everything Xiang has been groomed to believe is the only truth. When really there is a whole world filled with adventure and wonder out there. And of course as the journey goes on, we see some revelations with Xiang and all of the pieces she felt she was missing are finally coming together. I definitely recommend this series.
I have never watched Treasure Planet in its entirety but what I vaguely remember is you've got pirates, you've got a flying ship (maybe lol) and a journey...welp yep you've got that here lol
I really loved the friendship/relationship sparked between Xiang and Anh, it was sweet yet challenging. Anh takes her under her wing and helps her see outside of everything Xiang has been groomed to believe is the only truth. When really there is a whole world filled with adventure and wonder out there. And of course as the journey goes on, we see some revelations with Xiang and all of the pieces she felt she was missing are finally coming together. I definitely recommend this series.
This novel is gorgeously written, and carries a poetic feel to it. It features daring acts, unfortunate deaths, & a slow romance that warms the heart. Absolutely intoxicating.
adventurous
medium-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
A quick disclaimer: I know absolutely nothing about Treasure Island and cannot comment on the quality of this book as a part of the retelling genre, or how true it is to the spirit of Treasure Island. Standing on its own, though, I thought this was a strong story. It stars Shi Xiang, a young woman who grew up in a small village under the watchful eyes of her mother’s employees. Her only exposure to the world beyond her village is stories, like the story of the Dragon Fleet, the infamous pirate fleet headed by Zheng Yi Sao, who disappeared years ago when the Dragon Fleet fell. Now, in 1826, Xiang wants nothing more than the approval and respect of her mother, who runs a successful teahouse in the village as well as in the city of Canton. In an attempt to prove herself, Xiang travels to Canton with her mother, but when a charming thief named Anh steals Xiang’s pendant, she sets off on an entirely new course and discovers more about her family’s past and her own heart than she ever imagined. Now, if you’re anything like me you’ll probably see the big twist in the book coming from miles away, but I actually think the author banked on that, because there’s a more subtle twist beneath it that lends a lot more subtlety to the story. Yes, Xiang’s relationship with her mother is fraught – a trope I find endlessly frustrating in books about Asian women, especially queer Asian women – but there are far more layers to the story than that, which I think exemplifies one of the keys of avoiding falling into harmful stereotypes when writing: you don’t need to completely avoid stereotypes, especially when they are a meaningful part of a community’s lived experience, but the story and character should have dimensions beyond just that stereotype. Lee does that beautifully here. Also, that fraught relationship isn’t the only kind of parental relationship represented in the book, which is also a huge part of meaningful representation. Which leads me to the highlight of this book: the crew of Anh’s ship. People who’ve read my other reviews will know that found family is one of my favorite tropes, and this book nailed it. All the different characters and their relationships with one another were really sweet, without shying away from the conflict that exists in groups. The writing was exceptionally good in places as well. Warning: do not read the sections about food when you’re hungry. I made that mistake and was craving every single food mentioned. The descriptions of visuals were also quite nice, especially on the island. Overall, just a really well written, diverse, compassionate book.
I absolutely loved this. The audiobook is beautifully narrated and I love the sapphic relationship. The historical inspiration is also amazing. I can't wait to read more of these remixed classics.
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Drug use
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated