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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
adventurous
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
LOVED this - just a delightful YA adventure. I love CB Lee's Sidekick Squad series and this did not disappoint, even though it's a completely different genre/setting. SO fun!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Violence is mostly with swords, only the occasional gun
There is also at least one near-drowning
I will reread this at some point bc I think I sped read a little for the readathon but!!! a truly delcious book I enjoyed immensely and would recommend highly
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
This was a strong retelling of Treasure Island with awesome historical elements, centered on one of the most successful pirates ever, Zheng Yi Sao, a badass & formidable woman. I loved Anh & Xiang & thought their relationship was lovely. I think the pacing left much to be desired for me, & it just didn't stick in my heart (or memory) as much as I thought it would.
1.9.22
1.9.22
A Clash of Steel is a sweet sapphic romance/found-family/adventure tale set in 1826. The fearsome female leader of the once-powerful Dragon Fleet is a legend, a mystery. No one knows what happened to her or where her hidden treasure is. When a piece of a map is found, two girls who meet by chance will set out to find this fabled treasure trove. Thus, they set out on the South China Sea.
Lee is really good at developing her characters. Told from the point of view Xiang, who hopes to earn her mother's respect by finding the treasure and saving their tea house after an arson attack, the prose is heart-felt and filled with wonder. Xiang wants to choose her destiny, and the journey from meek daughter to pirate crew is fun.
The pacing is slow in the middle of the book. Unlike similar books such as Percy Jackson or Children of the Lamp, not a lot happens in the middle portion. Whereas, Percy Jackson or the twins (in Children of the Lamp) would run into trouble or have to solve a problem to escape something, Xiang doesn't face much adversity until the last third.
In summary, I enjoyed the characters on the pirate ship Xiang travels with. The setting is vivid, and the sailing scenes majestic. Overall, this Treasure Island re-mix offers up a good character story about family and finding your treasure (hint, hint: its not gold or jewels).
I received a review copy from MacMillan Children's in a BookishFirst giveaway. This in no way has influenced my opinions. Thanks to MacMillan for this opportunity!
Lee is really good at developing her characters. Told from the point of view Xiang, who hopes to earn her mother's respect by finding the treasure and saving their tea house after an arson attack, the prose is heart-felt and filled with wonder. Xiang wants to choose her destiny, and the journey from meek daughter to pirate crew is fun.
The pacing is slow in the middle of the book. Unlike similar books such as Percy Jackson or Children of the Lamp, not a lot happens in the middle portion. Whereas, Percy Jackson or the twins (in Children of the Lamp) would run into trouble or have to solve a problem to escape something, Xiang doesn't face much adversity until the last third.
In summary, I enjoyed the characters on the pirate ship Xiang travels with. The setting is vivid, and the sailing scenes majestic. Overall, this Treasure Island re-mix offers up a good character story about family and finding your treasure (hint, hint: its not gold or jewels).
I received a review copy from MacMillan Children's in a BookishFirst giveaway. This in no way has influenced my opinions. Thanks to MacMillan for this opportunity!