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

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Today I am delighted to share what has been my favorite read of this year – as well as the sapphic pirate adventure of my dreams!

 

A CLASH OF STEEL spoke directly to the part of me that is perpetually restless and wandering.  Our main character, Xiang, wants so desperately to escape her village and to see the world, “see the places in my stories, distant coasts and faraway lands” (26).  

 

How this story and these words sung to (read: pained) the yearning in my soul, that “in another lifetime I must’ve seen the world, slaked this thirst for more, and I can’t help but think this is a lonely compromise, to settle for a life I do not want” (47).

 

The relationship between Xiang and Anh is such a sweet depiction of first love.  I really enjoyed their friendship and Xiang’s moments of self-reflection and queer awakening.  

 

It is so immensely refreshing to read a pirate story starring women as the major players, where mothers are pirates and captains and merchants.  And – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – pirate ships were SO gay!!  How delightful it was to read a piratey adventure starring queer Asian girls.

 

Lee has done a truly fantastic job of capturing the very essence of the piratey tales that we love so dearly – and then making it something more.  And the writing?  Magical, whimsical, a true joy to read.  It was hard for me to get into the book I read after this one because the line-by-line reading experience simply didn’t compare!

 

A CLASH OF STEEL is another excellent installment in the Remixed Classics collection!  I haven’t read TREASURE ISLAND and that didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story.  You like Pirates of the Caribbean?  You’ll like this book.