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

A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix

by C.B. Lee (YA Lee)

 

A Clash of Steel is a wonderful mash-up of the famous “Treasure Island” story, where a young man heads to sea in hopes of finding treasure that will save his family’s inn, and the history of Zheng Yi Sao, a Chinese woman who united a formidable fleet of over 70,000 pirates. These stories provide a brilliant background for the story of two young women who are questing for their futures and headed towards their dreams. One girl, who has led a life of “adventure” wishes for peace, meanwhile the other girl, who has led a pampered life, wishes for “more.” Both girls are born to sail, although one spent the first part of her life landlocked in a remote village, sequestered there by her protective mother, while the other grew up on boats, her mother encouraging her to learn the ways of the sea. Their backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, but their hearts were the same. This romantic adventure was a lot of fun to read. I enjoyed the descriptions of port towns, village life, and working on a ship; I came away feeling like I learned a bunch of interesting tidbits.

 

(If you enjoy this, this book was recommended on a BookRiot list for people who enjoyed the show “Our Flag Means Death” which is also about pirates. They also recommend Cinnamon and Gunpowder by Eli Brown, The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix by Aminah Mae Safi, and So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow.)

 

( official A Clash of Steel page on the official C.B. Lee web site )

 

Recommended by Carrie K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Services

 

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