Synopsis: Two intrepid girls hunt for a legendary treasure on the deadly high seas in this YA remix of the classic adventure novel Treasure Island. 1826. The sun is setting on the golden age of piracy, and the legendary Dragon Fleet, the scourge of the South China Sea, is no more. Its ruthless leader, a woman known only as the Head of the Dragon, is now only a story, like the ones Xiang has grown up with all her life. She desperately wants to prove her worth, especially to her mother, a shrewd businesswoman who never seems to have enough time for Xiang. Her father is also only a story, dead at sea before Xiang was born. Her single memento of him is a pendant she always wears, a simple but plain piece of gold jewelry. But the pendant's true nature is revealed when a mysterious girl named Anh steals it, only to return it to Xiang in exchange for her help in decoding the tiny map scroll hidden inside. The revelation that Xiang's father sailed with the Dragon Fleet and tucked away this secret changes everything. Rumor has it that the legendary Head of the Dragon had one last treasure—the plunder of a thousand ports—that for decades has only been a myth, a fool's journey. Xiang is convinced this map could lead to the fabled treasure. Captivated with the thrill of adventure, she joins Anh and her motley crew off in pursuit of the island. But the girls soon find that the sea—and especially those who sail it—are far more dangerous than the legends led them to believe. Thank you to Colored Pages for including me in the blog tour for A Clash of Steel! I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Click on the tour banner below to check out the tour schedule and visit the other stops on this tour! Title: A Clash of Steel Author: C.B Lee Publisher: Feiwel & Friends Publication Date: September 7th, 2021 Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction Rating: Four stars I was so excited for this book, as I love retellings of classics, and it definitely lived up to my expectations! Intertwining themes of identity and deciding your own destiny with seafaring adventure and a beautiful romance, A Clash of Steel is a perfect retelling of Treasure Island. Firstly, the writing is just as gorgeous as the cover. The lush descriptions in this novel instantly transport you to a different place and time, and it feels like you're right there alongside Xiang searching for the mysterious treasure. The way the author writes 1820s Asia is so vivid, and you can see everything playing out in your head like a movie. The worldbuilding is detailed but never gets boring to read, which I always appreciated in a historical. Xiang is also a lovable protagonist with excellent character development! She starts out rather sheltered from her upbringing in her small village, but grows to become skilled on her quest for more. As she joins the crew on the sea, she finds herself, as well as a home with them. This found family is so sweet, and I loved how Xiang felt accepted and the most herself around them- especially with her love interest, Anh! The romance between the two girls is so full of yearning as they realize their feelings for one another but are not quite sure if they can trust each other. Their scenes together are some of the best parts of the book and will keep you rooting for them. I also loved the way the story slowly unfurled, with the stakes growing higher the further you read. The pacing in this book worked very well for the story. The adventure was full of twists and turns, and the ending chapters will keep you on the edge of your seat. Overall, A Clash of Steel was an incredible retelling with descriptions that transport you, themes of self-discovery, characters and a romance that you'll surely fall in love with, and a pirate-y adventure. Be sure to check it out! CB Lee is a Lambda Literary Award nominated writer of young adult science fiction and fantasy. Her works include the Sidekick Squad series (Duet Books), Ben 10 (Boom!), and All Out Now (HarperTeen). CB loves to write about queer teens, magic, superheroes, and the power of friendship. Lee’s work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Wired Magazine, and Hypable. Lee’s first novel in the Sidekick Squad series, Not Your Sidekick was a 2017 Lambda Literary Awards Finalist in YA/Children’s Fiction and a 2017 Bisexual Book Awards Finalist in Speculative Fiction. Seven Tears at High Tide was the recipient of a Rainbow Award for Best Bisexual Fantasy Romance and also a finalist for the 2016 Bisexual Book Awards in the YA and Speculative Fiction categories. Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr
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