I tried to get into this but found the story hard to follow. I love Treasure Island but felt that this was not up to par with the original. I think others will find it enjoyable, though, so don't let my opinion sway you!

Personally this work was a little slow for me, which took it from a pleasant read to more of a slog. The world is lush and beautifully described, but it was sometimes this detail that slowed the plot and reduced my pleasure. More patient readers may well love it. There's also some excellent LGBTQIA2S+ content, which should have broad appeal as well.

This is a new take on Treasure Island with female pirates. It's a creative reimagining with an active pace. I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I'd have liked, but it was enjoyable overall. This is likely to engage many young adult readers.

This delightful story remixes elements of Treasure Island, real historical figures (such as Zheng Yi Sao), and fictional characters with adventure, treasure and a little bit of romance. Although most of us would run away on a fishing vessel with strangers in order to seek out a legendary pirate treasure to do it, Xiang's desire to prove herself to her mother was so relatable to so many young adults. I love how Lee has created Xiang from a little bit of Jim Hawkins, a little bit of Long John Silver, but she is also an original character unique to the story Lee is telling. For me the fun of reading a retelling or remixed version of a story is finding the pieces of the original, but appreciating how the author reinterprets it.

A Clash of Steel is a unique take on Treasure Island, one that builds a story of female pirates onto the classic story of high adventure, high stakes, and the high seas. C. B. Lee's vision is creative and enthralling, and the story moves quickly, drawing readers into the plot page by page. The plot itself is tightly woven, leaving only the merest hints of the surprising twists it takes as it progresses. On a second reading, those hints become more obvious, a technique that contributes to a strong story. Each chapter brings new discoveries and new threats to the main character's goals, and I was kept intrigued throughout the novel.

While the plot is well-drawn and fast-paced, I found myself disconnected from C.B. Lee's characters. Lee suggests that protagonist Xiang is intelligent and craves her mother's approval, but readers don't see those traits in her actions. She seems egocentric, focused on what she wants, even if her aging tutor has to chase her high into the hills, even when she leaves her mother's home without permission, remaining gone an entire day on her first day in Canton. Her mother's coldness and distance make it hard to see why her daughter would choose her over those who have faithfully cared for her. The brutality her mother shows as the story progresses makes her even less understandable or relatable. Even Anh, the young sailor who befriends Xiang, is selfish, self-centered, and distant. Without a strong connection to these characters, I found it difficult to care enough about the plot. The best-drawn characters, Master Feng and Captain Hoa, are minor in comparison to Xiang, her mother, and Anh, but their kindness, constancy, and humanity makes them the ones most memorable to me.

Many young adult readers will be drawn to the tightly paced plot and the detailed descriptions of exotic places as I was. The plot is a triumph, but I am left wishing for stronger connections to the pivotal characters,

Thank you to the publisher and net galley for a copy of A Clash of Steel! This is a Treasure Island retelling and while I'm sure there are readers who will love this one it wasn't for me. I didn't feel connected to Xiang but I enjoyed reading about Anh! The plot twist made it worth reading and if you're a huge fan of Treasure Island, then this is for you!!

I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I was not familiar with the treasure Island story before this book but it is now on my list! The main characters were so interesting and the plot line would not let me put the book down. Great Book!