Amazing

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So this book was QUITE THE READ, to say the least. Of all the "Treasure Island" type retellings that I have read, this one is definitely, by far, my favorite. With queer representation that is so beautiful and feels so natural, while still giving you the tension and fulfilling those love story tropes we all crave, I really admired the relationship between Xiang and Anh. At the very start, I began thinking that the pacing was slow but it picked up speed quickly and in a way that was dynamic and thoroughly engaging. I really was excited by the writing style and loved the way the plot unfolded gracefully, making you fall in love with story, character, and setting. The found family element of this story melted my heart. This is something that I find so endearing in books and it was so lovely to have in A Clash of Steel. And finally, as a history teacher, I loved getting that glimpse into the story of Zheng Yi Sao/Ching Shih! What an absolute thrill!