"Everyone should be afraid of those who can embroider. We have the patience to keep stabbing the same thing over and over again."
I was so excited to be selected as a tour host for A Clash of Steel because it was one of my most anticipated reads of this season! I've never read Treasure Island, and I'm not even sure what it's about, so I can't compare this to the classic, but I did enjoy this book without that added context (so no worries if you're in the same boat as me and don't know a thing about Treasure Island).
Clash of Steel really had so much to offer! Action and adventure, a FOUND family--one of the best tropes ever--and a slowburn sapphic romance! I was so on board with all those elements, and it really did deliver. Also did I mention it has the "there's only one bed" trope?!This book seriously had a little bit of everything and I really smiled and genuinely enjoyed my time reading it! It is mostly character centric-- focusing mostly on Xiang and Anh's budding relationship, but I really enjoy stories like that. I also loved the historical aspect of incorporating the famous woman pirate Zheng Yi Sao. One thing I think I would have loved to seen expanded a bit was Xiang and her mother’s relationship. She kind of popped up out of nowhere and it felt a bit rushed.
Overall this was such a fun and adventurous read! If you're looking for a diverse and great historical book about sapphic pirates, then look no further!!