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C.B. Lee has masterfully (and, it feels, effortlessly!) elevated a familiar classic. A Clash of Steel is not merely a retelling, but a more than worthy installment to the literary canon itself. From two incredible heroines and their found family (that literally brought tears to my eyes from how much I loved them), to sweeping adventure and gripping stakes, every element is wielded to its best effect in a way that I am sure will linger in readers' minds long after they've left Anh and Xiang's world. This deeply immersive adventure features deftly interwoven Chinese and Vietnamese, luscious culinary descriptions, and well-rendered explorations of imperialism, treasure, found family, and love. And with lavishly drawn and studded with jewels from the original, C.B. Lee has written a remix that delves deep into questions of family, love, and treasure. This is a book I wish I'd had as a young, queer teen and it deserves a spot in any collection