Either I didn't remember this was based on the legendary pirate queen Zheng Yi Sao, or my brain wiped that clear from memory so I could experience a chilling ecstasy as I came to the realization as I read. Regardless, this book is a masterpiece of a retelling that not only has a gripping adventure with beautiful pacing that fulfills your every need, but also two astounding women who are brave, intelligent, and full of presence. Each have great chemistry throughout the story, and their development arcs are so worthy of multiple re-reads.
The thing I loved the most, however, was the writing. I'd never read any of Lee's works before, but this makes me so interested in her past and future books. Her fluid style is well balanced with vivid description and emotional weight. Dialogue exchanges are succinct or indulgent exactly when the situation calls for it, and the worldbuilding happens so naturally, "immersive" doesn't even begin to cover how deeply you're left in this world long after you've finished reading.
An absolute gem of a book, if you're a fan of retellings or the Seafire series (trilogy?) by Natalie C. Parker, this is definitely a book for you.
The thing I loved the most, however, was the writing. I'd never read any of Lee's works before, but this makes me so interested in her past and future books. Her fluid style is well balanced with vivid description and emotional weight. Dialogue exchanges are succinct or indulgent exactly when the situation calls for it, and the worldbuilding happens so naturally, "immersive" doesn't even begin to cover how deeply you're left in this world long after you've finished reading.
An absolute gem of a book, if you're a fan of retellings or the Seafire series (trilogy?) by Natalie C. Parker, this is definitely a book for you.