I loved this book SO much. It's so much more than a retelling of Treasure Island -- it's the pirate adventure I've been craving, with a delicious side of f/f romance, and a thorough grounding in Vietnamese and Chinese history and culture. I had planned to pass my copy along after reading it, but nope; keeping this one for sure.
I was annoyed with Xiang for the first quarter of the novel because she was SO naive. And she missed some really, really obvious clues about who her mother actually was. It was almost like she didn't want to see, and so she didn't.
But she grows SO much once she's left to sail with Anh. That was the best part of the novel for me - the slow passage of time as Xiang grows more confident, more capable, and freer with every task she sets her willing mind and hands to. She comes into herself aboard that ship, and it gives her the confidence and courage she needs to face the events of the latter half of the book.
The romance was slow and subtle and hinted in the corners, and I loved it. It's my favorite kind of romance in fantasy novels. The closeness that comes with familiarity and time spent together.
I would desperately love a series of Xiang and Anh's adventures. The ending was excellent, but it definitely left me wanting more. And really, that's the best kind.
*Thanks to Bookishfirst and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an advanced copy for review.
I was annoyed with Xiang for the first quarter of the novel because she was SO naive. And she missed some really, really obvious clues about who her mother actually was. It was almost like she didn't want to see, and so she didn't.
But she grows SO much once she's left to sail with Anh. That was the best part of the novel for me - the slow passage of time as Xiang grows more confident, more capable, and freer with every task she sets her willing mind and hands to. She comes into herself aboard that ship, and it gives her the confidence and courage she needs to face the events of the latter half of the book.
The romance was slow and subtle and hinted in the corners, and I loved it. It's my favorite kind of romance in fantasy novels. The closeness that comes with familiarity and time spent together.
I would desperately love a series of Xiang and Anh's adventures. The ending was excellent, but it definitely left me wanting more. And really, that's the best kind.
*Thanks to Bookishfirst and MacMillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an advanced copy for review.