Review of Shanghai'd

[Efe Omole]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Shanghai'd" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Curtis Stephen Burdick is just an amazing bookwriter. Joshua Cabot's story is so raw and so gripping that it practically yanked me out of my world and into the stormy, dangerous seas of the 19th century. First off, Joshua is a man we might pity, a brilliant Harvard scientist who chases the glitter of the California Gold Rush, only to lose everything and spiral into a pit of grief and alcohol.

My heart broke for him as tragedy ripped his life apart. But then when you think he's hit rock bottom, he gets kidnapped! Kidnapped! He is thrown onto a merchant ship bound for Shanghai, where the open seas, wild storms, and ruthless pirates become his new reality. The editing was likewise well done, as I didn't find any grammar errors.

From the very beginning, Joshua's transformation felt so personal, so humanly gut-wrenching. He's seasick, scared, and lost, but he doesn't give up. Instead, he starts fighting back, not just against the waves or the pirates, but against the broken man he has become. The friendships he builds, especially with Ethan, who helps him when he's at his weakest, made me choke up more than once. And even though he was sick, Joshua used his knowledge of metals to come up with a fix for the ship. He makes a repair with a metal sleeve and cord and saves the ship from danger. That moment gave me chills. It is not just saving the ship; that is Joshua getting his self-worth back, proving to himself and others that he still has something to give.

And then there's Annabelle Whitman. Her relationship with Joshua was so delicate and emotionally thickly layered. You could feel the internal tug of war going on with him; it was this push-and-pull between holding on and the need to atone for the past. Each moment in their time together pulsates with tension and promise.

Yes, I would've enjoyed other historical details stitched into the text. The California Gold Rush, the cultural exchanges between nations, and the impact of colonialism were touched on but could have been explored deeper, maybe with some historical notes or additional characters. But hey, that is just me nitpicking. Not to take anything away from the raw power of this story, I still gave Shanghai'd a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. It is marine-oriented, with most of the adventures taking place on the water, so it would easily appeal to all those fascinated by nautical settings and stories.

******
Shanghai'd
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon