Review of Shanghai'd
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Gabriel Elenbalulu
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- Latest Review: Shanghai'd by Curtis Stephen Burdick
Review of Shanghai'd
[Following is a volunteer review of "Shanghai'd" by Curtis Stephen Burdick.]
If you are into a tale replete with action, heart, and a healthy dose of grit, Curtis Stephen Burdick's Shanghai'd is likely to rock your literary boat. Set against the turbulent world of the 1848 Gold Rush, this is quite a wild ride of a story journey with Harvard scientist Joshua Cabot as he relinquishes an existence of entitlement to a mercurial one filled with sea travel, hardly on his terms. After a devastating personal loss, Joshua is kidnapped and thrown onto a merchant ship. What ensues is a white-knuckled ride across the Pacific that is as treacherous as it is transformative.
Let's talk about the adventure: storms that will make your heart pound, run-ins with pirates that'll keep you up late flipping pages, and encounters with vibrant cultures that expand both Joshua's worldview and our own. But it's more than a story of survival—Joshua's brilliance with science and his unlikely friendships turn into lifelines as he grows into someone even he didn't know he could be. Burdick easily turns chaos on the waterways in the 19th century into a real lesson about resiliency, where one can be quite fascinated by every step or wave in Joshua's journey. It was also well-edited and did not contain grammatical or spelling errors.
Then there is Maka, a runaway who disguises her bound chest and assumes a boy's persona, going by the name Kah so she could be free from such an oppressive life under Reverend Bradford's rule. Man, her storyline is pure gold. Imagine chopping all your hair off and bottling up your identity inside just for a taste of freedom. Maka comes aboard the ship with literally nothing except guts and Spider-Man-level climbing skills. From vulnerability to empowerment, her journey is unforgettable, especially as she builds a secret, powerful bond with Joshua. Together, they're the heart of this story, two souls navigating their respective storms while finding strength in one another.
Sure, it mentions the Gold Rush and 19th-century trade routes, but it could have been a bit more full of historical moments. It's an opportunity to make it even more immersive than it already is by going deep into the cultural exchanges or colonial tensions of the era. Maybe sprinkle some footnotes in or add a few more historically based side characters? Just a thought!
Overall, it's a page-turner of a book. Burdick assembles an amazing combination of high-stakes adventure, emotional depth, and characters you'll be rooting for long after the final page has been turned, for which reason I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. If you love stories about survival, transformation, and a dash of pirate-flavored chaos, this is for you. It is an exciting reminder that sometimes, with the most unlikely journeys, comes the greatest growth. Ready to set sail?
******
Shanghai'd
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
If you are into a tale replete with action, heart, and a healthy dose of grit, Curtis Stephen Burdick's Shanghai'd is likely to rock your literary boat. Set against the turbulent world of the 1848 Gold Rush, this is quite a wild ride of a story journey with Harvard scientist Joshua Cabot as he relinquishes an existence of entitlement to a mercurial one filled with sea travel, hardly on his terms. After a devastating personal loss, Joshua is kidnapped and thrown onto a merchant ship. What ensues is a white-knuckled ride across the Pacific that is as treacherous as it is transformative.
Let's talk about the adventure: storms that will make your heart pound, run-ins with pirates that'll keep you up late flipping pages, and encounters with vibrant cultures that expand both Joshua's worldview and our own. But it's more than a story of survival—Joshua's brilliance with science and his unlikely friendships turn into lifelines as he grows into someone even he didn't know he could be. Burdick easily turns chaos on the waterways in the 19th century into a real lesson about resiliency, where one can be quite fascinated by every step or wave in Joshua's journey. It was also well-edited and did not contain grammatical or spelling errors.
Then there is Maka, a runaway who disguises her bound chest and assumes a boy's persona, going by the name Kah so she could be free from such an oppressive life under Reverend Bradford's rule. Man, her storyline is pure gold. Imagine chopping all your hair off and bottling up your identity inside just for a taste of freedom. Maka comes aboard the ship with literally nothing except guts and Spider-Man-level climbing skills. From vulnerability to empowerment, her journey is unforgettable, especially as she builds a secret, powerful bond with Joshua. Together, they're the heart of this story, two souls navigating their respective storms while finding strength in one another.
Sure, it mentions the Gold Rush and 19th-century trade routes, but it could have been a bit more full of historical moments. It's an opportunity to make it even more immersive than it already is by going deep into the cultural exchanges or colonial tensions of the era. Maybe sprinkle some footnotes in or add a few more historically based side characters? Just a thought!
Overall, it's a page-turner of a book. Burdick assembles an amazing combination of high-stakes adventure, emotional depth, and characters you'll be rooting for long after the final page has been turned, for which reason I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. If you love stories about survival, transformation, and a dash of pirate-flavored chaos, this is for you. It is an exciting reminder that sometimes, with the most unlikely journeys, comes the greatest growth. Ready to set sail?
******
Shanghai'd
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Shanghai'd by Curtis Stephen Burdick
