Steel

Sixteen-year-old Jill competes in fencing tournaments but struggles with her performance. During a Caribbean vacation with her family, she finds an old sword on a beach that connects her to an 18th-century pirate crew. Through supernatural circumstances, Jill travels back in time and becomes part of a pirate ship's crew. She must use both her modern fencing training and newfound sailing skills to survive at sea among real pirates. The story moves between Jill's present-day life as a competitive fencer and her adventures in the past with historical pirates. Her experiences in both timelines test her physical abilities, courage, and understanding of herself as a fighter. This young adult novel explores themes of personal growth, the difference between staged combat and real fighting, and how history can directly impact the present. Through Jill's journey across time, the story examines what it means to be truly brave versus simply skilled.

Readers describe Steel as a fast-paced time travel adventure that appeals to young teens but may feel too simple for older audiences. The sword fighting scenes and historical pirate elements receive frequent mentions in reviews. Liked: - Accurate fencing terminology and techniques - Strong female protagonist without romance focus - Historical pirate life details - Quick, engaging pace - Appropriate for middle grade readers Disliked: - Predictable plot developments - Limited character depth - Time travel mechanics not fully explained - Abrupt ending - Too straightforward for YA/adult readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (50+ reviews) One reader noted "The fencing sequences feel authentic without getting bogged down in terminology." Another mentioned "The historical elements were interesting but the characters needed more development." Multiple reviews praised the lack of romance, with one stating "Refreshing to have a teen girl focused on her sport rather than boys."

Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman The inner monologues and personal struggles of both superheroes and supervillains unfold through alternating perspectives in a world where extraordinary powers come with human costs.

After the Golden Age by Carrie Vaughn A powerless daughter of two famous superheroes navigates family expectations and city-wide threats while working as a forensic accountant.

Dreadnought by April Daniels A transgender teen inherits the powers of the world's greatest superhero and must confront both supervillains and societal prejudices while finding her place as a hero.

Ex-Heroes by Peter Clines Superheroes protect the survivors of a zombie apocalypse in Los Angeles while dealing with their own losses and limitations.

Playing to Strengths by Laura Thalassa A villain's daughter enters superhero training school and must navigate complex relationships while questioning the true nature of good and evil.

🏴‍☠️ Author Carrie Vaughn took fencing lessons to better understand swordplay while writing Steel, learning proper techniques and terminology to make the combat scenes more authentic. ⚔️ The book was inspired by the discovery of the real-life shipwreck of the pirate ship Whydah, which sank off Cape Cod in 1717 and was found in 1984. 🌊 Many of the sailing terms and maritime details in the book are historically accurate, reflecting extensive research into 18th-century naval practices and pirate culture. ⏳ The time-travel element in Steel was partially influenced by Vaughn's love of Doctor Who and her interest in how modern teenagers might react to being suddenly thrust into historical situations. 🏆 Carrie Vaughn is best known for her Kitty Norville urban fantasy series, but Steel marked her first venture into young adult historical fantasy, combining her interests in both genres.