I enjoy retellings and stories that take place on the sea are exciting for me to read. This opening scene is excellent and kept me reading. I enjoyed the immediate peril facing the crew as well as a female captain--yes! And this brave captain also showed the tenderness of being a mom that captured my heart. Then the first chapter gave me an authentic POV character in my favorite first person. I already love Xiang's spunk, love of learning and reading, and desire to break free of society's expectations of women. I can't wait to read more of this book.