A very well done twist on a classic

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C.B. Lee did a phenomenal job taking all the familiar elements of Treasure Island and transporting them into a very different culture and setting. Part of the fun of reading A Clash of Steel was realizing when scenes or moments were the transformed version of the original and seeing how well it was done. It's not an exact translation, but a reimagining that feels both original and familiar.
Xiang is an interesting character whose ignorance of the world she's entered into is a great way to introduce the reader to the world the story takes place in. She starts the adventure knowing nothing practical about the world in general and the sea in particular, and her experiences help the reader learn along with her.
Anh, on the other hand, feels a bit half-formed because she seems to be a part of the mystery that Xiang is out to solve. She felt, at times, like the stereotypical manic pixie dream girl, an element to move the main character to act but not important enough to get fully developed.
Overall, this is a pirate adventure in the most classic sense that gets an update with a new setting. It's a classical adventure story that introduces Asian elements very successfully to create a whole new, enjoyable story.