In the dojo, Olive discovers her empowering strength. Outside, she faces her greatest challenge. Sixteen-year-old Olive has always been an outsider and when her family uproots her from the bustling city to sleepy Buxton, she's sure her life is over. That is, until she stumbles upon a local martial arts, karate school. The dojo becomes Olive's sanctuary, and her natural talent catches everyone's eye-especially Boyan, the enigmatic adopted son of her sensei. As Olive and Boyan's connection deepens, she realises he's fighting battles of his own. But just as Olive begins to find her footing, a devastating secret threatens everything she's built. Now, she must summon every ounce of her newfound strength to fight for her place in a world that seems determined to push her out. Osu is a gripping, empowering coming-of-age-tale of self-acceptance, resilience, and the transformative power of finding where you belong. In this unforgettable debut, Sensei Sarhn reminds us that the stories we tell ourselves can be our greatest enemy-or our most powerful ally.
2025 Wishing Shelf International Book Awards - Silver Winner in the category of 'Teens'
"Sarhn compels Olive to rely on the emotional strength and discipline she's learned in karate to finally come to terms with who she is and who she can become, a sweet moment of victory that readers will relish being part of. Osu not only captures the struggles of adolescence-both silly and monumental-but also celebrates the victory of forging one's path." - Publishers Weekly
"Cobra Kai and Karate Kid fans will definitely appreciate this story and for anyone generally looking for an inspiring and uplifting read!" - Cobra Kai Nation
"...a poignant reading experience!" - BookLife, Fiction Book Prize
