OSU the Empowering Teen & Young Adult Novel

OSU Book Description

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 karate school.

The dojo becomes Olive’s sanctuary, and her natural talent catches everyone’s eye—especially Boyan, the enigmatic 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 ‘Teenager’ category

Award winning empowering YA Teen fiction book novel Osu by Sensei Sarhn

What People Are Saying About OSU?

“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

“The heroine’s relationship to karate, paired with the dash of romance, social commentary, and interpersonal conflict, adds to its complexity and makes for a poignant reading experience. Sarhn skillfully conveys the subtleties and frustrations of training in martial arts, ensuring appeal to a broad range of readers, even if they’ve never set foot in a dojo.”

– BookLife Fiction Book Prize

“Osu is more than a coming-of-age novel, it’s a powerful call to strength, self-discovery, and the quiet courage of belonging. With lyrical prose and deep emotional insight, Sensei Sarhn crafts a story that is both grounded and elevated, real and transformative. Sixteen-year-old Olive is a heroine readers will root for as she navigates the complexities of identity, change, and inner power. The dojo scenes pulse with authenticity, clearly drawn from the author’s lived experience in martial arts, and every moment of challenge becomes an opportunity for growth, both on and off the mat. What makes Osu truly unforgettable is its message: greatness isn’t about being extraordinary, it’s about choosing to rise, again and again, with heart. For teens and adults alike, this is the kind of book that lingers long after the final page and reminds us that resilience is teachable, strength is a mindset, and belonging begins within.”

– Marianne Pestana, ABC Radio Show ‘Moments with Marianne’

“An empowering tale of adventure and personal growth, ‘Osu’ offers a deeply moving portrayal of self-acceptance and resilience. Truly uplifting!”

– Curtis Lewsey, coauthor of Appreciation Marketing

“Thought-provoking, empowering, uplifting and wonderfully entertaining. ‘Osu’ stands as a beacon of hope to my daughters’ generation.”

– Sherree Sparks, TV Presenter

“‘Osu’ echoes the empath’s journey with rich spiritual undertones and a path of self-awareness. A wonderful read.”

– Psychic-junkie.com

“I loved this book. It is perfect for the teen audience of self discovery….A great read!”

– Marsha Lake, coauthor of ‘Voices of the 21st Century: Women Empowered through Passion and Purpose’

“OSU is a gripping, empowering coming-of-age-tale of self-acceptance, resilience, and the transformative power of finding where you belong.
Cobra Kai, Karate Kid, and martial arts fans will definitely appreciate this story and those generally looking for an inspiring uplifting read.”

– Cobra Kai Nation

BUY Osu - the empowering ya novel
FREE Download - 4 chapters of osu
BUY Osu - the empowering ya novel
FREE Download - 4 chapters of osu