I am thrilled to be hosting a spot
on the THE LEGENDARY MO SETO by A.Y. Chan Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my
post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: THE
LEGENDARY MO SETO
Author: A.Y. Chan
Pub. Date: June
4, 2024
Publisher: Aladdin
Formats: Hardcover,
eBook
Pages: 320Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-LEGENDARY-MO-SETO
A fast-paced, high-kicking debut
that’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon meets Stand Up,
Yumi Chung as a young taekwondo artist uses an ancient book to help
save her dreams—and her father.
Twelve-year-old Modesty “Mo” Seto dreams of being a taekwondo champion. Even
though her mom disapproves, Mo can always count on her dad, who is her number
one fan and biggest supporter. Lately, Mo has been on a losing streak, and it
doesn’t help that she keeps losing to her archnemesis, Dax, who’s much bigger
than her. If only she were faster, stronger, not so petite. Mo can’t even lean
on her dad like usual with how distracted he’s been lately.
When Mo learns about the chance to audition to star alongside her idol and
legendary martial artist and movie star Cody Kwok, she knows this her chance to
prove to her dad, to the world, and to herself that she can compete with
anyone, no matter her size. Unfortunately, Dax is auditioning, too. As Mo and
her nemesis progress to callbacks, someone attempts to sabotage the movie set and
Mo’s dad disappears—and both events seem linked to a mysterious book, the Book
of Joy.
The book contains information on Xiaoxi Fu, a secret dance-like martial art
developed by Mo’s ancestral grandmother. Armed with these secret moves and an
unexpected ally, Mo embarks on a high-octane adventure to rescue her father,
save the movie, and discover an unexpected joy in being small.
Reviews:
"Action-packed
prose mimics the cinematic high-intensity atmosphere of a classic martial arts film,
while Mo’s desire to connect with her father acts as a driving force in this
adrenaline pumping series opener." ― Publishers Weekly
"Chan has created a brave, athletic girl whose realistic struggles with
her identity and what she’s capable of will resonate. Readers will find
themselves rooting for Mo’s success and enthralled with the relatable
characterization that fills the pages. An exciting mystery-adventure story that
packs a punch." ― Kirkus Reviews
Excerpt from The Legendary Mo Seto:
Chapter 1
I Am Fierce
I may be small, but I am fierce. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Over and over
again. Fierce.
“Charyeot,” the taekwondo tournament referee says in Korean. Attention.
I snap my arms to my sides.
“Kyeong-nae,” the ref says. Bow.
I turn to face my opponent, Dax Washington. His dark skin glistens with sweat. We dip our
heads.
I look up to see Dax towering over me, his eyes stormy.
It suddenly occurs to me how much “fierce” sounds like “fears.” Not that I’m scared or
anything. I’m not.
“Sijak!” The ref throws up his hand. Begin! Immediately Dax’s large fists hammer down like a
hailstorm.
Well, maybe I’m a little worried.
Dax lunges. I block his front kick with my forearm. I flinch and reel back. The ref blows his
whistle, but Dax doesn’t stop. I barely have time to move before—oof—another kick nails me in
the elbow.
Okay, fine. I’m totally panicking.
What would Cody Kwok do? My martial arts hero would never show any sign of weakness. And
neither will I.
I quickly rearrange my face to neutral.
I kick and punch, and strike and shift. We volley back and forth, each landing some blows,
blocking others. Dax’s heel smashes into my elbow, and I let out an involuntary shriek.
The whistle blows, twice this time. Finally Dax falls back. If I were refereeing, I’d give him a
penalty. But all this ref says is, “Excessive force warning, Mr. Washington. Remember to use
control.”
At least he gives Dax a You should know better look.
And Dax should know better. He’s been in my tae kwon do class twice a week, every week,
since we were five. And now that we’re twelve and junior black belts, he really has no excuse.
“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Dax smiles at the ref and bows his apology. He sounds sincere, but I know
his phony voice.
And when the ref looks down to reset his scoring box, Dax pulls a Jekyll-and-Hyde, his smile
turning into a sneer.
“You’re so gonna lose,” he says, low enough that only I can hear. “’Cause . . .”
He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over
me.
I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of
air—hisss.
Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on
size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-
and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-
nine, so I’m not holding my breath.
Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a
rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last
summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.
That’s three. Three tourneys.
Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But
in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every
day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really
does matter to him. A lot.
It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Taekwondo
Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll
show Dax.
And—I glance at the bleachers—I’ll show Dad.
“Get him, Mouse.” Dad’s ringing voice reaches my ears. There he is in the front row, as usual,
standing out in his bright red polo shirt, dancing his embarrassing dad-dance shuffle thing,
hollering his nickname for me. Mouse. Short for “Mousey,” which is what I called myself back
when pronouncing my name, Modesty, was impossible for a toddler. He’s been traveling a lot
for work the past few months, but he promised he’d be here for my big tournament, and he is.
“Bop,” Dad yells. “Pow.” He throws what looks like an awkward boxer’s jab and nearly topples
over onto my mom, sitting, prim and proper, in her flowery dress, clutching my squirming two-
year-old brother, Justis. I wince, but I also can’t help smiling.
Dad’s a jokester. With his thick hair and round, clean-shaven face, he looks much younger than
thirty-nine. He’s not a tall guy, but he’s broad shouldered with a bit of a belly, and he has a
boomingly loud voice, so he tends to stand out.
He’s also my greatest fan.
The ref calls us to attention. “Score is tied. Next point wins. Clean strikes.” He looks pointedly at
Dax. Dax scowls, but nods.
The spectators, the sounds, everything around me fades away. It’s just me and my opponent. I
pound my gloves softly together like I’m giving them fist bumps. The leather is torn and
indented from years of heavy use, but I would never dream of replacing them. Don’t let me
down, old friends.
I need to attack first, attack fast, attack with everything I’ve got.
I’m fierce.
The ref drops his hand. Dax lunges at me straightaway, an eclipse blotting out the sun.
I leap to the side, avoiding a flurry of fists. My heart pounds into my rib cage. I launch a
roundhouse combination kick, but Dax brushes it away. No points.
Dax advances slowly and steadily, a snake stalking its prey. I stare into his eyes. A flicker to
the left could give away a left axe kick a moment before it’s launched. Or a bead of sweat falling
into his eye might divert attention long enough for me to attack.
And there it is! Dax glances at something to his side.
I’m just about to spring, when I hear it.
Frenzied music punctuated by a series of doggy yelps. I recognize it instantly. The theme song
to my favorite Cody Kwok movie, Shih Tzu Ninjutsu. (What happens when the most feared ninja
assassins in the world are actually a group of shih tzu puppies, and the only warrior skilled
enough to outsmart them is severely allergic to dogs?)
Dad’s ringtone.
My foot freezes, and it all rushes back to me. The hundreds of people packed into the
bleachers. The kiyahs from fighters in other matches. The sharp scent of sweat.
I turn slightly. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dad, phone against his ear. He says something
to Mom before striding quickly to the nearest exit.
“Yaaaaaah,” Dax hollers, leaping into a push kick. The force sends me stumbling. I try to step
around him, but he’s too big, too wide. He corners me, forcing me to the very edge of the ring. I
have nowhere to go.
Fears.
My eyes flicker to Dad just as he walks through the gym door. He doesn’t look back.
What was that old Chinese proverb he used to say whenever I felt scared?
When backed against a wall, a tiger learns to fly.
Is Dad backed against a wall like I am now? Is that why he’s leaving? He promised he’d watch
my fight. . . . Under my toes I feel the plastic tape outlining the ring.
Fly, Mo!
But my feet remain rooted to the ground.
The next thing I see is Dax’s fist tearing toward my face.
My Review:
The Legendary Mo Seto intertwines a hidden martial arts style, a father's mysterious disappearance, a secret society, and familial expectations, all set on the backdrop of creating a movie. Mo at first is very focused on what she's not, that she's not tall or strong enough, or that she hasn't won first place in any of her previous taekwondo competitions. Certainly, many kids can relate to that feeling of wanting to come in first place and wanting to make your parents proud of you.
The story emphasizes that size doesn't matter, that being smarter and believing in yourself are more valuable skills. Mo's confidence grew as she studied Xiaoxi Fu, and she gained valuable insights into her family's history and the origins for the martial arts style. I also enjoyed the numerous action scenes of Mo punching, kicking, jumping and performing acrobatic moves designed to thrill and excite the reader while also illustrating that she had the skills to be a great martial artist. Mo's interaction with Nacho were really sweet and I'm happy that Dax and Mo were able to get closer by confiding in each other.
The story's conclusion sets the stage for a sequel, and I would be very interested in reading about Mo's adventures in Hong Kong while filming alongside Dax. And especially want to know how this will impact her friendship with Nacho.
About A.Y. Chan:
A. Y. Chan
grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young
adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite
genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial
arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her
martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks
to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.
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Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a finished copy of THE LEGENDARY MO SETO, US Only.
Ends July 23rd,
midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Tour Schedule:
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