The Crossbow of Destiny by Brando Hoang

What worked:

The whole story is immersed in Vietnamese culture. The opening pages present a folktale about a magical crossbow. The king makes a deal with a turtle-god to protect his realm but he eventually becomes greedy and won’t fulfill his part of the deal. Obviously, bad things result and the crossbow becomes legendary. The author includes an abundance of information about Vietnam through clothing, food, rituals, landmarks, and language. Readers get help with understanding new vocabulary since Freddie, the main character, has forgotten much of it since moving to America. There’s also a glossary at the end of the book. Freddie’s cousin Lien is very helpful with explaining unknown ideas or language. Freddie’s grandfather is retiring after a long career as an archaeologist and his research into Vietnam’s history and culture is important in the overall plot.

The cousins are each dealing with their own internal conflicts that trouble them throughout the book. Freddie has forgotten much of her Vietnamese past since she moved to America and it frustrates her. There are glimpses of memories but she still feels disconnected from her relatives. She thinks she’s disappointing them and her poor speech is embarrassing. Lien has always been a straight-A student and everyone expects her to be perfect. Her parents don’t want her taking risks and they expect her to obediently follow the rules. Lien feels stifled and irritated and she wants more freedom and respect. The unsettled feelings of Freddie and Lien eventually create friction between the two cousins.

The plot becomes an adventure into the wilds of Vietnam when Freddie, Lien, and a boy named Duy traverse the country to rescue Freddie’s grandfather. They’re forced to find refuge in the jungle where they encounter vicious animals and a harsh environment. Meager rations force them to use their ingenuity to survive while also being on the lookout for dangerous henchmen. The success of their mission is dependent on their ability to decode a folktale and a diary to locate the Crossbow of Destiny. However, how can they expect to uncover the secrets when no one else has for thousands of years.

What didn’t work as well:

In some sections, the Vietnamese facts become informational and may distract from the plot. It’s not a big deal and may not bother all readers.

The final verdict:

This book shares an exciting adventure into Southeast Asia in a country that’s not often highlighted. Vietnam offers a unique culture and setting that should appeal to lovers of folklore and legends. Overall, I recommend you give this book a shot.