The Crossbow of Destiny

by Brandon Hoàng

Author Brandon Hoang takes readers on a high-stakes adventure through Vietnam in search of an ancient magical crossbow with the power to decimate entire armies. Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson! When Vietnamese American Freddie Lo finds herself in Vietnam for the first time since she was little, she's not quite sure how to feel. The memories of her extended family are more like distant echoes; she has a tough time speaking Vietnamese; and she can't help but feel like she just isn't Vietnamese enough. Still, this is her chance to reconnect with her family, especially her Ong ngoai -- or grandfather -- who is receiving a big award. That's when Ong ngoai reveals his He knows the location of an ancient legendary crossbow, one with the power to decimate armies -- and he's hidden it away from those who intend to use its magic for evil. But when Ong ngoai is kidnapped, it's up to Freddie, her cousin Lien, and a mysterious boy named Duy to get to the crossbow before it ends up in the wrong hands. In this Indiana Jones-style adventure, readers will travel through Vietnam -- from its seaside villages, to the swamps of the Mekong Delta, to the majestic Marble Mountains of Da Nang -- as Freddie learns what it takes to be a hero.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Audiobook, Childrens, Middle Grade Fantasy, Mythology, Adventure

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Brandon Hoàng is the author of the critically acclaimed Gloria Buenrostro is Not My Girlfriend and The Crossbow of Destiny.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Brandon grew up coveting The Baby-Sitters Club books and slurping noodles. Before he was a writer, Brandon spent 10 years as an animation executive.

Now a television writer by day and novelist by night, he currently resides in Portland, OR with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Mai H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day 2025 #1

Sophomore book slump? We don't know her.

Freddie is a Vietnamese American growing up in the US. On a return visit to Vietnam, she is retold the legend of the Crossbow of Destiny. But surely, legends aren't real? It turns out this one is, and her Ông Ngoại has a few secrets up his sleeves.

While this book is about a quest, it is also about family. Anyone with a gigantic Vietnamese family will know, they are all up in your business, and may be haters, but no one will do more for you. I speak from experience. Sometimes it's too much.

This cover is next level. I'm not known for wearing a lot of color, so if you see me buying a custom yellow áo dài made in Hội An, mind your own business. Speaking of Hội An, and Vietnam in general, I will be going for the first time very soon if you have travel recommendations. Much appreciated.

I'm known for being just a tad more lenient with my MG reads than those that are YA. I'm very far removed from my MG years, but I would have killed for a book like this growing up. I talk about the pains of growing up Vietnamese American in a predominantly white area in a lot of my reviews, but as this was a large part of my past, I feel like it plays in to who I am as a person.

📖 Thank you to Brandon and Scholastic Press

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great middle grade fantasy that is perfect for those that are just getting started with the genre. It introduced me to a aspect of Vietnamese folklore that I wasn't familiar with prior to my read. I highly recommend listening to this one on audio. If you're interested in hearing more of my thoughts about this one, be sure to check out my full review here: https://youtu.be/ipIX3aedY1o?si=4Y8Zq...

[Peter DiCicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vietnamese Raiders of the Lost Arc is apt but still doesn’t quite do it justice. Knowing next to nothing about Vietnam and its legends, I felt I got a beautifully painted picture of the country and its culture, particularly the family life. The characters are as lovingly portrayed as the rich world is, particularly the bond between cousins Freddie and Liên. A good adventure can’t be truly great without great characters to follow and root for on that adventure. Maybe I’m just a sucker for long distant cousins with a close bond, but they are the soul of the story. Now, I can’t wait to read it again with my kiddo.

[Caitlin Kehoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action-packed, sentimental tale for anyone who loves/d getting into epic shenanigans with their cousins. We get to see smartypants cousins Freddie and Lien develop bravery and grit and learn to believe in and trust themselves. Rich, sensory descriptions of Vietnamese landscapes and culture create an atmosphere you can feel. A beautiful story of adventure, family bonds, and doing what you know is right. Loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTC

[Van-Anh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d had a book like this growing up 🥹

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for a copy of this story.
First of all, I really liked it.
Lots of meticulous descriptions and details.
The beginning of the story was a lot. A lot of information really fast, but the payoff was great. The information and background was really needed, I feel.

“The heroes that stand the test of time are the ones who have been able to shift their perspective—to see clearly, they have an uncanny ability to see their loved ones for who they truly are and what they are capable of.”

Mic drop.

Two points of the story:
-The need and greed for power is ultimately your downfall.
-Family is everything.

Really makes you reflect on your life.

I really wish I was more accustomed or aware of Vietnamese cultures and customs. I could’ve vibed a lot more with some moments, but this story does do a good job of introducing you to it or giving you some nostalgia if you are familiar.

I recommend to people who like stories about adventure and mythology.

[Tim H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to have your mind blown on this wild adventure!

[vi_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an amazing action adventure novel featuring cool vietnamese folklore, mouthwatering descriptions of my favorite comfort foods, and beautiful scenes from vietnam <3 thank you Brandon for writing the book of my childhood dreams!!!

[Jen Nishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the mix of adventure and treasure hunting and Viet folklore in this book. I loved the characters and the setting and the descriptions of the food just made me hungry. A great read that I think the kids will love.

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this on a road trip with my kids, ages 12-18. They loved it! I let them rate it.

[Matilda Fair · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING!!!I recommend it for kids like me who love fantasy!!!!!!!

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Freddie Lo has struggled with finding her place ever since she left her family in Vietnam when she was five years old. Now that her Vietnamese mother and American father are separated, she somehow thought that returning to Vietnam would put paid to the feelings of only part-belonging, but being surrounded by people who spoke a language she only imperfectly understood did not help. She thought she could count on her cousin Lien, but that relationship has changed in ways Freddie doesn't understand. Still, when she finds herself living out the consequences of an ancient Vietnamese tale, Freddy soon finds who her real family and friends are. I really enjoyed the feel of both ancient and modern Vietnam in this story and found the glossary moderately helpful.

[Paul A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that young adult fiction inspired by various cultures around the world are having a "moment" right now, because it lets me experience other people's lives and cultures with a sense of wonder and curiosity that other forms of media don't necessarily evoke. This book is a great example of that genre, blending adventure, mythology, and cultural experience.

[Jiyoung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandon Hoang’s chapter book The Crossbow of Destiny offers a thoughtful exploration for children grappling with multiple identities. As someone who struggled to understand my identity, I wish I had a book like this to help me navigate my identity crisis. Through the eyes of the main character, Freddie, young readers can relate to the complexities of living between two cultures.

In the story, Freddie feels insecure about her Vietnamese heritage, especially her inability to speak Vietnamese fluently with her relatives. Her trip to Vietnam becomes a pivotal moment of self-discovery, as she navigates a world that is both unfamiliar and yet oddly familiar. Along the way, Freddie encounters Vietnamese legends and folktales shared by her grandpa, which adds an intriguing cultural layer to the story. I found myself wondering whether these legends were real, and it was this mix of cultural exploration and personal growth that kept me hooked.

Hoang’s writing made me reflect on what I would do in Freddie’s shoes—how I would navigate relationships with relatives I admire, face challenges with courage, and decide whether to follow or create my destiny. The book has a cinematic quality, reminiscent of a Pixar movie, where a young protagonist learns to carve their path.

The book’s cover also added to its appeal, perfectly capturing the adventurous and cultural spirit of the story. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of Vietnamese words throughout the book, which is a great way for children learning the language to practice reading and engage with Vietnamese culture.
I highly recommend The Crossbow of Destiny to any child who feels uncertain about their heritage or struggles to understand how it fits into their identity. Hoang’s story provides a compassionate and adventurous framework to help children explore who they are and where they come from.

#ReadYourWorld #Gifted

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a different type of book based on the cover and blurb. I anticipated something more along the lines of books under the Rick Riordan umbrella.
If you go in expecting that, you might be disappointed by the role of magic and mythical beings. However, if you're expecting an Indiana Jones-esque adventure full of action, travel, humor, mystery, and the intersection of myth and history, then you've found the right book! This is a shorter read with the kind of action and suspense that has you starting a new chapter three chapters after the one you swore was the last of the night.

In the midst of all this is also Freddie's internal quest. In Vietnam after many years away, she feels disconnected from the language and the big family she considers home. Compared to her straight-A, responsible cousin Liên, Freddie constantly feels like she doesn't measure up. I loved Freddie and Liên's dynamic, and we learn that Liên has so much more to her than being the "good" or "smart" one. These cousins love each other, and they also have to learn to know each other as they are now and not as they were as little kids.

I loved the detailed descriptions of Vietnam – the country, the people, and the delicious food. These cultural details are seamlessly woven into the narrative without interrupting the flow of the story. There were things I looked up while reading, and I think many of them are things that many of my Vietnamese American students will be delighted to come across.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy of the text. This book is going to the classroom library and might also make it into my hero's journey unit in ELA.

[Molly]

Fantastic middle grade fantasy with characters and a setting that explode off the page. The Crossbow of Destiny tells the story of Vietnamese American teen Freddie who travels with her mom to Vietnam to visit extended family, including her closest friend and cousin, Lien. Freddie struggles with remembering Vietnamese and how to fit in with her family who lives in Vietnam, while she has grown up primarily in the US.

After a party celebrating her grandfather's work and subsequent retirement, Freddie learns of the history of a magical crossbow from an ancient Vietnamese legend when her grandfather is kidnapped by people seeking to use the crossbow's power for evil. Freddie and Lien, along with a mysterious new friend named Duy, must step into their powers and learn to work together to rescue their grandfather and to keep the crossbow from falling into the wrong hands.

Prior to reading this, I was not familiar with Vietnamese ancient history and mythology. This was a great introduction and a lovely world to step into. I will be recommending this to my library kids who love Percy Jackson and are thirsty for more mythology stories. I hope there is more to come from these characters!

I was provided with a copy of this book by the author for Multicultural Children's Book Day in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. #ReadYourWorld

[J. Z. Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute and wholesome MG fantasy about familial love conquering all.

This felt a little bit like a point-and-click adventure game with the kids finding creative solutions in their environment to overcome challenges (mostly) nonviolently, which I loved. There were also lots of sweet moments in which Freddie’s family reminds her that they love and accept her exactly as she is.

I do kind of wonder how the novel as a whole, and especially the subplot which is a thinly veiled metaphor for breaking the cycle of abuse, would land for a kid whose family isn’t super loving. Is the idea that our parents don’t really want to abuse us and we can ”fix them” instantly if we are kind and brave enough a sweet wish fulfillment, or is it cruel?

Overall, I’m glad this book exists and I enjoyed it greatly. I think I just wish there had been an epilogue from Duy’s POV or something.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced, action packed adventure that had me on the edge from the very beginning. Freddie and Liên are characters you quickly grow to love and root for, and I love their strong cousin bond. It was also fun to see them slowly learn to trust Duy, which no spoilers about how that turns out! I loved the message her ông ngoại sends about the power and evolving nature of storytelling and folktales, and how those stories were reflected in this one.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful combination of Vietnamese culture and an unexpected hero’s quest to save the world.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Crossbow of Destiny starts off with a bang — a Vietnamese ruler saves his kingdom with a magical crossbow, but the power goes to his head, and everyone he loves ends up dead. Fast forward 2000ish years and Freddie must find the same crossbow and save her grandfather.

This adventure-filled story is fast-paced and full of surprises.

Author Brandon Hoang’s writing is clear and accessible. His pacing is strong and his ability to set a scene makes you want to visit Vietnam. The sights, smells and sounds are all there.

I read an advanced copy that didn’t have a glossary, but the final copies do. This is a great addition for kids not familiar with Vietnamese. Although, Hoang does provide a lot of context around that vocabulary making it fairly easy to understand what’s going on.

At approximately 250 pages, The Crossbow of Destiny is a good length for middle-of-the-road middle readers. It’s a strong standalone novel that will appeal to a large cross-section of readers.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes it's hard to tell if the reason I didn't fall in love with a book has more to do with me and my state of mind or with the book itself. This struck me as typical of the genre of middle grade fantasy novels drawing from the mythologies of different countries. I think this may be the first I've read based on Vietnamese mythology which is a definite plus.

The plot and the writing of solid. This is a book that will find an audience among middle grade readers but it didn't rise to the top for me.

Review based on a digital ARC received through Edelweiss+.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

My official review: “THE CROSSBOW OF DESTINY is the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud funny and Indiana Jones adventure. Freddie is a delightful character, all at once a kid figuring out how to be both Vietnamese and American and also a bold heroine I would follow into the jungle any time!”

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

I enjoyed the character of Freddie, and was especially interested in her interactions with her Ông ngoại (grandfather), as well as the traveling around Vietnam.

A good choice if culturally connected fantasy novels circulate well in your middle school library.

[Brandon Hoàng · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book and worked really hard on it.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the audiobook. Story wise I think it lags in the middle.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this lags a bit in the middle. the audiobook was great!

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute and adventurous vietnamese book <3