The OSU Rising Series Continues: New Empowering Teen Fiction Arriving This October
The search for the standout upcoming inspiring YA fiction 2026 list officially has its next major contender.
Empowering Books is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated release of YAME, the second installment in the critically acclaimed OSU Rising series by Australian author and martial arts instructor, Sensei Sarhn. Following the success of the award-winning debut novel OSU, this brand-new contemporary coming-of-age story returns to the dojo to deliver a masterclass in emotional authenticity, resilience, and personal growth.
The Story: Everything She Wanted. Everything to Lose.
Olive has never felt physically stronger, but as her final year of high school approaches, she hits an overachiever’s wall. She is desperately trying to balance demanding athletic training, a boyfriend, schoolwork, and her close friendships.
The pressure mounts when a new boy enters her world, and a stranger surfaces carrying secrets that threaten to unearth everything Olive and Boyan thought they knew about their pasts. As she prepares for the biggest fight of her life—on the exact same competitive stage her mother once stood on—Olive realises that her hardest battle won’t take place on the karate mats.
Why Readers Are Falling in Love with the OSU Fandom?
In a market saturated with fantasy tropes, YAME stands out as a grounded, real-world narrative that prioritises character depth over shock value. Early beta readers are already hooked, praising the intense arcs and family dynamics:
“We are truly hooked on the OSU Fandom!” — Mother & Daughter Beta Readers
“I am eager to see where the relationship between Sebastian and Olive goes.”
— 18-Year-Old Beta Reader
For parents, educators, and young adults seeking highly compelling, “no-spice” fiction, YAME hits the perfect sweet spot. It delivers an uplifting, heart-pounding narrative driven by timeless tropes like found family, the inner warrior, and the difficult choices of the coming-of-age crossroads.
Key Publishing & Release Dates
Mark your calendars so you don’t miss a single milestone of this major 2026 launch:
- July 21, 2026: Deadline to secure an early copy of YAME (see below)
- October 1, 2026: Digital & Physical Pre-Orders Open Worldwide
- October 23, 2026: Official Launch Day (Paperback, Hardcover, & Ebook formats)
- Coming in 2027: The Official YAME Unabridged Audiobook
How to Read YAME Early for Free?
You don’t have to wait until October to find out what happens next in Olive’s journey. Sensei Sarhn is officially inviting her Inner Circle newsletter members to apply for the exclusive YAME Launch Team on the last Thursday of July.
Anyone who signs up for the Inner Circle before July 21st, 2026, will receive a direct invitation to join the Launch Team, granting them the unique opportunity to claim a free digital advance review copy (ARC) before it hits the shelves.
Secure your spot in the dojo and experience the most upcoming inspiring YA fiction 2026 has in store. Join Sensei Sarhn’s Inner Circle today!
Official Novel Details
Author: Sensei Sarhn
Publisher: Empowering Books
ISBN Paperback: 978-1-7636312-4-3
ISBN Hardcover: 978-1-7636312-5-0
ISBN Ebook: 978-1-7636312-6-7
ISBN Audiobook (coming in 2027): 978-1-7636312-7-4
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