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The Lost Imperial Seal: A Treasure Hunt Novel of an Asian Canadian in Taiwan Paperback – June 10, 2021
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Described as “The Da Vinci Code meets Bruce Lee.” Perfect for readers seeking for an adrenaline-pumping journey filled with heart-stopping suspense, cinematic thrills, and authentic multicultural representations.
Carved out of a mythical jade disk in the mid 8th century. The symbol of the first Dragon Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. The legitimizing device of the Throne—the Heirloom Seal of the Realm.
Sebastian Lee, a recent college graduate, decides to take a gap year and teach English in Taiwan, to escape the mundane corporate nine-to-five job that awaits him upon graduation.
However, when an earthquake strikes on Mid-Autumn Festival night, one of Sebastian's students—an old enigmatic Chinese Civil War veteran in his dying breath—shares the secret of the long-lost ancient artifact with him. "Accidentally" promising to help, Sebastian is suddenly catapulted into an unforeseen whirlwind of a perilous treasure hunt.
Aided by his best friend Jack and the captivating Audrey, they embark on a high-stakes race spanning the landscapes of Taiwan. Together, they must decode cryptic clues, decipher perplexing puzzles, and confront unknown adversaries lurking in the shadows. Along the way, shocking secrets are uncovered, including a web of national and international conspiracies.
Why is the Heirloom Seal of the Realm hidden in Taiwan? Who hid it and why? And why would Sebastian’s failure to find the Heirloom Seal influence the future of Taiwan’s freedom and democracy?
This is the first book in the Sebastian Lee series, breaking new ground as one of the first action-adventure novels written in the voice of an AAPI protagonist.
Praise for the Lost Imperial Seal:
“Amazing fight scenes… one of the few writers who’s actually knowledgeable in MMA.”
“A page turner… I thought I'd just watched a Hollywood thriller...”
“Laugh-your-butt-off humour!”
“Finally an action-adventure novel by an AAPI writer.”
“Part adventure story, part Taiwan travel guide…”
Don’t miss out on this epic adventure—if you enjoyed the exhilarating treasure hunts of Dan Brown, the gripping prose of Stephen King, and the vivid martial arts fight scenes of Jin Yong, then this is the book for you.
Grab your copy of The Lost Imperial Seal and prepare for a thrilling rollercoaster ride that will leave you yearning for more.
- Print length364 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJune 10, 2021
- Reading age13 - 18 years
- Dimensions5.25 x 0.82 x 8 inches
- ISBN-13979-8509085895
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more
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From the Publisher



Product details
- ASIN : B096TL7LKQ
- Publisher : Independently published
- Publication date : June 10, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 364 pages
- ISBN-13 : 979-8509085895
- Item Weight : 1.09 pounds
- Reading age : 13 - 18 years
- Dimensions : 5.25 x 0.82 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,332,574 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #103 in Teen & Young Adult Martial Arts Fiction
- #140 in Taiwan Travel Guides
- #261 in Teen & Young Adult Art Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

C. H. Henry Hsu is a Canadian novelist who writes action-adventure stories with multicultural representations. He aims to challenge stereotypes. He wants every reader from any background to see a positive representation of him or herself in his stories.
Born in Taiwan, raised in Toronto—the most culturally diverse city in the world—his environments enabled him to write with a more authentic multicultural perspective.
His debut novel is The Lost Imperial Seal, one of the world’s first action-adventure novels written from the perspective of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders). It is funny, fast-paced, and easy to read.
Henry lives in Toronto with his wife and son.
Customer reviews
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonReviews with images

Best Read of 2021 and there’s nothing else like it!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseHighly recommended and a truly enjoyable read! Doesn’t matter if you are from Taiwan, have been to Taiwan, or just curious about Taiwan, this is the perfect novel to indulge in. Beautifully scripted scenes take you wonder by wonder into a country that is so rich in culture and uniquely its own. The locals will smile at the all-too-familiar nostalgia of Taiwanese everyday settings while those foreign to the culture will be taken on a guided journey to the delightful island of Taiwan. The author cleverly weaves historic background and cultural practices into a captivating adventure that is easy to follow and hard to put down. Readers beware, you will find yourself binging the book and craving for a sequel soon! My favorite book in 2021 hands down.
5.0 out of 5 starsHighly recommended and a truly enjoyable read! Doesn’t matter if you are from Taiwan, have been to Taiwan, or just curious about Taiwan, this is the perfect novel to indulge in. Beautifully scripted scenes take you wonder by wonder into a country that is so rich in culture and uniquely its own. The locals will smile at the all-too-familiar nostalgia of Taiwanese everyday settings while those foreign to the culture will be taken on a guided journey to the delightful island of Taiwan. The author cleverly weaves historic background and cultural practices into a captivating adventure that is easy to follow and hard to put down. Readers beware, you will find yourself binging the book and craving for a sequel soon! My favorite book in 2021 hands down.Best Read of 2021 and there’s nothing else like it!
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021
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- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022Format: KindleThis book was literally incredible. I love the main characters and how their personalities intertwine. I LOVE adventure books and this has to be one of the best. The story for me right away grabs my attention with the beginning. The main character has a likeable personality and is easy to understand. I'm not really good at explaining why I love this book so I'm gonna keep it simple. Story line is easy to follow has a nice flow. Love the picture this book paints. I literally got extremely depressed when I finished the book because I felt I was with the main characters and we were friends! TO THE AUTHOR: THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK! ❤
4.0 out of 5 starsThis book was literally incredible. I love the main characters and how their personalities intertwine. I LOVE adventure books and this has to be one of the best. The story for me right away grabs my attention with the beginning. The main character has a likeable personality and is easy to understand. I'm not really good at explaining why I love this book so I'm gonna keep it simple. Story line is easy to follow has a nice flow. Love the picture this book paints. I literally got extremely depressed when I finished the book because I felt I was with the main characters and we were friends! TO THE AUTHOR: THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK! ❤BEST BOOK IVE READ IN 5 YEARS
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
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Top reviews from other countries
- JessReviewed in Canada on April 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun & engrossing read
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI started reading this before my trip to Taiwan and am so glad I did. It was so exciting both to connect in person with the places in the book and to experience Taiwan through the eyes of its characters. It was an easy read (and at times even felt like watching a movie!) and hard to put down. The characters were likeable and relatable. The action was compelling. And I actually learned a fair bit about Taiwan! As a Taiwanese Canadian, it means so much to me that this book is out there. I hope the author writes more!
- Kathy LinReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 7, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars Easy Sunday Read
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseFantastic read- fun insights into Taiwanese culture from the perspective of a Taiwanese Canadian!
- Andrew LReviewed in Canada on July 16, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic adventure through Taiwan, with very relatable protagonists!
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThe Lost Imperial Seal was a thrilling and light-hearted read that captivated me the entire time! The author’s protagonist, Sebastian Lee, was certainly very relatable to me as a Toronto kid and MMA enthusiast myself. Sebastian and Jack’s gap year adventure also brought back some great but also anxious memories of my own Asia travels and soul-searching after university (though mine was not nearly as exciting as theirs!). The book also felt like my very own travel adventure guide and nostalgic walk, as the author does a great job in helping the reader understand the culture as well as to visualize Taiwan’s cities, rural areas, and landscapes. I cannot wait to enjoy another cup of tea at the A-MEI Tea House and perhaps be reading a sequel by C.H. Henry at the same time!
- Po LReviewed in Canada on July 17, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely captivating!
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA great novel. The author keeps the reader captivated as it guides the reader through Taiwanese history and culture. The novel takes the reader along the exhilarating journey of Sebastian with unexpected twists and turns in each corner. A great read for those who love historical fiction and adventure stories. Would recommend.
- M HoReviewed in Canada on July 25, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable adventure to read!
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA great novel that keeps you on your toes. Great attention to describing the places and action scenes in detail. Definitely can't wait for a movie adaptation. Two thumbs up.