Growing up in the ’90s, I couldn’t find books featuring characters that looked like me, written by people who looked like me. Maybe some existed, but I didn’t know about them.
As a child who loved books with magic in them, I devoured science fiction and fantasy novels. And I wish that I had books about Asians characters, written by Asian authors. Such books would have taught me that (1) Asians can write books, (2) Asians can write about Asians, and (3) Asians can feature as the protagonists of their own stories.
I know it’s general to lump Asian authors together. Even within the Chinese community, people grow up with different experiences. My brother and I were raised in the same household, but we came out of our shared experiences with different worldviews. Please don’t take these list as a catch all, be all for books by authors of East Asian descent. There are many other great works and writers out there.
Set in Another World
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
Synopsis: Feeling hemmed in by household rules and resentful of endless chores, Min wants nothing more than to follow her older brother, Jun, into the Space Forces and explore the Thousand Worlds. Then she learns that officials suspect Jun of deserting his post in search of the Dragon Pearl. Desperate to clear his name, Min runs away to find him. Her question will call for cleverness, bravery, and fox-magic.
Why I recommend it: The world building is phenomenal, and family is central to the plot. Dragon Pearl was one of my favorite reads of 2019.
The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao
Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Faryn Liu dreams of honoring her family and the gods by becoming a warrior. Her dreams seem to come true when she defeats a demon and learns that she might be the fabled Heaven Breaker, a powerful warrior meant to work for the all-mighty deity, the Jade Emperor. All she needs to do is prove her worth and find the island of the immortals before the Lunar New Year.
Why I recommend it: A story that takes us through various Chinatowns across the States? Yes, please! As half of a brother-sister duo, I love that this book features a sibling relationship. I also love that it features a band of unlikely heroes.
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa
Synopsis: Half kitsune, half human, Yumeko possesses a skill with illusion matched only by her penchant for mischief. After the brutal slaughter of her adoptive family, she flees for her life with their greatest treasure—a fragment of the ancient scroll that holds the power to claim the dragon’s wish. Fate leads her to Kage Tatsumi, a mysterious samurai under orders to retrieve the fragments of the scroll. Desperate to survive, Yumeko forms an uneasy alliance with him, little knowing that her secrets hold the key to the fate of the world itself.
Why I recommend it: Inuyasha meets Ruruoni Kenshin meets Dragon Ball. This is my favorite book to recommend to anime fans.
Serpentine by Cindy Pon
Synopsis: By day, Skybright serves as a companion and handmaid to the youngest daughter of an affluent family. But nighttime brings with it troubling changes that not even daybreak can quell. As Skybright struggles to retain her sense of self, she falls in love for the first time.
Why I want to read it: The full synopsis indicates that this book draws from Chinese folklore. Skybright’s story is also one with which teens can relate: the growing sense of otherness and the struggle to discover one’s identity.
Urban Fantasy
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Synopsis: All Jin Wang wants is to fit in at school. The Monkey King wants to be hailed as a god. Danny wants to live his all-American life—without his crazy cousin Chin-Kee ruining it. Three apparently unrelated tales come together in a modern fable.
Why I recommend it: Gene Luen Yang captures the American Born Chinese experience—the sense of having two separate lives, one at home and one at school, the feeling that one doesn’t entirely belong in either culture, the struggle to form one’s identity. I wish that, growing up, I had this book to tell me that I wasn’t alone. That someone else knew what I was going through.
The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
Synopsis: Convinced that her mother, who committed suicide, turned into a bird, Leigh Chen Sanders travels to Taiwan in search of her mother’s spirit. During her search, she uncovers family secrets and forges a new relationship with her maternal grandparents.
Why I recommend it: Leigh Chen Sanders provides an example of an Asian who is an artist, and much of this book takes place in Taiwan. Growing up, I thought that it was normal for Chinese Americans to become doctors and lawyers (because everyone around me said so). I thought Chinese Americans didn’t become artists. We need examples of people who look like us pursuing a variety of dreams. And as someone whose family comes from Taiwan, I love that this book takes us there.
The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Yee
Synopsis: Genie Lo is one among droves of Ivy-hopeful overachievers in her sleepy Bay Area suburb. But when her hometown comes under siege from hellspawn straight out of Chinese folklore, acing the SATs becomes the list of her worries—for the fates of her friends, family, and the entire Bay Area all rest on her ability to summon an inner power strong enough to level the gates of Heaven. If only she can figure out how to tap into it.
Why I want to read it: I can relate to the pressure of trying to get into a good school (which, in Asian parent terms, means an Ivy-League level education). I also used to live in the Bay Area, so I hope to see places I recognize in the book!
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret—she’s a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. After feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she rescues the boy and, in the process, loses her fox bead—her gumiho soul. With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung must choose between Jihoon’s life and her immortal life.
Why I recommend it: I love how Kat Cho blends Korean mythology and modern culture. This book felt like a Korean drama written for a teen audience.
Works in Translation
The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi
Synopsis: Elin’s mother served as a caretaker for the fearsome water serpents that form the core of their kingdom’s army. After her mother’s sudden death, Elin’s questions about her mother’s life choices lead her to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a caretaker of beasts. Her decision leads her into deadly plots as others seek to exploit her knowledge.
Why I recommend it: I watched and loved the anime. While this book reads like the telling of a legend, and explores the consequences of the pursuit of knowledge, it includes many slice-of-life moments. Animal lovers will enjoy the bonds that Elin forms with the beasts that come into her life.
Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono
Synopsis: Half-witch Kiki flies to the seaside village of Koriko, where she expects to spend her thirteenth year helping people with her powers. As she works to gain the locals’ trust, and forges new friendships, she learns that magic can be found in even the most ordinary places
Why I recommend it: Growing up, I loved the Studio Ghibli film. Fellow Studio Ghibli fans will enjoy discovering the differences between the book and film—there are notable differences—and falling in love with the world and characters all over again.
Let’s Chat
Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts?
What books would you add to this list?
This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, and Discussion Challenge, hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction and It Starts at Midnight
Louise @ Monstrumology says
I’ve been looking for more SFF books by Asian authors so your recs are very handy for me! 😀 Shadow of the Fox has been on my TBR for a while and I’m about to start the third book in Julie Kagawa’s Talon series so I’ll have to get a copy of Shadow of the Fox sometime soon 😀
Crystal says
I loved Shadow of the Fox. I hope that you enjoy it!
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight says
This is a wonderful list! I just bought The Astonishing Color of After, and my daughter has Genie Lo which I hope for us to start together soon! Thanks for sharing these!
Crystal says
I hope that you enjoy The Astonishing Color of After and Genie Lo!
Eustacia Tan says
I didn’t know that The Beast Player was an anime! I will have to look for it!
Crystal says
I loved the anime. I hope you enjoy it!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
I’ve read several of these and really loved them. The Beast Player is on my TBR – need to read that one soon!
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy The Beast Player, Nicole!
Beth W says
Thanks for these! I’ve only heard of about half of them. I don’t tend to read MG (I like my YA generally on the most mature-themes/gritty end of the spectrum) but I’m curious to check some of these out and boost the signal on them.
Crystal says
I hope you find books to love from this list, Beth!
Natalie Aguirre says
I adopted my daughter from China in 1998, and there weren’t any books with characters who looked like her either. I’m glad that’s changing. I loved The Dragon Warrior, but haven’t read the other books on your list. One of my favorite Asian authors is Marie Lu. Natalie @ Literary Rambles
Crystal says
Yes, it’s wonderful that we’re getting more books by and about Asians and other marginalized groups! I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read from Marie Lu!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says
Shadow of the Fox is one that’s been on my radar!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Crystal says
Shadow of the Fox is fantastic. I hope you enjoy it!