Today, the #WyrdAndWonder prompt is to share books on your TBR. Since May is also AAPI month, I’m sharing 12 recently released or forthcoming fantasy books by Asian Authors on my TBR!
12 Fantasy Books by Asian Authors on My TBR
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution by R. F. Kuang
1828. Robin Swift, a Chinese boy orphaned by cholera, is brought to London, where he eventually enrolls in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation — also known as Babel. Babel is the world’s center of silver-working, the art of manifesting the meaning lost in translation through enchanted silver bars, to magical effect. As his studies progress, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes Society, an organization dedicated to sabotaging the silver-working that supports imperial expansion. When Britain pursues an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must decide what is he willing to sacrifice to bring Babel down.
Why I Want to Read It: It grapples with student revolutions, colonial resistance, and the use of translation as a tool of empire. And I believe that these are topics that we desperately need to address. Plus, it’s a dark academia novel! With a Chinese protagonist!
The Tensorate Series by Neon Yang
The Tensorate #1–4
These four novellas trace the generational decline of an empire and unfurl a world that is rich and strange beyond anything you’ve dreamed. Here, you will find: rebellious nonbinary scions of empire, sky-spanning nagas with experimental souls, revolutionary engineers bent on bringing power to the people, pugilist monks, packs of loyal raptors, and much, much more.
Why I Want to Read It: The world looks fascinating, with much to explore. And there’s something about the decline of an empire, or any great power, that tugs at my heartstrings. It makes me ask the question why? And how?
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
Jessamyn Teoh is closeted, broke and moving back to Malaysia, a country she left when she was a toddler. Then she starts hearing a strange voice which claims to be the ghost of her estranged grandmother, Ah Ma. In life Ah Ma was a spirit medium, the avatar of a mysterious deity called the Black Water Sister. Now she’s determined to settle a score against a gang boss who has offended the god—and she’s decided Jess is going to help her do it. If she fails, the Black Water Sister may finish her off for good.
Why I Want to Read It: Gods, ghosts, and family secrets. Plus, it takes place in a Southeast Asian country.
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Jordan Baker grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society—she has money, education, a killer golf handicap, and invitations to some of the most exclusive parties of the Jazz Age. She’s also queer, Asian, adopted, and treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her. But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.
Why I Want to Read It: First, I loved Nghi Vo’s debut novella, The Empress of Salt and Fortune. (And I’m sure I’ll love its sequel and anything from Vo.) Second, this book reimagines The Great Gatsby with an Asian-immigrant protagonist—and magic.
City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty
The Daevabad Trilogy #1
18th century Cairo. Nahri is a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles. But when she accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. And in Daevabad, the legendary city of brass, old resentments are simmering. Upon entering this world, she will learn true power is fierce and brutal, magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics, and even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.
Why I Want to Read It: I’ve heard great things about this novel.
Fireheart Tiger by Aliette de Bodard
As a child, quiet, thoughtful princess Thanh was sent away as a hostage to the powerful faraway country of Ephteria. Now she’s returned to her mother’s imperial court, haunted by memories of her time abroad. Thanh’s new role as a diplomat places her in the path of her first love, the powerful and magnetic Eldris of Ephteria, who won’t take no for an answer. Can Thanh find the freedom to shape her country’s fate—and her own?
Why I Want to Read It: Fireheart Tiger is described as a romantic fantasy that reads like The Goblin Emperor meets Howl’s Moving Castle in a pre-colonial Vietnamese-esque world. I’ve heard great things about the former, and I love Howl’s Moving Castle. Plus, I have a soft spot for quiet protagonists.
The eight stories in this new book are all told in the first person by a classic Murakami narrator. From memories of youth, meditations on music, and an ardent love of baseball, to dreamlike scenarios and invented jazz albums, together these stories challenge the boundaries between our minds and the exterior world. Occasionally, a narrator may or may not be Murakami himself. Is it memoir or fiction? The reader decides. Philosophical and mysterious, the stories in First Person Singular all touch beautifully on love and solitude, childhood and memory. . . all with a signature Murakami twist.
Why I Want to Read It: I’ve seen Murakami’s writing described as surrealism and magical realism. And I love stories that surprise me!
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Burning Kingdoms #1
Malini, a captive princess, seeks to depose her dictator brother from his throne. Priya, a maidservant in possession of forbidden magic, searches for her family. After Malini accidentally bears witness to Priya’s true nature, two become unlikely allies on a dark journey to save their empire from the princess’s traitor brother.
Why I Want to Read It: First, I’ve heard great things about Tasha Suri’s debut duology. Second, this novel is inspired by the history and epics of India. Third, the plot sounds epic.
Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw
A Heian-era mansion stands abandoned, its foundations resting on the bones of a bride and its walls packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company. It’s the perfect wedding venue for a group of thrill-seeking friends. But a night of food, drinks, and games quickly spirals into a nightmare. For lurking in the shadows is the ghost bride with a black smile and a hungry heart. And she gets lonely down there in the dirt.
Why I Want to Read It: This one is more of a horror book, but it has paranormal elements, so I’m including it on this list! Nothing But Blackened Teeth described as a “gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists.” It looks chilling and unsettling, and I can’t wait to read it!
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
The Radiant Emperor #1
1345. China lies under harsh Mongol rule. For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is found only in stories. So, when the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, receives a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass. No one is surprised by the clever second daughter’s fate of nothingness. After a bandit attack orphans the two, Zhu Chongba succumbs to despair and die. Desperate to escape her fate, the girl uses his identity to enter a monastery as a male novice. After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, however, she takes the chance to claim another future: her brother’s abandoned greatness.
Why I Want to Read It: A fantasy set in historical China? And reimagines the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty? With a queer female protagonist? Yes, please!
The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang
Born into the legendary Matsuda family, fourteen-year-old Mamoru has always known his purpose: to master his family’s fighting techniques and defend his homeland. But when an outsider arrives, Mamoru realizes that the empire he was bred to defend may stand on a foundation of lies. His mother, Misaki, hid away her sword to become a good housewife and mother. But with her son’s questions, the thread of an impending invasion, and her frigid husband grating on her nerves, she finds the fighter in her clawing its way back to the surface. When the winds of war reach their peninsula, will the Matsuda family have the strength to defend their empire? Or will they tear each other apart before the true enemies even reach their shores?
Why I Want to Read It: I’m always down for a book with a strong family focus. And I’ve heard high praise for the characterization and world building.
Songs of Insurrection by J. C. Kang
Princess Kaiya’s voice could charm a dragon. But Cathay’s imperial court care more about her marriage prospects than her voice. Only the handsome Prince Hardeep, a foreign martial mystic, recognizes her potential. Convinced Kaiya will rediscover the legendary but perilous art of invoking magic through music, he suggests her voice, not her marriage, might better serve the realm. When members of the emperor’s elite spy clan discover mere discontent boiling over into full-scale rebellion, Kaiya must choose: give up her music and obediently wed the depraved ringleader, or confront him with the growing power of her voice and risk death.
Why I Want to Read It: Magic through music? Plus, martial arts and dragons? 🤩
Let’s Chat
What fantasy books are on your TBR? Do we share any in common?
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
Just looking at these covers makes me excited — I especially love the one for Black Water Sister (and the story sounds wonderful too!).
Crystal says
Yes! The cover design teams have done a fantastic job with these book covers!
TNT says
I enjoyed the Tensorate series and hope you will too. Regarding Fireheart Tiger, I have read both Goblin Emperor and Howl’s Moving Castle and without wishing to spoil you I consider the emotional tone and style is nothing like Howl. Fireheart Tiger is its own thing and comparisons may set readers up for disappointed expectations. Sorry for the lecture from a stranger, I’m just afraid the marketers are shooting themselves in the foot with that analogy.
Crystal says
Thanks for sharing! I really appreciate it 🙂 It won’t be the first time I’ve been mislead by book comps. I’m still curious to see why they made the HMC comp, but I’ll keep in mind that the tone and style is different.
Eustacia Tan says
Nothing But Blackened Teeth sounds fantastic!
Crystal says
Yes! Can’t wait to read it! 🙂
Amber Elise @ Du Livre says
Wonderful picks – I’m excited for Babel and Blackened Teeth!
Crystal says
Babel and Blackened Teeth look so good! 🙂
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says
I loved City of Brass so much! Songs of Insurrection sounds amazing!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Crystal says
Great to hear you love City of Brass! Yes, I’m really looking forward to reading Songs of Insurrection!