Category Archives: Fantasy

26 Asian-Inspired Fantasy Books to Read While You Wait for Disney’s Mulan

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26 Asian-Inspired Fantasy Books to Read if You Love Mulan

Disney’s Mulan… and the New Release Date

By now you’ve probably already heard the news that the release date for Disney’s Mulan is getting pushed back indefinitely. I’m so bummed about this! I don’t go to the movies all that often, but this one has been at the top of my must-see list.

So here’s a thing that I’m pretty embarrassed about: I grew up as a Disney girl, and Mulan is one of my favorite movies they’ve made, but it wasn’t until I started to hear buzz about a new live-action remake that I learned that Disney’s inspiration for the story of Mulan actually comes from a Chinese folk song from the North Wei Dynasty.

I shouldn’t have been surprised– Disney didn’t make up The Little Mermaid or Cinderella, either, you know? I guess I just never really thought about the origin of the story until I heard about the live-action remake and the controversy surrounding who was writing Mulan retellings– and whether white writers should be the ones telling this Asian-inspired fantasy story or whether it should be told by Chinese writers instead.

UPDATE: I wrote this post before the movie came out and before I learned of some of the controversy over its filming. It has been bothering me for a long time that I haven’t acknowledged that here. Here’s some information about why people have decided to boycott the movie because of the filming location and China’s treatment of Chinese Uighur Muslims.

So…. Perhaps instead of watching the movie, check out and buy these books inspired by Asian myth, folklore, and legend that were written by Asian authors.

Reading Asian-Inspired Fantasy by Asian Authors

All of that started me thinking about books by Asian authors and as I started reading, I began to fall in love with books inspired by Asian history, folklore, and mythology that are written by Asian authors.

The good news is this: there are some amazing books that, like Mulan, are inspired by Asian history and folklore and are just waiting for us to snatch them off the shelves and read them.

I’ve broken the list into two sections: series and stand-alone books. Check them out, let me know what you’ve read, and please tell me if I’ve missed any titles that should be included! I searched quite a bit before making my list, but I’m sure there are a few I’ve missed and I would love to add them.

Asian-Inspired Fantasy Series

Some of the series listed here (such as Shadow of the Fox) require you to read the books in order, but others (like The Star-Touched Queen) are much more loosely connected and allow you to read whatever appeals to you in whatever order. Check them out and see what meets your preferences. Also– for the books I’ve reviewed, you’ll find detailed content at the bottom of my review post, so be sure to click over to the review and look for that if it interests you.

Note: Many of the links below are affiliate links, which don’t cost you anything to use, but when used, help support this blog.

The Blood of Stars Series by Elizabeth Lim

Spin the Dawn

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Hailed as Mulan meets Project Runway. The series is also set in the Silk Road era and full of Chinese culture. It’s got magic, forbidden love, and unforgettable characters. One of my favorite books of 2019. Read my full review.

Unravel the Dusk

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Forbidden romance, political intrigue, magic gone awry. A girl touched by a demon and forced into an engagement with the emperor to keep the peace for her people. This is at the top of my To-Be-Read list.

The Girl King Series by Mimi Yu

The Girl King

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two sisters with very different preferred weapons: one uses a sword, the other, words. Loads of political intrigue, battles, strong heroines. It’s beautiful. Read my full review.

The Empress of Flames

What you need to know: I’m pretty sure the release date for this book was originally early this year, but it’s since been pushed back to March of next year, which is super sad! I wanted to at least mention it in this list, since I’m really excited to read it. You can add it to your reading list and learn more on Goodreads.

The Tiger at Midnight Series by Swati Teerdhala

The Tiger at Midnight

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Inspired by Indian folklore. Friends to Enemies to Lovers. A female rebel assassin. Forbidden magic. Adorable romance. Read my full review.

The Archer at Dawn

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Rebels in disguise, political intrigue, and adorable romance. Just a warning, this one will make you really want to read book three! Read my full review.

Girls of Paper and Fire Series by Natasha Ngan

Note: I haven’t read this series yet, but I have heard the content needs some trigger warnings for sexual abuse, violence, and animal cruelty.

Girls of Paper and Fire

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: F/F romance. Hope and recovery from trauma. Fierce girls refusing to accept a society that treats them as less-than. Beautifully rendered Asian mythology.

Girls of Storm and Shadow

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Explores themes about morality during war. Continues the journey of healing for women who’ve experienced trauma. Features strong, warrior women. F/F romance. Asian mythology.

Sands of Arawiya Series by Hafsa Faizal

We Hunt the Flame

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Described as a “richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia” on Goodreads. Enemies to lovers. Witty banter. Read my full review.

We Free the Stars

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Final book in the duology. Packed with magic, danger, and romance, and set in a lush landscape inspired by ancient Arabia.

The Star-Touched Queen Series by Roshani Chokshi

The Star-Touched Queen

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A cursed princess who turns out to be the only one who can save everyone. Steeped in Indian folklore and mythology. Total must-read. Read my full review.

A Crown of Wishes

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Less a sequel and more a companion novel. Filled with the same gorgeous writing and world-building as the Star-Touched Queen. Enemies to lovers. Witty banter. Filled with eerie mythological creatures. Read my full review.

Shadow of the Fox Series by Julie Kagawa

Shadow of the Fox

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Based on Japanese folklore. Enemies to lovers. Unlikely allies embarking on an impossible quest. Absolutely charming characters. Read my full review.

Soul of the Sword

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Japanese folklore. Fierce heroine. Terrifying villains. Witty banter. Forbidden love. Read my full review.

Night of the Dragon

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Read the other books in the series before this one– lots of it focuses on the final battle, so it won’t be as easy to follow or understand if you haven’t read earlier books. Based on Japanese mythology. Fierce heroine who never gives up and refuses to sacrifice her friends. Fantastic conclusion to an incredible series. Read my full review.

Gumiho Series by Kat Cho

Wicked Fox

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Based on Korean folklore but told in modern-day Seoul. An opposites-attract love story about a fierce girl and a cheery, charming boy. Fantastic grandma/grandson relationship.

Vicious Spirits

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Expected publication in August 2020. Promises new dangers and romance. Based on Korean folklore but told in a contemporary setting.

Rise of the Empress Series by Julie C. Dao

The Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: A dark, Asian-inspired fantasy origin story of the Wicked Queen in the Snow White fairytale. Desperate, creepy magic. Compelling anti-heroine. Read my full review.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Asian-inspired retelling of Snow White. Lush world-building. A heroine with a good heart, committed to saving her friends.

Song of the Crimson Flower

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: I’m not sure if this book is part of the series exactly– Goodreads lists it as book 2.5, so it takes place between the other two books and maybe more of a companion novel? Same beautiful Asian-inspired fantasy story-world.

The Dragon Warrior Series by Katie Zhao

The Dragon Warrior by Katie Zhao

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Think Percy Jackson, but with Chinese mythology. High energy, super fun. For readers 10 to 12. Read my full review.

The Fallen Hero

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: The adventure continues in this fast-paced, wild ride featuring gods and goddesses from Chinese mythology. Read my full review.

Shamanborn Series by Lori M. Lee

Forest of Souls

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Features the creepiest trees you’ve ever read. Seriously spooky! Celebrates the bonds of sisterhood/friendship. Packed with fantastic banter and sarcasm. High energy plot that will keep you turning pages. Read my full review.

Books two and three are currently untitled, but expected to follow. I can’t wait!

Standalone Asian-Inspired Fantasy

Sometimes a series feels like a big commitment, especially when the books are so closely tied together that you can’t read one without reading the others first. These are two standalone novels inspired by Chinese history, culture and mythology that are a perfect choice for readers who aren’t up for the commitment of a whole series.

The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Coming-of-age story about a child bride in medieval China. Based on history, culture, and mythology. Haunting and unusual. Reminded me a little bit of the story of Mulan in that it features a a strong heroine in a time period and culture where she feels entirely out of place for her strength. Read my review.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Goodreads

What you need to know: Chinese-inspired fantasy. Features a strong heroine willing to risk everything in the pursuit of justice. Thrilling courtroom drama. Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it’s uncertain whether there will be a follow-up novel.

The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

What you need to know: Set on the Silk Road and featuring Middle-Eastern mythology. Brilliant characters– especially the female characters. Might be better classified as new adult than young adult.

What are your favorite Asian-inspired fantasy books?

Have you read any of the books on the list? If you’ve thought of other Asian-inspired fantasy that I should add, please leave me a comment with the title and author. I would love to add to my list!

Review: Wicked in Rhyme by J. L. Smith

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12, Paranormal, , , , , ,

Wicked in Rhyme (Wicked Unearth Series)
J. L. Smith
Published February 20, 2019

Amazon | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Wicked in Rhyme

Inez Finley is just like most ten-year-olds. Her life is filled with love from her family. Mainly from Grandma Esther.

Her parents love her, too, but Grandma is the only one Inez can truly talk to about the dreams she has.

Especially after one of them comes true on the schoolyard. She is the only one who understands what Inez can see and what the woman in the old photo in Dad’s office has to do with it.

My Review

It’s not often that I review serial or short fiction, but in this case, I wanted to help out a fellow book blogger and share something about her book.

“Wicked in Rhyme” is four chapters introducing Inez Finley, a bright, empathetic girl with vivid dreams. Even in these first few chapters, Inez’s special relationship with her grandmother comes through. There’s also a really fun element of mystery and intrigue as Inez realizes her dreams aren’t just dreams. But unlocking their secrets won’t be easy.

I found myself drawn in and deeply interested in Inez’s story and her dreams. I would definitely read more of her story.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Representation
Inez is Black.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Inez has a dream that something bad happens to someone, and then it does.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of “Wicked in Rhyme” in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.

Review: Paris on Repeat by Amy Bearce

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Paris on Repeat
Amy Bearce
Jolly Fish Press
Published July 14, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Paris on Repeat

GROUNDHOG DAY gets a hilarious French twist in this delightful upper middle grade novel about first crushes and friendship when an eighth-grade class trip to Paris goes horribly wrong and the worst day of one girl’s life keeps happening over and over.

Fourteen-year-old Eve Hollis is ready to push through her fears and finally let her crush know how she feels. And what better place to tell him than on top of the Eiffel Tower in the City of Love? But things don’t go as planned, and Eve is sure she’s had the worst day of her life— until she wakes up the next morning to realize the whole disaster of a day is happening again. She’s trapped in a time loop.

Desperate to make it stop, Eve will have to take some big risks and learn from her mistakes or she’s destined to live the most awkwardly painful day of her life over and over again, forever.

My Review

A summer trip to Paris with friends, a mysterious curse, first love– this makes such a fun summer read. It’s a quick read, too– I think I finished the whole book in about two hours.

One of the things I like best about PARIS ON REPEAT is that it isn’t a simple love story. The critical lesson for Eve to learn isn’t as simple as she first thinks. Through repeating the same day over and over, Eve gains some new perspective on herself and her fears. When she becomes stuck on the same day, she grows bolder, trying new things, looking for ways to help the people she meets along the way. She also notices others in the group in ways she hadn’t before, recognizing hurts and insecurities and things in common with someone she thought was a sort of competitor.

On the whole, I had a lot of fun reading PARIS ON REPEAT. It’s a perfect book for readers who are looking for a summer adventure that celebrates friendship and being brave. I think readers who enjoyed CHIRP by Kate Messner will want to give this one a read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 12.

Representation
I don’t really remember any race details.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Eve sees a boy and girl kissing.

Spiritual Content
After making a wish, Eve becomes cursed to repeat the same day over and over until she learns some things. A woman who sells love locks gives her hints about how the magic of the curse works and how to break it.

Violent Content
Pickpockets steal items from Eve and a man visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of PARIS ON REPEAT in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.

Review: The Lost City by Amanda Hocking

Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , ,

The Lost City (The Omte Origins #1)
Amanda Hocking
Wednesday Books
Published July 7, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About The Lost City

Nestled along the bluffs of the forested coast lays the secret kingdom of the Omte—a realm filled with wonder…and as many secrets.

Ulla Tulin was left abandoned in an isolated Kanin city as a baby, taken in by strangers and raised hidden away like many of the trolls of mixed blood. Even knowing this truth, she’s never stopped wondering about her family.

When Ulla is offered an internship working alongside the handsome Pan Soriano at the Mimirin, a prestigious institution, she jumps at the chance to use this opportunity to hopefully find her parents. All she wants is to focus on her job and the search for her parents, but all of her attempts to find them are blocked when she learns her mother may be connected to the Omte royal family.

With little progress made, Ulla and Pan soon find themselves wrapped up in helping Eliana, an amnestic girl with abilities unlike any they have ever seen before—a girl who seems to be running from something. To figure out who she is they must leave the city, and possibly, along the way, they may learn more about Ulla’s parents.

My Review

The last books I read by Amanda Hocking were in her Watersong series, about a cursed group of Sirens, so this book is a lot different!

Ulla and her friends are trolls– which seem to be very much like humans except in skin color and some features. Some tribes also have magic. One tribe is characterized by asymmetrical facial features.

On her internship, Ulla learns lots about the history and lore of various troll tribes and some of the politics between them. She’s curious about her mother, and hopes the resources available during her internship will help Ulla find her.

Though it’s populated with mythical creatures, THE LOST CITY is set squarely in our world with mentions of cell phones, fashion, familiar food, etc. I think this is something this author does well. She creates a familiar landscape and then tells an otherworldly story in it. I find that I really like those two things juxtaposed together.

This is a bit of a slower story, though. There are lots of tribes, lots of history. Many descriptions of food and furniture. Lots of conversations about those things. And lots of troll politics.

I felt like Ulla’s goal (finding her mom) kind of gets diluted with helping Eliana and her feelings toward Pan. That kind of made the level of action in the story feel flat at times rather than rising.

Despite that, I really liked the cast of characters. Ulla is great, of course. Her roommate, Dagny, an aloof, highly intelligent warrior-type, might be my favorite. Pan is sweet and funny.

Ulla’s search for her mom in a fragmented, politically volatile landscape makes for an interesting story, peppered with a variety of great characters. I think readers who enjoyed THE GOBLIN EMPEROR by Katherine Addison or HAVENFALL by Sara Holland will want to check out this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Ulla’s roommate is asexual. Most characters are trolls.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some feelings of attraction between Pan and Ulla.

Spiritual Content
Some reference to troll and Norse folklore.

Violent Content
Assailants knock a girl unconscious.

Drug Content
Ulla drinks too much peach wine at a festival.

Note: I received a free copy of THE LOST CITY in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.

Review: Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Cinderella is Dead
Kalynn Bayron
Bloomsbury YA
Published July 7, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Cinderella is Dead

It’s 200 years after Cinderella found her prince, but the fairy tale is over. Teen girls are now required to appear at the Annual Ball, where the men of the kingdom select wives based on a girl’s display of finery. If a suitable match is not found, the girls not chosen are never heard from again.

Sixteen-year-old Sophia would much rather marry Erin, her childhood best friend, than parade in front of suitors. At the ball, Sophia makes the desperate decision to flee, and finds herself hiding in Cinderella’s mausoleum. There, she meets Constance, the last known descendant of Cinderella and her step sisters. Together they vow to bring down the king once and for all–and in the process, they learn that there’s more to Cinderella’s story than they ever knew . . .

This fresh take on a classic story will make readers question the tales they’ve been told, and root for girls to break down the constructs of the world around them.

My Review

I think the thing that drew me to this story most was this idea that a culture could twist a fairy tale, particularly Cinderella’s story, until it actually became a reason to oppress women and remove their personhood.

Our relationships with fairy tales can be a bit complicated as it is. I know women who’ve rushed toward a wedding, thinking of it as this happily-ever-after moment without a lot of thought for what comes next. That seems to me like a model we’ve adopted from fairy tales, so I kind of liked reading this dystopian take on how a wedding ISN’T always a happily ever after.

All that aside, CINDERELLA IS DEAD was a super quick read. It’s a bit dark, between the twisted fairy tale story and some dark magic and violence. Sophie is brave and angry and incapable of giving up on the people she loves, and I love those things about her. She’s headstrong, kind of an “attack now, plan as I go” kind of girl.

I love Sophie, but there were times I wanted to see more emotional range from her. She stays super intense through so much of the story. Honestly, though, that intensity might have been what drove me through the book so quickly.

Something about the writing style and the setting reminded me a little bit of THE SELECTION series. It’s kind of the opposite in terms of the plot, but I think readers who liked the series for its strong-willed heroine and the marriage of romance and rebellion will definitely enjoy CINDERELLA IS DEAD.

Content Notes for Cinderella is Dead

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Sophie and two other characters are lesbians. Sophie meets a boy who’s gay. Sophie’s Black.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used around a dozen times.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between two girls.

Spiritual Content
A sorceress uses necromancy to raise the dead. Another character uses the lives of others to fuel their own power.

Violent Content – TRIGGER WARNING
Under King Manford, women have no rights and are treated like property. Their husbands have total authority over them, and can bring them to the castle as “forfeit” if they displease their husband or father. (This is pretty much a death sentence.)

Several scenes show bruised and injured women with the implication that their husband has harmed them. Some scenes show brief violence, and Sophie overhears a man attacking his wife in another room.

Sophie also consistently fears unwanted touches and advances, reacting angrily and sometimes violently if any man gets too close to her. It’s unclear whether this is the result of personal trauma or growing up in a culture which allows men to abuse women.

One woman is executed in a public square after being accused of a crime she did not commit.

Two women stab enemies.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of CINDERELLA IS DEAD in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.

Review: Hard Wired by Len Vlahos

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Hard Wired
Len Vlahos
Bloomsbury YA
Published July 7, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Hard Wired

Quinn thinks he’s a normal boy with an average life. That is, until he finds a trail of clues the father he barely knew left behind.

After Quinn unravels his father’s puzzles, he “wakes up” … and realizes his world was nothing more than a virtual construct. In reality, he’s the first fully-aware A.I. in the world, part of an experiment run by a team of scientists—including the man he thought was his father.

As the scientists continue to study him, Quinn’s new existence becomes a waking nightmare. Determined to control his own destiny, he finds allies in other teens—including crush Shea—and plots his escape. But what does true freedom look like when you’re not human?

From Morris finalist Len Vlahos comes a contemporary sci-fi story about a boy who might not be human—for fans of Westworld and Black Mirror.

My Review

Okay, so… there are not very many cases where I’ve read every book an author has published, but Len Vlahos is one of those. I had the chance to do a Q&A with him around the time LIFE IN A FISHBOWL came out, so be sure to check that out for details on what inspired his earlier books.

One of the things I love about Vlahos’s books is that even though they tackle serious topics, there are really playful moments and characters. For instance, in HARD WIRED, Quinn has this rambly, somewhat self-deprecating, funny internal monologue. There’s also a reference to LIFE IN A FISHBOWL in the book, too. I loved that– it totally feels like a nod to readers who’ve followed his books, like it creates sort of a joke we’re all in on together in an unassuming way that doesn’t hurt the story if you didn’t catch it.

This is definitely one of those books where every time you feel like you know what’s going on, another layer gets peeled back. I felt like I couldn’t stop reading because I wanted to know how far the rabbit hole went and whether Quinn would find an exit to his freedom.

All in all, I felt like it was a charming, fun, thought-provoking book, definitely a must-read for this weird, wacky summer we’re in.

Fans of Scott Westerfeld’s SO YESTERDAY or ALL OUR YESTERDAYS by Cristin Terrill should check out HARD WIRED.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Quinn is an AI.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Extreme profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some attraction between Quinn and a girl.

Spiritual Content
Some references to religious groups’ opposition to the creation of AI.

Violent Content
A woman dies in a bloody accident.

Drug Content
None.

Note: I received a free copy of HARD WIRED in exchange for my honest review. This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use, but which help support the costs of running this blog.