For decades, fans have been enamored by the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and George R.R. Martin’s “Games of Thrones,” which are largely meant to resemble Medieval Europe. But why should it get all the fantasy fun when an Asia-inspired fantasy world can be just as thrilling and intense?
Check out these Young Adult fantasy novels with Asia-inspired worlds:
“Flame in the Mist” by Renee Adieh
Renee Adieh’s “Flame in the Mist”
Fans of “Mulan” will be delighted by this gripping YA fantasy and romance about a samurai’s daughter who disguises herself as a boy to avenge her family’s violent death. When she infiltrates the enemy’s circle, however, she finds that getting revenge is trickier than she thought, especially when she finds herself falling in love.
“Forest of a Thousand Lanterns” by Julie C. Dao
Julie C. Dao’s “Forest of a Thousand Lanterns”
Dao’s fantasy novel is the story of 18-year-old Xifeng, who longs to fulfill her destiny and become a majestic, beautiful queen, but doing so means that she’ll have to embrace the darkness that resides deep within her.
“The Star-Touched Queen” series by Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi’s “The Star-Touched Queen”
Cursed with a destructive fate, Maya contents herself with academic pursuits until the day her father, the Raja, arranges for her to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom. As queen of Akaran, Maya learns to trust her own voice and her own power and even finds herself falling for her husband. But as ancient secrets pop up and creep into the lives of her loved ones, it’s up to Maya to save the kingdom and herself.
“Kingdom of Xia” series by Cindy Pon
Cindy Pon’s “Kingdom of Xia” series
Something is after Ai Ling, the unwanted girl who is journeying to the palace in search of her father. Although she can’t understand what that something is, she’s certain that it some kind of evil force, and in order to make it to the palace to reunite with her loved ones, she’ll have to fight back. She picks up some help along the way in the former of the wandering stranger, Chen Yong.
“The Dandelion Dynasty” series by Ken Liu
Ken Liu’s “The Dandelion Dynasty” series
Two strangers form an unlikely bond in the first book of Ken Liu’s fantasy series “The Dandelion Dynasty.” One is a wily bandit and the other is the no-nonsense son of a disgraced aristocrat, but in the midst of war, the two find themselves thrust together to survive. In the end, however, the two find themselves divided by their differing principles.
What’s on your reading list?
