12 Asian-Inspired Fantasies Coming Out Late 2018 & Early 2019

LISTEN. I’M ASIAN. I LOVE FANTASY. HOW COULD I NOT. 

I don’t usually make lists of books, but I’ve decided that this is going to happen more because there are just so many books that I need to scream about!!

Also, this is kind of late regarding the fact that this is #PrideMonth and not #AAPI month anymore, but it’s never too late to scream about Asian books!!!

Anyways, I was just thinking about all of the Asian-inspired fantasy and how EXCITED I am for all of them and!!!

I was debating making a Twitter thread or a Goodreads list but a Goodreads list probably wouldn’t get as much attention and a Twitter thread would get buried in all of the cat pics I retweet, soooooooo blog post?

Also I’m deeply sorry for all of your tbrs because you all better be adding all of these books to your tbr shelf!!!

{these are sorted by release date chronologically and all covers link to goodreads!}

    

A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman — release date 6/26/18

• This is an anthology of 15 different SFF stories using the mythology of East and South East Asia and one of the contributers is RENEE AHDIEH?? I’M IN LOVE ALREADY.

A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna — release date 9/4/18

• This is inspired by the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic of ancient India as well as other Indian stories and?? it’s basically a space opera?? about kingdoms and taking the throne?? I’m actually so freaking EXCITED AHHHH.

For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig — release date 9/25/18

• The author said that the story is inspired by France & Southeast Asia and that the main character is bipolar aaaaah! This is about Jette, who can see the souls of the dead & bind them to items, essentially making “puppets.” ALSO APPARENTLY IT TACKLES COLONIALISM SO. (I actually have a copy of this and I’m SO EXCITED.)

    

Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa — release date 10/2/18

• This involves Japanese legends and lore and it’s about this Scroll of a Thousand Prayers that has the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea which can grant wishes and??? THE COVER IS EXCELLENT AND I WANT IT.

Girls of Paper and Fire — release date 11/6/18

• The setting is inspired by east and southeast Asian culture and I’VE ALREADY READ THIS AND IT WAS FIVE STARS. It’s about Lei, who is chosen as a “Paper Girl” and falls in love with another concubine and just. It’s splendid. GO PREORDER PLEASE.

Kingdom of the Blazing Phoenix — release date 11/6/18

• It’s the second part of a duology (the first book was Forest of a Thousand Lanterns) and I’m pretty sure this is based heavily off of East Asian culture, mainly Chinese. The first book is a retelling of the story of The Evil Queen.

   

Empress of All Seasons by Emiko Jean — release date 11/6/18

• Based off of Japanese folklore, the main character is a freaking yōkai!!! And she’s entering this competition to become the next empress where yōkai are banned!!! I need this like I need air!!!

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri — release date 11/13/18

• This is inspired by the Mughal era of India and IT LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL. And according to this review, it’s like a mashup of The Wrath and the Dawn, City of Brass, and A Crown of Wishes?? I’ve only read The Wrath and the Dawn but I’M STILL SO EXCITED.

The Girl King by Mimi Yu — release date 1/8/19

• I’m not too sure what this is inspired by, but I mean. Look at that. ASIAN MODELS ON COVERS I LOVE IT. This is about sisters betraying sisters in trying to claim the throne and there’s magic and shapeshifting (!!)

    

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee — release date 1/15/19

• Ah yes. ANOTHER SPACE OPERA. BASED OFF OF KOREAN MYTHOLOGY. The main character comes from a long line of fox spirits and she’s basically not allowed to show any sign of her Fox magic… until she RUNS AWAY to try and find her brother who apparently abandoned his post in the war.

Ruse by Cindy Pon — release date 1/22/19

• The sequel to Want, this is narrated by Lingyi who is a sapphic hacker (!!!). This is a science-fiction near-future world and I’m pretty sure it’s set in future-China & Taiwan!! I know this is technically not fantasy but I’m hyped!!!

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon — release date 2/26/19

• I’m pretty sure this is the only one on the list by a white author! This is pitched as a diverse feminist retelling intertwined with Japanese mythology, with themes of Eastern and Western dragon folklore, alchemy, and more. I SAW THAT THIS IS A REALLY THICK BOOK AND THAT COVER IS AMAZING AND THIS AUTHOR IS WELL-KNOWN SO I’M POSITIVE THIS WILL BE GREAT.

here are two more without their covers released yet!!

Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda & Valynne E. Maetani — release date 9/25/18

• This book seems like it’s taking inspiration from Japanese mythology or possibly the anime, Death Note, and it’s set in modern day Japan (so an urban fantasy!!) and the main character can COMMUNE. WITH DEMONS.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal — release date 5/14/19

• I’m not sure about the Asian influences in this book, but I heard that there’s mythology involved from one of the reviews soooooo I’M EXCITED. I LOVE THE AUTHOR AND THIS SOUNDS SO BEAUTIFUL AND FANTASTIC. Apparently it’s basically a mashup of The Hunger Games & Lord of the Rings!!

Tbh I’m probably screaming about Asian books every single second of my book blogging life, but I have no regrets.

I just want to say that fall 2018 and early 2019 will be glorious because of all of these beautiful and wonderful asian-inspired fantasies!!! Ahhhh!!

My TBR is officially dead. It’s dead.

Are you guys anticipated for any of these? Which ones are you most anticipated for? Are there any other Asian-inspired fantasies coming out this year/next year that I missed? Is your TBR officially dead now?