Asian Author Recs for Lunar New Year!
Although I missed the first day of Lunar New Year, I know that at least in Chinese tradition the new year celebration lasts for 15 days. So really, I’m only a little bit late to the festivities, as today (Feb. 26) is the last day (Lantern Festival). I originally wanted to make a post about books that take place during LNY, but ummmm I didn’t know of any haha. SO you get to have a good smattering of my favorite Asian authors (and a few authors I need to read)! Lunar New Year is celebrated in many different Asian cultures, so I wanted to include authors of many different Asian heritages.
Aliette de Bodard
I’ve been meaning to read de Bodard’s books for a while, and I finally got around to it this month!! I read her newest novella Fireheart Tiger (review here) which was amazing. Because I loved her writing, I immediately went on to read another novella of hers, On a Red Station, Drifting – which I loved even more!! I can’t resist Asian inspired sci-fi in space. I’m stoked to read all the rest of her work!! One that I definitely want to bring to your attention is In the Vanisher’s Palace, which is a sapphic Vietnamese inspired Beauty and the Beast retelling!
Cindy Pon
Cindy Pon actually has a ton of books out, but somehow I’ve only read one??? I’m ashamed. The one I have read is Want, which is a science fiction heist novel set in a futuristic Taiwan. It is SO underrated!!!!!! I cannot believe more people haven’t read it. I’m trying to get more people to check it out soooo GO DO IT. There is a sequel (Ruse) that I’m very excited to read. And I definitely want to read her other books as well!
Lyla Lee
I recently read Lee’s novel I’ll Be the One and I loved it!!! It’s about a bisexual fat Korean girl who competes in a kpop competition. The rep is amazing, the friendships are great, the romance is cute, and it is just all around a wonderful read. I’m definitely looking forward to more novels by Lee!
Marie Lu
Marie Lu is probably one of the better known authors on this list. She has published many different genres of books (fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction) and I love ALL of her different books (that I’ve read…). I’ll just point out a couple of my favorites. Firstly, The Kingdom of Back, which is a young adult historical fantasy about Nannerl Mozart, the sister of Wolfgang Amadeus. I reeeeally loved the sibling relationship in this. Secondly, Warcross! This duology is a young adult sci-fi which features a really cool video game. I think these two are my favorites, but I do love her other books as well!
Neon Yang
Just a note – the Goodreads link above has the incorrect name for the author, the correct name is Neon Yang as I’ve stated here.
Neon Yang is actually an author that I haven’t had a chance to read yet!! They have a series of novellas called the Tensorate series which has been descirbed as a “lush, vivid silkpunk fantasy.” I’m not sure I’ve read “silkpunk” before but now I NEED to.
Nghi Vo
I think you already may know of my love for Nghi Vo. I’ve reviewed two of her novellas (The Empress of Salt and Fortune; When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain) on the blog (here and here). And you know what’s even more exciting? She has a RETELLING NOVEL coming up, called The Chosen and the Beautiful. It’s a retelling of The Great Gatsby with a queer, Asian, adopted immigrant main character. YES.
R.F. Kuang
R.F. Kuang is a relatively new writer, but she has totally SMASHED her way into the adult fantasy genre. She wrote a trilogy called The Poppy War trilogy (which recently completed in November 2020). It is inspired by China’s 20th century history, and is brutal and magical and incredible. I particularly loved that the main character is a dark skinned peasant girl. more dark skin rep!!! I cannot wait to see what Kuang writes next.
Zen Cho
I have only read two books so far by Zen Cho, but I know that that number will just go up in the future to encompass all of her books. The first one I read was Sorcerer to the Crown, which was a really fun historical fantasy. I honestly don’t remember much, but I want to go back and reread since there is a sequel out now. More recently I read The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water, which is a GREAT novella. It is Malaysian inspired, incredibly diverse, and a joy to read. I would love to read more novellas set in this same universe.
I wish I could go on and on with more authors, but then you’d be trapped reading this blog post forever hahaha. Hopefully you found some new authors to check out! And please do let me know some of your favorite Asian authors 🙂
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