Asian & Asian-American authors are breaking ground in science fiction and fantasy; a genre previously dominated by Tolkien-inspired pseudo-European worlds. Whether exploring Asian culture, history and folklore or simply applying their perspective to what-if questions, these authors offer unforgettable worlds and characters for all to enjoy. Dive back into your old favorites or discover new ones, and start the spring off with a great read!
As the source for the acclaimed film by the same name—Arrival by Ted Chiang—not only provides the inspirational story, but a host of others that all break down what we think we know about technology, religious belief, functions of the brain, and even the notion of life itself. Story of Your Life poses the question of whether language shapes the way we experience the world. While, Hell is the Absence of God asks whether we could still worship a god whose actions were arbitrary. Tower of Babylon imagines a world shaped very differently than the one we know. Each story in this collection is a gem, whether it makes us think or cry.
For those who enjoy young adult fiction, Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn is the start of an enrapturing series about Evie Tanaka, who starts out as the personal assistant to a finicky superheroine; before being revealed to have powers herself! Evie faces the hassles of ordinary celebrity, coupled with the unfortunate responsibility of repeatedly saving the world. Dealing with demons, ghosts, romantic drama and the complexities of friendship, she’ll manage to pull it all off one way or another. San Francisco is lucky to have a heroine like her in charge- even if she herself may not be so lucky!
The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu was the first of this wildly popular author’s works to be translated into English, and it took off immediately! During China’s Cultural Revolution, mankind manages to make secret contact with aliens. Rather than accepting a friendly open hand, the alien civilization plans to invade- but what would be the best human response? Should they be fought off, or do they offer the chance of a better world? This novel starts Liu’s Remembrance of Earth’s Past trilogy, which continues to explore notions of military power and how crises divide humanity, and how everything changes with each scientific discovery.
Nghi Vo’s fantasy series The Singing Hills Cycle starts with The Empress of Salt and Fortune, a royal period drama about women navigating and seeking to transform a society set against them. Rabbit, an old woman who once served as handmaiden to the Empress In-Yo, tells the story of how her former mistress forever shaped the world. Her grand rebellion is told via stories within stories and glimpses of memory, packing an epic tale into the length of a novella. The sequel, When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain, continues to play with narrative forms, this time weaving the telling of tales into a setting where survival itself is in doubt.
The (unfortunately) relevant novel A Beginning at the End by Mike Chen sets its action after a devastating global pandemic, as San Francisco seeks to rebuild itself from the ashes of what once was. Pop stars and event planners are brought together to make use of their unlikely skills in a world that hangs on the edge of loss and desperation. A Beginning at the End is not merely post-apocalyptic fiction- it’s that rarity, a story of the recreation of society after the initial collapse. What can we do to make a better world, and have we learned anything from previous disasters?
Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee looks to a long tradition of folklore as the basis for the story of a fox spirit named Min who is also a young girl trying to protect her family. Her problems go beyond simply trying to keep her hereditary powers a secret from the world at large- she must also deal with all the problems of an extended, quarrelsome clan, and wishing she could escape her dying planet. This blend of science fiction and fantasy paints a picture of ghosts and magic right next to spaceships and intrigue. You may never look at foxes the same way again!
Enjoy these reads, check out more by these fantastic authors, and may each of these texts spark your own imagination! If you have more Asian & Asian-American authors you’re excited about please share with us on our socials and support these fantastic authors!
Written By: Mira G.
Edited By: Irenee W.