If you want to get lost in a book then fantasy is the perfect genre for you. It whisks you away to another universe, providing a rich and all-consuming world that ignites your imagination.
Asian fantasy novels are some of the best fantasy books that you can read. We have put together this list of our top recommendations for the best Asian Fantasy books that you will love.
1. The Poppy War – R F Kuang
This historical fantasy is inspired by China in the 20th century, but with the addition of a supernatural element. It is an exciting debut from R F Kuang who is now a New York Times bestselling author.
Rin is a war orphan from a poor province who surprises everyone by passing the test to get into the Academy. She is finally free from her criminal guardians who were about to marry her off to further their enterprise.
She is ready to start her new life at Sinegard, the elite military school – but soon learns that her dark skin and peasant background make her a target to her classmates.
As Rin adjusts to her lessons, she learns that she possesses the mythical power of shamanism – a lethal and unearthly magic that allows her to commune with the dead. She must learn how to harness this power quickly, as war is on the horizon. Will her powers be her savior or her downfall?
2. Daughter Of The Moon Goddess – Sue Lynn Tan
This is book 1 of 3 in the Celestial Kingdom trilogy and is an international bestseller. It is an epic fantasy novel with a beautiful writing style and themes of romance, inspired by the legend of the Chinese Moon Goddess – Chang’e.
Xingyin grew up on the moon and is used to being alone. She doesn’t realize that she has been hiding her whole life, safe from the emperor who sent her mother into exile.
When her magical powers manifest and her existence is discovered, Xingyin must leave her mother and go on the run, in search of a safe place. She finds herself in the Celestial Kingdom – a secretive and magical land – where she disguises herself and learns archery and sorcery alongside the son of the emperor.
A passionate spark begins to develop between Xingyin and the prince, but her new life is interrupted when her mother’s life is in danger. Xingyin must embark on a dangerous quest to save her mother, bringing her face to face with the emperor himself.
3. Clear Sky – Patrick Laplante
This is the first of 17 books in the ‘Painting The Mists’ series. It introduces you to the character of Cha Ming, a boy who is used to living in a society where everyone works themselves to the bone and doesn’t ask any questions.
When Cha Ming discovers a mysterious artifact, it gives him the chance to start a new life filled with magic and adventure. He soon learns that mastering the five elements is harder that he thought, but his magical artifact gives him an advantage.
With the help of a ghostly tutor and his trusty companion – a demon fox – he learns the power of creation.
Cha Ming’s new life is more dangerous than he realized, as the Gods are not impressed with his meddlesome ways.
4. Born Of Aether – A L Knorr
To everyone else, Akiko is a normal teenager living with her Grandfather in a coastal Canadian town. But Akiko knows the truth – she is a supernatural being living with her captor.
Even her three best friends don’t know the truth about her life, or her magical powers. When Akiko gets the opportunity to return to her homeland she jumps at it, even though it involves stealing an ancient samurai sword.
She hopes that she can use this chance to secure her freedom, but instead she becomes caught up in a feud with a dangerous crime syndicate in Japan.
5. Shanghai Immortal – A Y Chao
This debut fantasy novel set in Jazz Age Shanghai became an instant bestseller. Lady Jing is a magical being – half vampire half fox spirit – who was pawned to the King of Hell as a child.
She has lived her life running errands for the King and being bullied by the courtiers, all while battling with the knowledge that her own mother didn’t want her. She has an explosive temper and is known for being troublesome and acting out.
When Lady Jing overhears a plot against the King she finally has a way to expose the spiteful courtiers for who they really are, but she must gather enough intel before she goes to the King.
She teams up with a mortal who works in the bank of hell to discover the truth, but their quest puts them in danger. Lady Jing is forced to choose between winning favor with the king or pursuing the only real connection she has ever known.
6. The Art Of Prophecy – Wesley Chu
This is book one of two in a fantasy series from bestselling author Wesley Chu. Wen Jian is the chosen one, prophesied to save the Kingdom from the immortal Khan.
But what if the prophecy was wrong? Jian has been trained by the best warriors in the kingdom and raised in lavish splendor, heaped with praise from a young age – but he hasn’t won a single battle. When the prophecy is proven to be incorrect, Jian’s life is turned upside down in an instant.
Jian is determined to prove that he can be a champion, and he bands together with an unlikely group in order to save the Kingdom – a grandmaster, a warrior and an assassin. The four of them set off on a treacherous journey with an outcome that even the prophecy couldn’t foresee.
7. The Cat Who Saved Books – Sosuke Natsukawa
This unusual book from a best selling Japanese author has become very popular. Rintaro is a high school student who inherits a second hand bookshop from his deceased grandfather.
He is about to close it down when he gets a visit from a talking cat who needs Rintaro’s help. The cat is on a mission to rescue lonely, unread books – liberating them from neglectful owners.
Rintaro agrees to help the cat, and together they take an incredible journey to liberate the books, each on set in a different maze. They encounter some interesting characters along the way, each challenge more dangerous than the last.
This beloved fantasy story is ideal for avid readers who understand that books are so much more than just words on a page.
8. A Warrior’s Path – Davis Ashura
This is book one of the Castes And Outcastes trilogy. Rukh Shektan is the best warrior of his generation and is a member of Caste Kumma. He has a strong sense of duty and has dedicated his life to mastering his sword skills and defending his people.
When an ancient evil rises once more, Rukh will learn that it takes more than skill to defeat the Sorrow Bringer. Rukh must defy his duty and team up with an Outcast in order to defeat the enemy.
The lines between good and evil become blurred as Rukh masters new abilities and makes sacrifices in order to succeed.
9. Sword Of Sorrow, Blade Of Joy – J F Lee
Shu Yan is a runaway. Her parents sold her to a brothel to work as a serving girl, where she was then sold to someone else. Sick of being traded, she takes her fate into her own hands and flees, but there is a price on her head.
She teams up with a legendary swordsman for safety, but his pursuit for revenge against the ones who have wronged him puts her in a different kind of danger.
In this exciting adventure. Shu Yan learns the importance of camaraderie and helping others as she navigates the treacherous world around her. With plenty of action and comedy, this thrilling book delivers an exceptional reading experience.
It is an interesting blend of themes from spaghetti westerns and Japanese anime.
10. The Ghost Bride – Yangsze Choo
The Ghost Bride is a bestselling novel that has now been made into a Netflix series. It is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set in a port town in colonial Malaya where the Chinese community still cling to ancient customs and superstitions.
Li Lan is the daughter of a once wealthy family who are now bankrupt. At 17 years old she received a proposal from a powerful family to become a ghost bride. This means she will marry the ghost of their dead son to placate his spirit.
This arrangement would guarantee Li Lan a home and security – but at what price? She visits the family’s mansion and is immediately attracted to the new heir, Tian Bai. But at night, she is haunted by her ghostly suitor who draws her into the mysterious world of the Chinese underworld.
Summary
These Asian fantasy books will provide the perfect escapism as they draw you in with their captivating plots.
