The best Asian science fiction and fantasy books that showcase the beauty of Asian culture

Wu Zetian is a figure I’ve always admired in Chinese history. To see her come to life in this stunning science fantasy novel feels like a dream. I loved how the author took prominent creatures from Chinese mythology and turned them into mechas. The mechas were described so vividly as if Xiran had been in one of their creations! It also felt empowering to read about a character who was angry at the difficult situation they’re placed in as opposed to broken bird MCs, who tend to struggle with figuring out methods of resolution. Her resilience is something that has been comforting during times of COVID. It really reaffirmed my love for strong-willed characters and brought out the mythology fan in me.

As an avid fan of Mulan, I really enjoyed this book because of the strong-willed female character who is determined to support her family even though she lives in a society that doesn’t necessarily support a female head for a household. What sold me on the book, aside from the rich Chinese culture and mythology, was the character’s narration. I was able to empathize with her. Liz did a great job of making the magic come to life, making the scissors sound enchanting with every use. I wish I had a pair of those scissors! Another thing that drew me to this story was the tailor competition. I like to embroider and also sew occasionally, so I think Liz did this type of art justice with her elegant descriptions.

Normally, I have difficulty getting into scifi because it can be hard for me to visualize everything clearly and remember all the new concepts introduced to me. However, I felt like this book opened my eyes to what I’ve been missing. The advanced technology was easy to follow and created a captivating story with interesting plot twists. The main character, Cee, was someone I could relate to because she’s a family-oriented individual and has a sarcastic sense of humor that kept me engaged. Worldbuilding concepts like the citizen ranking system, stasis pods, and environmental crisis kept me focused on the story, leading me to finish it in one day!

Although this book is non-fiction, it took me on an adventure through Vietnam, as I fell in love with their culture. This was the first book I’d read with a Vietnamese protagonist and one thing that made me fall in love with the story was the main character, Trần Diệu Lan’s, powerful narration. It inspired me to learn more about Vietnamese mythology and folklore. This is yet another book that has helped me during troubling times of COVID because of how the characters conquered adversity and tackled the struggles of being separated from family. I was able to relate it to my own situation as I was separated from my own family in Thailand. This book helped me regain hope that things would get better.

The first few chapters start off somber due to Ning losing her mother and dealing with her sister’s illness. Judy’s descriptions have struck a chord with me because it’s accomplished something I always seek in fantasy books: providing the escape from the stress of everyday life. As each character describes how tea is made, I’m taken on a new journey and excited about what’s to come, leaving me hungry for more. There’s something poetic and compelling about how Judy tells the story that forces the reader to listen. And once she pulls you in, you don’t want to put the book down. Judy’s craft is as calming as the tea her characters prepare, which provided a nice balance to the tension of the political turmoil.