Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy
In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we’re highlighting Asian writers of speculative fiction with a focus on stories featuring Asian characters.
Staff in the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation and Fantasy selected the following books from a wide range of sub-genres within speculative fiction. These titles were published in 2022 by Asian authors around the world. Where known, the ethnicities and/or nationalities of authors are indicated. All of these books are always available to read at the Merril Collection, and they're available to borrow in physical and digital formats.
Speculative Fiction Books by Asian Authors
The Night Eaters. Book 1, She Eats the Night by Marjorie M. Liu (Taiwanese-American)
Milly and Billy are struggling to keep their restaurant afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic. Their paren'ts are in town to help out but may be causing more problems. The twins don't know much about their paren'ts' past except that they immigrated to America from Hong Kong. But when their mom enlists them to clean out the terrifying house next door, they'll learn way more than they bargained for.
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (Japanese-American)
In 2030, melting permafrost in the Arctic reveals the remains of a girl who seems to have died from a previously dormant ancient virus. The story follows several loosely-connected individuals as society adapts to this deadly Arctic virus. While some think the problem can be solved on Earth, others believe the solution may lie in outer space.
Just Like Being There: A Collection of Science Fiction Short Stories by Eric Choi (Chinese-Canadian)
This collection of short stories features new works along with some older ones. It includes the Aurora Award-winning story, "Crimson Sky." Pulling from his engineering background, Choi explains the science and history behind these fantastical tales. He covers space exploration, alternative histories, artificial intelligence and more. From Martian expeditions to the development of jet planes, this book contains thought-provoking stories for fans of hard science fiction.
Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo (Vietnamese-American)
Join cleric Chih on their latest journey as they search for stories to record and preserve. The riverlands are filled with tales of bandits and daring martial artists. But Chih may find there is more than a grain of truth to the legends – and some stories are still being written. This is the third novella in the Singing Hills Cycle, set in a fantasy world influenced by Southeast Asia. Each book can be read as a stand-alone story.
The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang (Singaporean, based in the United Kingdom)
Misery Nomaki (she/they) is absolutely NOT the Messiah. She’s a con artist and a thief, and the “angel” dogging her steps must be a hallucination brought on by voidsickness. It definitely isn’t their problem that the Faithful and Heretics have been at war for longer than Misery has been alive. And she definitely isn’t going to become a mech pilot and lead the Faithful to victory… right?
Kundo Wakes Up by Saad Z. Hossain (Bangladeshi)
Flood-ravaged Chittagong, Bangladesh is under Karma’s oppressive AI governance. When Kundo’s wife suddenly goes missing, he uses his Karma points to enlist help from Chittagong’s residents. What starts as a search for a missing person leads Kundo to underground virtual reality gaming tournaments and a mysterious benefactor.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (British-Indian)
British witch Mika Moon posts fun magical videos on social media. But she doesn’t expect anyone to actually believe they're real. When she is invited to a British countryside home to tutor a trio of young witches, Mika finds herself opening up to these curious girls and their caretakers. This is a heart-warming story of found family, sprinkled with romance and peppered with magic.
The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia (Persian-American)
Firuz-e Jafari fled their war-torn homeland to avoid being drafted as a magical soldier. They’ve found refuge in the city of Qilwa – but only by hiding their magical ability. When a strange sickness starts killing people, Firuz will need to decide whether to keep hiding or whether to use their blood magic to find a cure.
Older speculative fiction by Asian authors
Black Water Sister by Zen Cho (Malaysian, based in the United Kingdom)
Published in 2021
When Jessamyn returns to Malaysia to visit her family, she has no idea that she'll also be seeing her grandmother's ghost. Ah Ma was a medium for Black Water Sister, a local deity, and she expects Jess to follow in her footsteps. Soon, Jess is caught up in a much bigger conflict than typical family drama.
The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed (Indo-Caribbean, based in Canada)
Published in 2021
Climate change has wracked the world. Reid, a young woman from a small community in post-apocalyptic Alberta, receives a mysterious offer to attend one of the last universities left in the world. She is one of a handful of survivors infected with an alien parasite that may drive her insane or kill her at any moment. Will she leave the only world she knows behind and fight to live the life she still has to its fullest?
Never Have I Ever: Stories by Isabel Yap (Filipino, based in the United States)
Published in 2021
Isabel Yap draws inspiration from Filipino mythology and other Asian folktales in this debut short story collection. Every story is unique and Yap covers a wide range of genres and themes. With moon-eating monsters, haunted schools, adult "magical girls," and a queer witch love story, there is something for everyone.
An Excess Male by Maggie Shen King (Taiwanese-American)
Published in 2017
As a consequence of the one-child policy, China in the year 2030 is resorting to some creative measures to restore balance to the population. Lee Wei-Guo, one of the many "excess males," is a candidate to become a third husband. This partnership will allow him a chance for love, acceptance and children of his own. The fallout extends beyond the issue of population. Several other groups are still the target of cruelty and discrimination by the State. This is a dystopian, yet hopeful, novel by a debut author.
Visit our Asian Heritage webpage for more great reads and upcoming events.
Do you have favourite Asian authors of speculative fiction that you’d like to recommend? Please share them with us in the comments below!
Post by Maya F. With thanks to Ames G., Isabel F. and Sephora H.
One thought on “Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy”
Exploring Asian Science Fiction and Fantasy is a remarkable journey into the rich and diverse worlds of speculative fiction from Asia. Your dedication to shedding light on these captivating narratives and their creators is truly commendable. Your platform not only introduces readers to unique stories but also fosters a greater understanding and appreciation of Asian cultures and perspectives. Your passion for the genre and commitment to inclusivity is evident, and it’s a valuable contribution to the world of literature. Thank you for your efforts in promoting these incredible voices and stories, and for broadening the horizons of speculative fiction. Keep up the fantastic work!