Happy Wednesday, friends! Today I thought I’d talk about some Asian-inspired fantasy novels on my TBR. I’ve recently gotten back into fantasy (thanks, Leigh Bardugo) and wanted to highlight some diverse books that I want to read! So here they are. Also, why does Asian fantasy have the best covers? I mean honestly, they’re all so gorgeous.
Descendant of the Crane by Joan He: I’ve heard so many good things about this book lately, and the cover is so gorgeous. But a fantasy about a Queen who uses illicit magic? Hell yes, sign me the fuck up.
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang: I have a soft spot for training sequences or boarding schools in fantasy novels. If there’s a training sequence, I will love it, no questions asked. But honestly, I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book. Everyone seems to love it. So I definitely need to read it soon.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan: a f/f romance? in an Asian-inspired fantasy? about sacrificial girls? This book sounds like everything I didn’t know I needed.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman: this is a short story anthology that I think Ruqs told me about. It sounds amazing, and I love anthologies.
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim: in all honesty, this was 99% a cover add. I mean, just look at it! Those colours! That choreography! A WOC on a book cover! I can’t get over it.
Flame in the Mist by Renée Ahdieh: I just feel like I’m one of the last people in the world to read something by Ahdieh, and both her series sound amazing.
The Wrath & The Dawn by Renée Ahdieh: ditto here. Though I think this one appeals more to me. If you’ve read both, let me know which is best!
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: I’ve heard such good things about this book. And it has dragons? I will read most books with dragons, tbh. I think this is one that I’ll buy on ebook, because it’s just too dang big.
So those are some Asian-inspired fantasy books on my TBR! Have you read any of these? Which should I read first? Let me know!
Ally xx
Ally Writes Things 
This list is full of my favorites and I can’t wait for you to read them 😃😃😃 And if you love anthologies, Thousand Beginnings is the perfect one ❤️❤️❤️ And Wrath and the Dawn is one of my favorite romances…
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Ahhh yay that makes me so excited to read them! 💕💕
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I really love this post. great job!
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Thank you, Amanda! 💕
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You’re right, Asian fantasies often have the best covers! Good luck with the Ahdieh; I read The Flame in the Mist and didn’t care for it, but I know a lot of people love it. Several of these others are on my TBR too, though! I need to get to them soon.
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They’re just so gorgeous!
Thank you! I’ve heard mixed things about her books, so I think I’m going to go in with low expectations.
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That’s probably for the best. The Flame in the Mist is definitely one book where I wish I hadn’t been aware of the hype before reading it.
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I simply adore this list. ❤ A lot of titles I haven't heard of and ones I'm already gung-ho for (Spin The Dawn, Girls of Paper & Fire)
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Ahhh thank you, Kitty! 💕
I hope you like them when you get to them!
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I loved Descendant of the Crane! I’m looking forward to the sequel. I have both A Thousand Beginnings and Endings and Flame in the Mist on my TBR. I hope to get to them soon!
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Ahhhh I’m so excited to read it! I hope you enjoy them when you get to them 💕💕
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Ohmygod, you absolutely MUST read Flame in the Mist, it’s one of my fave books of all time! I’ve yet to read Wrath in the Dawn but I’ve heard it’s somehow even better than FITM & my mind refuses to comprehend that 😂 Awesome recommendations list – I have most of these on my TBR as well & can’t wait to read them! 😍
💛 Ngoc
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Ahhh I’ve heard so many good things, I really want to read it soon! I think I’m definitely going have to do my own Asian Fantasy read-a-thon lol
Thank you! 💕 I hope you love them when you get to them!
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I LOVE THIS!
I haven’t read these but I’ve heard so much about The Priory of the Orange Tree and I didn’t even know it was Asian-inspired!
Have you heard of The Grace of Kings? It’s the fantasy version of Romance of the Three Kingdoms and it’s fantastic if you love epic fantasy.
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Thank you, Eustacia! 💕💕
Same, I’ve heard so many amazing things about Priory! (and the cover is gorgeous lol)
I haven’t, but I will definitely look into it! That sounds amazing!
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Awesome list! I absolutely agree that Asian fantasies always have the BEST covers! Haha! I still have yet to read Descendant of the Crane and the Poppy War, but I ADORE the two Renee Ahdieh books you listed! Especially the Wrath and the Dawn! Happy reading! ❤
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Thank you!! ❤
They're just all so gorgeous! I'm so excited to read Ahdieh's books, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed them!
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