Celebrate Asian & Asian American Voices 2024: Fantasy Edition

 

My Thoughts:

Like the earlier review of themed teaser or preview books, this one takes on the fantasy genre. I started my fantasy journey with J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit  and The Lord of the Rings, but even before that, it was The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Maybe the earliest fantasy book that I loved was Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. Suffice it to say, these fantasy books are made up of white characterss and written by white authors. The fact that Julie Kagawa has opened the door for Asian and Asian American writers to write about their own culture through the once predominantly white fantasy genre is so exciting! This teaser is just what I needed to keep my summer reading going. 

The sampler starts off with known YA fantasy writer Melissa de la Cruz who I considered an author of white characters, but to my shock and awe, she is a Filipina author. In The Encanto's Daughter, she uses Filipino mythology in this fantasy that will pull you in immediately. You get the first three chapters here, but just get the book. 

The sampler ends with another book on my TBR list, Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen. The description the publishers used was "Mulan meets Iron Widow." Sold.

From the Publishers:

Check out these latest fantasy reads from Penguin Teen's Asian and Asian American authors!

The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz
A young woman claims the throne of a realm inspired by Filipino mythology in this YA romantic fantasy, the first in an enchanting new duet by #1 New York Times bestselling author.

These Deadly Prophecies by Andrea Tang
A teenage sorcerer’s apprentice must solve her boss’s murder in order to prove her innocence in this twisty, magic-infused murder mystery perfect for fans of Knives Out and The Inheritance Games.

Spin of Fate by A. A. Vora
In a world inspired by karma, three teens encounter magnificent beasts, unforgiving magic, and epic battles in this propulsive and wholly original young adult fantasy.

We Shall Be Monsters by Tara Sim
Frankenstein meets Indian mythology in this twisty, darkly atmospheric fantasy where the real horrors are not the monsters you face, but the ones you create.

Of Jade and Dragons by Amber Chen
Mulan meets Iron Widow in this thrilling silkpunk fantasy about a girl who must disguise herself as a boy and enter the famed and dangerous Engineer’s Guild trials to unravel the mystery of her father’s murder.