Katie Zhao is an engaging author known for her middle-grade fantasy novels like The Dragon Warrior and young adult thrillers such as How We Fall Apart. Her stories blend humor and cultural heritage into exciting adventures for young readers.
If you enjoy reading books by Katie Zhao then you might also like the following authors:
Joan He writes engaging fantasy stories inspired by Chinese culture, lending a fresh voice to young adult literature. Her stories often focus on strong characters, deep emotions, and intricate political tensions.
In Descendant of the Crane, she creates a richly layered world where a young princess confronts political mystery, betrayal from unlikely places, and tough moral choices.
Chloe Gong brings a vibrant blend of historical settings and fantasy twists in her novels, mixing suspenseful plots and charismatic characters. She expertly combines romance, action, and vivid details in her writing.
Her book These Violent Delights reimagines Romeo and Juliet in 1920s Shanghai, balancing dramatic tension, intriguing politics, and a captivating romance at its core.
Rebecca F. Kuang writes powerful fantasy stories with vivid historical settings and complex characters that grapple with dark, emotional themes. Her novels often explore morally ambiguous situations, war, colonialism, and intense personal struggles.
The novel The Poppy War follows Rin, a determined protagonist whose journey explores the brutal realities of war, sacrifice, and power in a gripping fantasy influenced by China's history.
Xiran Jay Zhao delivers bold, action-packed stories inspired by Chinese mythology, legend, and history. Their style combines humor, drama, and relentless pacing while they create thoughtful critiques of power structures and gender roles.
Iron Widow is a fiery retelling inspired by the life of the Chinese empress Wu Zetian, featuring a fierce, unapologetic protagonist who challenges oppressive patriarchal systems.
Judy I. Lin creates beautifully atmospheric fantasy tales that mix magic and craftsmanship with detailed and lush worlds. Her stories pay close attention to tradition, festivals, and cultural mythology, transporting readers into intricate settings filled with mystery.
In her novel A Magic Steeped in Poison, a young woman explores an intricate world of tea-based magic, competition, and court intrigue, all rooted deeply in Chinese culture.
If you like Katie Zhao's exciting blend of mythology, adventure, and rich cultural storytelling, Elizabeth Lim might be a great match for you. Lim crafts beautifully atmospheric fantasies with vivid settings, memorable characters, and themes of courage and self-discovery.
Her novel, Spin the Dawn, offers a fresh take on Chinese-inspired lore, following Maia, a talented seamstress who enters a high-stakes competition to become the emperor's tailor.
Fans of Katie Zhao who enjoy darker fantasy with thrilling supernatural elements should try Kylie Lee Baker's books. Baker combines Japanese folklore, historical settings, and compelling character journeys into fascinating stories.
Her novel, The Keeper of Night, introduces readers to Ren Scarborough, a half-British Reaper who embarks on a tense journey into the mysterious underworld of Japan, grappling with identity and destiny.
Julie C. Dao creates lush, fairytale-inspired worlds filled with morally complex characters and gripping storytelling. Like Katie Zhao, Dao weaves powerful Asian-inspired narratives with strong female protagonists who face tough choices.
Her novel, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, retells the classic tale of Snow White from the villain's perspective, set against the backdrop of East Asian mythology, ambition, and dark magic.
Readers drawn to Katie Zhao's compelling characters, immersive worlds, and meaningful themes of identity and struggle might enjoy reading Amélie Wen Zhao. Her fantasy writing is fast-paced and emotional, often touching upon hard truths about power, privilege, and morality.
In her novel, Blood Heir, she tells the intense story of Anastacya, a princess wrongly accused of murder, who must confront dark secrets and dangerous magic to reclaim her throne.
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé writes thrilling contemporary YA novels packed with themes of identity, social justice, and gripping mystery. If you appreciate Katie Zhao's strong characters tackling complex issues, you'll enjoy Àbíké-Íyímídé's work.
Her debut, Ace of Spades, delivers a thrilling, thought-provoking look into a prestigious and unsettlingly secretive private school, as two Black students struggle to uncover an anonymous bully's troubling agenda.
If you enjoyed Katie Zhao's adventurous storytelling and modern spins on mythology, you might want to explore Rick Riordan’s books. Riordan blends myths and legends with relatable, humorous characters.
His stories balance fast-paced action with genuine friendship and family themes. One great starting place is Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, where Percy discovers he's a demigod and embarks on a quest influenced by Greek mythology.
For readers who appreciate Katie Zhao’s imaginative worlds and multicultural influences, Yoon Ha Lee is a brilliant choice. Lee creates thoughtful, inventive stories set in richly imagined universes that draw from Korean culture and mythology.
A perfect introduction is Dragon Pearl, an engaging space adventure about a girl who draws on the magic of Korean folktales to find her lost brother.
If you're drawn to Zhao's vivid storytelling and themes of cultural identity, consider reading Grace Lin. She brings Chinese folklore to life in relatable, heartfelt stories about young characters finding their place in the world.
A great example is Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, which follows Minli on an enchanting quest inspired by traditional Chinese tales.
Readers who enjoy Zhao’s blend of fantasy and humor with plenty of multicultural representation may also like Daniel José Older’s books. Older writes energetic, imaginative stories that mix magic and everyday life in appealing, often funny ways.
Check out Shadowshaper, the story of Sierra, who discovers her family’s magical heritage and confronts a danger threatening her Brooklyn community.
Fans of Katie Zhao’s spirited characters, adventurous storylines, and magical twists might also love Jessica Townsend. Townsend creates whimsical worlds filled with wonder, friendship, and discovery.
Her lively style and imaginative plots are showcased wonderfully in Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow, a tale of a girl whisked away into a magical hidden city to face trials and forge new friendships.