Yangsze Choo, a Malaysian-American novelist, writes captivating historical fantasy novels steeped in Asian folklore, such as the best-selling novel The Night Tiger.
If you enjoy reading books by Yangsze Choo then you might also like the following authors:
If you're a fan of Yangsze Choo's blend of history, folklore, and lyrical writing, Nghi Vo could be your next great find. Vo's stories often combine lush settings with magical elements and complex characters facing difficult choices.
In her novel, The Chosen and the Beautiful, she reinterprets the classic The Great Gatsby, mixing 1920s glamour with magical realism and a fresh perspective on identity and belonging.
Zen Cho writes engaging, playful stories that mix historical settings with magical elements and sharp wit. Like Yangsze Choo, she brings Malaysian culture and folklore into her narratives, offering readers a fresh and delightful experience.
Her novel The True Queen is a fun yet thoughtful adventure with intriguing characters, magical mishaps, and an exploration of sisterhood and social dynamics.
Susanna Clarke is well-known for writing thoughtful historical fantasies that carefully reflect the style and sensibilities of the era they're set in.
If you're drawn to the richly detailed historical atmosphere in Yangsze Choo's novels, you'll find much to enjoy in Clarke's work.
Her novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell features a carefully constructed alternate 19th-century England, where magicians uncover ancient spells and mysteries, combining magical realism with historical charm and depth.
Naomi Novik crafts immersive worlds where folklore and history weave seamlessly into powerful, character-centered stories.
Her novels often portray women who confront and overcome challenging circumstances, resonating with readers who enjoy Yangsze Choo's strong heroines and rich cultural settings.
In Spinning Silver, Novik retells a traditional fairy tale with depth and complexity, exploring themes of family legacy, courage, and the transformative power of choice.
Tasha Suri creates beautifully imagined worlds inspired by South Asian history and mythology. Like Yangsze Choo, her novels center around engaging characters navigating personal destinies intertwined with magic and tradition.
In Empire of Sand, Suri gives readers an immersive setting, a compelling romance, and a powerful tale about finding strength and self-discovery in a world shaped by ancient forces.
Katherine Arden writes beautifully atmospheric stories inspired by folklore and fairy tales. Her prose is elegant, and her narrations create vivid settings filled with a sense of wonder.
Her book, The Bear and the Nightingale, blends Russian folklore with historical fiction, following a girl named Vasya whose magical and adventurous spirit defies the expectations of her small village.
Alix E. Harrow is great at crafting lyrical, enchanting prose that effortlessly combines fantasy with historical elements. Her narratives often explore personal freedom, social roles, and power dynamics, all wrapped up in sympathetic characters.
Her novel The Ten Thousand Doors of January takes readers along on an imaginative journey through secret doorways and alternate worlds, with themes of courage, self-discovery, and independence.
Erin Morgenstern's style is richly imaginative, dreamy, and whimsical. She creates magical worlds and perspectives that are immersive yet subtle.
Her novel The Night Circus transports readers to an enchanting traveling circus that appears without warning, weaving magic, romance, and vivid sensory details into an emotionally engaging story.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes supernatural and speculative fiction that often draws on historical and cultural inspiration, especially Mexican history and folklore. She crafts compelling stories populated by complex figures facing challenging choices.
Her novel Mexican Gothic uses gothic mystery elements to explore family secrets, societal flaws, and supernatural happenings in 1950s Mexico.
Genevieve Gornichec creates fresh and engaging stories inspired by mythology, specifically Norse legends, with a contemporary style full of clear prose and vivid images.
Her works often center powerful, complex female protagonists caught in dramatic conflicts among gods and mortals.
In her novel The Witch's Heart, Gornichec explores Norse mythology from the viewpoint of Angrboda, a sorceress figuring out her place, her desires, and the fate of her remarkable family.
Fonda Lee writes immersive fantasy stories with intricate world-building and complex character dynamics. She often focuses on family power struggles, loyalty, and honor, such as in her novel Jade City.
Set in an Asian-inspired metropolis, this book explores how clans fight for control over jade, a substance that provides enhanced strength and power.
Rebecca Roanhorse creates vivid fantasy worlds inspired by indigenous lore and mythology. Her style combines sharp storytelling with deep explorations of identity, community, and trauma.
Her novel Black Sun transports readers to a richly developed pre-Columbian Americas-inspired setting full of fascinating characters and a dramatic journey toward prophecy and change.
Ken Liu crafts thoughtful science fiction and fantasy that reflect on societal concerns, identity, and memory. He blends meticulous storytelling with emotional openness, often incorporating Chinese history and culture into his narratives.
His novel The Grace of Kings offers an epic historical fantasy that vividly portrays rebellion, friendship, and ambition set in a richly-imagined world.
Aliette de Bodard takes readers into unique worlds shaped by Vietnamese and Chinese history and culture infused science fiction and fantasy elements. Her stories often feature careful explorations of colonialism, power dynamics, and family.
In The House of Shattered Wings, Bodard invites readers into a Gothic-infused, ruined Paris populated by fallen angels, mysterious magic, and political intrigue.
Shelley Parker-Chan writes historical fantasy novels with powerful themes of destiny, gender identity, and ambition. Her work reimagines significant historical events through compelling characters and emotional depth.
In She Who Became the Sun, Parker-Chan delivers a captivating retelling of China's Ming dynasty origins, centered on a young woman determined to overcome fate and achieve greatness.