Looking for good fantasy with Asian elements

[Rachel]

Tigers quest

[Jalilah]

Mina wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Actually, the Kij Johnson book the Fox Woman is on Terri Wendling Mythic fiction list. I have loved almost every book on that list! http://endicottstudio.typepad.com/jom...
There ar..."

The list includes novels that contain myths or elements of myths, some are more realistic than others. There are books on the list that definitely could be described as Fantasy, many would be considered Magical Realism and others more literary but might have a Mythic or Fairy Tale like theme.

[Greg]

The Warring States Series is good if you're looking for books on ancient china. They have a lot of fantasy elements, like cities getting flooded and chariot matches to the death, which were all based on real events.

Not much is known about that period, since it was 2,500 years ago.



And of course I've got to mention my extreme bias: I wrote the thing.

[Mina]

Jalilah wrote: "The list includes novels that contain myths or elements of myths, some are more realistic than others. There are books on the list that definitely could be described as Fantasy, many would be considered Magical Realism and others more literary but might have a Mythic or Fairy Tale like theme. ..."

Very true! My favorite magical realism writer is Isabelle Allende, but I wasn't sure if that genre/style would be considered fantasy. But you're right, why not? I mean, it does involve seeing the fantastical in everyday life.

[Sybil]

The Nightingale by Kara Dalkey, it's one of the fairy tale series and set in feudal Japan.

[Robin]

Have you read Kylie Chan's White Tiger, Red Phoenix, or Blue Dragon series? It continues into another trilogy as well. I also like Tokyo Suckerpunch by Isaac Adamson. It's very nitty gritty, so I wouldn't say it's fantasy. But it has a lot of Asian flair to it. The other ones in the series deal with Kabuki and stuff.

[kirstin ✿]

How about Eon and Eona? I haven't read this yet, but it was about a girl who disguised herself as a guy because girls aren't allowed to fight.

And you want Asian, here. It had Chinese elemens. With dragons and such.

[Carl]

You should check out Heart of the Ronin by Travis Heermann. It's set in feudal Japan and it's a really enjoyable novel.

[Jalilah]

Patrick wrote: "Also, while this falls more in the "literature" category than "fantasy" properly speaking, Kafka on the Shore is actually a Japanese (if memory serves) book that incorporates a lot of fantastic ele..."

I loved Kafka on the Shore regardless what category it is!
Here is my review http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I think however the talking cats, ghosts and parallel realities that take place in the novel would definitely put it into either Fantasy or Science fiction.
I'd like to read 1Q84 anyone read it?

[Thaddeus]

A book I read a few years ago might be your thing (it is 'Asian', but that's Middle East/Arabian rather than Far East or Indian, so I'm not sure if it'll suit you). It's called the Master of Izindi, and is an old-fashioned but fun swords and sorcery style book.

You might also like the Outlaws of the Marsh, which is a Chinese classic (and an enormous book). It's sort of like a Chinese version of Robin Hood but with quite a lot of gore and an, er, interesting approach to morality (one of the 'heroes' is literally a murderous axeman).

[Mina]

Thaddeus wrote: "A book I read a few years ago might be your thing (it is 'Asian', but that's Middle East/Arabian rather than Far East or Indian, so I'm not sure if it'll suit you). It's called the Master of Izindi..."

Oooh, that sounds like fun! Adding it :) Thank you!

[Mina]

Actually speaking of Middle Easter/Arabian influenced fantasy (the mythology base is quite familiar in the Indian-subcontinent), I just picked up The Bones of the Old Onesby Howard Andrew Jones. The first book is The Desert of Souls

[Tasula]

Just read Daughter of the Sword, set in modern day Japan, but flashing back to the days of the samurai. Female police sergeant determined to succeed against male prejudice is handed the case of a failed attempt to steal an ancient sword. Very good.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Tasula wrote: "Just read Daughter of the Sword, set in modern day Japan, but flashing back to the days of the samurai. Female police sergeant determined to succeed against male prejudice is handed the case of a..."

I just picked this up (because of this thread)!

Good to know it's good. I need to read more.

[Greg]

You might want to get in on the Magician book being read this month. Daughter of the Empire is the first trilogy of books to come after those and the Empire of Kelewan sure resembles ancient Asia.

[Mina]

MrsJoseph wrote: "I just picked this up (because of this thread)!.."

Yay! Let us know what you think of it when you're done!

[Mina]

I found at my library, and since that got several recs, picked it up! Looking forward to the read :)

[Mina]

OMG, y'all! I found a book that looks sooo very delicious and seems to be Asian influenced...The Year of the Dragon (Books 1-4)

The first book is The Shadow of Black Wings

[Moira]

It takes a while for the theme to show up, but the Temeraire series has some Asian elements to it.

I would certainly second the recommendation for Guy Gavriel Kay's new books - I'm reading River of Stars right now and really enjoying it!

[Joseph]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this one yet but Bridge of Birds(A Novel of Ancient China that never was) by Barry Hughart was very good.

[Bryn]

I don't think we've mentioned here Range of Ghosts and Shattered Pillars (Eternal Sky #1 and #2) by Elizabeth Bear, "Set in a world drawn from our own great Asian Steppes".

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

Thought I'd mention that Daughter of the Sword is the group BotM for July!

[Mina]

MrsJoseph wrote: "Thought I'd mention that Daughter of the Sword is the group BotM for July!"
Saw that! Totally excited :)

[Mina]

Just finished Love the unique world the author created, and Asianess of the story, but yes it has some issues. However, glad I read it & looking forward to the next one!