When it comes to picking books, having variety is super important.

The more we read from different places, the more we get to see different ways of thinking and different kinds of stories.

That’s why I’ve made it a point to read books from all over the world.

From China to Japan, India, and the Philippines, each book gives me a peek into a new world.

So in this post, I’m sharing 20 of the best fantasy books by Asian authors.

These books take you from the deserts of the Middle East to the lively streets of Southeast Asia, and I hope you find something new to love!

Best Fantasy Books by Asian Authors to Read

1. The Dream Runners by Shveta Thakrar

Tanvi’s life in Nagalok is filled with magic, dreams, and a creepy naga court.

But when she starts remembering her past life, things go totally haywire.

She teams up with Venkat, a mysterious dreamsmith, to figure out what’s happening.

Together, they discover something terrifying: if they don’t stop it, the dream world could turn into a waking nightmare.

2. The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker

Zilan’s life isn’t easy—she’s stuck in a poor village, using forbidden alchemy to bring the dead back to life.

She dreams of being a royal alchemist but first, she’s gotta survive the deadly imperial exams.

But when the Crown Prince asks for her help, things get way more complicated.

There’s danger, politics, and a whole lot of magic. It’s a thrilling ride that’ll keep you hooked!

3. The Lightstruck by Sunya Mara

Vesper Vale has already made one huge sacrifice to save her city, but now a new, even scarier threat is coming.

The Great King’s army of “lightstruck” citizens is taking over, and it’s up to Vesper to stop it.

With her past choices haunting her and pressure from every side, she has to figure out how to save the city while staying true to herself.

This one’s emotional and full of tough choices!

4. The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman

When the magic runs out, the royal siblings have to team up to find the mysterious Ivory Key, which could save their kingdom from war.

But each sibling has their own secrets and motivations, so working together isn’t easy.

The journey is full of twists, danger, and family drama.

It’s a story about what happens when blood ties collide with personal ambition, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

5. Magic Has No Borders, edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra

This anthology is a treasure trove of magical stories inspired by South Asian folklore, with everything from jinns to goddesses.

It’s filled with rich, diverse tales from authors you might already love, like Sabaa Tahir and Preeti Chhibber.

Each story is a unique take on classic myths, and they’ll surprise, inspire, and make you feel all sorts of emotions. Perfect for anyone who loves fantasy with a cultural twist.

6. To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

Ruying can control death, but when an enemy prince offers her a dangerous deal to protect her family, she’s forced into a deadly game.

The stakes are high: she has to kill political rivals to protect her people, but it could cost her everything.

The tension between trust, love, and sacrifice is intense, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat wondering if Ruying will make it out alive.

7. Somewhere in the Deep by Tanvi Berwah

Krescent Dune is desperate to escape the island she’s trapped on, but after a bad fight in the underground pits, she gets stuck on a dangerous mission with her childhood enemy.

There are monsters, secrets, and people who’d rather see her dead, but Krescent is tough.

This one’s a fast-paced, heart-pounding adventure full of twists, danger, and a whole lot of tension. Can she make it out alive?

8. Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa

Yumeko is half kitsune, half human, and has spent her life hiding her true nature.

But when her home is destroyed, she’s forced to flee with a powerful scroll that could change everything.

With demons chasing her and a samurai hot on her trail, Yumeko must decide who to trust.

This Japanese-inspired fantasy is full of secrets, demons, and a reluctant alliance that might just save or destroy the world.

9. A Thousand Steps Into Night by Traci Chee

Miuko’s life as an innkeeper’s daughter gets turned upside down when she’s cursed to slowly transform into a demon.

Now, she’s on a quest to break the curse, but it’s anything but easy.

Along the way, she faces tricksters, gods, and a demon prince, all while learning what it means to embrace her new powers.

It’s a journey of self-discovery and deciding if being free is worth losing your soul.

10. The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha

Kai Song wants to be a warrior, but in her world, girls aren’t supposed to fight.

When she learns a shocking truth about her heritage, she has to confront her fears and fight for her place in the world.

The story blends action, family drama, and personal growth, with plenty of twists along the way.

If you love strong heroines and a deep dive into folklore, this one’s for you.

11. If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang

I really enjoyed Alice’s story.

At first, she feels completely invisible at her elite school, but when she starts literally disappearing, she uses it to expose her classmates’ secrets.

As things get more intense, I couldn’t help but root for her even though she’s making some questionable choices.

It’s a wild ride of figuring out who she is and what she’s willing to risk.

12. The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah

Loulie’s a smuggler with a jinn bodyguard, and when she saves a prince, things get way more complicated.

She’s forced to find a magical lamp that could either save or ruin everything.

The twists were unexpected, and I loved how Loulie had to face so many layers of secrets, betrayal, and magic.

13. Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin

Kurara’s paper magic was super cool. I was hooked from the moment her secret got out.

The whole flying ship and magical creature hunt made for such an exciting adventure.

Kurara’s growth, especially as she starts questioning everything she thought she knew about the empire, kept me on the edge of my seat.

It was a fun, action-packed read with some deep moments.

14. The Phoenix King by Aparna Verna

Elena’s struggle with not having her family’s magic really pulled me in.

She’s supposed to be the next ruler, but without the magic, she feels like she’s falling short.

The arrival of the mysterious assassin just made everything even more complicated.

I loved seeing Elena fight to prove herself and rise to the challenge, even when everything around her seemed to be falling apart.

15. Kindling by Traci Chee

The kindlings, who were once powerful warriors, are now struggling to find their place in a world that doesn’t need them anymore.

The bond they form and their personal journeys through trauma and redemption really hit me.

The ending was intense, and it really made me think about second chances and fighting for what’s worth it.

16. Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay

Under Heaven was such a beautifully crafted story. Shen Tai’s journey with the 250 horses is full of political tension and honor.

The whole world felt so rich and detailed, and I loved how the story explored loyalty, power, and what happens when one man’s choices start affecting everyone around him.

It was definitely an epic read, and I couldn’t put it down.

17. Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

Channi’s transformation and the bond with her sister were so moving.

Being cursed with a serpent’s face and having to protect her sister, who’s beautiful and about to be married off, really made for an emotional journey.

The mix of romance, sisterhood, and dark fairy-tale elements made it a unique and heart-wrenching read that I couldn’t stop thinking about.

18. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

I loved how selfless Mina was in this book.

When her brother tries to save the girl chosen as the Sea God’s bride, Mina sacrifices herself instead.

The Spirit Realm was full of magic, gods, and creatures, and I loved the quest to wake the Sea God and end the storms.

Mina’s determination and bravery were so inspiring, and the whole adventure kept me hooked.

19. The Lotus Flower Champion by Pintip Dunn and Love Dunn

What was supposed to be a family vacation turns into a nightmare when she and a group of strangers end up trapped on an island where Thai mythology comes to life.

Watching everyone deal with their fears and unlock powers they didn’t know they had kept me turning pages, especially with the stakes so high.