Five on the Fifth: Asian Inspired Fantasy
Since I was first exposed to fairy tales as a little girl, I've always been fascinated with fantasy. Since I was first exposed to Memoirs of a Geisha in high school, I've always had an interest in Asian culture. Fortunately, there are authors out there who have had the brilliant idea of combining the two! Here are five fantastic Asian-inspired fantasy.
Little Sister by Kara Dalkey
Summary- Mitsuko spends her days writing poetry, and keeping herself hidden from most of the world outside of her own family. But when her sister Amaiko’s husband, Yugiri, is murdered, and her sister’s spirit attempts to follows him into death, Mitsuko must flee her sheltered life and find Yugiri’s lost soul. With a crow-demon for a companion, Mitsuko begins a dangerous journey where she must deal with gods and monsters, and save her family before it’s too late.
One More Thing- Little Sister has a sequel, The Heavenward Path, which is also inspired by Japanese culture. Dalkey has written several other books of Asian Inspired fantasy, including an epic novel for adults inspired by Japan, and a trilogy inspired by India. In fact, you can say Asian-inspired fantasy is sort of her specialty.
Read my Review
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Summary- Every year, a group of twelve year old boys compete to earn the opportunity to work dragon magic. The winner will become an official apprentice to a Dragoneye master, and become the master themselves in another twelve years. Eon, permanently crippled, is viewed as unclean and is physically unable to do some of the competing tasks, but is allowed to compete due to his unique ability to see all of the dragon spirits. But Eon has a secret, he is not really twelve-year-old Eon, but sixteen-year-old Eona, female, and therefore forbidden to compete.
One More Thing- Goodman is currently working on a sequel to Eon, which is also inspired by Chinese/Japanese culture
Read my Review
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
Summary- Inspired by Feudal Japan, Across the Nightingale Floor is the story of Takeo, an outcast who one day comes home to discover almost everything he knew destroyed. Taken in by Lord Otori Shigeru, Takeo is taught in sword craft and thrust into the complex world of the upper class, leading him to discover unknown truths about his own destiny.
One More Thing- Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of a trilogy to take place in this world, and Lian Hearn has written more in this world as well.
Book of A Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Summary- On her first day of becoming Lady Saren’s maid, Dashti learns that her new mistress has refused to marry a powerful man. For punishment, both Saran and Dashti are to be locked in a tower for seven years. Saren immediately falls into depression, and later, madness, but Dashti, who grew up in poverty cannot help but rejoice in the fact that she will be able to eat three whole meals a day for seven years. But as time passes, their food storage is depleted well before it’s time due to a rat infestation and Saren’s hungry stomach. Even the ever positive Dashti cannot keep her spirits up. She knows that if they don’t find a way out soon, both of them will die.
One More Thing- Book of A Thousand Days takes place in a setting much like Mongolia
Read my review
Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey
Summary- Moirin of the Maghuin Dhonn knows many things. She can catch a fish with her bare hands, and hunt with a bow and arrow. She can summon the twilight to conceal herself from sight. She knows that she is descended from royalty, but there is much that she does not know. She does not know who her father is, the color of her eyes, or much about the world beyond her rustic existence with her mother in the wilderness. As she grows from child to young adult she begins to learn about her father, a Priest of Naamah, and that her destiny lies far away from her home, across the sea. So with her limited knowledge of the outside world, Moirin heads to Terre D’Ange, where she becomes caught up in a lovers’ quarrel, and dangerous magic. Then, she finds herself in the far off Ch’in, where she will have to save a princess, a dragon, and a country at war.
One More Thing- Ch'in is inspired by China. This is the first book in a trilogy.
Read my review
Anything I missed?
Little Sister by Kara Dalkey
Summary- Mitsuko spends her days writing poetry, and keeping herself hidden from most of the world outside of her own family. But when her sister Amaiko’s husband, Yugiri, is murdered, and her sister’s spirit attempts to follows him into death, Mitsuko must flee her sheltered life and find Yugiri’s lost soul. With a crow-demon for a companion, Mitsuko begins a dangerous journey where she must deal with gods and monsters, and save her family before it’s too late.
One More Thing- Little Sister has a sequel, The Heavenward Path, which is also inspired by Japanese culture. Dalkey has written several other books of Asian Inspired fantasy, including an epic novel for adults inspired by Japan, and a trilogy inspired by India. In fact, you can say Asian-inspired fantasy is sort of her specialty.
Read my Review
Eon: Dragoneye Reborn by Alison Goodman
Summary- Every year, a group of twelve year old boys compete to earn the opportunity to work dragon magic. The winner will become an official apprentice to a Dragoneye master, and become the master themselves in another twelve years. Eon, permanently crippled, is viewed as unclean and is physically unable to do some of the competing tasks, but is allowed to compete due to his unique ability to see all of the dragon spirits. But Eon has a secret, he is not really twelve-year-old Eon, but sixteen-year-old Eona, female, and therefore forbidden to compete.
One More Thing- Goodman is currently working on a sequel to Eon, which is also inspired by Chinese/Japanese culture
Read my Review
Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn
Summary- Inspired by Feudal Japan, Across the Nightingale Floor is the story of Takeo, an outcast who one day comes home to discover almost everything he knew destroyed. Taken in by Lord Otori Shigeru, Takeo is taught in sword craft and thrust into the complex world of the upper class, leading him to discover unknown truths about his own destiny.
One More Thing- Across the Nightingale Floor is the first of a trilogy to take place in this world, and Lian Hearn has written more in this world as well.
Book of A Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Summary- On her first day of becoming Lady Saren’s maid, Dashti learns that her new mistress has refused to marry a powerful man. For punishment, both Saran and Dashti are to be locked in a tower for seven years. Saren immediately falls into depression, and later, madness, but Dashti, who grew up in poverty cannot help but rejoice in the fact that she will be able to eat three whole meals a day for seven years. But as time passes, their food storage is depleted well before it’s time due to a rat infestation and Saren’s hungry stomach. Even the ever positive Dashti cannot keep her spirits up. She knows that if they don’t find a way out soon, both of them will die.
One More Thing- Book of A Thousand Days takes place in a setting much like Mongolia
Read my review
Naamah's Kiss by Jacqueline Carey
Summary- Moirin of the Maghuin Dhonn knows many things. She can catch a fish with her bare hands, and hunt with a bow and arrow. She can summon the twilight to conceal herself from sight. She knows that she is descended from royalty, but there is much that she does not know. She does not know who her father is, the color of her eyes, or much about the world beyond her rustic existence with her mother in the wilderness. As she grows from child to young adult she begins to learn about her father, a Priest of Naamah, and that her destiny lies far away from her home, across the sea. So with her limited knowledge of the outside world, Moirin heads to Terre D’Ange, where she becomes caught up in a lovers’ quarrel, and dangerous magic. Then, she finds herself in the far off Ch’in, where she will have to save a princess, a dragon, and a country at war.
One More Thing- Ch'in is inspired by China. This is the first book in a trilogy.
Read my review
Anything I missed?