Must-Read SFF Books by AANHPI Authors
By Alyssa Aspiotis & Gabby Aspiotis
Edited by Sherriece Hughes
May is dedicated to recognizing the amazing works by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. To celebrate these remarkable authors, we have created a list of 15 must-read Sci-Fi and Fantasy books all by AANHPI authors that have rich, beautiful stories.
The Obake Code by Makana Yamamoto
After retiring from being the most infamous hacker in the galaxy, Malia is bored. Finding herself on the bad side of a dangerous local gang leader, Jeongah Song, she receives an offer she can’t refuse: bring down the local politician hindering Jenogah’s operations or die. Malia knows exactly who to call: a street racing wheelman, a grifter, and a thief, but soon finds herself deep into a conspiracy that may be too much for her to handle.
The Killing Spell by Shay Kauwe
Kea, the youngest Hawaiian clan leader at only twenty-five years old, lives on the treaty established homeland. This treaty was forged 200 years ago, but is on the brink of expiring. When the most prominent Filipino activist is murdered by a death spell, Kea becomes a prime suspect in the investigation. She must unravel the mystery of the murder in order to clear her name, as time is running out to save herself, the clan, and her land.
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Windups, giant mechanized weapons, are used by the tyrannical nation of Godolia. When Eris Shindanai, a Gearbreaker specializing in taking down Windups, ends up in a Godolia prison, she meets Sona Steelcrest. Sona is a cybernetically enhanced soldier trained to pilot Windups. Eris sees Sona as her enemy, but Sona has a secret; she has infiltrated the Windup program to destroy Godolia. Their relationship deepens as the two work together to try to end Godolia’s vicious reign.
Coffeeship in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee
When Brenda’s internet goes out right before an important deadline, she stumbles into a coffee shop she’s never seen before. She meets Kat, and the two immediately form a connection. However, when Brenda tries to find the coffee shop again, she can’t. They soon realize they’re from different universes and the only way they can meet is through a portal. As their two universes start to collide, they must figure out how to stop the danger before it’s too late.
The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong
Novice Certainty Bulrush has the unique ability to talk to objects. However, her magic hasn’t been of use to the Guild, until now. When given the chance to earn her magehood, she jumps at the opportunity. Even if that means working with Mage Aurelia, an icy overachiever. Tasked with transporting magical artifacts to Shpelling, a village with little magic, the two begin to grow closer to each other and build relationships with the citizens who have an uneasy relationship with the Guild.
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan
Ia has spent her life tormenting the Olympus Commonwealth, the imperialist nation that destroyed her home. Once they capture her and her identity as the notorious outlaw Ia Cōcha is exposed, she is forced to serve them. She finds herself at the Commonwealth's military academy and hopelessly plans her escape. However, Ia begins to question her alliances and chance of escape when she meets Brinn, a student with a secret, and Knives, their Flight Master.
Heir by Sabaa Tahir
Set in the same world as the beloved series An Ember in the Ashes, Heir follows the lives of three young people struggling with treachery, power, and love. Quil is the son of a reviled emperor, loathing his impending ascension to the throne. Sirsha is a tracker who utilizes magic to trace her marks, but is thrown off when an unlikely encounter blossoms into unexpected attraction. Aiz grew up in the slums, but one mistake leads her into the most notorious prison. Their paths intertwine in unlikely ways, and the journey could cost them their lives.
And the Sky Bled by S. Hati
The occupied city of Tejomaya is brought to a standstill when the magical fossil fuel, calor, is no longer falling from the sky. With this extended drought, rumors of a secret stash of calor begins to spread, and three likely magic hunters are willing to risk everything to find the stash. These three rivals race against the clock to find the hidden stash of calor, or the already crumbling city will be destroyed.
Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
Hanalei spends her years of exile studying the striking seadragons that roam freely in the sea. But one encounter with a female dragon offers her a chance of a lifetime to return to the home she lost. Hanalei teams up with a childhood companion, Sam, to help the seadragons from being prayed upon, and to find the impossible dragonfruit, which could help revive Sam’s ailing mother.
Meru by S. B. Divya
Humans are restricted to Earth after wreaking havoc on the universe, while their posthuman descendants, called alloys, roam the galaxy. When an Earthlike planet called Meru is discovered, Jayanthi, a human adopted by alloy parents, jumps at the chance to see the galaxy. She intends to show that humans are more than their past. She receives help from Vaha, an alloy pilot, and they have to work together to test Meru’s habitability and human-alloy relations.
Ocean’s Godori by Elaine U. Cho
Ocean Yoon, a disgraced Korean space pilot, struggles to feel at home anywhere. She is joined by Haven, who is also disgraced for his profession. When Ocean’s best friend Teo is accused of murdering his family, Ocean and her crewmates come to his aid. They soon find themselves in the middle of a high-stakes conflict, leading them on a chase they weren't prepared for. They must find out who murdered Teo’s family, and find their own places in the world.
The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
This is a mesmerizing collection of sc
ience fiction and fantasy tales by Ken Liu, the bestselling author of The Grace of Kings. This anthology encompasses the most notable and relatable themes to our current society, and weaves them with Asian-inspired tales that evokes an emotionally impactful experience.
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
Luli Wei has one dream, to become a star. She knows exactly how limited the roles are for Chinese American girls, and how dangerous the movie business is, but she is blinded by her desires. Luli quickly realizes that the worst monsters in Hollywood are the studios, where they run off of bargains made with ancient magic in blood, and are determined to own everything related to Luli. Luli must decide if it’s worth becoming a monster herself, risking everything she’s worked for.
Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
To escape damnation, Shizuka Satomi made a deal with the devil. She must persuade seven violin prodigies to trade their souls for success. Shizuka thinks she’s found her final contender when she hears Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway, play. With her soul on the line, Shizuka doesn’t have time to connect with people, but that changes when she connects with Katrina and meets Lan Tran, a retired space captain who owns a donut shop. Will Shizuka be able to deliver this final soul?
Illusions of Fire by Nisha Sharma
Laila was born into a mythological bloodline, resulting in early morning hand-to-hand combat training with her adopted aunts. Her bloodline is infused with the secrets of the universe, but is safely guarded by her family. When a new boy, Ahvi, comes into town, there’s a threat of an epic battle lingering in her once peaceful life. Laila and Ahvi must confront their origin stories, and get prepared for the upcoming battle that could destroy the world.
We hope you add these wonderful, diverse stories to your (never ending) TBR and find some new favourites as well. Happy readin’!