Asian American Bookworms: September Selection

School’s back in session and it’s time to start off this academic year fresh.  But since you’re still in the early stages of getting back into the swing of classes, here are some sci-fi and fantasy books for when you need to a break from studying.

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee

gates of thread and stone

Seventeen-year-old Kai lives in a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic. However, Kai has been struggling to keep her own secret hidden—she can manipulate time.  When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since.  She doesn’t know where her powers came from or even where she came from.  All that matters is that they stick together and can maybe one day move away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth.  But when Reev disappears, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him, even if that means getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making.  However, saving Reev means Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths.

Lori M. Lee was born in Laos where her family relocated to a Thailand refugee camp before permanently moving to the United States when she was three.  Lee has a degree in Creative Writing and has dreamed of being an author since she was eight. She loves to write about magic, manipulation, and family.  Lee currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband, kids, and a friendly pitbull.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

dualed

In the city of Kersh, everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must eliminate their Alts by their twentieth birthday.  Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life. West Grayer, fifteen, has trained to be a fighter all her life and has been preparing for the day her assignment arrives.  She will have only one month to hunt her down and kill her.  But when a tragic mishap occurs, West is left questioning whether she is the best version of herself, the version worthy of life.  If West is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running from not only her Alt, but also love…though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapmangrew up in Prince George, BC, and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA in English Literature.  She is a contributing member of the group author blogs Friday the Thirteeners and The Lucky 13s.  Chapman currently lives in Tokyo, Japan with her husband and two kids.

Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

shadows on the moon

This “Cinderella” retelling set in fairy-tale Japan follows the story of sixteen-year-old Suzume, who is trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving.  Suzume is able to recreate herself in any form, a fabulous gift for a girl desperate to escape her past.  But who is she really?  Is she a girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of Lord Terayama?  A lowly drudge who works in Terayama’s kitchens?  Or is she Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands?  Whatever her true identity, Suzume is determined to win the heart of a prince and to use his power to destroy Terayama. Nothing with stop her, not even love.

Zoe Marriott knew she wanted to be a writer since she finished reading her first book, The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton at the age of eight.  She got her first publishing contract at 22 but had to wait until she was 24 to see that book published.  Marriott currently lives in a little house in a town by the sea with her two rescued cats and a springer/cocker spaniel.

Have a recommendation for our book club?  Let us know in the comments below!  Check out last month’s recommendations here.

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