magic, dragons, and political intrigue: 9 exciting chinese fantasy novels

Babel by R.F. Kuang

Summary: In an alternate 19th-century Oxford, a Chinese orphan discovers the dark side of language, colonialism, and translation while studying at a magical institute that fuels empire.

Themes: Language as power, colonialism, resistance, identity, and academic elitism.

The Dandelion Dynasty series by Ken Liu

Summary: This sweeping epic fantasy, beginning with The Grace of Kings, blends Chinese history, steampunk elements, and political intrigue as rival warlords, engineers, and rebels reshape an empire through war, innovation, and philosophy.

Themes: Power, rebellion, technology, honor and betrayal, history.

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

Summary: A time-bending queer love story spanning centuries, where a modern-day Chinese American man finds himself reincarnated as a eunuch in ancient China and falls in love with an emperor—interweaving identity, longing, and fate.

Themes: Queer love, reincarnation, identity across time, destiny, and cultural heritage.

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Summary: In a fantasy world where humans are divided by castes, Lei, a low-caste “Paper” girl, is chosen to serve the Demon King—but instead of submission, she finds love and sparks rebellion.

Themes: Sexual violence and recovery, queer love, power, rebellion, identity, female empowerment.

Her Radiant Curse by Elizabeth Lim

Summary: In this prequel to Six Crimson Cranes, Channi is cursed with a serpent’s face and must protect her beautiful sister in a treacherous world of gods, demons, and destiny.

Themes: Sisterhood, beauty vs. inner strength, sacrifice, identity, and mythic destiny.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Summary: In a brutal, futuristic world where giant mechas are powered by male pilots and sacrificial female co-pilots, 18-year-old Zetian signs up to avenge her sister’s death—and becomes a lethal force who upends the gendered power system.

Themes: Feminist rage, patriarchy, revenge, gender roles, transformation.

Monkey King by Wu Cheng-en

Summary: A mischievous monkey acquires supernatural powers and seeks immortality, but his arrogance leads him on a redemptive journey with a monk and other companions to retrieve sacred texts.

Themes: Redemption, enlightenment, loyalty, power and restraint, and the struggle between chaos and order.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Summary: Orphaned war refugee Rin earns a place at an elite military academy, but her rise is marked by brutal magic, war, and moral reckoning as she faces the horrors of violence and power.

Themes: War and trauma, power and corruption, vengeance, identity, and survival.

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Summary: When Princess Shiori’s magic is discovered, she’s banished and her brothers are cursed into cranes. To save them, she must stay silent and uncover hidden truths across a richly imagined East Asian-inspired kingdom.

Themes: Family, silence and voice, transformation, resilience, and East Asian folklore.