Asian & Pacific Islander

Asian & Pacific Islander incorporates a multitude of ethnicities and nationalities, from Hawaii to Korea to Japan to China to the Indian subcontinent and a whole lot of ocean and land in between! I've also included the Roma/Romani (aka Gypsies) on this page because of their customs and origins in India.

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Lloyd Alexander
The Iron Ring (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"When Tamar, the young king of Sundari, loses a dice game, he loses everything -- his kingdom, its riches, and even the right to call his life his own. His bondage is symbolized by the iron ring that appears mysteriously on his finger. To Tamar, born to the warrior caste, honor is everything. So he sets out on a journey to make good on his debt -- and even to give up his life if necessary. And that journey leads him into a world of magic, where animals can talk, the foolish are surprisingly wise, and danger awaits..."

Steph Bennion
Hollow Moon (Ages 13+)
"A kidnapping, a school band competition and an electric cat that eats everything in sight! Hollow Moon is a fast-paced and witty space opera mystery that tells the tale of Ravana, a teenage girl who has to grow up fast when she and her father become embroiled in a plot of interstellar intrigue. Having fled civil war sixteen light years away, Ravana and her father now live in the sleepy commune of the hollow moon, a forgotten colony ship drifting around Barnard's Star. Yet what began as a minor escapade to rescue her electric cat soon leads to an incredible adventure into the shady dystopian world of politics, kidnappings and school band competitions. Hollow Moon is an adventure for all who relish a dose of humour and practical astrophysics with their fantasy!"

An exerpt from an interview with author Steph Bennion on Zigzag Timeline:
"In Hollow Moon, the dominant interplanetary powers are China and India. Why these Eastern powers as opposed to Western ones?

"I reasoned that future endeavours in space would be driven by commercial needs—not to explore, but exploit, as Ravana contemplates at some point—by starting with asteroid mining and then moving on from there. China and India seemed likely candidates to make the first serious attempts at industrialising space, given the relative state of their economies and need for raw materials compared to the developed but debt-ridden West; China in particular is catching up fast as far as space technology is concerned..." To read the remainder of the interview on Zigzag Timeline, please click here.

Kindle edition
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Smashwords edition

Alison Goodman
Eon (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"Sixteen-year-old Eon has a dream, and a mission. For years, he's been studying sword-work and magic, toward one end. He and his master hope that he will be chosen as a Dragoneye-an apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But Eon has a dangerous secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been masquerading as a twelve-year-old boy. Females are forbidden to use Dragon Magic; if anyone discovers she has been hiding in plain sight, her death is assured. When Eon's secret threatens to come to light, she and her allies are plunged into grave danger and a deadly struggle for the Imperial throne. Eon must find the strength and inner power to battle those who want to take her magic...and her life."

Eona (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the selfstyled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and power - and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans..."

Kindle edition
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Robert Heinlein
Starship Troopers (Ages 15+)
In this Hugo Award winning novel, young Juan Rico signs up for Federal Service. Successful military service will allow him all rights of citizenship, including voting. Boot camp is tough. He's ready to quit and has actually resigned when the aliens strike Eath, wiping out his hometown of Buenos Aires. Rip-roaring Heinlein at his best, this action adventure sci-fi novel is also a fascinating social commentary. It's never really revealed that Rico is Filipino -- until near the end of the book -- and if you don't read carefully, you'll miss it. (PSSST: The book is MUCH better than any of the three movies! - RDJ)

Kindle edtion
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Alaya Dawn Johnson
Racing the Dark (Ages 13+)
"A brilliant new novel from a 25-year-old debut author, Racing the Dark is set in a land of volcanoes and earthquakes, plagues and typhoons, of island nations bound by fear of the spirits they imprisoned to control their volatile environment. Lana, a teenaged girl on a nameless backwater island, finds an ominous blood-red jewel that marks her as someone with power, setting in motion events that drive her away from her family and into an apprenticeship with a mysterious one-armed witch. Lana begins to learn the spells and incantations, each of which requires some form of sacrifice from the person who employs it. As Lana becomes more powerful, she is deceived into a sacrifice she is unwilling to make — the life of her own mother. When Lana dares to use a dark, ancient spell to save her mother's life, she is set onto a path toward becoming a creature beyond her wildest imaginings. This is an unforgettable coming-of-age story set in a world where wielding the power of magic requires understanding the true meaning of sacrifice."

The Burning City (Ages 13+)
"In The Burning City , Alaya Dawn Johnson continues the trilogy begun with her debut, Racing the Dark, delving deeper into the world of magic wielded by women who understand the dark trade-offs of power and sacrifice. Lana, the heroine, has become the black angel — a harbinger of destruction unheard of in the islands for 500 years. Nui'ahi, the sleeping volcano of the great city Essel, has erupted. In the chaos, the city is reshaping itself and violence threatens from all corners. A rebel movement has formed in the destroyed heart of the city, determined to oust Kohaku, the mad Mo'i of Essel. Lana wants no part of the rebels' cause — the death spirit still chases her, and the great witch Akua has kidnapped Lana's mother. But the more Lana looks for her mother, the more she is drawn into the city's political conflicts. As Kohaku descends deeper into madness, determined to subdue the city by any means necessary, his wife has run away to the fire temple, where she too is slowly converted to the rebel's cause. When long-running tensions spill over into civil war, Lana must make her hardest decision yet: her mother's life, or a city's freedom?"

Kindle edition
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Jay Kristoff
Stormdancer (Ages 16+)
Japanese steampunk with a female protagonist! Be still my heart!! (RDJ)

"The first in an epic new fantasy series, introducing an unforgettable new heroine and a stunningly original dystopian steampunk world with a flavor of feudal Japan.

"A DYING LAND - The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

"AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST - The hunters of Shima's imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

"A HIDDEN GIFT - Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

"But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire."

Kindle edition
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Grace Lin
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Grades 4-8 / Age 10+)
"This Newbery Honor book features magic, adventure, friendship, and even a dragon who can't fly! In the valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli lives in a ramshackle hut with her parents. In the evenings, her father regales her with old folktales of the Jade Dragon and the Old Man on the Moon, who knows the answers to all of life's questions. Inspired by these stories, Minli sets off on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man on the Moon to ask him how she can change her family's fortune. She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest for the ultimate answer."

"Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat, returns with a wondrous story of adventure, faith, and friendship. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. Her beautiful illustrations, printed in full-color, accompany the text throughout. Once again, she has created a charming, engaging book for young readers."

Kindle edition

Marie Lu
Legend (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem. From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths--until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets. Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills." Contains graphic violence.

Prodigy
Available January 29, 2013

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Available January 29, 2013
Pre-order now!

Kindle edition
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Ian McDonald
Planesrunner (Ages 13+)
"There is not one you. There are many yous. There is not one world. There are many worlds. Ours is one of billions of parallel earths. When Everett Singh's scientist father is kidnapped from the streets of London, he leaves young Everett a mysterious app on his computer. Suddenly, this teenager has become the owner of the most valuable object in the multiverse the—Infundibulum— the map of all the parallel earths, and there are dark forces in the Ten Known Worlds who will stop at nothing to get it. They've got power, authority, and the might of ten planets—some of them more technologically advanced than our Earth—at their fingertips. He's got wits, intelligence, and a knack for Indian cooking. To keep the Infundibulum safe, Everett must trick his way through the Heisenberg Gate his dad helped build and go on the run in a parallel Earth. But to rescue his Dad from Charlotte Villiers and the sinister Order, this Planesrunner's going to need friends. Friends like Captain Anastasia Sixsmyth, her adopted daughter Sen, and the crew of the airship Everness. Can they rescue Everett's father and get the Infundibulum to safety? The game is afoot!"

Kindle edition
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Larry Niven
The Ringworld series: Ringworld, The Ringworld Engineers, The Ringworld Throne and Ringworld's Children (Ages 16+)

Ringworld
200-year-old Louie Wu is bored. He's been everywhere and done everything that a human can do. Until the Hindmost, a three-legged alien called a Puppeteer, recruits he, the tiger-like Kzin called Speaker to Animals, and Teela Brown, a "lucky" human, to explore a world a million times larger than the Earth -- a ring around a distant star... May not be appropriate for younger teens due to sex and other mature themes. (RDJ)

Andre Norton
The Time Traders series - Key Out of Time (Ages 13+)

Key Out of Time
In the fourth book of the Time Traders series, Ross Murdock and Arthur Ashe have traveled to the uninhabited ocean world of Hawaika. Accidentally traveling into Hawaika's past along with Polynesian settler Karara and her two trained dolphins, Tino-rau and Taua, they discover that the alien “Baldies” destroyed the original inhabitants and their civilization. With the help of three strange women of a highly advanced race, the last of their kind, the trio set out to save the Hawaikan civilization. (RDJ)

Linda Sue Park
Archer's Quest (Grades 4+ / Ages 10+)
"Twelve-year-old Kevin, a Korean American math whiz, is shocked beyond belief when a young man, complete with bow and arrows, crash lands in his bedroom. And that’s just the beginning. The man, called Skillful Archer, claims to be a legendary ruler from ancient Korea. While Kevin tries explaining contemporary life to the man he nicknames Archie, the young ruler teaches Kevin about focusing his thoughts in an attempt to help him return to his kingdom. There’s not a moment to lose as Kevin uses Korean history and folktales, math, and the Chinese Zodiac to help his friend travel back through time before the Year of the Tiger ends. If Archie can’t get home, history will be forever changed.

Kindle edition

Cindy Pon

Silver Phoenix (Grades 9+ / Ages 14+)
"No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

"But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

"Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

"It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more." Some sexual scenes and a near rape, integral to the plot, make this a book for more mature teens and young adults. Available in paperback and Kindle editions only.

I have a couple of problems with the new covers, versus the original cover shown above. Look at the beauty of the original, the delicacy of the colors and the Asian elements. Now, the new covers are nice, but that's all they are. The covers are "whitewashed", making this story of a young Asian woman look like it could be just another urban fantasy on the bookshelf. Why, oh why? (RDJ)

Fury of the Phoenix (Grades 9+ / Ages 14+)
"Her mysterious power haunts her day and night, and she leaves home—with just the moon as her guide—overwhelmed by her memories and visions and an unbearable sense of dread. For Ai Ling knows that Chen Yong is vulnerable to corrupt enchantments from the under-world. How can she do nothing when she has the skill and power to fight at his side? A dream has told her where he is, the name of the ship he is traveling on, his destination. So she steals off and stows away on board.

"The ocean voyage brings with it brutal danger, haunting revelations, and new friendships, but also the premonition of a very real and terrifying threat. Zhong Ye—the powerful sorcerer whom Ai Ling believed she had vanquished in the Palace of Fragrant Dreams—is trapped in Hell, neither alive nor dead. Can he reach from beyond the grave to reunite with Silver Phoenix and destroy Chen Yong? And destroy whatever chance Ai Ling has at happiness, at love?

"In this sequel to the acclaimed novel Silver Phoenix, four lives are woven together and four destinies become one, now and forever." Alas, at this time, Fury of the Phoenix is only available as a used hardcover book or in a Kindle edition.

Kindle edition
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Chris Roberson
Iron Jaw and Hummingbird (Grades 9+ / Ages 15+)
"Mars is controlled by the Chinese, who call their civilization the Celestial Empire. But for teenagers Gamine and Huang, it is anything but heavenly. Gamine was taken off the street by an aristocrat, schooled as a fine young lady — then abandoned at her patron’s whim and forced to make her living as a grifter. Huang’s army career is cut short by a bandit ambush. When the two meet, Gamine — “Iron Jaw” — is the leader of a sham religious movement, and Huang, or “Hummingbird,” is the bandits’ chief tactician. They join forces to bring down the corrupt government that has determined their lives." Contains sexual situations, may not be suitable for younger teens.

Kindle edition
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Neal Stephenson
Snow Crash (Ages 15+)
This is the classic 1992 cyberpunk novel that, along with William Gibson's Virtual Light, kicked off the cyberpunk sci-fi writing movement. With a main character named Hiro Protagonist, it's clear that there's plenty of action and humor for the teenage reader. Hiro is not just the hero of the story, he's a pizza delivery driver and computer hacker, lives in a storage locker, and the greatest sword fighter in the world. The book features a diverse cast of characters and plenty of Sumerian mythology.

Kindle edition

Rob Thurman
Nightlife (Cal Leandros) (Ages 18+)
About the Cal Leandros series, via text from a middle school science teacher and rabid Sci-Fi fan: "Upper high school, college and up. Lots of F-bombs and myth references. Good character development and interaction. If it were a movie, it would be rated R for language and violence, but is good for the fantasy/ninja fan who wouldn't touch Twilight or Twilight clones with a biohazard suit and a 10-foot pole."

"'There are monsters among us. There always have been and there always will be. I’ve known that ever since I can remember, just like I’ve always known I was one… …Well, half of one, anyway.' Welcome to the Big Apple. There’s a troll under the Brooklyn Bridge, a boggle in Central Park, and a beautiful vampire in a penthouse on the Upper East Side — and that’s only the beginning. Of course, most humans are oblivious to the preternatural nightlife around them, but Cal Leandros is only half-human. His father’s dark lineage is the stuff of nightmares — and he and his entire otherworldly race are after Cal. Why? Cal hasn’t exactly wanted to stick around long enough to find out. He and his half-brother Niko have managed to stay a step ahead for three years, but now Cal’s dad has found them again. And Cal is about to learn why they want him, why they’ve always wanted him…for he is the key to unleashing their hell on earth. The fate of the human world will be decided in the fight of Cal’s life…"

Moonshine (Cal Leandros, Book 2) (Ages 18+)
"After saving the world from his fiendish father's side of the family, Cal Leandros and his stalwart half-brother Niko have settled down with new digs and a new gig - bodyguard and detective work. And in New York City, where preternatural beings stalk the streets just like normal folk, business is good. Their latest case has them going undercover for the Kin - the werewolf Mafia. A low-level Kin boss thinks a rival is setting him up for a fall, and wants proof. The place to start is the back room of Moonshine - a gambling club for non-humans. Cal thinks it's a simple in-and-out job. But Cal is very, very wrong.

"Cal and Niko are being set up themselves-and the people behind it have a bite much worse than their bark..."

Madhouse (Cal Leandros, Book 3) (Ages 18+)
"Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother, Niko, aren't exactly prospering with their preternatural detective agency. Who could have guessed that business could dry up in New York City, where vampires, trolls, and other creepy crawlies are all over the place? But now there's a new arrival in the Big Apple. A malevolent evil with ancient powers is picking off humans like sheep, dead-set on making history with an orgy of blood and murder. And for Cal and Niko, this is one paycheck they're going to have to earn."

Deathwish (Cal Leandros, Book 4) (Ages 18+)
"In a nightmarish New York City, life is there for the taking... Half-human Cal Leandros and his brother Niko are hired by the vampire Seamus to find out who has been following him -- until Seamus turns up dead (or un-undead). Worse still is the return of Cal's nightmarish family, the Auphe. The last time Cal and Niko faced them, they were almost wiped out. Now, the Auphe want revenge. But first, they'll destroy everything Cal holds dear..."

Roadkill (Cal Leandros, Book 5) (Ages 18+)
"It's time to lock, load, and hit the road... Once, while half-human Cal Leandros and his brother Niko were working on a case, an ancient gypsy queen gave them a good old-fashioned backstabbing. Now, just as their P.I. business hits a slow patch, the old crone shows up with a job.

"She wants them to find a stolen coffin that contains a blight that makes the Black Death seem like a fond memory. But the thief has already left town, so the Leandros brothers are going on the road. And if they're very, very lucky, there might even be a return trip..."

Blackout (Cal Leandros, Book 6) (Ages 18+)
"When half-human Cal Leandros wakes up on a beach littered with the slaughtered remains if a variety of hideous creatures, he's not that concerned. In fact, he can't remember anything-including who he is. And that's just the way his deadly enemies like it..."

Doubletake (Cal Leandros, Book 7) (Ages 18+)
"Half-human/half-monster Cal Leandros knows that family is a pain. But now that pain belongs to his half-brother, Niko. Niko's shady father is in town, and he needs a big favor. Even worse is the reunion being held by the devious Puck race - including the Leandros' friend, Robin - featuring a lottery that no Puck wants to win.

"As Cal tries to keep both Niko and Robin from paying the ultimate price for their kin, a horrific reminder from Cal's own past arrives to remind him that blood is thicker than water-and that's why it's so much more fun to spill."

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Trick of the Light (Trickster, Book 1) (Ages 18+)
Trixa, from Chapter 1: "...I told them the truth. My family had been gypsies and travelers since…since before anyone could remember. We’d seen a lot in our travels and we passed on our stories to relatives when the reunions came around..."

"When Trixa learns of a powerful artifact known as the Light of Life, she knows she’s hit the jackpot. Both sides — angel and demon — would give anything for it. But first she has to find it. And as Heaven and Hell ready for an apocalyptic throwdown, Trixa must decide where her true loyalty lies, and what she’s ready to fight for. Because in her world, if you line up on the wrong side, you pay with more than your life…" Language (including F-bombs), sexual scenarios, violence and descriptions of killing demons may be too intense for younger teens and their parents.

The Grimrose Path (Trickster, Book 2) (Ages 18+)
"Bar owner Triva Iktomi knows that inhuman creatures of light and darkness roam Las Vegas - especially since she's a bit more than human herself. She's just been approached with an unusual proposition. Something has slaughtered almost one thousand demons in six months. And the killing isn't going to stop unless Trixa and her friends step into the fight..." Language (including F-bombs), sexual scenarios, violence and descriptions of killing demons may be too intense for younger teens and their parents.

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Kindle edition
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Kindle edition
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Kindle edition
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Vernor Vinge
Rainbows End (Ages 15+)
Robert Gu, a world famous American poet of Chinese ancestry, was dying of Alzheimers. Cured, he wakes to a strange new world filled with technology and worse, he's lost his poetic voice. With a mean streak a mile wide, his son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter put up with his angst despite his cruel treatment of the people around him. Gu isn't very likeable at first, but he evolves slowly into a better person even as his skills with the new technology improve. This hard sci-fi story involves conspiracies, future technology, family issues, and more. To be honest, I think that a tech-obsessed teen would enjoy this book, but I felt like I was plowing along until I got to about page 200. At that point the action picked up and from there on, I enjoyed the story. The end of the book left some loose ends but I haven't heard of a sequel -- yet. (RDJ)

Kindle edition
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Daniel H. Wilson
Robopocalypse
A computer intelligence takes over robots in order to destroy the human race. The story incorporates multiple characters, including a Japanese technician in love with his female robot. Steven Spielberg is directing the movie adaptation.

Gene Luen Yang
American Born Chinese - Graphic Novel (Grades 6+ / Ages 12+)
"Jin Wang starts at a new school where he’s the only Chinese-American student. When a boy from Taiwan joins his class, Jin doesn’t want to be associated with an FOB like him. Jin just wants to be an all-American boy, because he’s in love with an all-American girl. Danny is an all-American boy: great at basketball, popular with the girls. But his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee’s annual visit is such a disaster that it ruins Danny’s reputation at school, leaving him with no choice but to transfer somewhere he can start all over again.

The Monkey King has lived for thousands of years and mastered the arts of kung fu and the heavenly disciplines. He’s ready to join the ranks of the immortal gods in heaven. But there’s no place in heaven for a monkey. Each of these characters cannot help himself alone, but how can they possibly help each other? They’re going to have to find a way—if they want fix the disasters their lives have become. American Born Chinese is a 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature, the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New, an Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring and a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year." This is a graphic novel.

Kindle edition
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Laurence Yep
Dragon of the Lost Sea series - Dragon of the Lost Sea, Dragon Cauldron, Dragon Steel, and Dragon War (Grades 4-7)

Dragon of the Lost Sea
"The outlawed princess of the Dragon Clan and her young human companion undergo fearsome trials in their quest for an evil enchantress."

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The Tiger's Apprentice series- The Tiger's Apprentice: Book One, Tiger's Blood, and Tiger Magic (Grades 5-7)

The Tiger's Apprentice: Book One
"Tom Lee's life changes forever the day he meets a talking tiger named Mr. Hu, and discovers he is the latest in a long line of magical Guardians."

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The Magic Paintbrush (Grades 2+ / Ages 8+)
"Steve can hardly believe it. With his new paintbrush, whatever he paints becomes real. Now he, Grandfather, and Uncle Fong can wish for anything they want. Uncle Fong uses the paintbrush to return to China, to the village of his childhood, and Grandfather wants to visit the Lady on the Moon. Steve wonders if the paintbrush can bring his parents back. But they all soon realize the paintbrush might have its own agenda."