5 Speculative Works Inspired by Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East

The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu
This hard SF novel from China’s most award-winning author of science fiction is breathtaking in scope, and deeply rooted in the political and cultural climate of China over the past 50 years. It all begins with an execution in 1967 of a scientist for teaching ideas deemed dangerous to the revolution, while his teenage daughter watches. After her mother abandons her, the young woman, Ye Wenjie, is first exiled to a labor camp, then later conscripted to work at a secret military base where she ends up being the first human in contact with an alien race. Her decisions, influenced by the treatment she’s endured from everyone around her—most especially her own government—will have repercussions that echo through time.
The novel jumps ahead 40 years to a mystery involving a group called the Frontiers of Science, a large number of whom have committed suicide. Wang Miao, a scientist working with nanomaterial, is tasked with infiltrating the group to investigate, leading him to play a game called Three Body, which turns out to be a recruiting tool used by aliens to prepare for an invasion hundreds of years in the making. This Hugo Award-winning novel harkens back to the foundational works of Arthur C. Clarke, yet remains truly unlike anything written by a Western author; for fans of science fiction, it is a book not to be missed.  The trilogy continues in The Dark Forest and concludes with Death’s End. The first and third books happen to have been translated by the next author on our list…

The Grace of Kings, by Ken Liu
Ken Liu’s debut has the feel of an ages-old legend being told by a very skilled story-teller. It’s a sweeting epic fantasy set in the mythical archipelago kingdom of Dara, reminiscent of the legendary dynasties of China that spawned a rich history of heroes, rebellions, art, poetry, and music that fill museums today. Kuni Garu is an unlikely hero—deemed lazy and selfish by his family, he drinks all day and makes merry with numerous friends all night, with a dash of mischief thrown in. After just such a day of imbibing, Kuni stumbles upon a woman and her young son who are in trouble with the law. He uses some cunning to save the little family, and it comes to the attention of Jia Matiza, a young independent woman from a good family, who sees the good in Kuni and inspires him towards greatness, and a revolution of epic proportions. The second book in the series, The Wall of Storms, came out earlier this month.
Speaking of Liu (both Ken and Cixin), readers should also keep an eye out for Invisible Planets, out November 1, which includes 13 contemporary science fiction stories translated from Chinese. Ken Liu provides an excellent introduction (and lends his translation skills to) to help readers unfamiliar with Chinese culture understand some of the context in which the anthology was written.

The Devourers, by Indra Das
Debut author Indra Das knocks it out of the park with The Devourers, a lush and violent tale of the origins of a new kind of monster, one steeped in legend and myth. Shape-shifters roam the forests of Kolkata, India, and Alok, a human professor, finds himself caught up in a world he’s not sure is real as he’s tasked with recording their history. The Devourers is reminiscent of early Anne Rice, but Das’s take on the monstrous is wholly original and completely unforgettable, and his immersive prose engages all five senses.

Throne of the Crescent Moon, by Saladin Ahmed
This debut novel from Saladin Ahmed was a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Crawford, Gemmell, and British Fantasy awards, and won the Locus Award for Best First Novel. This is a tale born out of Middle Eastern mythology, about an aging doctor, Adoulla Makhslood, last of the legendary ghul hunters. Raseed, a young member of the holy Order of Dervishes, is sworn to protect Adoulla, and the two must pursue the bone ghuls who have attacked and killed the family of a young boy. But all is not what it seems—their foe is no run-of-the-mill magus, but a powerful sorcerer. Set against a backdrop of political strife and potential revolution in an impeccably built world, this is no ordinary fantasy.

Monstress, by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
Marjorie Liu, a fierce supporter of diversity in publishing as well as a prolific writer of paranormal romance and Marvel comics, has combined her novel and comic writing talents in Monstress. This new series offers a powerful tale of an alternate Asia populated with humans, Arcanics, and Cumea. The latter two  have been at war for as long as can be remembered, setting up a brilliant consideration of issues of racism, feminism, and friendship in a war-torn society. The gorgeous and intricate illustrations by Tokyo artist Sana Takeda are clearly influenced by manga and steampunk, providing rich visual that is appropriate for a dark tale inspired by Marjorie’s grandmother’s experiences in China during World War II. Also, watch out for some of the best cats we’ve read in awhile.

A Writer to Watch
Alyssa Wong won the 2015 Nebula Award for her short story, “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers,” originally published in Nightmare Magazine and reprinted in The Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Volume Ten. This particular piece is a delectably weird and creepy story about an Asian American murderess of a different breed. Her other work has also been short-listed for the John W. Campbell, World Fantasy, Pushcart, Locus, Bram Stoker, and Shirley Jackson Awards. I’ve read most of her published short-fiction, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what she does with the novel format (hint hint).