China is fourth largest country in the word and It’s filled with awesome mythology and good historical stories. Here is a list of Best Books Based On Chinese Mythology.
Best Books Based On Chinese Mythology:
The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim
A book that’s more on the grim side, it follows Li Jing’s struggles with poverty and her successive sales to an ill-treating family as a wife and then into even worse conditions. With the help of several mythical characters such as a magic spider, nightingale and the local deity Huli Jing, she returns to Huanan (her hometown) and discovers herself in the process. This book is beautifully written and mingles folklore with history rendering an exceptional and unique feel to it. It may not have traditional fantasy plot points, but it’s a book that will blow your mind.
Burning Roses by S. L. Huang
In this Little Red Riding Hood retelling, Rosa lives past the wolf attack that takes her grandma’s life. And so she grows up to detest speaking animals – the grundwirgen and devotes her life to ridding the world of them. But this is just the background – the real story begins after the entry of Hou Yi – a popular character from Chinese folklore. Together, Rosa and Hou Yi hunt the deadly sunbirds who threaten to destroy the kingdom, with lots of twists and turns.
The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang
This is an epic historical mythological military fantasy, which takes place during the tumultuous years of the opium war. It follows Rin, who passes the test to secure admission to the Academies with flying colours. As she enters the Academy, however, she realizes that things are way more sinister and that the Gods long believed to be dead are actually alive. And her shamanic powers may be the only way to save her kingdom.
The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu
This follows two people, a bandit called Kuni Guru and the son of a deposed duke called Mata Zyundu who unite to overthrow the emperor. But after the feat is accomplished, they find themselves siding with differing factions due to polar opposite ideologies.
The Tiger’s Apprentice by Laurence Yep
This is the story of a young boy, Tom Lee, who finds himself becoming a guardian of a phoenix egg and an apprentice of a talking tiger. This tiger is Mr Hu, Lee’s mentor and a character from the Chinese zodiac. Other such characters from the zodiac, such as the monkey and the dragon also find a place here.
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
The first book in the Kingdom of Xhia series follows Ai Long, a woman who has been excluded from marriageable criteria for a long time. This, however, protects her from the patriarchal clutches of her kingdom. However she has a special ability to read people’s minds, and she must enter the emperor’s palace to save her father from evil. This is where she comes into contact with goddesses and other mythical creatures.
Where The Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
This is a middle-grade fantasy novel following Minli who lives in the Valley of the Fruitless Mountain, tending to her garden by day and listening to her father’s stories at night. These are fantastic and mythological stories about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon. She soon sets out on a quest to find these mythical beings, encountering eccentric mythological characters on the way.
White Tiger by Kylie Chan
This follows a nanny who takes up a job at the home of a wealthy businessman but ends up discovering that he is a God. Plus a malicious demon is out to get him and they must team up to defeat it.
The Magnolia Sword by Sherry Host
This book is the story of Mulan’s quest to redeem her father’s honour by fighting a duel that will unite two heirloom swords (which paralyzed her father). This book draws heavily from the Wuxan martial arts dramas as well as from the old ballad of Mulan.
Also Read: 7 Standalone Books For Fantasy Lovers
