Best Asian Historical Fiction Books for Teens & Young Adults of 2026

Last Violent Call: A Foul Thing; This Foul Murder is a thrilling addition to Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights Duet. The novellas follow the familiar cast of characters from the main series and explore their individual stories. A Foul Thing sees Roma and Juliette investigate a mystery closer to home than they ever imagined, while in This Foul Murder, Benedikt and Marshall must solve a murder with surprising ties to their mission. Gong's writing style is engaging and keeps readers on edge throughout. This book is a must-read for fans of the main series and anyone looking for a gripping sword and sorcery fantasy book for teens and young adults.

The Art of My Neighbor Totoro: A Film by Hayao Miyazaki is a delightful collection of concept sketches, character and background drawings, paintings, and cell images. The book offers readers an opportunity to meet the film's principal characters and learn about the production process through interviews and comments with the production staff. Hayao Miyazaki, one of Japan's most beloved animation directors, has created a masterpiece that has received great acclaim in the US. This book is a must-read for fans of Miyazaki's films and those who appreciate the art of animation.

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong is a thrilling tale of spies and murder set in 1930s Shanghai. Rosalind Lang, an assassin with the ability to heal from any wound, is ordered to pose as the wife of Nationalist spy Orion Hong to investigate a series of brutal murders. As they work together to unravel the conspiracy, they uncover deeper layers of horror and betrayal. Gong's fantastical take on the classic Chinese genre of Minguo-era spy thrillers is enthralling, making this book a unique addition to the Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Books for Teens & Young Adults category.

The Red Palace by June Hur is a gripping historical mystery set in Joseon (Korea) in 1758. The story follows Hyeon, an eighteen-year-old palace nurse, who finds herself embroiled in court politics when her closest friend and mentor is accused of murdering four women. Hyeon launches her own secret investigation to prove her teacher's innocence and teams up with Eojin, a young police inspector. As evidence begins to point to the Crown Prince himself as the murderer, Hyeon and Eojin must work together to uncover the deadly secrets behind the bloodshed. This beautifully written story is full of historical and cultural details that leave readers aching for a follow-up.

Heart of a Samurai, a New York Times bestseller and winner of the John Newbery Medal, tells the story of Manjiro, a 14-year-old Japanese boy who is rescued by an American ship after his fishing vessel sinks. The crew takes him to New England, where he learns English and sets off to San Francisco to pan for gold. After many years, he returns to Japan only to be imprisoned as an outsider. With his knowledge of the West, Manjiro convinces the emperor to open Japan's boundaries and pursues his dream of becoming a samurai. This award-winning adventure novel is a captivating fictionalized retelling of a true story.

The Boxers & Saints Boxed Set is a masterpiece from Gene Luen Yang, a celebrated comics storyteller. It tells two parallel stories of the Boxer Rebellion in China from opposing perspectives. Little Bao, inspired by Chinese gods, leads a violent uprising against Western missionaries who abuse and plunder his village. On the other hand, Vibiana, taken in by Christian missionaries, must decide whether to abandon her newfound Christian friends or commit herself fully to Christianity. The Boxers & Saints Boxed Set offers a penetrating insight into one of the most controversial episodes of modern Chinese history. It is a must-read for fans of Asian historical fiction books for teens and young adults.

Foul Heart Huntsman (Foul Lady Fortune) is the second book in the thrilling Foul Lady Fortune duology by Chloe Gong. Set in 1930s Shanghai, this book follows Rosalind Lang, an immortal assassin, as she tries to rescue her husband and save her country from Japanese invasion. With electrifying action, swashbuckling intrigue, and a touch of romance, this book is a must-read for fans of sword and sorcery fantasy. Gong's fantastical take on the classic Chinese genre of Minguo-era spy thrillers makes this book a unique and captivating read.

The Bangalore Detectives Club is the first book in The Kaveri and Ramu Murder Mystery Series, featuring a headstrong and intelligent female sleuth in colonial India. When Kaveri moves to Bangalore to marry doctor Ramu, she finds herself caught up in a murder mystery after an uninvited guest is spotted at a party. Kaveri launches a private investigation to find the killer and soon finds herself in a hotbed of danger and intrigue. This cozy mystery is a delightful read, combining historical fiction and crime fiction, and is perfect for fans of Alexander McCall Smith and Vaseem Khan.

Boxers & Saints, 1 is a two-volume graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. The story is set in China in 1898, where foreign missionaries and soldiers bully and rob Chinese peasants. Little Bao, a commoner trained in kung fu, harnesses the powers of ancient Chinese gods and recruits an army of Boxers to fight against the "foreign devils." However, things get complicated when Chinese citizens who have converted to Christianity become the target. The novel highlights the complexities of extremism, rebellion, and faith. The book is a must-read for those interested in Asian historical fiction and graphic novels.

Saints is the companion volume to Boxers by Gene Luen Yang. It tells the story of Four-Girl, who finds solace in Christianity and takes the name Vibiana, during the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1898. As the rebellion targets Westerners and Chinese Christians, Vibiana is torn between her faith and her loyalty to her country. Saints is a groundbreaking graphic novel that presents two parallel tales about young people caught up on opposite sides of a violent rift. Gene Luen Yang brings his trademark magical realism to the complexities of the Boxer Rebellion, and lays bare the universal foundations of extremism, rebellion, and faith.