Recs if you like Burn the Sea...

Fantasy inspired by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and/or Afghanistan (myths, setting, etc.)

An on-going attempt to track Asian authors in my Interested/TBR (and hopefully Finished) categories. Books are generally fiction/lit fic/fantasy with some memoirs. Authors span West to East Asia, the Asian diaspora, and mixed-race folx.

books with covers that look like another

Indian inspired/set fantasy and folklore. Crowd-sourced from an ask in the Asian-inspired Fantasy quest, so check that out too, but always open to suggestions ☺️ Mostly Desi authors, though not exclusively. I have yet to read any, so join me as I work my way through these (and thanks to everyone who suggested them 🤍)

Protagonists using Indigenous knowledge to magically fight for their people against systemic oppression

All genres of Fantasy written by South Asian authors specifically.

Be the trend setter of your book club or bookish friend group by getting to know the authors of next year’s publication cycle. These books are all by new talent in the publishing world from both the Big 5 and small, traditional publishers.

Be sure to also check out these authors on social media for ARC opportunities, and show these authors some love by requesting a purchase with your local library, or pre-ordering a copy yourself!

a collection of books im interested in which are releasing this year (2026). no particular order

Tiny imprints by bookish influencers

Two nobles arranged in marriage, magical worlds, fragile political alliances, kingdoms at stake... what could go wrong?

Some marriages will flourish, some are simply convenient, and some won't end happily ever after ❤️‍🔥

Featuring physically violent and or cunningly intelligent women fighting patriarchal regimes. Both those who empower their fellow women and those in it for selfish purposes, these women change the cores of the societies they are beholden to.

This is a subsection of the 2026 Debut Author list for small presses (anything outside the Big 5).

These authors may be looking for ARC readers, so check out their social media for updates if their book sounds interesting.

stories against empire that feel especially relevant right now

books i think damian wayne // aka robin from dc comics // would declare as his most prized possessions. right after his pets, ofc.

books with covers where characters get to lounge sexily on thrones/chairs