Alice is a Canadian fantasy writer based in the UK. She’s fascinated by the spaces where identity and belonging intersect and explores these in her writing. A recovering lawyer and xiaolongbao enthusiast, she knits to soothe anxiety and has a deep abiding love for Hobonichi planners and kawaii planner stickers.
She lives in London with her historical geo-enthusiast hubby, chatterbox daughter, and sweet rescue pup. She’s grateful for the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Her debut novel SHANGHAI IMMORTAL is from Hodderscape.
Find her online at aychao.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @ay_chao
A Palace Near the Wind (2025) (Natural Engines, book 1) Ai Jiang "A breathtakingly imagined story of ecological disaster, torn families, betrayal, and hope. Unlike anything I've ever read before - like Ghibli retelling Tolkien through Chinese myth - with tree-like deities, political intrigue, wind magic, and mecha. Utterly enchanting."
Water Moon (2025) Samantha Sotto Yambao "A spellbinding journey into a magical Ghibliesque world where regrets and memories can be bartered, where appearances are not what they seem, and where dreams, free will, and destiny are pitted against fate . . . Endlessly inventive, this haunting and enchanting tale is not to be missed."
Breath of the Dragon (2025) (Breathmarked, book 1) Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee "A thrilling fantasy inspired by ancient China and martial arts and brimming with Bruce Lee magic. Lee and Lee's homage to wuxia classics is a freshly inventive tale of duty, ambition, love and growth that will captivate hearts and imaginations. A cracking page-turner and classic in-the-making. Magnificent."
The Teller of Small Fortunes (2024) Julie Leong "A palate cleanser for crappy days...Leong creates a world resplendent with charm, gentleness, reconciliation and love. So much love! There were many joyous cathartic tears shed. I adored every minute of it and now must read everything Leong writes!"
The Last Dragon of the East (2024) Katrina Kwan "Katrina Kwan weaves Chinese myths of dragon gods and threads of fate into a delightfully heart wrenching romantic fantasy. I adored Jyn and Sai's grumpy sunshine dynamic (one of my all time favourite tropes!) and their push-pull dynamic. Lush, epic, swoony!"
Divine Mortals (2024) (Divine Mortals, book 1) Amanda M Helander "Divine Mortals is witty, sexy, and heart wrenching, with a beautifully rendered world and characters."
Nine Tailed (2024) (Realm of Four Kingdoms, book 1) Jayci Lee "Fast paced, heartwarming, and heartbreaking - my new fave fantasy romance! Supernatural meets K-drama vibes, immigrant globe-trotting immortals, and an epic battle between destiny and fate. Nine Tailed stole my heart with an explosion of fireworks and a wonderfully compelling gumiho. A stellar start to what promises to be a swoon-worthy series. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!"
Daughter of Calamity (2024) Rosalie M Lin "Rosalie Lin crafts a world dripping with atmosphere and intrigue where gods and shamans wreak havoc in mist filled alleys while dance girls spin on clouds of gold and desire. Lin's Shanghai bursts from the page, decadent, dangerous, and addictive. A thrilling debut."
Voyage of the Damned (2024) Frances White "Frances White's VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED is a fiendishly compelling locked room mystery brimming with character and heart that blew me away! White's protagonist Ganymedes Piscero is utterly endearing. His unique brand of humour, bravado, and vulnerability hits a bullseye in the feels. A delightful debut."
Faebound (2024) (Faebound, book 1) Saara El-Arifi "I can't get enough of these warrior fae - seductive, dangerous, and sexy as hell! *fans self* A romantic fantasy full of tenderness and vengeance, hope and sacrifice. Enthralling to the last page."
Mindbreaker (2023) Kate Dylan "Kate Dylan takes tech, dogma, and corporate power, wraps it in a dystopian wasteland and delivers an explosive, high body count, white knuckle ride."
