Hi everyone, this post is for all you lovers of teen fiction. I had read only a handful of YA fiction that looked suitable for this post so I ended up digging around for a few more. I hope you enjoy the short reviews I have in store for you below featuring some awesome characters and their adventures in amazing Asian cities…
Sleepless in Dubai by Sajni Patel (Amulet Books; NY, 2023) takes readers into the lives of two Indian teens as they travel to Dubai with their families to celebrate the five days of Diwali. Nikki, an aspiring photographer, travels with her family on a trip of a lifetime to Dubai. Unfortunately, Yash, the boy next door – with whom Nikki has a rocky history, and his family accompanies them. Caught up in the festive spirit, Nikki’s family encourages her to get reacquainted with Yash. Turns out, a lot can change on a twelve-hour flight besides just continents. But can betrayals and conflicting ambitions be set aside long enough for the two teens to discover the true meaning of the Festival of Lights?
My review: On, this was such a sweet story!! I loved it from the beginning to the end!! Sajni Patel captured exactly what growing up a Desi teen in Austin, Texas feels like. I loved all the Indian foods that had a starring role along with the two families. The jalebi, thepla, squishy ladoo, along with the lights and aromas of Dubai transported me to this amazing destination. Those sandy desert scenes with camel riding and dune surfing captured all the exciting adventures the UAE offers tourists. I loved how Patel used these to show how the rifts in Nikki and Yash’s were slowly patching up. Lilly, Nikki’s eleven-year-old sister, was my favourite of all, sassy, quirky and just adorable in all things that pre-teens are like. I liked how the parents are portrayed and those bonds of friendship are depicted through the teens’ common love of Indian food!! An awesome diverse rom-com set in magical Dubai during Diwali!!
Best quote:
“Be the light. No matter how much our flame dims over the year, this is a time for renewal. Don’t let negative energy keep you in the dark. Bring your flame back to life, let it roar, and be brighter than ever, beta.” – Papa to Nikki during their mandir visit on Diwali.
Frappés for three by Vidhya Sathyamoorthy (Penguin Books; Singapore, 2024) is a story of three university friends from beautiful Malaysia. Maya Joseph is a girl from Penang who dreams of becoming a writer despite her father’s objections. Chong Mei Li is a stylist fashionista intending on making her own path in the fashion industry, although her family expects her to take over her family business in Sabah. Rohan Das, a native from Delhi, needs to work hard and secure a good job to support his middle class family. As the eldest and only son, he’s already under pressure to excel and not enough room to explore his own interests. As luck would have it, their paths cross at Maestro Uni and this unlikely trio soon become good friends. They each have their own dreams and aspirations, but struggle with the burden of family expectations, difficult lecturers and self-doubt. But no matter what happens, they’re always there for each other. This story of love, loss, and self-discovery reminds us that uni life, often bittersweet, carves us into the people we are today. And many of the lessons we gain are learned outside the classroom with our dearest friends.
My review: What a lovely read this was!! A clean teen story that’s set in the iconic landscape that’s Malaysia. You could basically smell nasi lemak from the pages!! I just loved this on so many levels as it took me to my own uni memories! Maya, Mei and Rohan become fast friends as they traverse university life together. I really loved the gentle way the author dealt with the expectations that Southeast Asian teens have to endure from their family and other societal pressures. For me, it’s their friendship that stood out the most. No matter what happened, they found a way to reconcile and remain steadfast. An amazing read!!
I guess I live here now by Claire Ahn (Viking; NY, 2023) takes us from the streets of New York to life in Seoul, Korea. Melody Lee’s mom moves her out of New York City after a tiny mishap in school to join her father in Seoul. Barely having had the chance to farewell her best friend before she’s on a plane, Melody is resentful and homesick. But she soon finds herself settling into their luxurious villa, making cool friends at school, and discovering the alluring aspects of living in Korea – trendsetting fashion, delectable food, her dad’s black card, and a cute boy to explore the city with. Life in Seoul is amazing, until cracks begin to form on its glittering surface. This charming debut novel by Claire Ahn lets you hear every beat of a K-pop bop, taste every savoury bite of Korean barbeque, bathe in the glow of Seoul’s neon lights, and feel every high and low of Melody’s emotional journey across the world and within her heart.
My review: Reading a lot like the K-drama’s I’m hooked into right now, this debut novel transported me into the heart of Seoul and into the lives of a group of teens. Melody’s voice is dazzling, fresh and filled with either anxiety over if she’s going to fit in with the others in her new school or excitement as she prepares for her final interview for that internship launching her dream career!! Ahn’s descriptions of the streets of Seoul, the aromas of the food, and the layers of family bonds, romance, sweet crushes and surprising self-discovery, makes this an unforgettable coming-of-age read anyone could fall in love with. I loved how Melody’s love for interior design is portrayed and really felt for her as she struggles in her private school. An amazing debut novel!!
Best quote:
“You aren’t forced to walk the path they made for you. But pursuing your own dreams comes at a certain cost, and you have to decide if you’re willing to pay it. It’s hard for them to understand because it’s a luxury they never had…” – Aunt Rebecca to Melody.
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean (Macmillan Children’s Books; 2021) is an entertaining teen read set in mystical Japan. Izumi Tanaka had lived an uneventful seventeen years in her small town in California, aware of all the ways in which her family is different from most of her classmates’. But when she discovers a clue to her previously unknown father’s identity and finds out he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan, it means Izzy is literally a princess!! But will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?
My review: What a lovely read this was!! It had me captivated, laughing and crying until the very end. If I could sum this up, it reads a lot like The Princess Diaries meets the movie First Daughter but with a Japanese flavour to it!! What I loved the most on top of Izume’s quirky voice, was the group of friends she has in the AGG (Asian Girl Gang)!! I really loved how Emiko Jean layered the story with Izumi’s questions on her identity, her anxiety of meeting her father and the Imperial family, and that of the blossoming romance with her Imperial guard, Akio. Those descriptions of Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Japanese culture, and lifestyle of a royal princess were really crafted well. Newspaper and magazine articles at the beginning of each chapter with the text messages, give a different vibe to this read!! It was refreshing to learn Japanese traditions in this wholesome YA rom-com!!
Best quote:
“…I am blessed to have two places to call home. Mt. Shasta, Tokyo – both are a part of me and not just separate pieces anymore. They’re braided together, tangled up, inseparable.” – Izumi when she returns to Japan with both parents.
I hope you all enjoyed these four Asian teen reads!! In my search, I discovered that there are many more out there. If you’re interested in more, Goodreads has an amazing list you can search in.
Stay safe and keep reading
Miss Mahee
Miss Mahee's Library of Reads 