How to Start Reading Akemi Dawn Bowman
If you are new to Akemi Dawn Bowman’s writing, the best place to start depends heavily on your preferred genre. Bowman is equally adept at writing raw, emotionally resonant contemporary young adult fiction and high-stakes speculative science fiction. Here are the two recommended entry points:
- For Contemporary Fans: Start with her debut novel, Starfish (2017). This book remains her most celebrated contemporary work, offering an intimate and hopeful look at identity, social anxiety, and healing. It is the perfect introduction to her signature emotional depth and character-focused storytelling.
- For Science Fiction Fans: Start with The Infinity Courts (2021), the first book in her sci-fi trilogy. It provides a thrilling, philosophical exploration of artificial intelligence and the afterlife.
The Infinity Courts Series
Unlike her standalone works, The Infinity Courts is a continuous young adult science fiction series. The story follows Nami, a teenager who is murdered on her way to a graduation party, only to wake up in the afterlife. However, instead of a peaceful heaven, she discovers that the afterlife is ruled by Ophelia, a tyrannical artificial intelligence that humanity once built to serve them. The AI has enslaved human consciousness, forcing a band of human rebels to fight back.
This series must be read in order, as each book directly follows the events of the last:
- The Infinity Courts (2021) – Nami arrives in the digital afterlife of Infinity and is forced to join a human rebellion against the AI overlords.
- The Genesis Wars (2022) – The stakes rise as Nami struggles with what it means to be human in a world run by machines, leading the rebellion into open war.
- The Afterlands (2026) – The epic conclusion to the trilogy, resolving the conflict between the human rebels and the AI Residents.
Middle-Grade and Standalone Novels
Bowman has written a variety of standalone novels spanning different age ranges. Because these books are self-contained, they can be read in any order. However, reading them in publication order allows you to see how Bowman’s style has evolved over time.
Standalone YA Novels
- Starfish (2017) – Follows Kiko Himura, a half-Japanese teenager who struggles with social anxiety, a toxic family dynamic, and her dream of attending art school. The story is highly praised for its depiction of narcissistic abuse, biracial identity, and healing.
- Summer Bird Blue (2018) – A poignant exploration of grief and sisterhood. It focuses on Rumi, a teenage musician sent to live with her aunt in Hawaii after her younger sister dies in a car accident. The novel is notable for its representation of aromanticism and asexuality.
- Harley in the Sky (2020) – A vibrant, character-driven story about Harley Akira, a teenager who dreams of being a trapeze artist in her family's circus, despite her parents' wishes for her to go to college. It explores family expectations, mental health (specifically bipolar disorder), and creative ambition.
- Where the Lost Ones Go (2022) – A moving contemporary YA novel that follows Eliot, who is trying to cope with the loss of her grandmother and her own fading memories by taking a job at a retirement home, discovering unexpected connections.
Middle-Grade Fiction
- Generation Misfits (2021) – Bowman's middle-grade debut follows Millie, an eleven-year-old girl who loves J-Pop. When she transfers to a new school, she decides to form a J-Pop club to find her community, leading to a heartwarming story about friendship, belonging, and music. While a sequel is currently unannounced, the book functions perfectly as a standalone.
Tie-Ins, Anthologies, and Short Fiction
In addition to her novels, Bowman has contributed to popular franchises and themed anthologies. These are great additions for completionists:
- Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Web Fiction (2022) – Bowman wrote the primary web fiction and the origin stories for the planeswalker Kaito Shizuki to accompany this Magic: The Gathering card set. These stories can be read on the official Magic: The Gathering site.
- From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi (2023) – A contribution to the Star Wars universe, Bowman wrote the short story "The Light That Falls," focusing on a minor character's perspective during the events of the classic film.
- Being Ace: An Anthology of Queer, Trans, Femme, and Disabled Stories of Asexual Love and Connection (2023) – Edited by Madeline Dyer, this collection includes Bowman's short story "Across the Stars," highlighting asexual spectrum representation.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Bowman's bibliography, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Heavy Emotional Themes: Bowman’s contemporary books tackle serious issues, including emotional abuse, grief, depression, and social anxiety. If you are sensitive to these topics, check content warnings beforehand.
- Asexual and Aromantic Representation: Bowman is known for her thoughtful representation of asexual and aromantic characters, particularly in Summer Bird Blue and her contribution to the Being Ace anthology.
- Biracial Identity: Many of Bowman’s protagonists reflect her own mixed-race heritage, offering authentic portrayals of teenagers navigating cultural identity and belonging.