Andrea Tang Books in Order

The Recommended Reading Path

For readers new to Andrea Tang, the best way to experience her work is to start with her flagship science fiction duology before branching out into her standalone speculative novels. This progression allows you to appreciate how her style developed from mecha-heavy political thrillers to magical mysteries and tournament fantasy.

1. Start with Rebelwing (2020): This debut novel serves as the perfect entry point. It introduces you to Tang's signature fast-paced prose, high-stakes geopolitical worldbuilding, and highly diverse, witty cast of characters.
2. Read Renegade Flight (2021): Follow up with this companion novel. It takes place in the same universe 12 years after the events of the first book, offering a fresh perspective on the aftermath of the revolution.
3. Dive into the Standalone Novels: After finishing the main duology, you can explore her standalone works in any order based on your preferred subgenre:
   • Kingdom of Without (2023) – A cyberpunk-infused heist novel set in a dystopian alternate Beijing.
   • These Deadly Prophecies (2024) – A fantasy murder mystery focusing on a sorcerer's apprentice solving her master's death.
   • To the Death (2026) – A high-stakes magical dueling tournament story filled with rivalry and sapphic romance.
4. Look Out for Future Releases: Keep an eye out for Ash & Anchor (scheduled for Winter 2027), a post-apocalyptic sci-fi survival story.

The Rebelwing Duology

Andrea Tang's first major contribution to young adult science fiction is the Rebelwing duology, which blends the futuristic aesthetic of mecha anime with political intrigue and rebel resistance. Although they are often referred to as companion novels, they are best read in publication order to fully grasp the shifting political landscape of the world.

Rebelwing (2020)

The series begins with Rebelwing, introducing readers to Prudence Wu, a cynical and quick-witted high school student who smuggles banned media in the New Barrens—a region dominated by a corporate-controlled cybernetic regime. When Prudence accidentally bonds with a sentient, top-secret cybernetic dragon named Rebelwing, she is thrust into the center of a brewing geopolitical revolution she never wanted to join.

Renegade Flight (2021)

Set 12 years after the conclusion of the first novel, Renegade Flight shifts the focus to Viola Park, a disgraced pilot-in-training who is trying to rebuild her family's legacy at a competitive military academy. When she finds herself piloting a legendary mechanical dragon during a high-stakes tournament, Viola uncovers a conspiracy involving missing peacekeepers that could shatter the fragile peace established after the revolution. While Viola's story is self-contained, the world status quo directly builds on the fallout of Prudence's actions in the first book.

Standalone Novels

Beyond her duology, Andrea Tang has written several distinct standalone novels that showcase her versatility across different subgenres of young adult speculative fiction.

Kingdom of Without (2023)

This novel moves away from cybernetic dragons and dives into cyberpunk heist territory. Set in an alternate, highly stratified Beijing, the story follows a crew of young criminals and rebels attempting to pull off an impossible heist against the city's ruling elite. It explores themes of class struggle, capitalism, and survival in a high-tech, low-life society.

These Deadly Prophecies (2024)

Blending murder mystery with contemporary fantasy, this book follows Tabitha, an apprentice to a famous and feared prophet. When her master is murdered under suspicious circumstances, Tabitha must use her limited magical abilities—and a set of dangerous, unfulfilled prophecies—to find the killer before she becomes the next victim. The novel was selected as a Barnes & Noble YA Book Club pick.

To the Death (2026)

Published in February 2026, To the Death is a fantasy thriller set in the competitive, cutthroat circuit of magical dueling. The plot centers on Samantha Chan, who seeks vengeance for her brother's death in an illegal duel, and Tamsin Blackwood, the daughter of a tyrannical champion. Pitted against each other in a deadly tournament, the two girls find themselves drawn together in a sapphic romance that complicates Sam's quest for revenge.

Ash & Anchor (Expected Winter 2027)

Tang's next announced project is Ash & Anchor, described by the publisher as "Snowpiercer meets The 100." The sci-fi survival story is set aboard a generations-old derelict cruise ship sailing through a zombie apocalypse. It follows a third-class passenger who teams up with the captain's son to uncover the secrets of the ship and what lies beyond the water.

Publication Order of Short Stories and Poetry

Before publishing her novels, Andrea Tang was a prolific writer of short speculative fiction and poetry, appearing in various online magazines and podcasts. The following lists detail her shorter works in order of publication.

Short Stories & Novellas

• "The Moons of Zaaros" (2016) – Published in The Sockdolager.
• "The Family Business" (2017)
• "Pro Patria Mori" (2017)
• "Cassandra Writes Out of Order" (2017) – Featured on the PodCastle podcast.
• "Hungry Demigods" (2017) – Published in GigaNotoSaurus.
• "Technicolor in the Time of Nostalgia" (2018)
• "On the Red Line, After the War" (2018) – Featured on the Toasted Cake podcast.
• "Courtesans Tell Tales" (2018) – Published in Devilfish Review.
• "Graveyard Girls on Paper Phoenix Wings" (2018) – Featured on the Glittership podcast.
• "The Ruritanian Duke of Kunlun" (2018)
• "Requiem for Kingkillers and Queenmakers" (2018) – Published in The Future Fire.
• "The Man in the Crimson Coat" (2019) – Published in Apex Magazine.
• "Portrait of a Pinup Boy at the End of the World" (2020) – Published in Kaleidotrope.

Poetry

• "A View from Inside the Refrigerator" (2018)
• "A Starship Shot Down Like the Sun" (2018)

What to Know Before You Start

Andrea Tang's stories are heavily influenced by her personal background and interests. As an international risk consultant with degrees from Oxford and Bryn Mawr, she brings a deep understanding of geopolitics, media censorship, and corporate corruption to her dystopian worlds. Her action sequences are also informed by her real-life experience as an active practitioner and competitor in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and tae kwon do. Additionally, readers can expect prominent LGBTQ+ representation, diverse casts of characters, and a fast-paced tone inspired by mecha anime classics like Gundam and action movies like Pacific Rim.