Where Should You Start Reading Cindy Pon?
If you are new to Cindy Pon’s fiction, you have two primary entry points depending on your favorite genre. For readers who love lush, immersive high fantasy rooted in folklore, start with Silver Phoenix, the first book in the Kingdom of Xia series. If you prefer high-tech, fast-paced science fiction with a dystopian edge, start with Want, a thriller set in a futuristic Taipei. Because her series are distinct in tone, setting, and subgenre, you do not need to read them in a specific order relative to one another. However, within each series, it is highly recommended to follow the publication order to trace the character development and overarching plotlines accurately.
The Kingdom of Xia Universe
Cindy Pon’s fantasy books are set in the Kingdom of Xia, a beautiful yet dangerous land inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, folklore, and history. Although these stories take place in the same fictional world, they are divided into two distinct duologies that focus on different characters and narratives.
The Phoenix Duology
This is where Cindy Pon’s publishing journey began. The story follows Ai Ling, a young woman who possesses a rare and powerful spiritual gift. She must journey across Xia to find her missing father, facing deadly demons, magical creatures, and imperial intrigue along the way.
- Silver Phoenix (2009): Introduces Ai Ling as she escapes an unwanted marriage and embarks on a quest to rescue her father, discovering her own inner magic and destiny.
- Fury of the Phoenix (2011): The direct sequel, which deepens the lore of reincarnation, redemption, and the ultimate battle against malevolent forces.
The Serpentine Duology
Also set in the Kingdom of Xia, this duology centers on Skybright, a handmaid to a wealthy young mistress. As Skybright reaches her sixteenth year, she discovers a terrifying secret about her own nature—her lower body turns into that of a serpent. The series explores female friendship, identity, and the duty to protect one's home from demonic forces.
- Serpentine (2015): Skybright struggles to control her monstrous side while keeping it hidden from the mistress she loves like a sister.
- Sacrifice (2016): The conclusion to the duology, where Skybright and her allies must make ultimate compromises to save Xia from ruin.
Note on Order: While both duologies share the cultural setting of the Kingdom of Xia, they feature separate storylines and protagonists. You can read the Serpentine duology without having read the Phoenix duology first, though reading in order of publication (starting with Silver Phoenix) gives you a richer appreciation for the growth of Pon's mythic worldbuilding.
The Want Sci-Fi Duology
Shifting away from ancient myth, the Want duology is a near-future cyberpunk thriller set in a heavily polluted Taipei. In this society, the rich (called "Yus") can afford special suits and clean air to live long lives, while the poor (called "Meis") suffer from toxic air and early deaths. The story follows Jason Zhou as he infiltrates the corrupt corporation responsible for selling the clean air, leading to high-stakes heists and complex moral dilemmas.
- Want (2017): Jason Zhou attempts to bring down the Jin Corporation from the inside, but finds himself falling for the CEO's daughter.
- Ruse (2019): The sequel, which takes the characters from Taipei to Shanghai as they try to stop a new corporate plot and save their friends.
This duology is perfect for fans of near-future thrillers, class struggles, and environmental science fiction.
Short Stories and Anthology Contributions
In addition to her main novels, Cindy Pon has written several key short stories and essays that expand on her worlds or explore new mythological angles. These can be read at any point, but they provide excellent companion material for her fans.
- "Blue Skies" in Diverse Energies (2012): This short story is the direct precursor to Want. It features the initial concept of the air-pollution class divide in Taipei and is a must-read for fans who want to see the seeds of Jason Zhou's world.
- "Beautiful Venom" in Because You Love to Hate Me (2017): A dark retelling of the Medusa myth set in a fantasy world inspired by ancient China, focusing on a girl who is cursed after being assaulted, exploring themes of victim-blaming and revenge.
- "The Crimson Cloak" in A Thousand Beginnings and Endings (2018): A romantic retelling of the classic Chinese folktale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, told from the perspective of the Weaver Girl.
- "Writing in Color" (2023): A non-fiction essay collection featuring Cindy Pon and thirteen other authors reflecting on their experiences as writers of color in the publishing industry.
What to Know Before You Start
Cindy Pon’s writing is heavily influenced by her Taiwanese heritage and her love for Chinese brush painting (which she practices herself). Her fantasy worlds are sensory-rich, filled with details of food, clothing, art, and traditional mythology. Her sci-fi works are deeply rooted in real-world environmental concerns, particularly the air pollution she witnessed during visits to Taipei. Because her series are short (two books each), they are highly digestible and offer satisfying, complete narrative arcs without dragging on for years.