Zoe Hana Mikuta Books in Order

This reading order guide provides the complete list of Zoe Hana Mikuta books in order, from the first to the latest, and is always updated so you won’t miss anything!

Zoe Hana Mikuta is one of the most exciting new voices in young adult fiction today. Known for blending queer romance with fierce dystopian worlds, she has already captured the hearts of readers around the world. Her breakout series Gearbreakers made a huge impact when it was released in 2021, and it’s no surprise that a movie adaptation is already in the works. For fans of bold storytelling, unforgettable characters, and slow-burn sci-fi romance, Mikuta is definitely a name to know.

Zoe is a Korean-American author who grew up in Boulder, Colorado. Her early years were filled with books, imagination, and quiet moments that slowly shaped her into the writer she would become. She often talks about how she used to spend school lunchtimes alone in the library—eating, reading, and writing by the window. The view of the Rocky Mountains gave her the perfect backdrop to imagine new worlds. Even then, writing felt natural, like a place she belonged.

That feeling stayed with her all through her life. Mikuta later studied at Washington University, where she earned a degree in English Literature with a focus on creative writing and a minor in Religion History. She was mentored by author and professor Shawn Wong, who saw her potential and encouraged her to follow her storytelling instincts. His words gave her the confidence to believe in her voice, and soon after, she signed a two-book deal with Macmillan before she even started college.

Her writing style is vivid, raw, and emotionally driven. Mikuta has a deep love for crafting broken worlds filled with complex characters—many with sharp edges, soft hearts, and morally gray decisions. As a queer, biracial writer, she often creates characters who reflect her own identity, something she rarely saw in books growing up. This representation is not just important—it’s powerful. Her stories give a voice to readers who are still searching for themselves on the page.

Zoe made her official debut with Gearbreakers, a sci-fi/fantasy novel that follows two teen girls on opposite sides of a war. One is a rebel who destroys giant war machines from the inside. The other is a pilot of those very machines. But what begins as a deadly rivalry turns into a bond forged by shared pain, trust, and a common goal. As they learn more about each other, their connection grows—leading to one of the most gripping queer love stories in recent YA fiction.

The world of Gearbreakers is gritty and intense, set in a dystopian future where power is maintained through fear and advanced technology. Mikuta takes inspiration from stories like Pacific Rim, but her voice and characters make the world entirely her own. Readers have praised the series for its fast-paced action, emotional depth, and beautifully messy heroines. The second book in the series continues to explore this dark world while pushing the characters to new limits.

Outside of writing, Mikuta enjoys unique hobbies that make her feel grounded. She loves Muay Thai kickboxing and is known for customizing her jeans with cheeky embroidery. She also jokes about feeding crows on campus—saying that if they started giving her change, she could finally pay for her laundry. These little moments reveal the warmth and humor behind her fierce stories.

Now living in Seattle, Zoe Hana Mikuta continues to write stories that are bold, emotional, and unapologetically queer. She’s not just creating books—she’s building worlds that readers can escape into, relate to, and be inspired by. Her journey as a writer began in quiet corners, with words scribbled during lunch breaks. Today, those words have turned into stories that are changing the YA landscape.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering her work, Zoe Hana Mikuta is an author worth following. Her books are more than stories—they’re experiences. And with her fearless approach to storytelling, there’s no doubt she has many more unforgettable worlds waiting to be written.