Fairytale Retellings You’ll Fall in Love With
Who doesn’t love a good fairytale? Who doesn’t love a new *take* on a fairytale? We all know the classics, the most famous ones, the Disney ones. But did you know that even many of the Disney stories are retellings? I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: there is no shortage of ways to make an old story new again and no shortage of amazing authors who are up to the challenge. So here are some amazing fairytale retellings you’ll love!
This Cinderella retelling by way of Chinese folklore and mythology is perfect for anyone looking for a serious remix on the glass slipper tale! Full of action, adventure, and yearning, this story takes our Cinderella – Yining – and drops her into a world of political intrigue, illegal magic, and forbidden romance. And that cliffhanger ending will make you desperate for book two, For Ever More.
While this one isn’t a straight up fairytale retelling as it’s not based on one single fairytale, but it is steeped in Welsh fae myths and is perfect for fans of Holly Black! It follows Sabrina Parry, who chases after her sister after she vanishes into the woods behind their house and falls into fairyland. Knowing the dangers of fairyland and the power of true names, she adopts the name Habren Faire and sets off on a quest to save her sister – and perhaps the whole of fairyland in the process. Oh, and of course there’s a bargain with a dastardly but charming fae prince!
Speaking of Holly Black, this illustrated collection of stories from the land of Elfhame is perfect for fans of faerie tales! You do need to have read her Folk of the Air series to appreciate these stories, but if you’re a fan of fairytales you’ve probably already done that! But in the off chance you haven’t explored Holly’s faerie world, you can start with The Cruel Prince, book one of the Folk of the Air series! Or if you’re not in the mood to start a full series, check out her standalone The Darkest Part of the Forest!