As you’ll see, I haven’t read many fairytale retellings which is ridiculous because I absolutely adore the concept of it. In general, I love it when later books in a series parallel or reference earlier books in the series so to have a whole book loosely following a tale I already know but the book is still its own story is something brilliant. Hopefully, but the end of today I’ll have a whole new selection of fairytale retellings being added to my TBR pile.
Read
1. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Belle from Beauty and the Beast has always been my favourite Dinsey princess and although I haven’t read the original story yet, this book brought me so much joy when I saw the parallels and the similarities between the Disney version and the book. From what I’ve heard around, it sounds like there’s a lot of the original story mixed in there too so if you haven’t picked up this book yet I would definitely push you to do it.
2. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
This one probably doesn’t even count but I needed to have more than one book in the “Read” section otherwise I wouldn’t forgive myself for being so lazy and never getting to any of the good fairytale retellings that I’ve got listed below. I’ve heard multiple times that this YA series (probably my favourite YA fantasy series of all time) was inspired by the tale of Cinderella and although the majority of people wouldn’t notice it (myself included), I put it up here anyway.
Want to read
3. The Lunar Chronicles series (Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, Fairest) by Marissa Meyer
I feel so bad that this continues to be on my TBR pile. For at least a year now I’ve been meaning to read these books but I never do (like I said, I’m lazy). The first book, Cinder, is one of my TBR Challenge list so there is no way I’m getting away without read that one.
4 + 5. Crimson Bound and Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
I’ve seen these a lot actually at the beginning of the year and they did catch my eye, especially the covers. All I know is that Crimson Bound is Little Red Riding Hood retelling, Cruel Beauty is a Beauty and the Beast retelling and they both look good.
6. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black
This book has had a lot of buzz at the beginning of the year and I’m still interested in picking it up. I’m not sure what fairytale it features but I trust Holly Black and hopefully I’ll get to this book at some point.
7. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
I’ve been seeing this book cover a lot and I love it. The tale itself, Arabian Nights, I haven’t heard of but the summary of this book has really caught my attention.
Want to be retold
I guess there is a retelling of every fairytale out there if you look for it so I know that these three stories have been retold in YA before but I haven’t seen any books that retell them that have caught my attention. If you know any that you’d like to recommend, make sure to let me know!
8. Hansel and Gretel
9. 12 Dancing Princesses
10. Anything from Greek/Roman Mythology (that isn’t Percy Jackson)
What have you go down on your list? Leave me a link and I’ll make sure to check them out!
The Wrath and the Dawn is SO INCREDIBLE. It’s like on of my top reads of this year. 😀 And I love The Darkest Part of the Forest to pieces (HOLLLLY BLACK!!) but I don’t think it’s actually a retelling?? Maybe? I mean, it’s about faeries and an enchanted sleeping horned-boy, but I couldn’t pick a fairy tale while I was reading it. I COULD BE WRONG THO.
Here’s my TTT!
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I’ve seen it on every other list I’ve looked at and the plot of The Wrath and the Dawn does look really good. AS SOON AS I COME BACK FROM HOLIDAY I THINK I MIGHT PLACE AN ORDER FOR IT. Really? Oops. I guess I must have heard wrong about The Darkest Part of the Forest then…
Thanks for stopping by!
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For Greek and Roman, I really liked Maurice Druon’s “Zeus’ Diary,” and also Robert Graves’ Golden Fleece (Argonauts) and Mary Renault’s The King Must Die (Theseus). Or really anything that those two have written 🙂 I really want a good retelling of Twelve Dancing Princesses too, but so far I have only found YA lit.
My list has my favorite fairy tale collections on it 🙂
Cheers!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary TTT
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Ahh thank you so much for all of these recommendations! I’ll make sure to look up all of those C: A Twelve Dancing Princesses would be amazing!
Thank you :3
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Wow – those books by Rosamund Hodge is PRETTY!
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You’re right. They’re absoultely gorgeous! :3
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You have to read The Lunar Chronicles! At the moment that’s my favorite series hand in hand with Raven Cycle. I loved loved LOVED Cruel Beauty! The romance was the most amazing thing ever. Not that the plot wasn’t completely unique and captivating. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy Crimson Bound quite as much but maybe it was because I went into it with HUGE expectations. The Darkest Part of the Forest went straight to my all time favorites shelf upon finishing it so I definitely recommend you to read it asap. Have you heard of/read Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George? I haven’t read it but it is a 12 Dancing Princesses retelling.
Lovely list! 🙂
My TTT
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My friend from school is reading The Lunar Chronicles right now and she’s absolutely obsesses so, just like with Red Queen, I won’t last long until I give in, stop being lazy and read that series haha. Ahhh all these favourite books! I’ve heard a lot about Holly Black but I haven’t read a book by her unless you count that short story in My True Love Gave to Me and The Iron Trial which she wrote with Cassandra Clare. I NEED A GOOD PURE HOLLY BLACK BOOK AND THE DARKEST PART OF THE FOREST MIGHT THE ONE I’M LOOKING FOR! I’ve been looking at the lists today to find a Twelve Dancing Princesses book and I’ve come across that one and Wildwood Dancing so I’m so glad I managed to find some. Thank you for the recommendation! ❤
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I have also been wanting to read Darkest Part of the Forest and I haven’t yet read ACoTaR even though I’m obsessed with Beauty and the Beast! What is wrong with me? Here s my TTT: http://www.bookworminkorporated.com/best-current-and-anticipated-fairy-tale-retellings/
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I’M NOT SURE WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU??? I’m joking! But I do have to say ACOTAR was so so so good! Sarah J Maas is a QUEEN and she nails everything she writes! ❤
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A retelling of Hansel and Gretel would be excellent. And you’re right, I never noticed that Throne of Glass was based on Cinderella. I know I had heard it before, but it’s so easy to forget. Great list!
Christina @ Books & Prejudice
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When I told my friend from school who has also read all the books so far she was really surprised but she could see it in the end. Thank you ❤
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I love reading retellings! I have read the two retellings by Rosamund Hodge this summer, and I loved them. I also read The Darkest Part of the Forest earlier this year. It isn’t really about a specific fairytale (not one I knew). It was about a world of fairies and humans and the prince who wakes up from his glass coffin. I really enjoyed it, though it was a bit slow at times (which ended up helping expand the world building, so it was still good). Hope you like all these, and I will definitely be adding some of these to my TBR!
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I’ve been heard a lot of good things about the Rosamun Hodge books so I might be picking them up soon C: I finally need to read a pure Holly Black book because I’ve only read that little short story from My True Love Gave to Me and The Iron Trial which she wrote with Cassandra Clare. BUT I’ve also heard that The Coldest Girl in Coldtown is very good too. Thank you very much darling! ❤
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Cruel Beauty and Crimson Bound were both amazing and The Wrath and the Dawn is one of my new favorites. I own the Darkest Part of the Forest, but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
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Oooh, I’d love to own The Darkest Part of the Forest! Every time I’ve seen it in bookstores it looks so pretty in hardback :3
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It is a really pretty cover.
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I HIGHLY recommend both books you’ve listed by Rosamund Hodge! They are both amazing! 😀
Here are my Top Ten!
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I’ve been hearing but amazing things about them all day! I must get to them soon. Thank you so much C:
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Ooh! I didn’t think of a Hansel and Gretel retelling – that would be absolutely wonderful if it’s done right! And I feel like I would love more Greek or Roman mythology retellings, but then on the other hand I feel like they wouldn’t match up to the wonderfulness of Percy Jackson. And you are going to absolutely adore the Lunar Chronicles and Wrath of the Dawn! 🙂 Both amazing books. xD Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post!
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There’s so many directions a Hansel and Gretel retelling could go! Oooh, yeah you have a good point. But maybe if the retelling is very different and good in its own wa than people won’t compare the two as much. But then, people will always compare books so what can you do? Aww, thank you darling! ❤
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Entwined by Heather Dixon is a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses, and it.is.excellent! It has a beautiful cover as well… 🙂 I am planning on reading the Wrath and the Dawn, and would love to get my hands on Crimson Bound, because I enjoyed Cruel Beauty. Great post!
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I have seen that one around on other people’s lists on Tuesday so I’ll definitely be checking it out. Thank you for the recommendation darling ❤
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You SOOOO need to read The Lunar Chronicles!! I love it! Entwined and Princess of the Midnight Ball are two 12 Dancing Princesses retellings. Everneath is a Hades and Persephone retelling (Greek mythology). I don’t know of any Hansel and Gretel retellings. Hope you find some though!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
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Ahh thank you so much for the recommendations! I must check them out as soon as I come back from holiday :3
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It’s the perfect time to read Cinder since the final book comes out in November! I’m participating in a read along on Book Addicts Guide. They are (re)reading all of the books and then Winter when it comes out 🙂
Thanks for stopping by In Wonderland
xo Stephanie
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Oh, thank you so much for letting me know about the read along! As soon as I get back from holiday I’ll make sure to sign up and reserve a copy of Cinder from my library!
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