Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and The Bookish. This week’s theme is:
Books For Readers Who Like Fairy Tale Retellings
This was actually a lot more difficult than I anticipated. I have often mentioned that I adore fairy tale retellings – so you would think that I had read loads and loads of them wouldn’t you? Well, apparently not! I have actually read precious few (though there are a ton currently sitting waiting to be read on my shelves).
I actually considered changing my topic but I really wanted to do this one so I did manage to find ten really great retellings that I had already read and therefore could recommend to others.
Here are my picks:
Cinder by Marissa Meyer: The Lunar Chronicle series gets a lot of love and it is not hard to see why when the opening book features a cyborg Cinderella! Such a great start to the series.
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer: The second book is even better than the first. This book is a loose retelling of Little Red Riding Hood but the Wolf is this particular story is more dreamy than scary!
Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel: A modern-day retelling of Peter Pan. This book really made me think and it definitely had a darker vibe than the original version of Peter Pan (which is fitting really when you consider that the J.M. Barrie version was originally envisaged as being a lot darker – Peter apparently killed the Lost Boys when they got too old). I kinda cheated with this one as it is not a fairy tale per se but you guys will let me off with it, right? 😉
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George: This book is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses and it is both a faithful and fresh take on the original tale.
The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey: Cinderella with a twist! In a land where tradition is usually followed, this kingdom’s Cinderella is matched with a completely inappropriate prince. In order to escape the hand fate has dealt her, she becomes a Fairy Godmother instead.
One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey: This one is based on Saint George, the figure depicted in Christian Mythology as killing a dragon in order to save a threatened virgin. I really do not want to give away the ‘twist’ in this tale – I would suggest checking it out!
Ash by Malinda Lo: Another take on Cinderella with a LGBT slant (fun fact: the original version of the fairy tale is called Ashputtel hence Ash).
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier: One of my favourite retellings (and books) of all time. Loosely based on The Six Swans, this was the first Juliet Marillier book I read and it solidified her position as one of my favourite authors ever! Just a beautiful story.
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier: This is a retelling of the The Twelve Dancing Princesses but also includes elements of The Frog Prince as well. It is a truly magical tale.
Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier: I honestly cannot say enough great things about this book! It is a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, mixed with Celtic lore – it is a captivating read.
Well, I learned a few things from compiling this list:
1. I really need to read more fairy tale retellings asap!
2. I really need to get back into the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey – I had forgotten how much I enjoyed these books.
3. Juliet Marillier rules. PERIOD.
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Hi there! I’m new to your blog, but I’ve nominated you for the Versatile Blogging award! I hope you can join!
https://abookishflower.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/versatile-blogging-award/
Thanks so much for the nomination! It was really nice f you to think of me for it. 🙂
I love that you have so much Juliet Marillier here… she is the mum of a friend of mine and would be thrilled to see that you enjoyed her books. Happy reading x
That’s awesome that you have a personal connection to Juliet Marillier! I absolutely love her books.
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂