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Favorite Five Fairytale Retellings
I really love a great retelling of a fairytale. Whether it’s retelling the tale straight forwardly, adding some new twist, or it’s only marginally recognizable as the original story, there are so many interesting ways to retell a tale.
- Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier
Now, I could have also talked about Juliet Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest, which is also an amazing retold fairy tale, but I do love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling so I’m going with Heart’s Blood here. This is such another celtic retelling of a classic fairy tale from her, but it’s not just a straight forward retelling. The elements are there, if you look closely, but if you didn’t know it was a retelling then you might not realize it at first. I thought this was cleverly done and the story is just great with a lot of heart.
- Deerskin by Robin McKinley
Deerskin is NOT an easy story to read. It contains some pretty awful stuff at the beginning including rape and incest, but it’s a really great story about dealing the bad things that happen to us sometimes, and learning how to go on. It’s prose is great as well, as I’ve come to love from Robin McKinley. I really love this book even though it’s not a light and fluffy read.
- In the Forests of Serre by Patricia McKillip
Ok, so this isn’t a strict retelling but I’m counting it since it takes so many elements from fairytales, including The Fire Bird. I really love this book, even though it’s been a while since I’ve read it. I’ve been slowly working my way through McKillip’s books and she has some of the best prose in the fantasy genre and beyond. If you haven’t read one of her books yet, I’d highly recommend checking her work out.
- The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey
Granted, it’s been a long time since I’ve read this one but I remember loving it back in the day. I love a lot of Lackey’s fairy tale stuff and she has an entire series that plays on classic fairy tale tropes called The Five Hundred Kingdoms (they’re fun books!). This is another retelling of Beauty and the Beast so if you like retellings of that story you may enjoy this one!
- East by Edith Patou
East is a fantastic retelling of East of the Sun and West of the Moon. I absolutely LOVE this book, it’s just great all around. The story does read a bit like Beauty and the Beast, but it’s definitely a tale all its own. This retelling really bring the characters and the setting to life.
Those are my picks for this week! Thoughts on these? What are some of your favorite fairytale retellings? Leave me a note in the comments, I’d love to hear from you!
Way Too Fantasy 
You should listen to Second Hand Curses on audible!!! (I am kind of obsessed with it right now haha) Its a twisted fairy tale retelling with a DnD twist. Its awesome ❤
Oooh, I’ll check it out, thanks!
I love reading about all the books you enjoy! These are not ones that I see very often, and it makes me happy and excited to try more.
Thanks! ❤
I really liked FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS, a Chinese Snow White retelling from the Evil Queen perspective. Need to read that sequel…..
I keep forgetting that is a retelling! I have that one on my to read list. Need to make room for it somehow…lol.
I’m adding all of these for my challenge. Can’t wait for Deerskin! Thanks for sharing these. 😉
Hope you enjoy! There’s also some ones I’ve been meaning to read, like a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses set in 1920’s flapper club by Genevieve Valentine called The Girls at the Kingfisher Club.
Another one I want to read is Bitter Greens by Kate Forsythe, a retelling of Rapunzel–one of my friends loves that one.
I love retellings but I haven’t read any of these… watch my TBR grow three sizes too big!
I have read so many, I probably could have gone on for a while but a lot were by the same authors, haha. Robin McKinley has written a lot of retellings especially–I love her writing so much.
I haven’t read any of these, but I do love a fairytale retelling! Definitely going to have to check these out!
Hope you enjoy!
Juliet Marillier & Patricia McKillip are authors that I’m 100% planning on finally checking out this year. I feel like I am just going to love their work. I also really want to read Deerskin sometime, I’ve been really interested in that one. I love East as well, I’m glad to see some renewed interest in it these days.
Marillier does fantastic character arcs imo. And very few people can match McKillip’s prose–she’s just wonderful. Hope you get a chance to check out some of their work!
I have a copy of The Girls at the Kingfisher Club and I was so excited to buy it and yet still haven’t picked it up. I love retellings – Sarah Pinborough wrote a great trio of books, Poison, Beauty and Charm (don’t know if that’s the correct order off the top of my head) which I loved. they’re a bit saucy and come up with some ideas that you really don’t expect.
Lynn 😀
I keep meaning to read those Sarah Pinborough books! I like saucy. 😀
Wow! It’s been such a long time since I read Deerskin that I’ve forgotten the story. I do recall it being a tough read though. Will have to reread that one.
It’s such a rewarding book in the end. I probably should reread it myself some time.
I really like the sound of east- I definitely want to check it out!! Great list!
East is such a good book! If you are into retold fairy tales at all, I highly recommend it.