Fairytales are all around us in the modern day – through television, movies, media ads, books, and more. We might not even realize when a fairytale is being referenced, but if you dig deep enough, the inspiration is there. Today we are going to look at 5 books (and series) that are based on classic fairytales and have been retold as a modern story.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer, the queen herself of fairytale retellings. The Lunar Chronicles is a young adult science fantasy series retelling several fairy tales – Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, and Snow White. Marissa Meyer tells each story individually while weaving them together into an epic world of science and magic.
The series follows Cinder, a young cyborg mechanic who meets the prince of her kingdom and is swept away into a friendship with him. Their relationship also brings about a mystery though – through which Cinder might gain answers about her own life. Now I won’t lie, the first book will make you cry. But the series is so much more than sad. It has immaculate humor, a unique magic and science system, and evil moon people (I won’t be elaborating on this. You’ll have to read it to find out what I mean).
The Lunar Chronicles has four novels, one novella, one collection of short stories, and a spin-off graphic novel series called Wires and Nerve (that should be read after The Lunar Chronicles).
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Also by Marissa Meyer comes one of my absolute favorite novels of all time – Heartless. Heartless is a young adult retelling of the classic story Alice in Wonderland – specifically, a tale of the Queen of Hearts and how she becomes who she is. The novel follows Catherine, an upper-class girl who longs to escape high society and open a bakery. She meets a boy named Jest, and they begin a secret (and dangerous) courtship. Cath wants nothing more than to fall in love and live life on her own terms, but Wonderland has other plans for her.
Heartless is not a story with a happy ending, but it is a wonderful tale, nonetheless. There is magic, mischief, romance, and so much more. It is a standalone novel and can be read independently of Alice in Wonderland, but I love to read it before reading the classic tale by Lewis Carroll, as I find it gives the Queen of Hearts more depth.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
I can’t skip this gorgeous and romantic series by Sarah J. Maas, because A Court of Thorns and Roses is probably one of the most popular fairytale retellings nowadays. A Court of Thorns and Roses follows a young huntress named Feyre who kills a faerie wolf in the woods one day. As a punishment for killing one of the fae, she is taken to Prythian, the land of the faeries to live for the rest of her life. There, she is thrust into court politics and an unexpected romance.
The first book in this series is a retelling of the fairytale Beauty and the Beast. The second book draws more inspiration from the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone. The third book is speculated to be loosely inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
A Court of Thorns and Roses is an adult series and has three main novels, one novella, and one companion novel. The books must be read in order.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
House of Salt and Sorrows is a young adult folk-horror/mystery retelling of the fairytale 12 Dancing Princesses. Following Annaleigh, one of 12 sisters, who lives in a grand house by the sea with her father, sisters, and stepmother. Her sisters are cursed though, and one by one, they are dying tragic deaths. Annaleigh becomes convinced that her sister’s deaths are no accident and begins to investigate when she meets a mysterious stranger. Things get weirder, darker, and more mysterious from there, and Annaleigh must find answers before it is too late for her.
House of Salt and Sorrows is a gorgeous and atmospheric novel with gothic vibes that you won’t want to put down. There are currently two books in this series, with a third expected to publish in 2026.
For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten
For the Wolf is the first in an adult fantasy/horror duology loosely based on the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. Following Neve and Red, two sisters – one who is destined to be on the throne of their kingdom, and one who is destined to be a sacrifice to the gods in a desperate attempt to get them to return. Red is fully dedicated to her destiny as the sacrifice, but things aren’t what they seem. For the Wolf is a beautifully written story about sisterhood and partnership that will have you on the edge of your seat as you read. There are two books in this series.
Conclusion: Fairytale Retellings
Fairytale retellings have been popular for several years. This means that there are hundreds to choose from and it might be an overwhelming task trying to figure out which ones to start with. As a lover of folklore, folktales, and mythology, I have done the work of reading several of these fairytale retellings so that I could put together this list of book recommendations for you. I hope you find one of your new favorites in this list. Happy reading!
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