From oral stories from centuries ago to Disney's beloved animated films, millions of children around the world have grown up fairy tales. This list of fairy tale retellings are the best way to reconnect with nostalgic stories of princesses, dragons and fairies while still exploring a new adventure.
Fairy tales have been an essential part of human culture. From oral stories passed down from generation to generation to Disney's animated films, millions of children around the world have grown up with stories of princesses, dragons and fairies for centuries. These oral tales have become the inspiration for many authors, who add their own twist to the nostalgic universe of these timeless tales. If you have grown up watching classic Disney movies or reading about mythological tales, here are some retellings that will take you to a whole new world.
"The Land of Stories" by Chris Colfer
"The Land of Stories" is a middle grade fantasy series that follows twins Alex and Conner Bailey who, through a mysterious book of fairy tales, stumble into foreign universe full of magic and exciting adventures, where they meet characters they grew up reading about.
Despite the series being targeted toward children, it is a heartwarming story with nuanced and complex themes that adults can also enjoy. Colfer creates a world that follows his original characters and their unique journey and adds many ups and downs along the way. He also depicts the original fairy tale characters after their happily ever afters. For example, the well-known princesses such as Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel are shown as they live their lives as rulers of their kingdoms, curating more character development and bringing a unique reading experience.
Some characters also have unexpected outcomes or even crossovers with other fairy tales that make Colfer's universe feel more original. A lacking aspect of this book can be its overly-simplistic writing, which consists of short sentences, less imagery and telling rather than showing the emotions of the characters. However, this allows for a quick reading experience and mirrors the simple writing and storyline of original fairy tales. Overall, Colfer pulls the reader into the fantastical universe, narrating a story of friendship, good versus evil and adventure which leaves a long-lasting impression.
"The Lunar Chronicles" by Marissa Meyer
"The Lunar Chronicles" is a young adult science-fiction series of four novels, a novella and a short story collection, which is very loosely inspired by classic fairy tales. The setting is a futuristic universe that has been reconstructed after a destructive war, making the books unique and refreshing compared to most fairy tale retellings that have a medieval kingdom aesthetic.
Meyer's main characters, Cinder (Cinderella), Scarlet (Little Red Riding Hood), Cress (Rapunzel) and Winter (Snow White), only have a hint of the personalities associated with the original heroines, largely due to the vast difference in the setting and plot.
One positive aspect of this combination of old stories with modern ideas is how technology plays a role and adds depth to the characters. For example, Cinder is treated horribly by her stepmother due to her being a cyborg (a group that is considered inferior by many in this universe).
Not only does this adjustment add complexity to why she is considered an outcast, but also highlights Cinderella's hardworking nature that many forget about in the original tale. It also gives her a fresh perspective due to the role technology plays in her perception of her surroundings.
The villain, Queen Levana, has a mixture of the different negative traits the antagonist of each original story has, acting as an inexcusable character similar to all the wicked, irredeemable villains fairy tale lovers are familiar with. One negative element of this series is the inconsistent and slow pacing (especially in the last novel).
The story has multiple "final battles" and drags on for too long, taking away from the reader's enjoyment. This series offers a refreshing and exciting story that combines science fiction and fun young adult tropes with timeless, nostalgic tales in a way that captivates readers.
"Six Crimson Cranes" by Elizabeth Lim
"Six Crimson Cranes" is a duology based on the lesser-known fairy tale, "The Wild Swans," by Hans Christen Anderson mixed with elements of East Asian folktales. The story follows Shiori'anma, the princess of her kingdom Kiata, who is cursed by her stepmother, Raikama.
A spell is put on Shiori's six brothers, making them turn into cranes by day and human at night, also sending them to a faraway kingdom. Meanwhile, Shiori loses the ability to speak, making her completely helpless as she tries to find a way to save her brothers.
The book shows Shiori's character grow from a spoiled, privileged princess to a resilient young lady who overcomes many hardships and pains. Her character quickly finds a place in the reader's heart due to her incredible depth and development throughout the story, which is one of the main strengths of this novel. However, other characters lack depth and are one-dimensional to the point that the names of Shiori's six brothers are often forgotten.
This lack of character-building harms the story overall, especially in the sequel "The Dragon Promise." The slow burn romance between the heroine and the love interest is genuine, fleshed out and heartwarming, gripping even those who are not fans to romantic plots. Overall, Lim combines the European fairy tale with East Asian folklore in a unique way, making the universe much more magical and new because "The Wild Swans" has not often been adapted or used for retellings, creating a magical reading experience.