Unforgettable Fairy Tale Retellings for Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fans

Cinder” by Marissa Meyer is a cool twist on the classic Cinderella story, but with a futuristic kick. Meet Cinder, not your average damsel: she’s a mechanic and a cyborg to boot. Life’s complicated when you’re hiding secrets and parts that aren’t exactly human.

This isn’t your typical fairy tale retelling. Forget glass slippers; think deadly plague, lunar intrigue, and a prince needing a mechanic’s help. Cinder’s caught up in a whirlwind of secrets and royal drama, all while a bigger crisis looms over Earth and Luna.

“Six Crimson Cranes” by Elizabeth Lim spins a captivating tale where magic and mystery intertwine. Meet Shiori, a princess hiding her magical abilities, who faces a dire challenge when her brothers are transformed into cranes by a curse. With every word she speaks, one brother edges closer to death.

Bound by silence, Shiori sets out on a quest filled with danger and discovery. Alongside a loyal paper bird and a dragon in disguise, she navigates a world brimming with enchantment and deceit. Her journey is a silent battle against time to break the curse and save her family.

A Curse So Dark and Lonely” by Brigid Kemmerer is a fresh twist on the classic “Beauty and the Beast” tale, but with a dark and captivating edge. Enter the world of Rhen, the cursed prince doomed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, each time ending in tragedy and despair. The only escape? If a girl falls in love with him, which, let’s be honest, hasn’t been going well.

Enter Harper, not your typical damsel in distress. She’s from modern-day Washington, D.C., and she’s got more grit than your average heroine. Snatched into Rhen’s world, Harper isn’t about to stand by passively. With her sharp wit and fierce determination, she’s a breath of fresh air in the cursed kingdom.

“The Wrath and the Dawn” by Renée Ahdieh takes a spin on the enchanting tale of “One Thousand and One Nights,” but with a twist that’ll keep you glued to the pages. Picture this: every day, a young girl marries the Caliph of Khorasan, only to be executed at dawn. Yet, when Shahrzad’s best friend falls victim, she volunteers to be the next bride, vowing to end the cycle of death.

However, Shahrzad’s plans hit a snag when she discovers there’s more to the Caliph, Khalid, than his murderous reputation suggests. Night after night, she weaves stories, ensuring her survival by leaving each tale unfinished at dawn. Meanwhile, she’s determined to uncover the truth behind the killings and stop them for good.

“Skin of the Sea” by Natasha Bowen is a mesmerizing dive into a world where myth meets magic beneath the waves. This tale isn’t just any story; it’s inspired by West African mythology and brings a fresh splash to the sea of fairy tale retellings. Imagine a world where Simidele, a Mami Wata (a mermaid), has the sacred duty of collecting the souls of those who perish at sea and blessing their journey to the afterlife.

However, everything changes when Simi saves the life of a living boy, breaking a cardinal rule of the Mami Wata. This act of rebellion sets off a whirlwind adventure that could alter the fate of the gods and the world of men. As Simi embarks on this perilous journey, she’s faced with impossible choices and discovers hidden truths about the gods she serves and her own mysterious origins.

“Blanca & Roja” by Anna-Marie McLemore is the enchanting tale you’ve been waiting for, blending the magic of fairy tales with the raw beauty of family bonds. This story weaves the threads of “Snow White” and “Swan Lake,” but with a twist that’s all its own. In the del Cisne family, a cruel curse dictates that one daughter will remain human while the other transforms into a swan.

Blanca and Roja, the sisters at the heart of this tale, have grown up knowing that one day the swans will come for one of them. However, they vow to defy their family’s dark legacy and protect each other at all costs. But when two local boys, Page and Barclay, become entangled in their lives and the curse, the sisters’ bond is tested in ways they never imagined.

“To Kill a Kingdom” by Alexandra Christo dives deep into a dark retelling of “The Little Mermaid,” but with a thrilling twist. Princess Lira, a siren royalty, collects the hearts of princes. After a twist of fate, she’s transformed into a human.

Prince Elian lives for the thrill of hunting sirens, dreaming of a world where his kingdom is safe from their threat. When Lira and Elian’s paths cross, it’s under the guise of deadly intentions. Yet, their journey reveals truths that could change their worlds forever.

GPT
“The Seventh Bride” by T. Kingfisher offers a gripping retelling of the Brothers Grimm’s “Bluebeard,” with a twist that’s as unique as it is dark. Rhea, a miller’s daughter, finds herself betrothed to a lord far above her station. However, Lord Crevan harbors secrets far darker than she could have imagined.

Upon arriving at Crevan’s estate, Rhea discovers she’s not the first bride but the seventh. Each wife before her faced a grim fate, and now it’s her turn to unravel the mysteries lying within the manor’s walls. As she navigates this dangerous labyrinth, Rhea encounters magic, betrayal, and allies in the most unexpected places.

“Little Thieves” by Margaret Owen is a clever twist on the beloved tale of “The Goose Girl.” Here, we meet Vanja, the goddaughter of Death and Fortune, who’s turned into a master thief. Instead of serving a princess, she steals her identity, living a life of luxury and crime.

However, Vanja’s double life catches up with her when a curse threatens to turn her to jewels. Now, she must race against time to break the spell. Along the way, she faces vengeful gods, new allies, and her own cunning heart.

“Daughter of the Moon Goddess” by Sue Lynn Tan is a breathtaking journey inspired by the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, specifically the legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. This story introduces us to Xingyin, her daughter, who lives a hidden life on the moon, unbeknownst to the celestial emperor.

When Xingyin’s existence is discovered, she’s forced to flee her home, embarking on an epic quest across the celestial kingdoms. Her journey is filled with trials, where she hones her magic, makes allies, and faces formidable foes. All the while, she’s driven by the hope of freeing her mother from an unjust exile.

“The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden is a spellbinding retelling that plunges us into Russian folklore‘s deep, dark woods. Here, we meet Vasya, a young girl with a wild heart and a gift that sets her apart: the ability to see and communicate with the spirits of the forest and household, guardians of her village.

However, when a new priest arrives, preaching fear over the old ways, Vasya’s world is threatened. The villagers turn away from the spirits, leaving their village vulnerable to darker forces. Vasya must then use her gifts to protect her family and home from human and supernatural dangers.

“Hunted” by Meagan Spooner is an enthralling twist on the timeless tale of “Beauty and the Beast.” This story introduces us to Yeva, a hunter’s daughter with a passion for the wilderness that rivals her beauty. Longing for the freedom and thrill of the hunt, Yeva’s life takes a dramatic turn when her father goes missing in the woods, rumored to be taken by a beast.

Determined to find her father, Yeva ventures into the forest’s heart, where legend and reality blur. There, she becomes the hunter and the hunted as she faces the Beast. However, this Beast is not what she expected. Haunted by his curses and secrets, the Beast and Yeva enter a wary, complex relationship.

“The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey is a magical retelling of a classic Russian fairy tale, set against the harsh, beautiful backdrop of 1920s Alaska. Jack and Mabel, a couple worn by the years and the childlessness that distances them, build a child out of snow during the first snowfall. The next morning, the snow child is gone, but they glimpse a young girl running through the trees.

This girl, Faina, appears as if from the ether, with the wildness of the forest in her eyes and a hint of magic about her. As Jack and Mabel come to love Faina as their own, questions about her origins, reality, and the nature of love weave through their lives.

“The Sleeper and the Spindle” by Neil Gaiman twists “Sleeping Beauty” and “Snow White” into a dark, enchanting fairy tale. A brave young queen embarks on a rescue mission to save a princess under a spreading sleep curse.

With a loyal trio of dwarfs, the queen confronts unexpected challenges and truths. Gaiman’s mix of whimsy and depth brings new life to classic characters and their choices.

GPT
“Splintered” by A.G. Howard takes us on a wild ride into the depths of a twisted Wonderland, reimagining Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers, a gift, or curse, tracing back to her ancestor, Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” However, Alyssa learns that Wonderland is far from the whimsical place Carroll depicted.

Determined to fix her family’s curse, Alyssa plunges into Wonderland, finding it darker and more dangerous than she ever imagined. Alongside Jeb, her best friend and secret crush, she navigates a world where everything familiar is distorted. But then there’s Morpheus, a mysterious figure from her dreams, who knows all of Wonderland’s secrets—and Alyssa’s.

“Never Never” by Brianna R. Shrum tells the untold story of James Hook’s transformation from an adventurous boy to the notorious captain. Kidnapped to Neverland by Peter Pan, Hook quickly realizes this paradise holds dark secrets. As years pass, his admiration for Peter turns to deep-seated vengeance.