I LOVE stories inspired by fairy tales! They have this enchanting and eerie quality to them that sweeps me away and makes me want to forget about everything else! No two fairytale inspired stories are the same, and I’m always fascinated by how just a few twists and turns can change the entire course of a story-line I once knew inside and out.
A twist in a regular story can shake things up; a twist in a fairy tale changes everything! Whether you’re crazy for princesses and romance or magic and myth, these books based on fairy tales will keep you hooked.
8 Books Inspired by Fairy Tales
1. Lies Like Poison by Chelsea Pitcher
This thrilling read is filled with fairy tale easter eggs, from Snow White to Jack & the Beanstalk, with the added plus of foul play and a mystery to be solved. You’ll be on the edge of your seat with every page you turn.
2. Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell
Based on the thoroughly loved classic Peter Pan, Lisa Maxwell takes the dark undertones of the original and pulls them right to the surface in this dark, magical, and high-stakes read. With memories slipping away so fast Gwen is forgetting who she is, it’s almost impossible to help herself. Would you choose to face the truth about yourself to escape the island of Neverland, or would you just let the memories of who you were slip away?
3. The Creeping by Alexandra Sirowy
Based on the urban legend of the The Creeper, this horror mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat through the very end. Twelve years ago Stella and Jeanie vanished while picking strawberries. Stella returned minutes later, with no memory of what happened. Jeanie was never seen or heard from again. Now Stella is seventeen, and she’s over it. Then along comes a corpse, a little girl who has red hair just like Jeanie did. Suddenly memories of that haunting day begin to return, and when Stella discovers that other red-headed girls have gone missing as well, she begins to suspect that something sinister is at work.
4. The Modern Faerie Tales by Holly Black
Based on the Fae realm of myth and legend, this bind-up takes the ancient world of Faeries and throws them into the modern world. This particular retelling spans three books, all found in this special bind-up edition of the Faerie trilogy. This series still has all the fantasy elements you love, along with a strong female protagonist, and it has a modern angle that brings a new perspective to this genre.
5. Cursed by Thomas Wheeler & Frank Miller
Based on the tale of King Arthur, this new take follow the lady of the lake rather than Arthur himself, and shows you a whole new side to this valiant legend. In this epic reimagining of the King Arthur legend, Nimue is determined to fulfill her mother’s dying wish by delivering the Sword of Power to the legendary magician, Merlin. But after teaming up with a mercenary named Arthur, she quickly discovers that the age of powerful men is over…and the world needs a queen
6. The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler
Based on The Little Mermaid, this retelling is a fascinating twist on the tale, bringing every aspect of it into the real world, and set in the town that is believed to be the home of the first mermaid.
7. Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao
Based on the Chinese folktale The Butterfly Lovers, this modern take on the tale deals with pressure from parents, struggle with self-identity, and an adorable star-crossed lovers romance.
8. The Cold Is in Her Bones by Peternelle Van Arsdale
Based on the myth of Medusa, this demonic retelling has more twists than you can imagine, and focuses on a heartfelt loyal friendship facing the dark evil that comes their way.