The feeling of returning to a place you once loved, experiencing the comforting nostalgia of resurfacing memories and captivating curiosity as you realize things have changed…To me, that feeling captures the allure of retellings. Usually, the retellings are of childhood favorite tales, but sometimes they’re of stories I’ve never read or even heard of, and that’s a special feeling in and of itself. Gathered below are thirty retellings—separated into folklore, classics, Arthurian legend, Greek mythology, and Shakespeare—that swept me away, turning the tales I thought I knew on their heads while undeniably preserving each story’s heart.
FOLKLORE
Folklore retellings are undeniably spellbinding, often blending whimsy with magical beings and a twisty bargain or two…
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
With a captivating cast of characters, addictive romance, and an action-packed plot, A Curse So Dark and Lonely delivers a delightful YA retelling of “Beauty and the Beast.”
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
A Sorceress Comes to Call enchants as it reimagines the Brothers Grimm’s “Goose Girl,” blending forbidden magic, secrets, and murder in an irresistible Gothic atmosphere.
Call Forth a Fox by Markelle Grabo
Cozy with a tinge of darkness and filled with fae, curses, and sapphic love, Call Forth a Fox reimagines the story of “Snow-White and Rose-Red.”
Cinder House by Freya Marske
Cinder House is a “Cinderella” retelling brimming with haunting, magical world-building; an addictive queer romance; and a creative, propulsive plot that presents a fresh interpretation of Cinderella’s story while delivering delightful familiarity.
Gilded by Marissa Meyer
Gilded is a YA “Rumpelstiltskin” retelling filled with a tender romance, a haunted castle, wonderfully creepy beasts, and a dark yet welcoming atmosphere that captures the feeling of curling up in a blanket, a fire crackling beside you as a storm thunders outside.
Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
In Hemlock & Silver, Kingfisher’s darkly enchanting prosepresents Snow White’s story through the gaze of a healer named Anja, adding even more adventure, poison, magic, love, and wit to the tale.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Ghosts, mystery, sisterhood, secrets, and horror fill the captivating Gothic atmosphere of House of Salt and Sorrows, presenting a new take on “The Twelve Dancing Princesses.”
Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser
Lady Tremaine explores Cinderella’s story from the “evil” stepmother’s point of view, revealing a whole new side of the story—one of motherhood, survival, glamor, decay, and love.
No Better Than Beasts by Z.R. Ellor
No Better Than Beasts reimagines the Nutcracker story with whimsical world-building and a twisty, addictive plot.
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
The Bone Spindle reimagines “Sleeping Beauty”with an Indiana Jones twist, delivering a cinematic YA fantasy of love, adventure, and found family.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea is a whimsical YA retelling of “The Tale of Shim Cheong” filled with mythical creatures and vivid world-building perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli.
The House Saphir by Marissa Meyer
Murder, mystery, magic, mythology, and monsters unite to retell the tale of Bluebeard in The House Saphir.
Upon a Starlit Tide by Kell Woods
Combining “Cinderella” and “The Little Mermaid,” Woods creates a thoroughly spellbinding story of love, magic, seduction, secrets, and history in Upon a Starlit Tide, set in Saint-Malo, Brittany, in 1758.
CLASSICS
Retellings of classics delight as they explore old, beloved stories through modern lenses. Whether you’re new to classics or an avid reader of them, these retellings are the perfect way to introduce yourself to these timeless tales or revisit an old favorite.
For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga
For She Is Wrath is a fierce and addictive Pakistani YA retelling of The Count of Monte Cristowith action, romance, and female friendship.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
With a haunting, Gothic atmosphere; sapphic love story; and captivating horror and history, Hungerstone delivers a thrilling retelling of Carmilla.
Local Heavens by K.M. Fajardo
The Great Gatsby emerges with a cyberpunk twist in Local Heavens, featuring queer dystopian romances, tech-modified bodies, and a Filipino American Nick Carraway.
One for All by Lillie Lainoff
Sword fighting, sisterhood, secrets, and self-love abound in One for All, a gender-bent YA retelling of The Three Musketeers following a fierce heroine with a chronic illness.
Sing the Night by Megan Jauregui Eccles
Sing the Night is a sweeping retelling of The Phantom of the Operathat brims with vivid imagery, magic, and music.
Strike the Zither by Joan He
Strike the Zither is a cinematic YA reimagining of the Chinese novel The Three Kingdoms,filled with political intrigue, found family, and a gripping love story.
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
Haunting and romantic, Within These Wicked Walls is an unputdownable Ethiopian-inspired YA retelling of Jane Eyre.
Greek Mythology
Greek mythology retellings often feel nostalgic as I’m transported back to the plotlines, drama, magic, and chaos of the Greek mythology tales I adored as a child. If you haven’t yet dove into the treasure trove that is Greek mythology, never fear—these retellings are perfect for new and old fans alike:
Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews
Daughter of Sparta is an action-packed, fierce, and empowering YA reimagining of the story of Apollo and Daphne.
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Girl, Goddess, Queen is a fierce and addictive YA retelling of Hades and Persephone’s story, brimming with banter, fake dating, and a compelling cast of characters.
I, Medusa by Ayana Gray
Exploring sisterhood, love, power, and feminine rage, I, Medusa is a lush retelling of the story of Medusa featuring a Black protagonist.
The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett
The Witch of Colchis retells the story of Medea with feminine rage, magic, and action.
Arthurian Legend
While I adore Arthurian legend, its portrayal of women is frequently less than favorable. Morgan le Fay often appears as a villainous crone, and Queen Guinevere’s character is usually passive and underdeveloped. Thus, I was beyond delighted when I discovered these retellings of Arthurian legend that shine a light on the power of women:
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Legendborn powerfully reimagines King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, presenting a YA dark academia novel with magic that powerfully explores racism and grief.
Morgan is My Name by Sophie Keetch
Morgan is My Name reimagines the early life of Morgan le Fay, highlighting her strength and presenting her tale with atmospheric world-building, lyrical prose, and political intrigue.
The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty
The Once and Future Queen reimagines Queen Guinevere’s story with a cozy, adventurous, darkly magical atmosphere and a captivating cast of characters, including the spunky and fierce new Guinevere, Vera.
Shakespeare
William Shakespeare’s works brim with wit, drama, and even magic. His tragedies and his comedies are equally sweeping, and these retellings beautifully capture the exhilaration of reading (or watching) a Shakespearean play:
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
Lady Macbeth retells the story of Lady Macbeth, presenting a Gothic atmosphere; Scottish folklore; themes of power, patriarchy, and revenge; and a compelling main character who redefines what it means to be a witch.
Salt & Sugar by Rebecca Carvalho
Heart-warming, mouth-watering, and swoon-worthy, Salt & Sugar reimagines Romeo & Juliet in present-day Brazil.
The Hundred Loves of Juliet by Evelyn Skye
Romantic, bingeable, and emotional, The Hundred Loves of Juliet retells Romeo & Juliet with a modern, magical twist.
