15+ Fairy Tale Retellings That Will Completely Enchant You!

I have loved fairy tale retellings as long as I can remember. The first "real" novel I read was Harry Potter, but the second was Ella Enchanted. I was off track from school and walked through the snow to a daycare everyday instead of school while my mom was at work. One day, I got there and couldn't find the book anywhere! I was devestated, because it meant I couldn't finish the book, and I was right at the part with the balls. The next day as I was walking, I found the book sticking out of a snowbank! The cover was ruined, but the book itself was just fine and I was able to finish the story--which I loved. Char was my first "book crush" and I've reread Ella Enchanted more than probably any other book.

Today I wanted to share some of my favorite fairy tale retellings! Let me know some of your favorites--I'm always on the lookout for some new fun ones!

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted is a book most people have heard of, but it is my most favorite retelling (and the first I ever read!), so it had to be included. It is a Cinderella retelling. One of its biggest strengths is the way it goes deeper on some superifical aspects--like the relationship between the prince and Cinderella before the ball--in a way that makes it feel very real. I highly prefer the book over the movie and will always be in love with Char.

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Fairest takes place in the same world as Ella Enchanted, though it follows comlpetely different characters (and actually takes place in a different country). I love the themes of beauty and self confidence in this Snow White retelling.

Just Ella by Maragaret Peterson Haddix

Just Ella is a sort of retelling of Cinderella--I say sort of because it picks up after the original story and explores what it might be like for Ella as she moves to the castle for her "happily ever after". Needless to say, things aren't all as they appear or as she expected. I love the way it plays on the original story and the love story in this one.

Palace of Mirrors by Maragaret Peterson Haddix

Palace of Mirrors is the companion novel to Just Ella and while it isn't a direct fairy tale retelling, it's very fairy tale-esque with the princesses and plot. Haddix's writing style is fun and easy to read, making these fairy tale books very enjoyable.

Cinder by Mariss Meyer

Cinder is a science fiction retelling of Cinderella and it is so fun! It is a great read even if you don't normally enjoy science fiction. There are four books in the series and each is a fairy tale retelling that follows a new character, but that builds on the book and plot before it. After Cinder comes Scarlet--a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, Cress--a Rapuinzel retelling, and Winter--a Snow White retelling. It's such a fun series with a lot of tie ins with the original fairy tales but enough uniqueness to really bring the story and characters to life.

Princess of Shadows by A.G. Marshall

Princess of Shadows is a fantasy Princess and the Pea retelling that was really fun to read! I really enjoyed the characters, the romance, and the world building. It was also fun to read a retelling of a less commonly found retelling.

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston

Bookish and the Beast is also part of a YA retelling series that each follow a different character (and different fairy tale) in the same world. This is the third and my personal favorite, as it is a beauty and the beast retelling and focuses heavily on books--both things I love. The first is Geekerella--a Cinderella retelling, and the second is The Princess and the Fangirl--a Prince and the Pauper retelling. This series is clean when it comes to sexual content, but does have more language in it.

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

Princess of the Midnight Ball is a sweet retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, great for younger readers as well. While it has romance in it, it has more of a "middle grade" feel to it than YA. The characters and plot are really fun and because I'm a dancer, I always love retellings of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Princess of Glass is the sequel to Princess of the Midnight Ball and is a loose Cinderella retelling. I loved seeing the ways this one differed from the traditional Cinderella story and all the shenanigans that take place alongside the romance.

The Stolen Kingdom by Bethany Atazadeh

The Stolen Kingdom is an Aladdin retelling with a really fun twist on the Jinni. The main character was especially fun to follow as she was proactive and strong, and I fell in love with Caden, or "Aladdin", but my favorite character was the Jinni. This is the first of a series of retellings that are all fun, and it has a spinoff series that follows the negative arc of the main antagonist.

The Thirteenth Princess by Diana Zahler

The Thirteenth Princess is a Twelve Dancing Princesses middle grade retelling with a fun twist--the main character is the "thirteenth" princess. It is a fun, fast read that has particularly fun twists on the original fairy tale.

The Otherworld by Abbie Emmons

The Other World has loose Little Mermaid retelling vibes. This YA book has a love triangle and explores family relationships versus independence. I loved characters, the way the plot went, and the way everything resolved.

The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

The Sweetest Spell is a very loose retelling of the Ugly Duckling. This middle grade book is so sweet and so enjoyable. I fell in love with all the characters, especially the main character Emmeline--she is so resilient, works through her doubts, and stands strong in the midst of terrible circumstances. The plot is really fun too, with great twists that I didn't see coming.

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl is one of my very favorite retellings, of a less-well known fairy tale also titled The Goose Girl. I absolutely love the world, the characters, and the character arcs of this story. The magic in it is very unique and fun and Shannon Hale's writing style is captivating. This book is great for both middle grade and YA.

Rapunzel Untangled by Cindy C. Bennett

Rapunzel Untangled is obviously a Rapunzel retelling. It has a fun premise that the author does a great job delivering on. The retelling aspect of it is unique and the story is charming, great for a younger audience.

Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale

Rapunzel's Revenge is a fun graphic novel retelling! This book has a unique take on Rapunzel--rather than the typical protagonist, you get to read about a proactive, cowgirl-style Rapunzel going on an adventure to escape her tower. There is a sequel--Calamity Jack--that is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and finishes off the story. Both are really fun reads.

Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke

Mighty Jack is another fun graphic novel retelling, also retelling Jack and the Beanstalk. It ties in with Zita the Spacegirl (not a fairy tale retelling, but an awesome graphic novel series). My kids love this series and I, as an adult, also loved reading it with them.

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

I don't know if the regency romance Seeking Persephone is meant to be a retelling, but my favorite part of it was the "Beauty and the Beast" vibes throughout. It also has tie-ins with Greek mythology. The romance is so sweet, I loved how their relationship developed and the slow burn of it. It's one of my favorite regency romances, especially with the fairy tale retelling vibes.

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Gail Carson Levine

This is not necessarily a "fairy tale retelling" but it has fairy tale vibes and is based off of The Princess Bride, if Buttercup went out to serach for Wesley on her own after he left. I love the fairy tale vibes of this fantasy book, the sweet romance, and the plot twists along the way!

These are some of my favorite fairy tale retellings! What are you favorite retellings? I'm always on the lookout for some new good ones and would love to hear from you!