So You Wanted MORE Retellings?? No? Just Me…?

I just couldn’t get enough of retellings hahaha. So here is my list of retelling recommendations, part two! A lot of you seemed excited by the last post, so I hope you will enjoy this one as well. And if you have any other suggestions, please do let me know so I can further expand my TBR lol.

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YOUNG ADULT RETELLINGS

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Released

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(The only one I’ve read)

Pride by Ibi Zoboi is, well, a retelling of Pride and Prejudice haha. The main character is an Afro-Latina girl who lives in Brooklyn, and love interest is also Black! As Goodreads says, “Ibi Zoboi skillfully balances cultural identity, class, and gentrification against the heady magic of first love in her vibrant reimagining of this beloved classic.”

(Not yet read)

Thorn by Intisar Kanani is a retelling of The Goose Girl, which is an old German fairytale that appeared in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. From my friend’s review: “Thorn is about standing up for what is right, even though you feel small and defeated and unheard. It’s about making difficult choices and accepting that people make their own decisions… It’s about finding a home and a family among people who are not related to you by blood.”

Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley is an older book (published in 2000!), which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I’ve read two books by her and I loved them, so I definitely want to read this one. Also, my mom loves her so that’s even more reason to read! McKinley also has two other fairytale retelling books.

A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha is a retelling of the Portuguese version of the legend of The Miracle of Roses. The author self describes it as a f/f Portuguse historical fantasy, with lots of food and lots of flowers! I’m in.

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney is an urban fantasy retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It’s set in Atlanta, and the main character is a Black girl who has to balance regular life with battling monstrous creatures!

Once & Future by A.R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy is a genderbent sci-fi/fantasy retelling of the legend of King Arthur. The LGTBQ rep in this book is supposed to be amazing, and this review on Goodreads says that “gay, bisexual, gender fluid and Asexual characters feature, to name a few, and they fit so seamlessly into the story that it just proves that you don’t need to make a big deal out of characters sexuality, they can just be and the story can focus on plot.”

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Upcoming

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The Shadow in the Glass by J.J.A. Hardwood releases on March 18th. This is a dark fantasy retelling of Cinderella. Early reviews have said it is gothic and creepy!

Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas releases on March 23rd. It is a retelling of Peter Pan! I’ve heard amazing things about this author’s debut book, so I’m excited to try their works.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price releases on April 6th. It is a murder mystery retelling of, you guessed it, Pride and Prejudice! I haven’t read a fun mystery in a long time, so I definitely am excited for this one.

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy releases on April 20th, and is a retelling of the Russian folktale “The Firebird.” It’s queer (f/f)! It’s magical! And the cover is absolutely gorgeous. I need it.

Sisters of the Neversea by Cynthia Leitich Smith releases on June 1st. I think it is more of a middle grade novel but listen!! It’s a Peter Pan retelling, AND!!!! The author is indigenous!! And one of the main characters is indigenous as well. I’m really excited for this!

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood releases on November 9th. It is an ownvoices Ethiopian-inspired retelling of Jane Eyre!!! It’s a YA fantasy novel, and the main character works as an exorcist. This sounds so cool!!

Okay this last one isn’t coming out until 2023 and has barely been announced, but I want to mention it because it sounds amazing! It’s called Sweet Stakes, and it’s by Alechia Dow. As described by the author in this Tweet, “It’s a foodie Dracula retelling: it’s got vampires! doughnuts galore! A big Black family on vacation and a super cute Van Helsing boy who is in trouuuuble!!” I am very sad that it is so far away because I want it!!!

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ADULT RETELLINGS

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Released

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The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is a very popular retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus. Where they are LOVERS, as it should be. I’ve heard that this one is absolutely beauuuuutiful, and also that it will make you cry hahaha.

Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin is a modern day Muslim Pride and Prejudice retelling!! I do love P&P, but make it diverse and I’m sure I’ll love it even more. Also, I’m always looking for good romcoms to read in between my big chunky SFF books.

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier is a retelling of The Six Swans, which is another one of the Grimm’s tales. There are many similar fairy tales commonly found throughout Europe; they are all generally about brothers who get turned into swans. I’ve heard amazing things about Marillier’s writing, and all of my friends who have read it have rated it 4 or 5 stars!!

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes is a retelling of the Trojan War, from the perspectives of the women involved. It is described as a “woman’s epic”, and features both the mortal women and the goddesses involved in the war. I listen to a podcast called “Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby” and the host loooves Natalie Haynes so I definitely want to read this.

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I hope you enjoyed this second retellings list! Did you find anything to put on your TBR?