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The Best Fairytales and Retellings
The best fairytale books and retellings of fairytales and myths.
Tags: fairy-tale, fairytales, fantasy, fiction, myths, and retellings

1
Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted
by Gail Carson Levine 335 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 33181
vote
2
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast
Beauty: A Retelling of the Story of Beauty and ...
by Robin McKinley 237 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 23397
vote
3
The Goose Girl
The Goose Girl
by Shannon Hale 212 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 20933
vote
4
Book of a Thousand Days
Book of a Thousand Days
by Shannon Hale 107 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 10417
vote
5
Fairest
Fairest
by Gail Carson Levine 95 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 9275
vote
6
Wildwood Dancing
Wildwood Dancing
by Juliet Marillier 84 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 8192
vote
7
Spindle's End
Spindle's End
by Robin McKinley 81 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 7910
vote
8
East
East
by Edith Pattou 81 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 7906
vote
9
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
by Gregory Maguire 75 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 7333
vote
10
Daughter of the Forest
Daughter of the Forest
by Juliet Marillier 71 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 7001
vote
11
Briar Rose
Briar Rose
by Jane Yolen 68 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 6639
vote
12
The Mists of Avalon
The Mists of Avalon
by Marion Zimmer Bradley 64 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 6258
vote
13
Enchantment
Enchantment
by Orson Scott Card 61 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 5968
vote
14
The Once and Future King
The Once and Future King
by T.H. White 55 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 5329
vote
15
Deerskin
Deerskin
by Robin McKinley 53 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 5100
vote
16
Rose Daughter
Rose Daughter
by Robin McKinley 53 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 5050
vote
17
Just Ella
Just Ella
by Margaret Peterson Haddix 48 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 4622
vote
18
Beastly
Beastly
by Alex Flinn 45 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 4365
vote
19
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
by Gail Carson Levine 45 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 4289
vote
20
The Book of Lost Things
The Book of Lost Things
by John Connolly 42 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 4102
vote
21
The Looking Glass Wars
The Looking Glass Wars
by Frank Beddor 40 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 3884
vote
22
Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold
by C.S. Lewis 36 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 3507
vote
23
Tam Lin
Tam Lin
by Pamela Dean 33 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 3230
vote
24
The Bloody Chamber
The Bloody Chamber
by Angela Carter 32 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 3113
vote
25
The Outlaws of Sherwood
The Outlaws of Sherwood
by Robin McKinley 33 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 3108
vote
26
The Fairy Godmother
The Fairy Godmother
by Mercedes Lackey 32 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 3094
vote
27
Zel
Zel
by Donna Jo Napoli 31 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2952
vote
28
Fables: Legends in Exile
Fables: Legends in Exile
by Bill Willingham 30 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2937
vote
29
The Princess Test
The Princess Test
by Gail Carson Levine 29 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2732
vote
30
Princess Academy
Princess Academy
by Shannon Hale 28 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2684
vote
31
A Curse Dark as Gold
A Curse Dark as Gold
by Elizabeth C. Bunce (Goodreads author) 27 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2572
vote
32
The Storyteller's Daughter
The Storyteller's Daughter
by Cameron Dokey 27 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2533
vote
33
Snow White and Rose Red
Snow White and Rose Red
by Patricia C. Wrede 26 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2483
vote
34
Beast
Beast
by Donna Jo Napoli 26 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2446
vote
35
Rapunzel's Revenge
Rapunzel's Revenge
by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale 25 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2393
vote
36
The Ordinary Princess
The Ordinary Princess
by Mary Margaret Kaye 23 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2185
vote
37
Princess of the Midnight Ball
Princess of the Midnight Ball
by Jessica Day George (Goodreads author) 22 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2114
vote
38
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Ch...
by Christopher Moore 21 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 2049
vote
39
Mirror Mirror
Mirror Mirror
by Gregory Maguire 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1889
vote
40
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
by Jessica Day George (Goodreads author) 20 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1867
vote
41
White As Snow
White As Snow
by Tanith Lee 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1835
vote
42
Fire and Hemlock
Fire and Hemlock
by Diana Wynne Jones 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1817
vote
43
Ever
Ever
by Gail Carson Levine 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1788
vote
44
Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderella"
Before Midnight: A Retelling of "Cinderell...
by Cameron Dokey 19 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1784
vote
45
Snow: A Retelling of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
Snow: A Retelling of "Snow White and the S...
by Tracy Lynn 18 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1667
vote
46
The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold
The Rose and The Beast: Fairy Tales Retold
by Francesca Lia Block 17 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1616
vote
46
Snow White, Blood Red
Snow White, Blood Red
by Ellen Datlow (Editor), Terri Windling (Editor) 17 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1616
vote
48
The Princess and the Hound
The Princess and the Hound
by Mette Ivie Harrison 17 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1569
vote
49
The Big Over Easy
The Big Over Easy
by Jasper Fforde 16 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1539
vote
50
Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid"
Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Littl...
by Debbie Viguié 15 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1398
vote
51
Winter Rose
Winter Rose
by Patricia A. McKillip 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1345
vote
52
Red as Blood
Red as Blood
by Tanith Lee 14 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1339
vote
53
The Fire Rose
The Fire Rose
by Mercedes Lackey, Darrell K. Sweet (illustrator) 13 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1247
vote
54
The Rumpelstiltskin Problem
The Rumpelstiltskin Problem
by Vivian Vande Velde 13 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1188
vote
55
The Perilous Gard
The Perilous Gard
by Elizabeth Marie Pope, Richard J. Cuffari (Illustrator) 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1152
vote
56
Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins
Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins
by Emma Donoghue 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1134
vote
56
Shadow Spinner
Shadow Spinner
by Susan Fletcher 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1134
vote
58
Goose Chase
Goose Chase
by Patrice Kindl 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1116
vote
59
The Door in the Hedge
The Door in the Hedge
by Robin McKinley 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1081
vote
60
Jack of Kinrowan: Jack the Giant-Killer and Drink Down the Moon
Jack of Kinrowan: Jack the Giant-Killer and Dri...
by Charles de Lint 11 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1072
vote
61
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill
Cinderellis and the Glass Hill
by Gail Carson Levine 12 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1070
vote
62
One Good Knight
One Good Knight
by Mercedes Lackey 11 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1051
vote
63
The Serpent's Shadow
The Serpent's Shadow
by Mercedes Lackey, Jody A. Lee (illustrator) 11 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 1038
vote
64
Seeing Redd
Seeing Redd
by Frank Beddor 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 965
vote
65
The Black Swan
The Black Swan
by Mercedes Lackey, Jody A. Lee (illustrator) 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 954
vote
66
In the Night Garden
In the Night Garden
by Catherynne M. Valente 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 946
vote
67
Lady Of The Forest
Lady Of The Forest
by Jennifer Roberson 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 944
vote
68
The Squire's Tale
The Squire's Tale
by Gerald Morris 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 921
vote
69
The Blue Sword
The Blue Sword
by Robin McKinley 10 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 909
vote
70
The Night Dance: A Retelling of "The Twelve Dancing Princesses"
The Night Dance: A Retelling of "The Twelv...
by Suzanne Weyn 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 842
vote
71
Enna Burning
Enna Burning
by Shannon Hale 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 812
vote
72
Spinners
Spinners
by Donna Jo Napoli, Richard Tchen 9 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 805
vote
73
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
The True Story of Hansel and Gretel
by Louise Murphy 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 769
vote
74
Bound
Bound
by Donna Jo Napoli 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 747
vote
75
Sunshine
Sunshine
by Robin McKinley 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 733
vote
76
Birdwing
Birdwing
by Rafe Martin 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 732
vote
77
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons
by Barbara Cohen, Bahija Lovejoy 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 724
vote
78
Black Thorn, White Rose
Black Thorn, White Rose
by Ellen Datlow (Editor), Terri Windling (Editor) 8 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 709
vote
79
King Rat
King Rat
by China Miéville 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 668
vote
80
An Earthly Knight
An Earthly Knight
by Janet McNaughton 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 656
vote
81
The Magic Circle
The Magic Circle
by Donna Jo Napoli 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 654
vote
82
Out of the Wild
Out of the Wild
by Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads author) 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 653
vote
83
The Swan Maiden
The Swan Maiden
by Heather Tomlinson 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 651
vote
84
Mira, Mirror
Mira, Mirror
by Mette Ivie Harrison 7 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 628
vote
85
The Shadow Of The Bear
The Shadow Of The Bear
by Regina Doman (Goodreads author) 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 593
vote
86
The Ill-Made Mute
The Ill-Made Mute
by Cecilia Dart-Thornton 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 589
vote
87
The Forestwife
The Forestwife
by Theresa Tomlinson 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 578
vote
88
The Crystal Cave
The Crystal Cave
by Mary Stewart 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 576
vote
89
Once Upon a Winter's Night
Once Upon a Winter's Night
by Dennis L. McKiernan 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 575
vote
90
Into the Wild
Into the Wild
by Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads author) 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 553
vote
91
For Biddle's Sake
For Biddle's Sake
by Gail Carson Levine 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 537
vote
92
Pay the Piper: A Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tale
Pay the Piper: A Rock 'n' Roll Fairy Tale
by Jane Yolen, Adam Stemple 6 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 534
vote
93
Tender Morsels
Tender Morsels
by Margo Lanagan 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 493
vote
94
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty
by A.N. Roquelaure 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 490
vote
95
Reserved for the Cat
Reserved for the Cat
by Mercedes Lackey 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 488
vote
96
Phoenix and Ashes
Phoenix and Ashes
by Mercedes Lackey 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 476
vote
97
Nutcracker
Nutcracker
by Maurice Sendak, E.T.A. Hoffmann 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 466
vote
98
The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf
The Savage Damsel and the Dwarf
by Gerald Morris 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 464
vote
99
A Kiss in Time
A Kiss in Time
by Alex Flinn 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 459
vote
100
The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight
The Princess, the Crone, and the Dung-Cart Knight
by Gerald Morris 5 people voted »
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
score: 456
vote
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comments (showing 1-18 of 18) (18 new)

dateDown_arrow    newest »

message 1: by Maren (new)
Aug 24, 2008 04:00PM

793269 Fabulous list--I look forward to exploring more of the books on it...


message 2: by Nathalie (new)
Dec 08, 2008 09:18PM

1591762 wonderful list!


message 3: by Tanya (new)
Jan 05, 2009 11:55AM

Nophoto-f-25x33 Great resource! Can't wait to read my way through it! :)


message 4: by Adele (new)
Feb 07, 2009 02:22PM

2006992 Wow, definitely some must-reads!


message 5: by Marisa (new)
Feb 10, 2009 05:58PM

1795364 I am going to check out so many of the books on here now!


message 6: by deleted member (new)
Apr 05, 2009 08:44PM

I also want to read some of these as I love fairy tales especially ones for adults.


message 7: by Anna (new)
May 01, 2009 12:10AM

1612470 Great list, I've been wanting to read some more fairytale retellings lately and this list is giving me a place to start. I do think there should be one addition though, The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. Her other books set in the same world are on there and I think that its at least as good as those.


message 8: by Tracy (new)
May 05, 2009 11:21AM

614049 Hood


message 9: by Tracy (new)
May 05, 2009 11:23AM

614049 I love this list! There are definitely some that will be added to my to-read bookshelf.


message 10: by Amydali86 (new)
May 27, 2009 11:47PM

411375 Is there a way to add all these to a toread shelf?


message 11: by Jamea (new)
Jun 06, 2009 06:27PM

1532300 Thanks for the List. Although I've been having trouble finding what retelling tales I want to read.


message 12: by Nan (new)
Jul 01, 2009 08:07PM

754607 Great list, but some of these are not fairy tales--especially The Hero & The Crown by McKinley.


message 13: by Emma (new)
Jul 22, 2009 05:08PM

2471090 My favorite is The Princess Bride, although The Book of Lost Things is excellent, as is Fables: Legends in Exile.


message 14: by Lee Anne (new)
Aug 13, 2009 12:34PM

397309 One of my favorites "The Frog Princess" by E. D. Baker is not on the list. So sad!



message 15: by Lee Anne (new)
Aug 13, 2009 12:35PM

397309 Or "The Princess and the Peabodys" by Betty G. Birney


message 16: by Pao (new)
Aug 22, 2009 11:46AM

2652486 Must read everything on that list!


message 17: by Rachel (new)
Sep 23, 2009 10:22AM

2644176 So excited to have found this list! Fairy tales are a passion of mine.


message 18: by Beadyjan (new)
Oct 20, 2009 06:09AM

2845570 Super list - lots to add to my wishlist


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