...twisted roots

One of my favourite genres, and one that I myself have been very inspired by, is what  I like to call the "twisted fairy tale". 

It delights me when an author is able to take an existing and well established story and twist it into some dark and unpredictable fantasy novel.

Below are some of the best examples of this genre that I've encountered over the past few years, with a brief description that I hope will entice!

TIGER LILY by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Before there was Wendy, there was Tiger Lily. This is her story, witnessed and told by the all seeing eyes of Tinkerbell. A perspective that I guarantee you won't recognise. See my full book review for more details (click link).

THE GIRL IN RED by Christina Henry

This post apocalyptic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood gives a whole new dimension to the character and the story we all grew up with. Red must make her way alone to her Grandma's house where it's isolated and hopefully safe. But nowhere is really safe since the Crisis came.

WICKED by Gregory Maguire

Simply and uncomplicatedly, how the witches came to be, or "the untold story of the witches of oz".

I could read this book and its successors again and again. And I have!

LOST BOY by Christina Henry

Lost Boy is the retelling of Peter Pan from the perspective of one of the lost boys, Jamie. A dark, unexpected twist on the original story that I savoured until the last word. This is without a doubt my favourite Christina Henry novel.

CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER by Gregory Maguire

A historical fantasy retelling of Cinderella from the perspective of one of her stepsisters, Iris. Set in the backdrop of seventeenth century Holland. The idea of what truly makes a thing ugly or beautiful is thoroughly explored in this novel and I can't recommend it enough. 

ALICE by Christina Henry. 

Followed by RED QUEEN & LOOKING GLASS.

This is Wonderland darker than you've ever seen it before. Alice begins this version of the story from within the walls of the mental asylum. Occupying the cell beside her is the Mad Hatcher, a known murderer. Together they'll embark on a long and dangerous journey to freedom, meeting all the characters along the way, but in surprising forms. 

So intelligently written. Truly dark and fantastical. For a more in depth look at this book and those that follow it, see my book review on the whole Chronicles of Alice series: click here to read  

DOROTHY MUST DIE by Danielle Paige

Amy is swept away from Kansas by a twister, to the land of Oz that Dorothy never really returned from. She's recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, and she has a mission: remove the heart of the Tinman, steal the Scarecrow's brain, take the Lion's courage, and then, Dorothy must die. Amy soon finds out that Dorothy is no longer the sweet little girl from the original story.

THE MERMAID by Christina Henry

Not quite a retelling, I know! But this book combines the fantastical theatrics of circus life with the life of the young woman that P.T Barnum employs as his "Mermaid". This was not my favourite Christina Henry novel, but the concept and the writing still intrigued me enough to want to include it in this list.

BEASTS HEART by Leife Shallcross

Beauty and the Beast from the dark and reclusive perspective of the Beast himself. A perspective I thoroughly enjoyed reading and had never considered the depth of.

BEAUTY by Robin McKinley
Beauty and the Beast retold in a way that hones in on the sheer magic of the love story and the crossing of boundaries between Beauty and the Beast.

AFTER ALICE by Gregory Maguire

When Alice tumbled into Wonderland, she found its rules and peculiarities as bazaar and nonsensical as the world of Victorian England she'd left behind. This retelling explores how Oxford in 1860 reacts to her disappearance, and introduces Ada who is Alice's friend, and a character that is briefly mentioned by Alice in the original book by Lewis Carroll.

SPINDLES END by Robin McKinley

A retelling of sleeping beauty. 

Rosie is an ordinary girl whom no one would look at twice, especially not the evil fairy who hunts her. Due to the curse placed upon her at her christening, the secret of her birthright has been concealed even from Rosie herself, but soon she will be twenty one and be acknowledged once again as a princess whether she cares to be or not.

CINDERELLA'S DEAD by Kalynn Bayron

200 years after Cinderella found her prince, Sophia is still all too familiar with the story because once a year she's sent to the royal ball for choosing, along with all the other girls.

This is a reasonably new publication, and I can't yet reflect on this book as I've yet to read it. It's on my TBR pile for October, so expect a review as soon as I'm through! I've heard great things and I'm very excited!

And there we have it folks.
Of course, there are so many more examples of this genre out there, and as I read more I might take the liberty of adding to this list. If anyone has any good recommendations, then please please please let me know in the comments below!

Happy reading!
Zuzu 🖋

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