The Wildest Things by Andrea Hannah
In this sapphic Snow White retelling, Snow awakens after twenty years to find her kingdom ravaged by a magical Blight and must become the Seasonkeeper to restore it—if she can resist falling for the Evil Queen’s daughter along the way. As she faces mutated beasts, shifting alliances, and her own dark instincts, Snow must decide whether love or duty will ultimately save the realm.
What Comes of Attending the Commoners Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown
Hester Flanders only went to the royal ball for the free food—but when a prince starts following her home, things get complicated. Raised to fear the Folk and their tricks, Hester refuses all gifts, even from royalty, but as her path keeps crossing with the crown prince, resisting help—and her heart—becomes harder than she expected. This cozy fantasy romance blends Cinderella with Howl’s Moving Castle in a whimsical world of gaslamps, mischief, and magic.
Malice by Heather Walter
In this dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Alyce, a feared sorceress, falls for Princess Aurora—the last heir to a cursed throne doomed to die without true love’s kiss. As their bond deepens, Alyce dares to hope her magic might save Aurora instead of destroy her. But in a world that sees her as the villain, happy endings are anything but certain.
Sour Cherry by Natalia Theodoridou
In this modern reimagining of Bluebeard, a grieving nurse is drawn into the orbit of a cursed boy who grows into a man trailed by death and decay—where every woman he touches becomes a ghost. As a chorus of spectral wives speaks out, Sour Cherry becomes a chilling feminist folktale about toxic masculinity, power, and the haunting cost of staying with the monsters we love.
After Oz by Gordon McAlpine
Set in 1896 Kansas, this haunting retelling of The Wizard of Oz follows 11-year-old Dorothy, who reappears after a tornado with tales of a magical land—only to be branded delusional and accused of murder. Committed to an asylum, Dorothy’s fate rests in the hands of a young psychologist who must uncover whether Dorothy is disturbed, dangerous, or telling the unbelievable truth. A gripping, atmospheric story of prejudice, power, and hidden menace in a small Midwestern town.
We Kept Her in the Cellar by WR Gorman
In this chilling Cinderella retelling, stepsister Eunice has spent her life keeping the family’s monstrous secret—Cinderella has dark, eldritch powers that must be carefully contained. But when Cinderella escapes and wreaks havoc at the royal ball, Eunice must confront the horror she’s helped hide and decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to stop it. Told with dark humor and creeping dread, this twisted tale explores family, fear, and the price of freedom.
The Crimson Crown by Heather Walter
In this queer, witchy reimagining of Snow White, the dark queen steps out of the shadows to tell her own story. Young witch Ayleth must unlock her magic and navigate betrayal, court intrigue, and a haunting force at the White Palace to become the powerful villain—or heroine—of legend.
After the Forest by Kell Woods
A dark, enchanting fantasy that follows Greta, now grown and hiding the witch’s grimoire from her past. Struggling to survive in a war-ravaged land, Greta must confront returning dark magic and the dangerous power within her—before it destroys everything she loves.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
In a plague-ridden New Beijing, Cinder—a gifted cyborg mechanic—finds herself at the center of an intergalactic conflict. As secrets about her past unravel and her connection to Prince Kai deepens, she must choose between loyalty and freedom to save Earth’s future.
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Trained from birth to kill the evil ruler she’s been forced to marry, Nyx enters his enchanted castle with a plan to break his curse. But as she unravels Ignifex’s secrets, she’s drawn to the man she was meant to destroy—and must choose between saving her kingdom or surrendering to a forbidden love.
A Forgery of Fate by Elizabeth Lim
In this romantic fantasy inspired by Beauty and the Beast, Tru, a gifted artist who can paint the future, agrees to marry a mysterious dragon lord to save her family. Drawn into a dangerous plot to overthrow the Dragon King, she must navigate love, betrayal, and divine politics to uncover the truth about her father and her own destiny.
A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
When Harper is pulled from Washington, DC into the cursed kingdom of Emberfall, she meets Prince Rhen—trapped in a loop of endless autumns and monstrous transformations. As they grow closer, Harper must decide if she can help break the curse and save a kingdom teetering on the brink of ruin.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
In a seaside manor where twelve sisters are cursed, Annaleigh suspects the tragic deaths among them are no accident. Haunted by ghostly visions and drawn into her sisters’ secret midnight dances, she must uncover the dark truth behind the curse—before she becomes its next victim.
Gilded by Marissa Meyer
Cursed by the god of lies, Serilda is known for her wild, untrue stories—until one draws the attention of the deadly Erlking. Forced to spin straw into gold or die, she summons a mysterious boy who offers help for a price, uncovering dark secrets, ancient curses, and a chance to end the Erlking’s reign forever.
Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
Healer Anja is summoned by the king to save his dying daughter, Snow, using her unusual, poison-based remedies. As her search for a cure leads her into a hidden world within a magic mirror, Anja must uncover the truth behind Snow’s illness—before it claims them both.
Lightkeepers by Kennedy Plumb
In this modern reimagining of Rapunzel, Zella has spent her life isolated in a cult-like Program, while Ryder is counting down the days to escape the foster system. When their paths cross one fateful night, they begin to uncover the truth about their pasts—and what it means to be truly free.
Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
Isabelle, the ugly stepsister, goes to extreme lengths to win the prince’s heart, even cutting off her toes to fit into Cinderella’s glass slipper. But when her deception is exposed, she must confront the hollow life she’s built and find a way to reshape her destiny, proving that it takes more than heartbreak to break a girl.
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
On her twenty-first birthday, Zinnia Gray faces the final year of her life due to a mysterious condition. When a birthday surprise goes wrong, she’s thrust into a fantastical journey across worlds, where she meets another Sleeping Beauty, both desperate to escape their doomed fates.
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
Amy Gumm, an ordinary girl from Kansas, is swept into a twisted version of Oz where nothing is as it seems. Recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, she’s trained to fight against a corrupt Dorothy who’s seized control, and Amy is given a dangerous mission to stop her.
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
In the domed city of Yuan, blind Princess Isra is raised to be a sacrificial offering to ensure her city’s survival, while outside, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his starving people. As Isra forms a bond with Gem and uncovers hidden truths, she must choose between her duty to her city and the love that challenges everything she’s been taught.
The Last Lost Girl by Casey L. Bond
Ava’s world shatters when her sister, Belle, is consumed by shadows and takes her to the real Neverland, where Peter Pan now rules with dark power. With the help of the enigmatic Captain Hook, Ava must race to find her sister before Peter does—but the price of Hook’s help may cost more than she can afford.
Fly with the Arrow by Sarah KL Wilson
When she unknowingly greets Bluebeard, a powerful and terrifying bridegroom, she becomes his sixteenth wife and is taken to the mysterious lands of Wittenhame. Caught in a deadly game that shapes the fate of nations, she must navigate dangerous secrets in her marriage and the court, where nothing is as it seems.
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra
After a humiliating breakup and media storm, Dee Gale leaves Kansas for Ireland to start fresh at Trinity College Dublin. There, she forms unlikely friendships and learns valuable lessons from a group of strong women, ultimately discovering her own strength and the courage to embrace her future on her own terms.
For the Wolf by Hannah F. Whiten
As the Second Daughter, Red is destined to be sacrificed to the Wolf in the Wood, hoping he will return the captured gods. But when she discovers the Wolf is a man, not a monster, and her magic is a powerful gift, Red must learn to control it before the gods’ monstrous wrath destroys everything.
Wicked: The Life and times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
The untold story of Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned girl who will become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. In this reimagined Oz, Gregory Maguire explores themes of good, evil, and morality, revealing the complexities of a world where talking animals, domestic abuse, and class struggles shape the lives of its characters.
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
Toadling, a fae raised in safety after being stolen from her family, is tasked with a simple favor: return to the human world and bless a newborn. But centuries later, when a knight seeks to break a curse at the heart of a thorn-covered tower, Toadling must decide whether to protect the curse she’s sworn to uphold—or let it fall.
Spinning Starlight by RC Lewis
Sixteen-year-old Liddi Jantzen, the heiress of a powerful tech family, hates the spotlight but can’t escape it. When her family is caught in an interplanetary conspiracy and her brothers’ lives are in her hands, Liddi must use her wit and a mysterious dignitary’s help to save them, all while being unable to speak due to a device implanted in her vocal cords. In this haunting retelling of The Wild Swans, Liddi must sacrifice everything to bring her brothers back.
Hooked by Emily McIntire
James seeks revenge on Peter Michaels but becomes entangled in a passionate and dangerous affair with Peter’s daughter, Wendy. As his plan to use her unravels, James finds himself torn between his desire for revenge and his growing feelings for Wendy. Meanwhile, Wendy, sheltered all her life, discovers a dark and intense attraction to James, unsure if she’s falling for the man or the monster. This dark contemporary romance is a fractured fairy tale where villains get their own kind of happy ending, with mature themes and content.
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
Vanja Schmidt, the adopted goddaughter of Death and Fortune, has lived a life of service to Princess Gisele. But when her otherworldly mothers demand a terrible price, Vanja steals Gisele’s life and assumes her identity. Now leading a double life as a princess and jewel thief, Vanja’s plans go awry when she crosses a powerful god and is cursed to turn into jewels, stone by stone, for her greed. With only two weeks to break the curse and escape, Vanja must outwit a dangerous mix of adversaries, including Gisele’s sinister fiancé and a determined detective.
All the Ever Afters: The Untold Story of Cinderella’s Stepmother by Danielle Teller
The familiar story of Cinderella is reimagined through the eyes of her stepmother, Agnes. Born into serfdom, Agnes is separated from her family at a young age and forced into harsh servitude. Despite the cruelty of her circumstances, she survives through wit and perseverance. Over time, Agnes finds herself back at Aviceford Manor, where she becomes nursemaid to Ella, the delicate and otherworldly daughter of Sir Emont Vis-de-Loup. As Ella grows into the beautiful princess known to fairy tale lore, Agnes grapples with love, duty, and the complexities of their relationship. Through Agnes’ perspective, the novel delves into the darker, more nuanced aspects of life, challenging our perceptions of beauty, love, and “happily ever after.”
Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry
The story of Peter Pan is retold from the perspective of his first Lost Boy, who becomes his greatest enemy. Peter’s promise of eternal youth and happiness is revealed as a lie, as the island is far from the carefree paradise it seems, filled with danger, violence, and broken trust.
Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire
Seven-year-old Bianca de Nevada lives a sheltered life at her family’s farm in Tuscany until the notorious Borgia siblings, Cesare and Lucrezia, arrive. As her father embarks on a dangerous quest, Bianca is left under Lucrezia’s care, leading her to a dark fate in the woods, where both danger and salvation await.
The Girl in Red by Christina Henry
In a postapocalyptic twist on Little Red Riding Hood, a woman in a red jacket navigates a world ravaged by crisis and filled with dangerous predators—both animal and human. As she fights to survive against vicious men and deadly beasts, she proves she’s far from defenseless in a world where survival is all that matters.
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
Seventeen-year-old Alice’s life has been plagued by bad luck, but it takes a darker turn when her mother is kidnapped by a figure from the supernatural world of her grandmother’s dark fairy tales. With only a cryptic message to guide her, Alice teams up with Ellery Finch, a fan of her grandmother’s stories, to journey into the Hazel Wood and uncover the truth behind her family’s twisted fate.
Beauty of the Beast by Rachel L. Demeter
In this dark and realistic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, reclusive Prince Adam Delacroix, scarred by the massacre of his family, lives in isolation, believing the world thinks him dead. When Isabelle Rose offers herself to take her blind father’s place after being imprisoned by Adam, the two find solace and passion in each other, but their newfound love is threatened by a monster from Isabelle’s past. This gothic romance explores love and redemption amidst darkness and tragedy.
Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes
In this dark reimagining of Wonderland, Dinah, the future Queen of Hearts, must navigate a treacherous political landscape filled with secrets and betrayal. As she struggles for power and approval, a broken heart and growing darkness within her threaten both her throne and her life. This is the untold origin story of the Queen of Hearts, where no one escapes unscathed.
Nocturne by Alyssa Wees
In 1930s Chicago, Grace, a talented ballerina, is on the cusp of becoming the prima ballerina of the Near North Ballet. However, her dreams become complicated when she catches the eye of the enigmatic Master La Rosa, a secretive patron whose intentions remain unclear. As Grace uncovers his dark secrets, she realizes there may be a path to transcendence far different from what she expected.
Raising the Horseman by Serena Valentino
Kat van Tassel, a modern teen and descendant of the original Katrina van Tassel, wants nothing to do with Sleepy Hollow’s superstitious celebrations as the anniversary of the Headless Horseman’s haunting approaches. When she meets Isadora, a new girl who opens Kat’s eyes to the possibility of ghosts and challenges her to rethink her future, Kat discovers an old diary that ties the past and present together. As she unravels a centuries-old mystery, Kat must confront her legacy and protect what she truly loves.
The Brides of Maracoor by Gregory Maguire
The green-skinned granddaughter of Elphaba, washes ashore on a foreign island after a sea crash. Taken in by a community of women practicing obscure devotions, she becomes entangled in a larger conflict as Maracoor faces an assault from a foreign navy. As Rain embarks on a journey from the island to the unmapped badlands, she must learn how to return home to Oz, navigating the beauty, suffering, and mystery of both her world and her own life.
Married by Treachery by Barbara Kloss
Raquel never expected to marry a bear—or rather, a prince so wild and unkempt she couldn’t see his face. But she hadn’t come for love; she’d come for vengeance against Prince Edom, who had stolen and murdered countless brides, including her best friend. What she didn’t expect was that neither the kingdom beyond the veil nor its prince were anything like she’d imagined.
Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman
A dark fantasy retelling of Snow White by Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran, where the queen isn’t evil—but desperate to protect her kingdom from her monstrous stepdaughter. This chilling graphic novel twists the tale of happily ever after into something far more haunting.
Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly
When Princess Sophie is betrayed by the huntsman and left for dead, she begins to uncover the truth behind the lies meant to break her. With the help of seven strangers, she discovers that kindness is a strength—and the real enemy is far more dangerous than the jealous queen.
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
Five years after Wendy and her brothers vanished in the woods, children in Astoria are going missing again—and all eyes turn to her. When she nearly runs over an unconscious boy named Peter, she’s drawn into a dark mystery that forces her to face the past she tried to escape. To save the missing kids, Wendy must return to the woods and confront the truth about what really happened.
Kingdom of Beauty by Deborah Grace White
Felicity never expected to end up in a cursed castle with a beastly prince, but when protecting her family means sacrificing her freedom, she finds herself at the heart of a kingdom’s unraveling. Prince Justin may have been born to rule, but his pride and a powerful curse have left him monstrous in more ways than one. As Felicity’s warmth begins to thaw his frozen heart, they must race against time—and dragons—to save both the castle and the kingdom.
The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill
Beneath the cold Irish sea, young mermaid Gaia longs to escape her father’s control and yearns for the human world above. Drawn to a boy on her first journey to the surface, she must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to find her voice. This searing feminist retelling of The Little Mermaid dives deep into freedom, identity, and the power of choice.
If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
Fresh out of fashion school, Cindy joins a reality dating show to boost her shoe design career—only to become an unexpected body positivity icon. As the show’s only plus-size contestant, she makes waves, finds inspiration, and maybe even love. In the end, Cindy learns that if the shoe doesn’t fit, it’s time to design her own.
The Rose Gate by Hanna Sandvig
All Isobel wants is a quiet summer with her books—but a run-in with a pack of intelligent wolves and a cursed fae prince changes everything. Trapped in the Faerie realm, she must uncover the truth behind the prince’s curse before time runs out. The Rose Gate is a magical, romantic adventure perfect for fans of clean fairy tale retellings.
The Beast’s Heart by Leife Shallcross
In this lush retelling of Beauty and the Beast, the Beast shares his side of the story—a tale of desperation, shame, and unexpected redemption. Cursed and isolated, he never expected kindness from Isabeau, the girl who would teach him to be human again. But as he learns to love, he risks losing her forever.
Alice by Christina Henry
In a crumbling, eerie hospital, a woman with tangled hair and a shattered memory recalls only a tea party, long ears, and blood. After a fire gives her a chance to escape, she discovers something dark and powerful has followed her out. To uncover the truth of her past, she must confront a twisted rabbit and the horrors lurking in the heart of the Old City.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
In this dark retelling of The Goose Girl, Cordelia’s life is shaped by her mother’s twisted sorcery and oppressive control. After a suspicious death forces them to flee, they find refuge with the Squire and his sister, but danger follows. Hester, the Squire’s sister, must confront the sinister witch to save both her brother and the frightened Cordelia from a dark fate.
Snow White by Matt Phelan
Set in 1928 Manhattan, Matt Phelan’s noir-inspired Snow White follows Samantha White, who returns to a city of shadows after being sent away by her cruel stepmother, the Queen of the Follies. As her father, the King of Wall Street, dies mysteriously, Samantha is protected by seven street urchins, while a sinister stock ticker controlled by her stepmother sends out chilling messages. This graphic novel blends Depression-era noir with a classic fairy tale, highlighting the stark divide between good and evil.
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire
The story of Cinderella is flipped to focus on Iris, an unlikely heroine from the streets of seventeenth-century Haarlem. As she becomes entangled with her beautiful, mysterious new sister, Clara, Iris uncovers dark secrets and the hidden costs of beauty, ambition, and family betrayal. This reimagining delves into the fates of those overlooked by fame and the curses that accompany beauty.
Curse of the Wolf King by Tessonja Odette
In this Beauty and the Beast retelling, Gemma Bellefleur is captured by the brooding, fae King Elliot, who is cursed to turn into a wolf unless someone falls in love with him. Desperate to escape her past and secure her freedom, Gemma strikes a dangerous bargain to help break his curse. As they grow closer, she must choose between saving the king’s life and protecting her heart from the slow-burn romance that threatens to unravel everything.
Dust by Kara Swanson
When Claire Kenton’s twin brother vanishes, her search leads to London—and to Peter Pan, who’s stranded and hunted by his own Lost Boys. As Neverland falls apart, Peter needs Claire’s hidden magic to save it, but Claire fears the dark destiny tied to her blood. Together, they uncover a truth far more dangerous than any fairy tale.
Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid
In this gothic horror retelling of The Juniper Tree, Marlinchen, a young witch trapped under her abusive father’s control, longs for freedom in a city caught between magic and industrial progress. As she falls for a ballet dancer and discovers dark truths about her family’s power, a monstrous force threatens everything she loves. To save her city and herself, Marlinchen must confront the horrors of both past and present—and claim her own magic.
Peter Darling by Austin Chant
After ten years in the real world, Peter Pan returns to a Neverland that has moved on without him—except for Captain Hook, who is thrilled to have his old foe back. But as a new war brews between pirates and Lost Boys, their rivalry turns darkly intimate, blurring the line between obsession and desire.
After Alice by Gregory Maguire
Reimagining of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, told through the eyes of Ada, a friend of Alice’s who follows her down the rabbit hole. As Ada searches for Alice in a Wonderland full of strange logic and literary allusions, the novel also explores the Victorian world above, shedding light on the impact of Alice’s disappearance. It’s a thoughtful, layered tale that blends fantasy with reflections on society, loss, and transformation.
Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire
A prequel to Wicked, offering a deeper look into the formative years of Elphaba, the girl who would become the Wicked Witch of the West. Set in a richly imagined Oz, it traces Elphaba’s childhood—her strained family life, early brushes with injustice (especially against sentient Animals), and the emotional and intellectual foundations that shape her into a complex, fiercely independent young woman. With signature wit and depth, Maguire explores how trauma, intellect, and outsider status shape a person destined for infamy.
Hiddensee: A Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker
A philosophical and richly imagined retelling of The Nutcracker, centered on the mysterious toymaker Drosselmeier. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century German Romanticism and steeped in folklore, mysticism, and melancholy beauty, the novel explores how a troubled, marginalized man comes to create the iconic Nutcracker. This isn’t a straightforward holiday tale—it’s a thoughtful, layered meditation on trauma, creativity, and the power of imagination to heal and uplift the overlooked.
Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer
This romantic fairy tale retelling blends elements of “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Sleeping Beauty” into a historical suspense set in 19th-century Texas. Letty Hood, a sheltered but strong-willed heiress, embarks on a dangerous journey with a stoic Pinkerton agent, facing threats, secrets, and growing affection along the way. As they travel, the story weaves themes of hidden identity, betrayal, and the redemptive power of love, wrapped in a Western gothic atmosphere. This is a tale of survival, trust, and destiny, where fairy tale tropes meet frontier grit.
Of Seas and Sunsets by J. Ann Curtis
This dark fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid flips the script by centering on the sea witch, Orsana, who plots war between land and sea through manipulation and disguise—but ends up falling for the very prince she intends to use. Of Seas and Sunsets offers a slow-burn, villain-centric romance with morally grey characters, simmering tension, and a richly imagined world of betrayal, magic, and forbidden desire. It’s a standalone in a series of villain-heroine reimaginings, perfect for fans of steamy dark fairy tales with an enemies-to-lovers twist.
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