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Quick answer: If you like the Once Upon a Time feel of fairy-tale retellings, try The Lunar Chronicles, Ella Enchanted, Beauty, Cinder, Entwined and Spinning Silver. They reimagine classic tales with new twists and strong heroines.
Whether you mean the TV series, the book series or fairy-tale retellings in general, readers who love “once upon a time” stories want fresh versions of old tales. This list focuses on fairy-tale retellings for readers 10 and up. They include Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel and more, with romance, humor and sharp twists.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinder | Marissa Meyer | 13+ | readers who like sci-fi twists |
| Scarlet | Marissa Meyer | 13+ | series readers |
| Ella Enchanted | Gail Carson Levine | 9-13 | younger readers |
| Beauty | Robin McKinley | 12+ | readers who like classics |
| Spinning Silver | Naomi Novik | Adult | adult fairy-tale fans |
| Uprooted | Naomi Novik | Adult | readers who like dark fairy tales |
| Entwined | Heather Dixon | 12+ | readers who like ballroom magic |
| Cruel Beauty | Rosamund Hodge | 14+ | older teens |
| Rapunzel's Revenge | Shannon Hale and Dean Hale | 9-13 | graphic novel fans |
| Fairest | Marissa Meyer | 13+ | readers who like villain stories |
| The Wrath and the Dawn | Renée Ahdieh | 14+ | readers who like romantic retellings |
| A Curse So Dark and Lonely | Brigid Kemmerer | 14+ | readers who like fairy-tale romance |
| Heartless | Marissa Meyer | 13+ | readers who like villain origin stories |
| The Princess Bride | William Goldman | Adult | readers who want laughs |
| Stardust | Neil Gaiman | Adult | readers who want a fairy tale for adults |
1. Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cinder, a cyborg mechanic, is drawn into a royal plot. The first of The Lunar Chronicles, a sci-fi Cinderella.
Best for: readers who like sci-fi twists.
2. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
A Red Riding Hood retelling set in the same world, with a street fighter and a wolf-like man. Fast and clever.
Best for: series readers.
3. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ella is cursed to obey any order and sets out to break the curse. A funny Cinderella retelling for younger readers.
Best for: younger readers.
4. Beauty by Robin McKinley
A gentle Beauty and the Beast retelling with a bookish heroine. Quiet and lovely.
Best for: readers who like classics.
5. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Miryem becomes a moneylender and makes a deal with the Staryk king. A reimagined Rumpelstiltskin.
Best for: adult fairy-tale fans.
6. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Agnieszka is chosen by a wizard and discovers a dark forest. A fairy tale with teeth.
Best for: readers who like dark fairy tales.
7. Entwined by Heather Dixon
The Twelve Dancing Princesses retold with a gothic mood. Lush and romantic.
Best for: readers who like ballroom magic.
8. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Nyx is married to the Gentle Lord in a Beauty and the Beast retelling with Greek myth. Dark and lyrical.
Best for: older teens.
9. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
A Wild West graphic novel retelling of Rapunzel. Fast and funny.
Best for: graphic novel fans.
10. Fairest by Marissa Meyer
The story of Queen Levana from The Lunar Chronicles. Dark and sad.
Best for: readers who like villain stories.
11. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
A One Thousand and One Nights retelling, in which Shahrzad volunteers to marry a killer-king. Romantic and rich.
Best for: readers who like romantic retellings.
12. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Harper is pulled into a cursed kingdom to break a prince's curse. A Beauty and the Beast retelling.
Best for: readers who like fairy-tale romance.
13. Heartless by Marissa Meyer
The Queen of Hearts' backstory in a Wonderland retelling. Sweet and tragic.
Best for: readers who like villain origin stories.
14. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Westley and Buttercup face pirates, giants and Prince Humperdinck. Funny and romantic.
Best for: readers who want laughs.
15. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Tristran crosses into Faerie to retrieve a fallen star. Charming and whimsical.
Best for: readers who want a fairy tale for adults.
How We Chose These Books
Every pick is a real, widely available book that shares something specific with Once Upon a Time: its tone, its themes, its pace or the kind of characters it puts at the center. We mixed well-known favorites with a few less obvious titles, and we noted who each book suits best so you can match it to the reader. Where a book belongs to a series, we list the first volume so you can start at the beginning.
How to Choose
For younger readers, start with Ella Enchanted or Rapunzel's Revenge. For teens, try Cinder, Entwined or The Wrath and the Dawn. For adults, read Spinning Silver or Stardust. A simple plan is to choose one retelling of a story you know well and compare it to the original. Note that Cruel Beauty and Uprooted contain mature themes. If you prefer something shorter, choose a standalone such as Ella Enchanted or Beauty. If you want a long series, start The Lunar Chronicles and keep going with Scarlet, Cress and Winter.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a fairy-tale retelling?
It is a new version of a classic tale, often changing the setting, the point of view or the ending.
Is Once Upon a Time a book series?
Yes, there are both children's book tie-ins and a TV series, but this list covers fairy-tale retellings in general.
Where should I start?
Cinder is the most popular YA entry, and Spinning Silver is a great adult choice.
Are retellings suitable for kids?
Younger readers can enjoy Ella Enchanted, while darker retellings are for teens and adults.
Which retelling is closest to the original fairy tale?
Beauty and Ella Enchanted stay closest to their source stories.
Are there adult fairy-tale retellings?
Yes. Spinning Silver, Uprooted and Stardust are all written for adults.