Everyone has that one book theme that is an automatic buy for them. Mine are RETELLINGS. All retellings whether they are fairytale origin, mythology, movie/ TV, etc. There’s just something about them that fascinates me.
I enjoy reading how that particular author takes an already known story and morphs it into their own narrative without shying too far away from the original aspects. The creativity, research, and brain power it takes is what get me to keep coming back.
There are hundreds, and I mean hundreds of various retellings written over the years, but I want to share some of my favorites! Here are my top 10! (Not in any particular order of favorites).
1 )
Starting off strong, we have the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco! It’s a series of four books + a novella that takes place after the third book. Each book is geared toward a different retelling of real-life events/ people with paranormal aspects. The series comes with plenty of twists and turns, some of wish you wouldn’t ever predict from the writing style!
What I loved most about this series is the strong female character. Right from the start, we have this amazingly intelligent women that loves what she is most skilled in. Opening dead bodies in the name of science! Set in a victorian setting, it’s fascinating to me to read about her solving various murders in a ‘man’s’ world!
2)
For those of you that need a darker, sexier, wild retelling, I present Hooked by Emily Mcintire. This adult retelling is based off of Peter Pan fairytale with a whole lot of spice. Hook, also known as James is your sexy morally grey villian that protects and adores Wendy. In this rendition we have gangs, violence, spice, revenge, and enemies to lovers. The villian gets the girl!
Hooked is part of the Never After series, but sits as a stand alone. Each book in the series is unrelated to the other, which is a treat. I can’t tell you enough how ‘hooked’ (did you see what I did there?) I was on this story. The writing style lures you right into the danger from the beginning and paints and incredibly dark world.
3 )
Keeping onto the flow of darker, villian gets the girl, type of stories, I want to talk about the Wicked Villian series by Katee Robert. Though she has written a few other really amazing retelling series like her Dark Olympus books, there’s something so fantastical about this one that just gets to you. If you haven’t experienced Robert’s books yet, you are in for a treat.
There’s so much spice and allure, I swear I blushed the whole time I got through the first book. Desperate Measures, the first of the series, is based off of the retelling of Aladdin, but focused around Jafar and Jasmine. We get to meet other disney characters like Hades and Meg who come later in the next book. Katee introduces us to an enrichingly kinky disney retelling that just doesn’t compare anywhere else! Beware of the trigger warnings before exploring!
4)
Time to shift gears a bit. My second automattic buy is anything greek mythology based. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is the first book I’ve explored by this author and let me tell you that she did an amazing job taking an otherwise complicated greek story and writing it as her own. There was clearly a lot of love that went into this book, and in Saint’s later books as well. She does a really great job at creating a full world for you in her writing. Every detail you could potentially want, it’s all there, including all the feels that comes with it.
The standalone follows, Ariadne, Princess of Crete, daughter of King Minos and sister to Phaedra and the Minotaur. Just like Circe by Madeline Miller (another really fantastic read), Saint takes us through Ariadne’s life growing up, meeting various other greek characters like Theseus and Dionysus, up until she meets her death. The novel is told from the perspective of Ariadne and her sister, Phaedra, giving voice to the women who are often relegated to the background of Greek mythology.
In Ariadne, Saint expertly crafts a narrative that is both poetic and visceral, transporting readers to the ancient world of Crete. She portrays Ariadne as a complex character, torn between her love for Theseus and her loyalty to her family and her people. As she helps Theseus navigate the labyrinth, she must confront the consequences of her actions and the role she has played in the violent cycle of revenge that plagues her family. Saint’s prose is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the mythic quality of the story while also grounding it in emotional reality. Her attention to detail and historical accuracy is impressive, making the world of ancient Crete come alive on the page. But what makes Ariadne truly stand out is its feminist perspective. By centering the story on the women of the myth, Saint subverts the traditional narrative and gives agency to characters who are often reduced to mere plot devices. She portrays Ariadne and Phaedra as complex, fully-realized individuals with their own desires, fears, and flaws.
5)
I picked up the Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy late 2022. Originally I thought I would dmf the first book Gild, but I’m happy I didn’t. It’s one of those special series that gets better as you go through the series! Not only does the world building expand in detail as the characters travel, but we get to dive deeper into character’s inner emotions and what make their passionss. The story is loosely based off of King Midas, the gold touched king.
I loved reading about Auren, our female lead/ fae and the one who truly controls the gold magic. Her slow character growth throughout the series has many moments of doubt and redicovery. We get to experience themes of self love, self discovery and found family through her. I was also mildly shocked how spicy this story ended up being between her and Rip/ Slade. The first book doesn’t showcase prelude into it, but it was truly a lovely surprise!
6)
I know I have a soft spot for fantasy related novels, so, I’ve included one of my favourite contemporary retellings! This is Blaine for the Win by Robbie Couch, a legally blone retelling with lots of quirky banter, determination, and activism.
The book follows the journey of Blaine, a gay high school student who is determined to make a difference in the world. “Blaine for the Win” is a heartwarming and inspiring story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. One of the strengths of this novel is the depth and complexity of its characters. Blaine and Zach are both fully realized and multi-dimensional, with their own flaws, strengths, and insecurities. They feel like real people, with real hopes, dreams, and fears. Another strength of the novel is its message of hope and resilience. “Blaine for the Win” is a story about finding your place in the world.
This was the perfect uplifting and inspiring retelling I needed to get me through long work days. It was a fun read, loved the characters and their growth. I hope you will all enjoy it too!
7)
Keeping with contemporary stream, here’s A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro. It’s the first novel of four in the series featuring a retelling of the iconic Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. We follow their decendants, Charlotte and Jamie, as they try to solve a murder they were framed for.
The novels are filled with twists and turns that have kept me on the edge of the seat. The characters are well-developed, and I’ve becomes invested in their lives and their story. The chemistry between Charlotte and Jamie is palpable, and the author does an excellent job of building up the tension between the two. I loved that general storyline pays homage to the original Sherlock Holmes stories while still being its own unique story. Like a well written fanfiction!
8)
I’m excited to share this series with you! Betrothed to Jack Frost, is as you can imagine, a fairytale retelling of Jack Frost. Though it’s not more wildly known series, I wish to spread the word out about it. Written by an indie author, Alex Gedgaudas, the series isnt yet complete. As of now, three full books have been published for purchase, but maybe if we can add some hype, the author would be willing to finish it!
Not only did the author write about Jack Frost, but she also included other mythological deities from around the world! There’s a great mashup of romance, sexual tension, found family, discovery and imaginiative worlds! Honestly, I really wish this series gets finished because I need to know how Elle’s story ends.
9)
I’m so excited to share this indie author’s novel! Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson! Featuring a beauty and the beast retelling mashed with vampires and magic is definitely a must read! First off, the summary:
Jak’s life has only one meaning; break the curse or die trying. Marius’s life has no meaning; not since he was cursed into the twisted, blood thirsty creature of night. For years the witches have waited for their salvation, a way to return the magic that was sacrificed when the curse was first cast. Jak, a boy born with power that the witches have not seen in a century, is their prophesied saviour. The one who is to kill the creature, break the curse and restore magic to his coven. Sent to the creature’s castle as the final Claim, Jak must get close enough to land the final blow. It is what he has trained all his life to accomplish. Not all is as it seems when Jak uncovers secrets and half-truths. The creature is not the haunting beast he had been brought up to hate. Emotions war as new feelings are uncovered. For what is more dangerous than hate? Lust.
Doesn’t that sound great? I absolutely devoured this queer enemies to lovers romance. The dynamic between our characters are adorable and incredibly spicy. Though I wish there was more in the world building and character growth, I still greatly enjoyed this!
10)
Last, but certainly not least I present to you, Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne! Being a newer release, published september 2022, I find that this novel doesn’t get enough love. Sally writes for us a Frankenstein retelling with a twist. Told in the point of view of Angelika, Victor’s younger sister, we get to experience her first love for the monster she helps bring back to life.
Firsts things first, I loved the historical themes in the setting and clothing. I found it interesting that though the world around the main characters partake in the ‘normal’ victorian aspects, the Frankenstein continues to embody the oddness of their interests in their mannerisms and beliefs. I also loved the growing chemistry between Angelika and her chosen ‘monster’. I thought that they were adorable for each other and was pleased to see they had a happy ending!
BookishOlivia 