Fairy tale feature: Cinderella
All of the books in this list are adaptations, expansions, novelizations, variations or reimaginings of the original tale, and there's a wide variety so hopefully everyone can find their perfect match.
Note: The "target audience" for these also range from elementary to adult. Brief summaries from Goodreads/Amazon/Publishers/my own reviews when applicable.
All of the books in this list are adaptations, expansions, novelizations, variations or reimaginings of the original tale, and there's a wide variety so hopefully everyone can find their perfect match.
Note: The "target audience" for these also range from elementary to adult. Brief summaries from Goodreads/Amazon/Publishers/my own reviews when applicable.
"Traditional" / Loosely Historical Fantasy
Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)
The twist to this retelling is that Ella is cursed by her fairy godmother - to be obedient. In order to find her Happily Ever After, she must find a way to break the curse. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach and a glass slipper, and even a Prince, but this is quite the unexpected Cinderella story.
There's a movie also, and while diehard Ella fans despair over the changes made for the screen, I happen to be a big fan and think the movie is fun.
The twist to this retelling is that Ella is cursed by her fairy godmother - to be obedient. In order to find her Happily Ever After, she must find a way to break the curse. Yes, there is a pumpkin coach and a glass slipper, and even a Prince, but this is quite the unexpected Cinderella story.
There's a movie also, and while diehard Ella fans despair over the changes made for the screen, I happen to be a big fan and think the movie is fun.
Princess of Glass (Jessica Day George)
Picking up the story some time after the events in George's Princess of the Midnight Ball (featured in the first Once Upon a Fairytale), we find Poppy participating in a royal exchange program. What should be an enjoyable experience gets complicated when a vengeful fairy godmother gets involved. This is yet another impressive retelling from George, and shows again her talent at spinning a new story from such a familiar tale.
Picking up the story some time after the events in George's Princess of the Midnight Ball (featured in the first Once Upon a Fairytale), we find Poppy participating in a royal exchange program. What should be an enjoyable experience gets complicated when a vengeful fairy godmother gets involved. This is yet another impressive retelling from George, and shows again her talent at spinning a new story from such a familiar tale.
Science Fiction / Steampunk / Dystopian
Cinder (Marissa Meyer)
A Cinderella story set in a futuristic dystopian society with droids and cyborgs (think really advanced prosthetics implanted in "damaged" humans), but unable to combat a deadly Plague spreading through the population. Also, there's a whole other set of people living on the moon, and they've got their own weird agenda. This is a complex environment, and a lot more issues are covered than "simply Cinderella" - but Meyer does a masterful job of working those traditional story elements into the tale.
A Cinderella story set in a futuristic dystopian society with droids and cyborgs (think really advanced prosthetics implanted in "damaged" humans), but unable to combat a deadly Plague spreading through the population. Also, there's a whole other set of people living on the moon, and they've got their own weird agenda. This is a complex environment, and a lot more issues are covered than "simply Cinderella" - but Meyer does a masterful job of working those traditional story elements into the tale.
Mechanica (Betsy Cornwell)
With Steampunk vibes (think Victorian England + complex technology that's gear/gas/steam based rather than digital), themes of social justice and family shine in this richly imagined Cinderella retelling about an indomitable inventor who finds her prince ... but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all.
Contemporary Romance
Geekerella (Ashley Poston)
Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all fun, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Elle lives and breathes "Starfield," the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for the new "Starfield" movie, she has to enter. With savings from her job at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad's old costume, Elle's determined to win ... unless her stepsisters get there first. This one was fun and sweet, and an adoring homage to geekiness.
Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all fun, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Elle lives and breathes "Starfield," the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for the new "Starfield" movie, she has to enter. With savings from her job at the Magic Pumpkin food truck and her dad's old costume, Elle's determined to win ... unless her stepsisters get there first. This one was fun and sweet, and an adoring homage to geekiness.
If the Shoe Fits (Julie Murphy)
This retelling has so many fun updates to the story: instead of a ball for the Prince to find A Wife, there's a reality dating show. The family/relationship dynamics between Cindy and the Steps are so much healthier and feel realistic. The whole story feels more believable and realistic - complicated and messy, definitely, but there's a real sense of positivity and sisterhood that infuses the story with new life.
This retelling has so many fun updates to the story: instead of a ball for the Prince to find A Wife, there's a reality dating show. The family/relationship dynamics between Cindy and the Steps are so much healthier and feel realistic. The whole story feels more believable and realistic - complicated and messy, definitely, but there's a real sense of positivity and sisterhood that infuses the story with new life.
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