Once Upon a Fairytale

There are fairy tales, and then there are fairy tales - those tales so familiar it's almost as if they're embedded in our cultural understanding. To my mind, Cinderella is undoubtedly one of this group. Perhaps you can think back, remembering elementary school explorations of "Cinderella stories around the world" - there are so very many incarnations and versions of this story. Picture book renditions are a delightful indulgence, and could be a whole post in their own right. But did you know Cinderella also manages to be told and told again in novel form? From young students to grown ups, from futuristic science fiction to contemporary romance, there's a Cinderella story for every reader ...

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Once Upon a Fairytale

I'm introducing a new post series today: Once Upon a Fairytale! As a huge fan of fairy tales, I'm always on the look-out for new variations and retellings - and perhaps you are too. Or maybe you've never read one, and would like to try. That's where this series will come into play: each post will feature variations, novelizations, and/or retellings of a particular fairy tale. My hope is that you discover something wonderful, whether you've explored fairy tales in depth or are diving in for the first time.

The first fairy tale feature is The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
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.

Entwined (Heather Dixon) 

In this retelling of the classic tale, the eldest princess must fight to save her family - and her heart - from an ancient dark magic within the palace walls.

Wildwood Dancing (Juliet Marillier)

This detailed and mood-rich story covers much territory, both mundane and magical. Adult fantasy writer Marillier has uniquely reimagined and blended an assortment of well-known tales and characters -- including fairies, dwarves, witches, vampires, and a frog who is more than he seems -- into a compelling whole in her first book for teens. By the end, all are cleverly bound together, and a mystery is solved. With much to say about human nature and choice, not unlike the moral in fairy tales of old...

the Girls at the Kingfisher Club (Genevieve Valentine)

This reimagining of "the Twelve Dancing Princesses" traces the story of a family of flappers who work in a 1920s speakeasy until their suspicious father decides to marry them off, prompting a confrontation with a bootlegger from the eldest sister's past.

the Thirteenth Princess (Diane Zahler)

A classic fairy tale with a bold twist, The Thirteenth Princess tells the unforgettable story of a magical castle, true love, spellbound princesses -- and the young girl determined to save them all.

Princess of the Midnight Ball (Jessica Day George)

Captivating from start to finish, George's take on the Grimms' tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.

the Restless Girls (Jessie Burton)

A sparkling whirl of a fairy tale -- one that doesn't need a prince to save the day, and instead is full of brave, resourceful, clever young women.

the Princess Curse (Marie Haskell)

An imaginative retelling of the fairy tales The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Beauty and the Beast [...] The Princess Curse combines magic, suspense, humor, and adventure into a story perfect for fans of Gail Carson Levine.

the Midnight Dance (Nikki Katz)

Set against the fascinating and moody backdrop of a mysterious boarding school, this intricately crafted novel is filled with magical realism, gothic settings, and the perfect hint of romance.