Uncover 10 Enchanting YA Novels with Fairytale Elements
Book RaiderOnce upon a time, in a land that’s eerily similar to our very own, we took a tumble down the rabbit hole and discovered the whimsical world of Young Adult (YA) novels. Brimming with complex characters, magical realms, and narrative twists tighter than Rapunzel's hair braid, these novels weave contemporary issues with classic fairytale elements, creating a literary tapestry as vivid and enchanting as Sleeping Beauty’s castle.
Don't worry, you don’t need a fairy godmother or a magic lamp to join us on this journey. We've been nibbling on enchanted Turkish Delight and testing every spinning wheel (ouch!) to compile a magnificent list of YA novels that shimmer with fairytale magic. So, kick off those glass slippers, settle into your pumpkin carriage, and prepare for naughty witches, charming princes and a generous sprinkle of pixie dust.
Circe
by Madeline Miller
Why Circe is on this list: This isn't your grandma's fairytale, or maybe it is? With roots in Greek mythology and wrapped in a YA novel package, Circe is a modern way to get lost in an old world.
Circe, daughter of the sun god Helios, is a somewhat unusual goddess with a knack for witchcraft. Doesn't sound so unusual, right? But when she finds herself banished to a deserted island, she has to come to grips with her powers, deal with all sorts of mythical creatures including the famed Odysseus, and find her place in the world of gods and mortals. It's a coming of age story - but on a godly scale.
What readers like: Readers rave about the beautifully written prose, in-depth character development and how Miller manages to modernize a classic tale without losing a pinch of its original charm and fascination. Plus, who doesn't enjoy a strong female lead who's not afraid to stir up a little trouble in the divine realm?
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The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black
Why The Cruel Prince is on this list: The Cruel Prince masterfully combines the grim and dark elements of classical fairytales with the unpredictable plot twists of YA fiction. Stick around, this ain't your grandma's fairytale book. No sir!
The book, first of Black's 'The Folk of the Air' series, invites us into a dangerous world of Faerie Court, filled with power-hungry faeries and cunning gameplays that would put Machiavelli to shame. We navigate this treacherous land with Jude, a human girl living amongst the faeries, who is determined to earn her rightful place despite the odds stacked against her.
What readers like: Readers rave about its engrossing characters, a wild ride of a plot, and a pulse-pounding mix of romance, betrayal, and political intrigue. There's corruption, ambition, love, hate, everything a good YA novel needs. The Cruel Prince also earns its fairytale credentials with its dark,ical, and downright creepy faerie world. Prepare to be hooked, folks.
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Cinder
by Marissa Meyer
Why Cinder is on this list: Cinder weaves an enchanting web of a beloved fairytale in a completely fresh and new construct, creating an ideal fit in the category of YA Novels with Fairytale Elements.
This is a feisty rendition of the Cinderella story, but with a definite sci-fi twist. In New Beijing, our protagonist Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is sadly not a princess, but a cyborg, a second-class citizen with a mysterious past. She's got an evil stepmother, of course, but she also has to deal with an intergalactic struggle and a deadly plague. It's equal parts gritty and dreamy.
What readers like: Fans adore this book for its unique take on a well-known fairytale. The strong female protagonist, Cinder, keeps them hooked with a delightful mix of sarcasm and determination. The blending of folk tale and futuristic world-building is brilliant, and there's a spicy pinch of romance to keep hearts fluttering.
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Uprooted
by Naomi Novik
Why Uprooted is on this list: Uprooted is like your favorite fairytale on steroids. Like, imagine if Cinderella had to actually do some good old-fashioned butt-kicking of her own? Yeah, that's Uprooted for you!
The protagonist Agnieszka loves her tranquil village, the forest, and the alluring potent boy, Kasia. But their quiet life is twisted when the corrupted Wood sends its eerie shadow over their community. Every decade, the Dragon (don't worry, he's a man with the title 'Dragon', not an actual fire-breathing monster), takes a young woman from the village as a payment for his protection against the Wood. This year, to everyone's surprise, it's not Kasia, but Agnieszka who's chosen. Thrust into a world of courtly intrigue and dangerous magic, she undergoes a transformative journey.
What readers like: Readers have been swept away by the compelling narrative, vivid world-building, and strong, independent heroine found in Uprooted. It's not every day you come across a story as spellbinding as this one. The kind of book you get so engrossed in that you forget to eat. Or breathe. In short, people really, really like this book.
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The Star-Touched Queen
by Roshani Chokshi
Why The Star-Touched Queen is on this list: If you enjoy vivid fairytales and myths, look no further than 'The Star-Touched Queen'. It's a YA novel that spins a captivating tale, highly influenced by Hindu mythology, creating a celestial fairytale atmosphere. Each chapter feels like opening a sparkling, magical trove of ancient stories.
This novel follows Maya, who’s cursed with a horoscope of death and destruction. The horrors of her past begin to unravel when she is married off to Amar, the lord of Akaran, a kingdom full of secrets. As Maya unravels these mysteries, she discovers the power of her own destiny. The imagery will transport you to a far-off kingdom right out of a fairytale, where every turn reveals magical secrets.
What readers like: Readers enjoyed the well-crafted characters and the passionate love story weaved into a mystifying plot. They were particularly enthralled by the novel's rich details and immersive world-building, with many noting that the book made them feel as if they were truly lost in a mythical, fairytale realm.
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The Starless Sea
by Erin Morgenstern
Why The Starless Sea is on this list: Seeping with layers of gorgeous lore and imagination, The Starless Sea winds together strands of mythology, folktales, and fairytales into a dazzling tapestry of young adult fiction. The whimsy of the narrative will whisk you deep into the folds of fairytale magic.
Somewhere beneath our world, an ancient labyrinth of doors and rooms waits to be discovered. A place with corridors filled with stories. Zachary Ezra Rawlins stumbles upon a scene from an alluring book from his childhood, that sets him on a quest far below the earth, down to the Starless Sea. What he finds is a place of magic, romance, and fate, a world just waiting for a lost soul to tell its stories.
What readers like: Readers just can't get enough of the lush, dreamlike quality of the prose that turns the act of storytelling into an adventure in and of itself. The richly woven narratives that bleed into Zachary's reality create a tantalizing backdrop for our unexpectedly literary hero's journey. Toss in some deliciously enigmatic characters, a sprinkle of poignant love story, and you've got yourself a book that takes 'once upon a time' to a whole new level.
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The Language of Thorns
by Leigh Bardugo
Why The Language of Thorns is on this list: Immersing readers in the twists and turns of fairytales that are both familiar and vibrantly new, The Language of Thorns perfectly fits into the unit of enchanting YA novels with charming fairytale elements we are exploring.
There's something magically comforting about revisiting known fairytales, right? In The Language of Thorns, Bardugo expertly breathes life into six stunning stories, adroitly pulling threads from classic tales and cultures, weaving them afresh with an original and intriguing spin. Expect your favorite childhood fairy stories, but painted with wicked thorns and steeped in dark enchantments that force you to reconsider the 'happily ever after' concept.
What readers like: Readers have been raving about those little surprises Bardugo hides along these stories, the unexpected characters, the delicious twists, and the rich extraordinary world. They particularly liked the author's knack for understanding and expanding upon the soul of fairytales, thus making this book both a tribute to tradition and an exciting work of innovation. Plus, on a side note, the book is just plain beautiful with illustrations that grow page by page.
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The Light Between Worlds
by Laura E Weymouth
Why The Light Between Worlds is on this list: Just as fairy tales weave their charm with their magical world, 'The Light between Worlds' creates a magnetic pull through its blending of reality and fantasy inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia.
This book narrates a story of two sisters who escape the grim reality of the London bombings during World War II by stepping into a magical realm of a Great Wood. It’s loaded with mystery, adventure and head-spinning plot twists that take us on a wild ride between two worlds. But here's the twist: What would you do if you had the chance to stay in the magical universe forever? Or what happens when you return from this magical land, trying to fit into 'normal' life again? 'The Light Between Worlds' explores these thought-provoking themes, as our beloved characters grapple with love, forgiveness, belonging and loss in their surreal journey.
What readers like: Readers are raving about the heart-wrenching journey of protagonists and the beautifully penned down emotions that allow them to connect at a deeper level. They appreciate the layers of this YA novel and the mature way it poses questions about identity and home. Moreover, they love the poetic writing style of Weymouth, which is much like a fairy tale itself hence making the text all the more enchanting.
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The Cold Is in Her Bones
by Peternelle van Arsdale
Why The Cold Is in Her Bones is on this list: This book is a wickedly cool spin on the Medusa story from Greek mythology. It's not exactly a classic fairytale, but let's be real, who can resist a good ol' beast-turned-beauty story with a dark twist? Plus, it's totally got that enchanting, other-worldly fairytale vibe.
In this YA novel, we follow Milla, a young girl growing up in isolation. When she befriends a girl from a neighboring village plagued by a curse, she becomes embroiled in a tale of monstrous transformation that frames the narrative. It's not all terrifying though, with irresistible mythological elements, complex characters, and a protagonist you just can't help but root for, 'The Cold Is in Her Bones' is a curl-up-on-the-sofa-and-forget-the-world kind of read.
What readers like: Eager readers are delighted by the beautifully creepy atmosphere, the chilling mythological spin and Milla's determination throughout the book. They love the slow-burn horror mixed with a dash of romance, which adds to the bewitching ambience. And let's not forget the unexpected twists and turns that'll keep you flipping the pages faster than you can say 'Once upon a time...'
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A Curse So Dark and Lonely
by Brigid Kemmerer
Why A Curse So Dark and Lonely is on this list: True to its title, 'A Curse So Dark and Lonely' weaves classic elements from the Beauty and the Beast fairytale into an intoxicatingly dark and mesmerizing young adult novel. Offering a fresh spin on the traditional tale, it brings a modern aura to age-old fairytale themes.
The chronicle follows Prince Rhen, cursed to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, each time ending horrifically unless a fall-in-love scenario plays out. Enter Harper from modern-day D.C., who, despite her cerebral palsy, holds her own in a deadly dance with destiny. She's yanked into Rhen's world and together they face an enchanting but perilous array of challenges, providing a riveting mix of romance, action, and fantasy.
What readers like: Readers have loved the modern heroine, Harper, who serves as a beacon of strength and courage against a backdrop peppered with traditional fairytale curses and trials. They've appreciated the gripping relationship between Harper and Rhen, the suspenseful plot twists, and the enchanting world that Kemmerer has deftly created. And let's not forget the fun in spotting references to the original Beauty and the Beast tale hidden like special Easter eggs throughout the book.
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