Fairy Tale Influenced Fiction 2010
Explore enchanting 2010 fairy tale influenced fiction with our curated list of magical books. Discover modern retellings and fantasy novels inspired by classic fairy tales.
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Calamity Jack
by Shannon Hale
In this graphic novel interpretation of "Jack and the Beanstalk," Jack is a born schemer who climbs a magical beanstalk in the hope of exacting justice from a mean giant and gaining a fortune for his widowed mother, aided by some friends.
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Violet Eyes
by Debbie Viguié
Seventeen-year-old Violet is amazed when a storm brings the dashing Prince Richard to her impoverished family’s farm. The two fall in love at first sight, but although Richard has given his heart to Violet, his parents will only let him marry a princess of their choosing, a lady of the highest nobility and sensitivity. Now on a quest to be reunited with her true love, Violet must rely on her wits—and a little help from an unexpected source—to compete with princesses, pass the king and queen’s tests, and prove herself worthy of being Richard’s bride.
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The Poison Eaters and Other Stories
by Holly Black
A collection of short stories includes two dark tales set in the world of Tithe, a tour of a fairy market, and the story of a girl who challenges the devil to a competitive eating match.
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The Beastly Bride
by Ellen Datlow
A collection of stories and poems relating to animal transfiguration legends from around the world, retold and reimagined by various authors. Includes brief biographies, authors' notes, and suggestions for further reading.
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The Sisters Grimm
by Michael Buckley
Chasing the devious Master through a series of classic children's tales in order to save their kidnapped baby brother, Sabrina, Daphne and their friend Puck inadvertently change various stories, inciting the wrath of the guardian Editor.
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The Cinderella Society
by Kay Cassidy
After winning a coveted spot on the high school cheerleading squad, 16-year-old newcomer, Jess Parker, is still treated as an "outsider" by the majority of the student body thanks to the harassment campaign led by the popular cheerleader she displaced.
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Except the Queen
by Jane Yolen
Sisters Serena and Meteora were once proud members of the high court of the Fairy Queen, until they played a prank that angered her highness. Separated and banished to the mortal realm of Earth, they must find a way to survive in a world in which they have no power.
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Toads and Diamonds
by Heather Tomlinson
Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. She never expected to meet a goddess there. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: Flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she speaks. It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward. Blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem, however. Diribani's newfound wealth brings her a prince—and an attempt on her life. Tana is chased out of the village because the province's governor fears snakes, yet thousands are dying of a plague spread by rats. As the sisters' fates hang in the balance, each struggles to understand her gift. Will it bring her wisdom, good fortune, love . . . or death? Toads and Diamonds is a 2011 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
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The Wide-Awake Princess
by E. D. Baker
Annie, younger sister of the princess who would be known as Sleeping Beauty, is immune to magic and stays awake when the rest of the castle falls into an enchanted sleep, then sets out to find a way to break the spell.
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The World Above
by Cameron Dokey
Gen and her twin brother, Jack, were raised with their mother's tales of life in the World Above. Gen is skeptical, but adventureous Jack believes the stories--and trades the family cow for magical beans. Their mother rejoices, knowing they can finally return to their royal home. When Jack plants the beans and climbs the enchanted stalk, he is captured by the tyrant who now rules the land. Gen sets off to rescue her borther, but danger awaits her in the World Above. For finding Jack may mean losing her heart....
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The Grimm Legacy
by Polly Shulman
Taking a new job at an unusual library that lends out objects instead of books and keeps powerful magical objects from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a secret room, Elisabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to clear her name when the magical artifacts begin disappearing. By the author of Enthusiasm.
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My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me
by Kate Bernheimer
The founder of the literary journal Fairy Tale Review collects stories inspired by classic fairy tales and written by top authors, including Joyce Carol Oates, John Updike, Francine Prose, Kevin Brockmeier, Shelley Jackson, Michael Cunningham, Aimee Bender and many more. Original.
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Princess of Glass
by Jessica Day George
In the midst of maneuverings to create political alliances through marriage, sixteen-year-old Poppy, one of the infamous twelve dancing princesses, becomes the target of a vengeful witch while Prince Christian tries to save her. Includes directions for 2 knitting projects.
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Shadow
by Jenny Moss
When Shadow, whose job all her life has been to stay close to the young queen and prevent her prophecied death at the age of sixteen, fails in her task and the castle is thrown into chaos, she escapes along with a young knight, embarking upon a journey that eventually reveals her true identity.
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Ivy's Ever After
by Dawn Lairamore
Once upon a time in the kingdom of Ardendal there lived a spirited princess named Ivy, who had no interest in being rescued by Prince Charming, and an undersized dragon named Elridge, who was better at solving word puzzles than breathing fire. Sailing into this world on a ship made of whale bones came Romil, a handsome prince with dastardly designs on Princess Ivy and her kingdom. Ivy and Elridge, both disappointments to their families, join forces to try and thwart Romil's evil plot. In the process these traditional enemies become fast freinds, discover hidden strengths, and earn the respect of all who know them. Full of humor and high adventure--and plenty of slightly skewed fairy-tale motifs--this frothy fractured fairy tale is sure to delight young readers.
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Along the River
by Adeline Yen Mah
Lapsing into unconsciousness after an accident, CC vividly dreams about life in the Song Dynasty 800 years earlier, where an art-loving emperor befriends an orphan boy and his master's daughter, in an adventure inspired by the famous Chinese painting, Along the River at the Qing Ming Festival. By the best-selling author of Falling Leaves.
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The Sleeping Beauty
by Mercedes Lackey
The fifth book in the magical Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series finds princess Rosamund, after being chased by a murderous huntsman and captured by dwarves, agreeing to be the guinea pig in one of her step-mother's risky incantations to save her kingdom from invasion.
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Castle Waiting
by Linda Medley
Lady Jain, settling into life at Castle Waiting, reflects on her early romantic entanglements and conflicts with her sister while exploring a secret passageway and witnessing a variety of situations on the castle grounds.
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Cloaked in Red
by Vivian Vande Velde
Eight witty stories that parody the Little Red Riding Hood tale
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A Tale Dark and Grimm
by Adam Gidwitz
Follows Hansel and Gretel as they walk out of their own story and into eight more tales, encountering such wicked creatures as witches, along with kindly strangers and other helpful folk. Based in part on the Grimms' fairy tales Faithful Johannes, Hanseland Gretel, The seven ravens, Brother and sister, The robber bridegroom, and The devil and his three golden hairs.
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A Prince Among Frogs
by E. D. Baker
While Princess Millie and her dragon fiancâe prepare for their wedding, the entire royal family of Greater Greensward teams up to find Millie's baby brother, who has been kidnapped and turned into a frog.
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Reckless
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Jacob and Will Reckless have taken care of each other ever since their father disappeared, but when Jacob discovers a magical mirror that transports him to a warring world populated by witches, giants and ogres, he keeps it to himself until Will follows him one day, with dire consequences. 500,000 first printing.