Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there is a new topic for bloggers to choose and list their top ten. This week’s theme was originally a TTT Throwback freebie and even though it was recently changed to Top Ten Books of 2018 (So Far) I’d already drafted this post, so I decided to stick with it.
It’s no secret I love fairytale retellings, I’ve read so many of them and I still have plenty more waiting on my TBR list, so when I saw this was a TTT topic way back before I started blogging there was only one option I was going to pick for this week’s throwback theme. I had to make some very hard cuts this week when choosing my top ten, but I’m confident these are my top ten favourite fairytale retellings.
Cinder by Marissa Meyer
The Lunar Chronicles is one of my favourite series so it should be no surprise that it’s on my list. Before picking up Cinder I’d never heard of a fairytale retelling that was part of the sci-fi genre but by the time I’d finished reading I was hooked, and each book in the series just got better and better.
Sea Witch by Sarah Henning
Despite all the hype for it I didn’t really go into Sea Witch with high expectations, but I ended up loving it anyways. Sea Witch is a Little Mermaid retelling that focuses on friendship more than romance, and it’s set in a wonderfully detailed world I’d love to see with my own eyes.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
After reading and loving both Spinning Silver and Uprooted Naomi Novik is one of my favourite fairytale retelling authors, and any book she releases is going to be on my auto-buy list. Her books are so detailed and magical, they’re beautifully written and I’ve read nothing like them before.
Lost Boy by Christina Henry
Christina Henry’s fairytale retellings are a lot darker than any other I’ve read before. Lost Boy sets Peter Pan as the villain and tells us the origin story of Captain Hook. The focus was very much on Jamie and his friendship with Peter, showing us how they each changed and turned to enemies.
A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston
I haven’t read One Thousand and One Nights but after finishing E.K. Johnston’s A Thousand Nights I wanted to pick up the original tale. This is such a beautiful story, I don’t think anything I say can fully do it justice, and I need to get around to Johnston’s second release as soon as possible.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Marissa Meyer is one of my favourite authors, and Alice in Wonderland is my favourite fairytale, so the combination of the two in this one book was a guaranteed win for me. Granted I had a few issues with Heartless, no book is perfect, but overall I thought it was an incredible read.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Before picking up The Bear and the Nightingale I’d heard nothing but amazing things about it, so it was probably no surprise that I ended up loving it as well. Again I haven’t read the original tale this book is based off, but when I’d finished it I wanted to pick up Vasilisa the Beautiful as well.
The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
This is a book I read ages ago. It’s an Alice in Wonderland retelling so really it’s no surprise I loved it but I need to re-read it, as well as read the other two books in the trilogy. It’s possible my feelings on The Looking Glass Wars will have changed with time, but for now it’s still a favourite of mine.
The Wrath and The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Another amazing One Thousand and One Nights retelling that made me want to pick up the original tale. I really love Renee Ahdieh’s writing, and while the second book in this duology wasn’t as amazing as the first I really enjoyed The Wrath and The Dawn.
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Geekerella has everything I normally look for in a YA contemporary book – it’s got a cute story, likeable characters, and a sweet romance I was rooting for from the start – and it’s a fairytale retelling as well which is an added bonus. Basically there’s no reason not to read this book.
So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what you picked for this week’s TTT Throwback theme, or what your best reads of 2018 so far have been if you went with the updated topic? What’s your favourite fairytale retelling? Would any of the books that I picked have made your list?
I love the Lunar Chronicles series so much, it’s one of my favorites!
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Yeah, based on comments I think when it comes to fairytale retellings TLC is one everyone loves. 🙂
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Aaaah fairytale retellings are my absolute favorites — there was a period of time in my childhood where I wouldn’t read anything by fairytale retellings 😊 A Thousand Nights is definitely one of my favorites because of the theme of the unbreakable sisterhood between women, and The Lunar Chronicles series will always have a special place in my heart 💕
I can’t wait to explore all the other books on this list! I’m definitely bookmarking this post for later reference 😊 Great post, Beth!
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Must have been a fun period of your childhood I imagine! 😀 Yes there was so much positive female relationships in A Thousand Nights, which was great to read, and I think when it comes to fairytale retellings TLC has to be a lot of people’s favourite! 😀
That’s great to hear, I really hope you enjoy them all in that case Zoie, and thanks! 🙂 ❤
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Hello Beth!! ❤
I love your list! I actually don't read fairytale retellings often at all, but reading your post makes me want to read some of these books. I enjoyed Cinder, though I haven't read the rest of the series yet. I've been wanting to read The Bear and the Nightingale for a while now. You've also made me want to read Naomi Novik and EK Johnston's books 🙂
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Thanks so much Sophie. 🙂 ❤️ Oh if you enjoyed Cinder you really need to get to the rest of the series, it got so much better so you still have the best to come. The Bear and the Nightingale is amazing, and honestly I can’t recommend Naomi Novik or E.K. Johnston enough. They’re incredible writers with some really beautiful stories. 🙂
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So much that I need to read haha, I don’t know where to start 🙂 Glad to hear that you enjoyed the rest of the Cinder series. I might pick up book #2 one of these days!
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I know the feeling, it’s me when looking at my epic TBR list too! 😀
Yay, I’m sure you’ll love it when/if you do get around to it. 🙂
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I really need to get around to read all of Chritina Henry’s books. They all sound amazing, and I even have a couple of them on my shelves. Great list, Beth! 😀
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Oh I’d highly recommend them, I haven’t read all her books, just the retelling ones, but they’re amazing. Thanks Lashaan. 🙂
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Great List! 😍 I never used to be a huge fan of fairytale retellings, but recently I have so gotten into them! I adore the Lunar Chronicles, the books are so creative when it comes to the retelling aspect and that is exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for 🙂 The Wrath and the Dawn is also really great, I have to reread the books sometime!
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Thanks so much Caro! 😀 Well I’m glad this is a genre you’re getting into now. In terms of TLC I think that’s definitely one of the best, and kind of unique because I haven’t read too many other fairytale retellings that are also sci-fi books.
Yeah they’re on my re-read list too. 🙂
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I haven’t read many retellings, but The Bear and the Nightingale is on my TBR shelf. I’ve heard good things about it.
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Yeah I heard so many good things about that one before I picked it up too, and from what I read they’re all true. I hope you love it as well. 🙂
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I just finished reading Cinder and really enjoyed it! So many people say that the series just gets better and better so I’m totally excited to start the next one. Ooo, Geekerella!! I really want to read that one too, haha!
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The series does get better, if you enjoyed Cinder I feel like you’ll love the other books for sure! 🙂
Geekerella’s really good as well. It’s a light fairytale retelling which I got through really quickly but really loved. 🙂
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Fairytale retellings are my favourite – adding The Bear and the Nightingale and Uprooted to my TBR! I loved The Lunar Chronicles and The Wrath and the Dawn.
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I hope you love both those books then, they’re two of the most beautiful stories I’ve read for sure. 🙂
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I am usually one of the first people in line when it comes to retellings, but somehow I’ve been burned so much lately that I have stayed away from them more and more. I liked The Wrath and the Dawn and Geekerella A LOT!! And I really want to pick up Sea Witch and The Bear and the Nightingale one day as well 🙂 Great choices!!
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Oh that’s a shame, but I get what you mean because sometimes even with my favourite genres/stories I get a little burnt out. Every so often you need a change don’t you?
Hopefully Sea Witch and The Bear and the Nightingale will get you back into the genre! 🙂
Thanks so much. 🙂 ❤
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Yeah, I try to mix it up as best as I can just so that I don’t get bored haha
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I love the Lunar Chronicles so much!! And I also really enjoyed the Wrath & the Dawn but never got around to finishing the second book idk why…. I’m gonna add Uprooted and Spinning Silver and the Bear and the Nightingale to my TBR!
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TLC is a favourite of mine when it comes to fairytale retellings. Oh you’ll have to get to the second book soon on that case, you can’t leave the duology unfinished. Uprooted, Spinning Silver and The Bear and the Nightingale are some of the most beautiful books I’ve read, I hope you enjoy them. 🙂
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I just finished Cinder (I know, I’m so behind) and loved it so now I’m officially a sucker for retellings. I actually haven’t read any of these. Clearly, I need to get on it. I’m looking forward to Sea Witch coming out!
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Better late than never I guess, but don’t worry there are so many books I’m behind on as well. I know the feeling for sure. 🙂
Yes retellings are amazing, and oh I loved Sea Witch so I really hope that’s one you enjoy too. 😀
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I love retellings, Renee Adieh’s The Wrath & the Dawn duology, I’ve been wanting to read more retellings, hopefully I will do that sometime soon.
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She writes amazing duologies for sure, and I liked The Wrath and the Dawn a tiny bit better than Flame in the Mist too. 🙂
Hopefully yeah, I don’t think you can ever go wrong with a retelling. 🙂
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This is the PERFECT recommendations post, Beth, I love it haha 😀 I am getting more and more into retellings – mostly thanks to you and your wonderful recommendations through the years – and I can’t wait to add more to my TBR. I have heard a little bit about A Thousand Nights and I really want to read it now, same goes for Spinning Silver after your review and Sea Witch sounds SO great!! 😀
Thank you so much for this ❤ ❤
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Thanks so much Marie. 🙂 ❤️ Oh if you want recommendation the books on this list are all ones I’d really can’t recommend enough. A Thousand Nights is kind of unlike anything I’ve read before but it’s such a beautiful story, Spinning Silver is my favourite by Naomi Novik and she’s now one of my favourite fairytale retelling authors, and Sea Witch is just brilliant. It’s actually my favourite Little Mermaid retelling for sure! 🙂
That’s all right, and I hope you enjoy these books, you’ll have to let me know what you think! 🙂 ❤️
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I’m currently reading Sea Witch and it’s really good! I need to check out some of the others you listed!
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I’m glad you’re enjoying it so far. Hopefully you’ll continues to love it right the way to the end! Definitely, any I’ve featured on this list are books I’d highly recommend. 🙂
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Great post! I adore fairytale retellings – my WIP is a retelling of Peter Pan! I never get bored of finding new ones to read and I adored almost all the ones you listed down!
I also participated in the TTT of this week but decided to go back to the ten books I loved the most when I was a child!
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Thanks so much. 🙂 Ohh, that sounds like a great WIP, is it a standard retelling or have you added a twist (like Marissa Meyer did with TLC?) I’d love to hear more about your writing if you want. 🙂
That’s definitely a throwback topic going all the way back to your childhood. I’ll be sure to check out your post too. ❤️
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You’re too sweet! It sure has a twist, it actually is a total different setting with other characters and another world. It’s set in an alternate version of post WWI in London!
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Ohh that sounds really interesting, and definitely sounds like a twist on the original too. I hope writing it is going well for you. 🙂
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I haven’t read these books, but i can say, i’m now officialy in love with the covers for uprooted & spinning silver ❤
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They’re gorgeous right?! Unfortunately these aren’t the covers I have on my shelves but they’re my favourite designs! 🙂
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I enjoy reading fairytale retellings! They’re pretty much a comfort read for me 😀 I absolutely adored The Bear and The Nightingale. The writing is atmospheric and poetic! I’m currently reading Spinning Silver; I just started but I can already tell it’s going to be a favourite.
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Yeah there’s something nice about seeing a new spin on something you grew up reading right? It really is, it took me a little while to really get into the story but once I did I was hooked until the end. 🙂
Oh that’s brilliant to hear about Spinning Silver, hopefully when you get to the end it will be a favourite for sure! 😀
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I love the Lunar Chronicles and TWATD duology! They’re both such amazing retellings 🙂 I really want to read Naomi Novak’s books, and the Bear and the Nightingale soon!
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Definitely amazing! 🙂 Oh Naomi Novik is one of my favourite fairytale retelling authors, I’d highly recommend her books and I hope you love them. Same goes for The Bear and the Nightingale. That’s a release that lived up to the hype for me! 😀
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I think I’m a black sheep when it comes to Lunar Chronicles and Geekerella, but I do love Winternight Trilogy and The Wrath and The Dawn!
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Oh that’s a shame, but I suppose we can’t all like the same books can we? 🙂
So far I’ve only read The Bear and the Nightingale but I can’t wait to get around to The Girl in the Tower. I’m sure it’s just as amazing! 😀
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Great list! I love TLC too, but I don’t like Heartless much. I’ve seen so many Little Mermaid retelling these days, Sea Witch pique my interest too. I didn’t know Uprooted was a retelling, which fairytale is it from?
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Thanks so much. Oh that’s a shame about Heartless but I will admit I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did TLC. The Little Mermaid is a popular choice nowadays, and Sea Witch is amazing I hope you love it.
I could be wrong about Uprooted (it may be that that one was fairytale inspired) but I vaguely remember reading it was a retelling if a few fairytales (obscure ones I hadn’t heard much about before). I dunno I’d have to look it up some more.
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I didn’t enjoy rh story but I really love Cath and her cakes!! Ahh okay, I’m going to read Uprooted soon!!
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Yes that book made me so hungry.
I looked it up and Uprooted is not a retelling but it is fairytale inspired, so in my mind it still counts. 🙂
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My next read is Uprooted! I hope I like it as much as you do!!
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I hope so too. 🙂 ❤️
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I love The Lunar Chronicles and Heartless! And I really want to read all of the other books on this list!!
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Marissa Meyer is amazing when it comes to fairytale retelling right?! And oh I hope you enjoy the others you still need to pick up, they’re all amazing books in my opinion. 🙂
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Wonderful list! No surprise to see the lunar Chronicles. Even though I haven’t finished Winter just yet, I know that the series will always be some of my favorite retellings. Geekerella is so freaking adorable and The Wrath and the Dawn was an interesting take on Scheherazade! I remember reading The Looking Glass Wars a loooooong time ago, but I never finished the trilogy. Wish I did though. Might have to revisit it sometime. Thanks for the reminder! And I’ll have to get around to reading the other books on your list since I love fairytale retelling as well! They all sound amazing 😀 Fantastic post, Beth!
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Thanks so much Azia, and yeah for me when it comes to fairytale retellings The Lunar Chronicles is always going to make the list. Winter is amazing so I’m sure you’ll love it.
That’s all right. Yeah that’s one I wish I’d finished too but it’s something I’m hoping to go back to. All I can really remember is that I really enjoyed the first book.
Well if you love fairytale retelling these are all books I’d highly recommend. 😀
Thanks Azia. 🙂 ❤️
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I really hope so! Plan to read Winter sometime next month 😀
Yeah, all I remember is loving the first book as well. Might pick it up sometime if I happen to find it at my library!
No worries! 😀 ❤
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Here’s hoping we enjoy it just as much re-reading it as we remember right? 🙂
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Very happy to see The Lunar Chronicles in there !!😍😍
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Yeah, I couldn’t talk about my favourite fairytale retellings and not include The Lunar Chronicles! 😀
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The Lunar Chronicles is definitely the best re-telling series I’ve read, it’s just so good! I actually did the new TTT prompt and choose Winter as one of my favourite books of the year so far😊
I’m also excited to read Heartless, it’s been sitting on my shelf for a while but I hope I get to it within this year!
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It’s amazing right?! An all-time favourite of mine for sure. 🙂 I’m glad you loved Winter, I think of the whole series I’d say that’s my favourite book, but it’s hard to choose between that and Cress.
Heartless is really good too. Alice in Wonderland is my favourite fairytale, so a combination of that and Marissa Meyer was always going to be a winner for me! 😀
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These are great book suggestions! I’m a huge fairy tale fan too and I think my favorites are Beauty by Robin McKinley and The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire is another awesome read.
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Thanks so much. 🙂 Oh I read some of Robin McKinley’s releases a while back (I think Beauty must have been one of them but I can’t say for sure) and really enjoyed them. The Book of Lost Things is actually somewhere on my TBR list, along with Gregory Maguire’s books. I definitely need to get to them soon. 🙂
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Great list Beth! I agree with you 100% with Cinder those retellings are some of the best! 😀
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Thanks so much Meghan. 🙂 Yeah The Lunar Chronicles is an all-time favourite series of mine so I just had to include it on my list! 😀
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A Thousand Nights is such an underrated book. I loved how beautiful the writing was!
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Definitely is, I don’t see nearly enough people talking about it though. I feel like in terms of the books I’ve read A Thousand Nights is in a league of its own, it’s such a beautiful story. 🙂
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It really is! I keep meaning to pick up more books by E.K Johnston to see if they’re all so beautifully written.
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Same, I have Spindle on my TBR list and want to get around to it soon for sure. 🙂
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Me too, I’ve been meaning to pick it up for a while now but I keep forgetting about it haha! I hope you enjoy it 😊
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Hopefully one day we’ll both get to it then. There’s just too many books on our TBR lists right?! 🙂
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Oooh great choice for a topic 😀 I like it! Uprooted is one of my favorite books! And Geekerella is awesome too 😀
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Thanks so much. 🙂 Uprooted is amazing, but do you have Naomi Novik’s new release on your TBR list? I actually ended up enjoying Spinning Silver more believe it or not. 🙂
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I received an ARC of Spinning Silver and I didn’t really like it. The ending was good but I thought the beginning was boring and slow.
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Oh that’s a shame, especially considering Uprooted is a favourite of yours. Hopefully her next release will be another you love though. 🙂
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Thanks!
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I LOVE the Lunar Chronicles. A book that isn’t on your list but you might like: The Surface Breaks, it’sa YA Feminist Fantasy retelling of The Little Mermaid. 😀
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When I saw this topic The Lunar Chronicles was the first series that came to mind. It’s an all-time favourite of mine.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve seen The Surface Breaks around some so I’ll be sure to check it out. 🙂
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Great post! I love fairytales but I haven’t read that many retellings. You’ve made me want to try some more! 😊
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Thanks so much. 🙂 Oh I really am the opposite because I will pick up any and all fairytale retellings! 😀 I hope you enjoy these if you decide to pick any of them up. 🙂
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