By Nithya, Grade 10
1.The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
This is one of the best YA fiction series of all time. It perfectly blends sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure, blurring the lines between the genres to create something that will appeal to many readers. It is a four-book series that takes place in a futuristic version of Earth, where cyborgs roam the planet and a civilization has been built on the moon. Every book in the series follows a different main character inspired by a different classic fairytale. Cinder features a cyborg princess who must save the world. Scarlet reimagines Little Red Riding Hood, and Cress has Rapunzel — trapped on the moon. Winter, arguably the best book in the series, showcases a powerful and eccentric Snow White. It’s a must-read for any YA fan.
2. Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
This is a poignant standalone that explores what happened to Cinderella’s stepsisters. Isabelle, the second sister, must gather her courage at the lowest point in her life and save not only herself, but the entire world. The writing is beautiful and conveys strong emotion, and the book imparts an important message about perspective.
3. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
A very imaginative retelling of the legend of King Arthur, this novel follows Bree, a college student who must contend with her newfound knowledge about her Arthurian heritage and responsibilities. It mixes fast-paced action with themes about social problems like racism and sexism. The characters are unique and well-written, and the author adds authenticity to the Arthurian references by using small details, such as Welsh dialogue.
4. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Loosely inspired by The Wild Swans and various Asian myths, the adventurous Princess Shiori’anma stars in this book, accompanied by a cast of lovable characters. Shiori, who possesses forbidden magic, must save her brothers and save her kingdom from a malevolent conspiracy. This book takes elements from many fairy tales, and consequently, is very novel and original. The story explores the nature of villainy and redemption, with characters who aren’t necessarily what they seem.The writing is poetic without being overly flowery, and the creativity shown in the worldbuilding and plot is astounding. This is a great read for anyone who wants to read a novel based on fairy tales, but doesn’t have a specific story in mind.
5. Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz
Unlike some of the other titles on this list, this novel mimics the story of Cinderella pretty exactly. What makes it creative is the setting. Readers are introduced to Cendrillon, the main character, who lives in the Palace of Versailles during the rule of Louis XIV, the Sun King. The author expertly weaves in historical details, making the fairytale seem more like historical fiction than fantasy. The characters all have varied personalities and unique backstories, and the tone of the book is regal. This is a great book to read if you love historical fiction and fairy tales.
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