It’s time for another Summer Reading list! This week I am focusing on my all-time favorite genre: retellings! I love all the ways authors are able to share classic stories and fairytales! I am so excited to share some of my favorites this week!
Here are my recommendations:
A Pint of Peaches and Poison by Anabelle Raven
Thoughts: A Pint of Peaches and Poison is a fun enemies-to-lovers, gender-swapped Little Mermaid retelling. This was such a fun book to read, and the banter and chemistry between Nykita and Warrick was everything! I loved how everything came together and the way the author incorporated elements from the original story. The worldbuilding was also incredible, and I was absorbed with this world very quickly!
Review: 5 stars
Summary:
1 Pinch of Poison.
1 Dash of Daring.
1 Fragile Alliance (and the lies that might set it on fire).
Their marriage was arranged a century ago, but she’ll do everything she can to stop it now. Nykita spent years fighting her scheduled arranged marriage, and now that the day has finally arrived, she will take whatever measures she must to avoid binding herself to the ocean fae’s prince. Warrick is determined to build a successful marriage with the human princess, but he did not expect to find her little kingdom on the verge of collapsing on itself. Warrick and Nykita need to see past each others’ crisp edges and expose their own tender vulnerabilities if they hope to stop a rebellion and save the alliance between their people. It’s a good thing they have a fire chicken to help. How will Warrick respond to life on land, reluctant rebels, and a princess who doesn’t eat sugar? What will Nykita do when she discovers she has worse enemies than the man she married? Find out in this delightful tale of magic, tension, and no-spice romantasy!
The Princess Search by Melanie Cellier
Thoughts: I LOVE all of Melanie Cellier’s books, and The Princess Search is no exception! This was my very first Ugly Duckling retelling, and I love how the author did it. There was political drama, two romance storylines, and absolutely amazing characters! I also loved exploring this world in a new way!
Review: 4.5 stars
Summary:
An outcast.
A prince.
And a deadly rebellion… After a lifetime of rejection, seamstress Evie can’t trust Frederic, the crown prince of Lanover—not his words of friendship or the way the warmth in his eyes seems to ask for even more. But when they end up on a tour of his kingdom—one filled with increasing danger—Evie’s mistrust might doom them all. In this spin on the classic fairy tale, an ugly duckling must discover her true worth in order to save her kingdom and maybe even find true love.
Stolen Magic by Camille Peters
Thoughts: I love a good Goose Girl retelling, and I love this villainous Goose Girl retelling so much! This book provides a unique and interesting backstory for the handmaiden, as well as a redemption arc. It was incredibly well done, and I loved the themes of healing and love. The romance in the book was also very sweet! “I wanted to be seen by him-not as an illusion, but as myself.”
Review: 4.5 stars
Summary:
In a world where magic once reigned, Lysandra must decide how much she is willing to lose to fulfill her vengeful plans…or if her heart will undo her carefully laid schemes. Revenge burns in the heart of Lysandra, the daughter of a slain witch, whose life is forever changed when her village is raided and her family’s magic stolen by the ruthless kingdom of Eldoria. Sworn to reclaim her birthright and make the enemy pay, Lysandra embarks on a perilous journey of deception and vengeance. Disguising herself within the very walls of her foes, she becomes a handmaiden who secretly takes the place of the princess planning to marry the unsuspecting Prince Callan and ascend to the throne that should have been her destruction. But as Lysandra weaves her way through the treacherous webs of court politics in search of her lost power, her quest for revenge is complicated by the a burgeoning affection for the prince she is meant to deceive. Lysandra must navigate a dangerous path between her desire for retribution and the pull of a love that could be her salvation—or her ultimate undoing.
The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson
Thoughts: The Warrior Maiden is a wonderful retelling of Mulan, with historical elements, explorations of guilt, and romance! I love this entire series, but The Warrior Maiden is one of my favorites in the series. I love the main characters, Wolfgang and Mulan. Wolfgang had a wonderful storyline of guilt and forgiveness, and I love how it plays out. Mulan is also a great character, and I really liked the perspective of this world she offered. Their relationship is also just the best, and I absolutely love them together!
Review: 4.5 stars
Summary:
She knows women are expected to marry, cook, and have children, not go to war. Can she manage to stay alive, save her mother, and keep the handsome son of a duke from discovering her secret? When Mulan takes her father’s place in battle against the besieging Teutonic Knights, she realizes she has been preparing for this journey her whole life—and that her life, and her mother’s, depends on her success. As the adopted daughter of poor parents, Mulan has little power in the world. If she can’t prove herself on the battlefield, she could face death—or, perhaps worse, marriage to the village butcher. Disguised as a young man, Mulan meets the German duke’s son, Wolfgang, who is determined to save his people even if it means fighting against his own brother. Wolfgang is exasperated by the new soldier who seems to be one step away from disaster at all times—or showing him up in embarrassing ways. From rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets. But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die as quickly as they are born. When Mulan receives word of danger back home, she must make the ultimate choice. Can she be the son her bitter father never had? Or will she become the strong young woman she was created to be?
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
Thoughts: A Song to Drown Rivers is a heartbreaking Chinese mythology retelling. It is so good, with a wonderful romance, tension, spies, and rebellion. This is one of those stories that stays with you for a long time. The author writes this story beautifully, and the story is absolutely phenomenal.
Review: 4.5 stars
Summary:
Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy about womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love against all odds.
Her beauty hides a deadly purpose. Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue—convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within. Trained by Fanli in everything from classical instruments to concealing emotion, Xishi hones her beauty into the perfect blade. But she knows Fanli can see through every deception she masters, the attraction between them burning away any falsehoods. Once inside the enemy palace, Xishi finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king’s advisors while the king himself shows her great affection. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher Xishi climbs in the Wu court, the farther she and Fanli have to fall—and if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.
A Twisted Tale Anthology edited by Elizabeth Lim
Thoughts: I love the Twisted Tale series- how each author is able to twist Disney movies into something new and exciting! This book is really fun because it is a short story collection, and these amazing authors twist the tales again in fun and unique ways. A Twisted Tale Anthology is a fun, cozy read where you can explore Disney stories in a new light!
Review: 4 stars
Summary:
Disney’s New York Times best-selling series presents a rich anthology filled with all-new what-if twists, such as What if Snow White learned magic? What if Mulan became the emperor’s advisor? And what if Remy the rat met Colette first? Edited by New York Times best-selling author, Elizabeth Lim, this Twisted Tale anthology features sixteen twisted short stories with new takes on fan-favorite Disney films. Swoon as Ariel and Eric meet right after the Little Mermaid saves her prince; join Tiana and Naveen on a race to get back to Maldonia; take a ride on a pirate space ship with Jim Hawkins; and uncover just what power Tinker Bell’s pixie dust holds. Written by veteran Twisted Tale authors, Elizabeth Lim, Liz Braswell, Jen Calonita, and Farrah Rochon, and featuring captivating contributions from best-selling authors, Livia Blackburne, M.K. England, Micol Ostow, and Kristina Perez, this collection filled with magic, intrigue, and charm is a must-have for Disney and fairy tale fans alike.
Reviews:
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