Books matching: dark fairy tale
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- #1
Save:'The Bloody Chamber' by Angela Carter is a collection of dark and sensual retellings of classic fairy tales with a gothic and feminist twist. Carter's writing style is described as beautifully crafted, evocative, and rich in imagery, bringing new life to familiar stories like Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, and Bluebeard. The stories explore themes of sexuality, agency of women, and the darker aspects of human nature, creating a complex and compelling fantasy world.
The book features ten adult adaptations of fairy tales, each with a macabre and feminist undertone. Carter's storytelling is praised for its unique voice, strong connections between tales, and its feminist reinterpretation of traditional themes. The collection is a blend of reimagined myths and original stories, challenging the reader to explore a more nuanced and morally complex version of fairy tales.
- #2
Save:'The Book of Lost Things' by John Connolly is a dark and haunting coming-of-age story that follows young David as he copes with the loss of his mother and struggles to accept his new family dynamics. The book seamlessly weaves together various fairy tales into a nightmarish world that David stumbles into, where he embarks on a quest to find the king and uncover the secrets of the Book of Lost Things in order to find his way back home. The writing style is described as rich with lovely language and a fairy tale lyricism that immerses the reader in a world filled with peril and fantastical creatures.
He had, in truth, been losing her for a very long time. The disease that was killing her was a creeping, cowardly thing, a sickness that ate away at her from the inside, slowly consuming the light wit... - #3
Save:The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert follows the journey of Alice Proserpine as she navigates a dark and eerie world filled with fairy tales and magic. Raised on the road by her mother to avoid her famous grandmother's fairy tales, Alice's life takes a drastic turn when her mother is kidnapped, forcing her to confront the truth of her past and her connection to the mysterious Hazel Wood. The book combines elements of dark fantasy, magical realism, and suspense, drawing readers into a world where nothing is as it seems and danger lurks at every corner. Albert's writing style is described as poetic and atmospheric, immersing readers in a tale that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy.
Althea Proserpine is raising her daughter on fairy tales. Once upon a time she was a girl named Anna Parks, one of the legion of midcentury dreamers who came to Manhattan with their hopes tucked into ... - #4
Save:"Uprooted" by Naomi Novik is a fantasy novel set in a world where a wizard known as The Dragon takes a young girl every ten years to live with him and protect the area from the dangers of the nearby Wood. The protagonist, Agnieszka, unexpectedly chosen instead of her best friend, discovers her own magical abilities and becomes an apprentice to The Dragon. As they work together to combat the threats from the Wood, Agnieszka navigates themes of magic, friendship, self-discovery, and love in a richly imagined world filled with folklore elements and moral ambiguity.
The book is praised for its beautiful and descriptive prose, creating a vivid and realistic world for readers to immerse themselves in. The story unfolds slowly, subverting expectations and revealing surprising twists that keep readers engaged until the very satisfying end. The character development, particularly of Agnieszka, is highlighted as she embodies girl power, bravery, and independence, becoming her own hero in the face of challenges and mysteries presented by the magical world she inhabits.
Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrific... - #5
Save:In "Alice" by Christina Henry, readers are taken on a dark and twisted journey through a reimagined version of the classic Alice in Wonderland tale. The story follows Alice, who escapes from a mental hospital with her companion Hatcher, seeking revenge on the Jabberwocky while navigating a dangerous and eerie Old City. The book delves into themes of violence, madness, and revenge, with a writing style that captures the horror and suspense of the twisted world created by the author.
If she moved her head all the way up against the wall and tilted it to the left she could just see the edge of the moon through the bars. Just a silver sliver, almost close enough to eat. A sliver of ... - #6
Save:"Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik is a reimagined fairy tale based on Rumpelstiltskin, following the story of three young women from different backgrounds who find strength and agency in challenging circumstances. Miryem, the daughter of a moneylender, discovers her ability to turn silver into gold and attracts the attention of the powerful Staryk king. Alongside Wanda, a poor girl seeking to escape her abusive father, and Irina, the daughter of a duke caught in a political scheme, the women's lives intertwine as they navigate magic, danger, and self-discovery. The narrative seamlessly weaves between the perspectives of these characters, showcasing Novik's talent for intricate world-building and character development.
The real story is, the miller’s daughter with her long golden hair wants to catch a lord, a prince, a rich man’s son, so she goes to the moneylender and borrows for a ring and a necklace and decks her... - #7
Save:Deerskin by Robin McKinley is a dark and powerful retelling of the fairy tale Donkeyskin, focusing on the story of Princess Lissar who is subjected to a horrific trauma at the hands of her own father. The novel delves into themes of abuse, survival, recovery, and self-healing as Lissar embarks on a journey of escape and redemption with her loyal hound, Ash, by her side. The writing style is described as lyrical, dreamlike, and at times, nightmarish, weaving together elements of fantasy, mythology, and raw emotion to create a compelling narrative that explores the depths of human resilience and the healing power of love.
MANY YEARS LATER SHE REMEMBERED HOW HER PARENTS HAD looked to her when she was a small child: her father as tall as a tree, and merry and bright and golden, with her beautiful black-haired mother at h... - #8
Save:The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is a fantasy novel set in medieval Russia, where the protagonist Vasya can see spirits and is caught between the world of Christianity and the old gods. The story follows Vasya's journey as she navigates the magical and mysterious woods, facing challenges related to family, courage, love, and magic, all while defying traditional gender roles.
The book is written in a lyrical and fairy tale-like style, drawing heavily on Russian folklore and mythology. It explores themes of resilience, tradition, family, and the clash between old and new worlds, creating an atmospheric winter setting that captivates readers with its intricate and layered storytelling.
It was late winter in northern Rus’, the air sullen with wet that was neither rain nor snow. The brilliant February landscape had given way to the dreary gray of March, and the household of Pyotr Vlad... - #9
Save:'Red As Blood' by Tanith Lee is an anthology of re-imagined fairy tales that takes the familiar stories we all know and love and twists them into dark, sensual, and original narratives. The book features stories like 'Wolfland,' where Little Red Riding Hood is turned on its head, and 'The Golden Rope,' a mysterious and romantic version of Rapunzel with a demonic twist. Tanith Lee's writing style is described as poetic and imaginative, creating a collection that is both horrifying and sensual, with each story sending a specific message to the reader.
The book explores themes of feminism, dark fantasy, and challenges traditional storytelling norms. Readers are drawn to the unique retellings of classic tales, the thought-provoking narratives, and the unsettling endings that deviate from the original fairy tales. Tanith Lee's ability to weave together folklore, fantasy, and horror in a captivating manner keeps readers engaged and eager to delve deeper into each story.
- #10
Save:"Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie follows the adventures of three siblings who travel with a boy named Peter Pan to a magical island called Neverland. Peter Pan, a boy who never grows up, leads them on thrilling escapades with the Lost Boys, Captain Hook, and TinkerBell. The story touches on themes of childhood wonder, the fear of growing up, and the importance of family and loyalty. The writing style is described as charming, whimsical, and engaging, with Barrie's language evolving as the story progresses.
ALL CHILDREN, EXCEPT ONE, grow up. They soon know that they will grow up, and the way Wendy knew was this. One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden, and she plucked another flowe...
