5 Books For a Fairy Tale Escape

by Lisa Preziosi
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5 books
Reading is an escape for me and so many of my favorite stories are fairy tales or retellings. There is a magic in stories that transport us to other worlds that are familiar, but somehow still exciting. Along with my own novel, I’ve included books with fairy tale worlds that are worth getting lost in.
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The Ice Maiden's Tale

Lisa Preziosi, 2017
When siblings Johanna and Casper need to be babysat by their neighbor all the neighborhood kids “know” is a witch, she distracts them with a story about a sculptor who sees an angel in the ice and carves her, and the dangerous sorcerer compelled to bring the statue to life. This story twists and turns, from the Frozen Forest to the land of the Lemon Trees, to the home of the Swamp Witch. It’s full of quirky and unexpected characters, a bit of humor, lots of surprises, and of course, true love.

Once Upon a Broken Heart

Stephanie Garber, 2021
Evangeline Fox decides she’ll do anything for love, and anything to stop her once beloved Luc from marrying someone else. So, she makes a deal with a magical fate called the “Prince of Hearts.” In this romance filled with curses and magic, the world is beautifully described and the way that magic works is so intriguing. I’d love to join the adventure inside its pages.

Stardust

Neil Gaiman, 2007
Tristan Thorne wants to win the affections of a girl in his village and promises he’ll bring her back a fallen star. When he sets off to a magical world, he learns the star is actually a person and we join him on a harrowing journey with witches, curses, and ghosts. It’s a familiar fairy tale world, but with unexpected surprises.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Melissa Bashardoust, 2020
“She had read enough stories to know that the princess and the monster were never the same. She had been alone long enough to know which one she was.” In this Persian retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Soraya’s curse is a poisonous touch. This story turns away from the traditional hero saving the cursed princess in favor of a strong female protagonist and a same sex love interest. It’s definitely a new take on a familiar tale and one I enjoyed exploring.

Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet

Charlie N. Holmberg, 2016
Holmberg combines lyrical prose and intriguing concepts in this book about Maire, a baker who can infuse her treats with emotion and abilities that can be passed on to those who eat them. I loved the writing style and the fairy tale world held interesting twists on familiar concepts.