I’ve always had a fascination with fairy tales, myths, and folklore. Lucky for me, retellings and revampings of known tales have become immensely popular, especially in the YA genre. Here is a list of my favorite reimagined myths, folktales, and legends. As I was writing my favorites down, I noticed that none of them are actually fairy tales, so you may be hearing more from me on that subject in the future!

Five Reimagined Myths/Folktales Worth a Read

1. A Norse Collection from a Master Storyteller

Be honest, you thought I was talking about Neil Gaiman, didn’t you? Made you look! Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy American Gods (and I do keep a copy of the author’s collection of the Norse Myths), but Eight Days of Luke is my favorite Norse-inspired book. Diana Wynne Jones has this remarkable ability to mesh whimsy and fun with sadness and uncertainty. This book is no exception.

This book follows our protagonist, David, who is unhappy living at home with relatives who are equally unhappy with him being there. David quickly befriends Luke, with whom he begins to have a series of adventures. As they spend time together, David begins to suspect Luke is more than he seems even as Luke is hunted by a familiar cast of characters, including one-eyed Mr. Wedding, a pair of hungry ravens, and a big man with ginger hair.

The side story of David’s relationship with his family is at once heartbreaking and hilarious, and it is wonderfully empowering to see David learn to stand up for himself. Basic knowledge of the Norse myths makes it pretty easy to see who all of these quirky characters are, and that’s part of the fun! All in all, a quick read that will stick with you.

2. A Lesser-Known Take on the Classic Frame Narrative

This beautiful story had the misfortune of coming out in the same year as Renée Ahdieh’s The Wrath and the Dawn, another retelling of clever Scheherazade’s attempts at saving her own life by telling stories to the wife-beheading Sultan.

I don’t know why, but The Wrath and the Dawn and its sequel seem to get way more press and rave reviews. It’s a shame, really. I did read both of Ahdieh’s books, and I would have absolutely loved them except for the less-than-consensual encounter between the heroine and the tortured sultan whose relationship is the main focus of the story. I will accept your explanation for the guy’s murderous deeds, but any sympathy I might have had for him kind went out the door in that scene. Nope. Not the basis of a healthy relationship.

Anyway, Johnston’s version of the Arabian Nights is a very different book altogether. The author tells the story of the unnamed heroine’s journey in beautiful prose. Interestingly, there are only a handful of named characters, all of them male, including the Sultan Lo-Melkhiin. This book focuses more on the anonymous women who drive the story, including the protagonist, the women she encounters in the palace, and the sister for whom she sacrificed herself.

I really can’t recommend this book enough. Go read it! And then check it out it’s poignant epilogue, The Garden of Three Hundred Flowers. Johnston’s companion novel, Spindle, is, you guessed it, a reimagined Sleeping Beauty. It’s also worth a read as the author transports you back to her wonderful Middle Eastern setting.

3. A Deceptive Blend of Myth and History

When I first started reading this short little gem of a novel, I had no idea it was based on the famous epic poem. I had seen (and loved) the film The Thirteenth Warrior, starring Antonio Banderas, and while I recognized some of the elements, I had never put them all together.

Crichton comes right out and admits what he’s doing in the forward, and then the fun begins. The novel takes the true manuscript of Arab explorer Adhmad ibn Fadlan and adds to it, whisking the unfortunate ambassador to the unforgiving far north in the company of Vikings.

The novel is written like historical non-fiction, with footnotes and comments from an editor/translator, but the story is fast-paced and fun. You don’t have to know Beowulf to enjoy it, though it is fun to feel in-the-know with the Wendol, the Mother, and the fire-serpent.

It also has some softer moments as the cultured ibn Fadlan comes to appreciate the ways and beliefs of his Norse companions. The ending is particularly moving.

5. A Mash-Up of Sci-Fi and Fantasy

Another entry from the YA category, this was an unexpected treat! I have only a basic knowledge of the source material, having read bits and pieces of the enormous Sanskrit epic over the years. There were a few scenes I recognized (the archery contest!), but otherwise this was a completely new experience.

And what a fun mash of spaceships, ancient gods, prophecies, and familial warfare this turned out to be! Thankfully, Mandanna does trim the cast down to a more manageable number, but it is still a diverse cast of quirky characters. It’s another fast-paced read, too, as we follow Esmae on her intergalactic quest to help the family that abandoned her regain their power. There’s a lot packed into this little volume!

I have not yet read the sequels, but I just got the second book, A House of Rage and Sorrow, and it is sitting on the top of my very large TBR pile. I’m excited to dive back into this one!

5. My Favorite Trip to Camelot

I really can’t get enough of Arthurian stories, and this collection is my absolute favorite. The setting of post-Roman Britain is vibrant and fascinating. The first three books focus mostly on the illegitimate son of a Welsh princess, Myrddin Emrys (better known as Merlin), as he realizes the dream of a united Britain. The fourth book switches gears and give us a better look at Mordred, the person who brings it all crashing down.

Though there is magic in the books, it is very mild, and a lot of Merlin’s magical deeds are explained as almost historical anecdotes (love the bit with the red and white dragons). Again, it really is fun to know most of the tropes and recognize them as the story progresses.

As I was writing this post, I noticed that Stewart wrote a fifth Arthurian book, The Prince and the Pilgrim. And thus my TBR pile grows ever larger.

Anyway, if you like stories of King Arthur, or if you just like a good historical fantasy, check out these books.

I have a LOT of mythology/folktale retellings on my TBR list, and I’m always looking for new recommendations. If you have any ideas, comment below!