13 Retellings for Fans of Madeline Miller and Percy Jackson
Literary retellings and reimaginings have seen a huge spike in popularity recently. The ways that they make the past present to us, incite our imagination, and challenge our thinking keep several of us at Dog-Eared coming back for more, and we’re happy to share our favorites with you.
In this gift list, we’ve got retellings of myths, fairy tales, and classic stories. Most of them are from this year so that you can help your loved one stay-up-to date on their preferred genre.
Galatea by Madeline Miller
In at least one way, I am a simple woman: I see a new Madeline Miller book, and I read it. This short story is concise, cutting, and gripping like her others. If your loved one enjoyed Circe and The Song of Achilles, this stocking stuffer-sized story will leave them wanting more. As for those who haven’t read the retellings of Greek myth from this author….best to gift them all three!
Genre: Short Story
This young adult graphic novel is not itself a retelling but features many myths as its protagonist, a child of Vietnamese immigrants, helps his mother learn English through fairy tales. At the same time, he struggles to come out to her. The novel alternates between the protagonist’s life and fairy tales, and all of it is beautiful!
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel
Norse mythology leaps off the page as Angrboda – witch, first wife of Loki, and mother of the serpent and wolf who help end the world – strives for a normal life. She makes great sacrifices for those she loves, and her resilience echoes throughout the book and past its last pages. As a bonus, Dog-Eared has plenty of signed copies since the author, Genevieve Gornichec, used to work here! (She’s awesome, and we love to support her).
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Skin of the Sea & Soul of the Deep by Natasha Bowen
This duology draws inspiration from African folklore, most notably the figure(s) of Mami Wata. Simi serves as one of these mermaids, collecting the souls of those who die at sea and guiding them to rest. She breaks the rules, though, when she encounters a living boy at sea and saves his life instead of tending to his death. For this defiance she must make amends, but doing so proves difficult as the rescued boy, the gods she serves, and nefarious secrets swirl around her. Learning about creatures and beings from African folklore while following Simi’s journey was one of my favorite parts of this book.
Genre: YA Fantasy
Joan by Katherine J. Chen
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this retelling of Joan of Arc’s story, which begins when she is ten years old and follows her through the rest of her short life. The author begins each chapter with the factual timeline of events and then expands on that with imaginative prose – “what ifs” that are a wonder to read. Bookseller Jess gave this book 5 stars and will remember it for a long time.
Genre: Historical Fiction
This novel draws from South Asian mythology, giving a new voice and story to a character who has been villainized through history – the infamous queen from the ancient epic the Ramayana. With incredible epic writing you won’t want to put this down. Bookseller Rachel loved being taken to the character’s kingdom and hearing her voice. Kaikeyi will forever be a story she’ll return to.
Genre: Fantasy
A heist novel meets a dark fairytale. This book is a retelling of the Welsh myth Cantre'r Gwaelod, a sunken kingdom that supposedly once stood where Cardigan Bay now exists. It boasts the last water diviner as its protagonist, a colorful supporting cast, and lush, gripping prose. The audiobook version of The Drowned Woods is also superb!
Genre: YA Fantasy
Inspired by a Korean myth and Spirited Away, this book has made several Best Fantasy of the Year lists. Mina throws herself into the sea, sacrificing herself to a god to save her brother and her village from tumultuous storms…and that’s just the beginning. When she finally reaches the deity’s home, she finds him trapped in an enchanted sleep. In hopes he’ll protect her village upon waking, she sets out to rouse him, but she doesn't have much time: a human cannot live long in the land of the spirits. And there are those who would do anything to keep the Sea God from waking.
Genre: YA Fantasy
The classic villain of Rapunzel’s fairytale, Mother Gothel, takes the stage in this book. In this retelling, Gothel is a place where the protagonist, Haelewise, takes refuge after the death of her mother. There she finds other young women like herself and a world unlike any she’s known before. A slow burn that examines religion and witchcraft in a medieval setting, this book has been compared to Wicked, but one reader online has called it “the most original retelling” of the fairytale they’ve seen.
Genre: Fantasy
A Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow (Middle Grade Fantasy)
Mourning the loss of her mother, Kela makes a dangerous deal with a mermaid. She must exchange an ancient comb for a wish, which she hopes will be enough to bring her mother back. Drawing on Caribbean folklore, this middle grade book tackles grief and healing with suspense, fantasy, and a touch of horror.
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
As far as retellings go, this one is unexpected – it doesn’t actually tell Hester Prynne’s story, at least not directly. Instead, it imagines a young immigrant seamstress named Isobel Gamble as the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous protagonist in The Scarlet Letter. Isobel meets and instantly connects with Nathaniel, but they’re both haunted by the burdens of their pasts...including Isobel’s estranged husband. Even those readers who aren’t fans of Hawthorne’s original book will be gripped by this witchy and mysterious piece of historical fiction.
Genre: Fiction
Great feminist retellings of the Greek epic style abound recently, and this one follows the women of the House of Atreus. Tragedy unfolds as cursed Elektra, her mother Clytemnestra, and her father’s clairvoyant war captive Cassandra take turns narrating the novel. Readers who enjoyed Natalie Haynes’ A Thousand Ships, Madeline Miller’s A Song of Achilles, and Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne may enjoy this book.
Genre: Fiction
Enter into the uncanny House of Usher in its final days, replete with mushrooms that reek of curdled milk and open graves. This lush, otherworldly retelling of Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” stars a retired soldier as its protagonist and brings modern spins on nature and gender to Poe’s characteristic fascinations with horror, life, and death. I read this in one sitting on a gray and spooky afternoon. I was delighted.
Genre: Fantasy/Horror
