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Books similar to ‘Darling Girl’ by Liz Michalski
Classic fairy tales like “Peter Pan,” “Cinderella,” and “Alice in Wonderland” get unexpected twists in these modern retellings.
Published on September 28, 2023
Gallant
V. E. SchwabOlivia Prior is a young, mute artist at the Merilance School for Independent Girls when she receives an invitation to move into Gallant, which is her uncle’s manor. Though Gallant’s inhabitants — both human and otherworldly — aren’t exactly welcoming, Olivia is determined to unravel the truth about her long-lost family. Award-winning Schwab (author of the “Shades of Magic” and “Villains” series, plus many other works) unites horror and whimsy in this engaging story.
A Spindle Splintered
Alix E. HarrowHarrow’s novella — a modern reimagining of “Sleeping Beauty” — packs a punch. Thanks to a rare genetic condition, Zinnia Gray is living on borrowed time and accepts that she won’t live to see her 22nd birthday. However, she’s in for a surprise at her Sleeping Beauty-themed birthday party when she’s transported to the real Sleeping Beauty’s world. Together, Zinni and Beauty team up to reclaim their destinies. “A Spindle Splintered,” the first in the “Fractured Fables” series, puts a feminist twist on a classic tale.
Tiger Lily
Jodi Lynn AndersonBefore Wendy Darling, there was Tiger Lily. Tough and loyal, Tiger Lily will put everything at risk to maintain her unwavering devotion to the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up. Anderson’s take on Barrie’s beloved “Peter Pan” paints a picture of Neverland that predates the Darling children and adds a great deal of depth to the characters we know and love. An enchanting tale of adventure, love, and heartbreak.
Boy, Snow, Bird
Helen OyeyemiThis bewitching reinvention of “Snow White” may be set in the 1950s, but it speaks to our current cultural moment. Oyeyemi weaves fairy tales with the wonders (and horrors) of human psychology in this imaginative story of race, identity, and family secrets.
Alice
Christina HenryHenry puts a dark and disturbing spin on Lewis Carroll’s beloved classic “Alice in Wonderland.” Left to rot in an insane asylum, Alice barely remembers what led her there in the first place. After she escapes, she embarks on a vengeance-filled quest to reclaim her memories and her life. Familiar characters like the Rabbit, Mad Hatter, and Cheshire Cat all make appearances. But make no mistake, these are terrifying takes on the originals that use violence to maintain ruthless control over a world teeming with mayhem and tragedy.
A History of Wild Places: A Novel
Shea ErnshawErnshaw’s debut adult novel has all the components of a thrilling, atmospheric mystery: A missing author of macabre children’s tales, a psychic investigator haunted by his dark past, and a secluded commune ruled by a charismatic yet controlling leader. Told through multiple points of view, ugly secrets bubble to the surface as each character grapples with inner demons and a truth far darker than they could have imagined.
The Never King
Nikki St. CrowePart of the “Vicious Lost Boys” series, “The Never King” is another adult retelling of “Peter Pan” that comes with a dark romance, sex-crazed Lost Boys, and spice galore. The Darling women always disappear on their 18th birthdays, later returning with no memory of what happened. Now it’s Winnie’s turn, but Peter and the Lost Boys will soon discover that she’s no damsel in distress.
The Hazel Wood: A Novel
Melissa AlbertFirst, Alice’s grandmother dies alone in her creepy estate, where she authored a dark fairy-tale collection called “Tales from the Hinterland.” Then, Alice’s mother is kidnapped by someone claiming to be from her grandmother’s storybook world. Alice must team up with a “Hinterland” superfan to find her mother — even if that means leaving this world behind. Albert (“Our Crooked Hearts”) highlights strong female relationships in a dark, contemporary fairy tale.
Lost in the Never Woods
Aiden ThomasYA powerhouse Thomas (“The Sunbearer Trials,” “Cemetery Boys”) offers a contemporary follow-up to the classic tale “Peter Pan.” Five years after Wendy Darling’s brothers go missing, more children start to disappear, leading the traumatized Wendy to team up with Peter Pan to find and rescue them before it's too late. Like “Darling Girl,” Thomas’ tale focuses on themes of missing children, sacrifice, and a quest for the truth.