Today, I just wanted to share a super quick list of some of my favourite atmospheric, fairy tale retellings. All of these deliver on the wintry vibes- without you having to the hassle of going outside 😉
The Snow Child– it’s been a long while since I mentioned this exquisite historical fiction. Set in 1920s Alaska, it draws on the Russian fairy tale by the same name and delivers something utterly unique.
The Bear and the Nightingale– also inspired by Russian folklore, this has a more fantastical touch and is set in an authentically medieval setting. If you’re in the mood for high fantasy, then I can’t give you a better recommendation for the winter months.
Wolf in the Whale– this is more inspired by a patchwork of different mythologies, stories and histories- which I think qualifies it to be on this list. Plus, it certainly delivers on the atmospheric quota- you’ll need to be nice and snug while you’re reading this, or you’ll catch a chill!
To Kill a Kingdom– if you’re looking for something a bit creepier, then look no further! This deadly little mermaid retelling will cut you to the quick!
Hazel Wood– while not technically a retelling, it does draw on so many fairy tale motifs. Plus, it has a gothic edge to it too.
So, have you read these? Do you plan to? And what retellings give you the wintry vibes? Let me know in the comments!
Snow child is one book which haunts me once a year… This month I have seen it twice.. Once here… The other I don’t remember… I think I have to read it
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh I really recommend it!
LikeLike
Oh I love The Bear and the Nightingale so much! It’s such a great story, and definitely perfect to read on a winter’s day. To Kill a Kingdom sounds intriguing… another one for the TBR list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah me too! Completely agree!! And definitely recommend it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Bear and the Nightingale has been sitting on my shelf for ages… should probably read it… oops! I feel like my favourite retellings actually give me summery vibes! I don’t know why hehe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh definitely recommend it- and it’s perfect for this time of year! hahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really disliked The Snow Child, I know I’m in the minority but the last couple of chapters massively bothered me. I read it while my now 4yr old was a baby and without giving spoilers, that may have affected my judgement. Really want to read To Kill a Kindgom
LikeLiked by 2 people
I couldn’t quite feel comfortable about “The Snow Child” either, so you’re not alone!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahh I can understand that. Definitely recommend to kill a kingdom though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read these ones! I don’t know if it’s a winter vibe but I loved A Curse So Dark and Lonely, beauty and the beast retelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah that’s a good one to pick!
LikeLike
The Hazel Wood and The wolf in a Whale are on my TBR, but The Snow Child sounds intriguing too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh definitely recommend it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got my copy of The Bear and the Nightingale this week! Hazel wood has also been on my shelf a while… 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh exciting!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I LOVED the Winternight trilogy so much! I really liked The Snow Child too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah they’re both amazing!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Snow Child…love….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Echo North is a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It has definite wintry vibes.
Great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’ve wanted to read it for ages!! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love The Snow Child! I couldn’t make up my mind about the Hazel Wood though ..
The rest of these are on my TBR list 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing! Ah fair enough- that one’s super hit or miss with people. Awesome! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love The Bear and the Nightingale and The Snow Child. Haven’t read the others yet but they’re on my list. One of my favorite wintery retellings is Edith Pattou’s East. I need to give it a reread at some point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah they’re amazing! Oh definitely want to read that one- it’s been on my tbr for ages!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
To Kill a Kingdom sounds like a win to me! I will add it to my tbr
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh it’s really fun!!
LikeLike
I loved The Bear and the Nightingale! I need to reread the whole trilogy sometime.
I DNFd The Hazel Wood. The narrative felt so scattered I just didn’t want to deal with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh I loved that!
Fair enough- it’s a really hit or miss book and I get why
LikeLiked by 1 person
To Kill a Kingdom is also one of my favorites too!! I think it’s such a great story, and it was a 5-star read for me 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahh I definitely agree!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is the third time I’ve seen The Wolf In The Whale this week … all on different blogs. I think the universe is sending me a sign.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree! I’ve been seeing it mentioned a lot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
hahaha! It definitely is 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this list 🙂 I’ll have to read The Bear and the Nightingale soon!! I’ve been hearing only great things about this book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh very much recommend it!!! It’s definitely a personal favourite!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love The Bear and The Nightingale!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah it’s amazing!!
LikeLike
You’ve really pique my interest with these titles, most of which I remember reading about in earlier posts on your blog. They’re on my TBR list which is maybe 20 pages of single spaced lines. Wish i could read faster….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to hear it! hehe yeah- I’ve definitely mentioned these *a lot*. haha! I understand that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just read The Hazel Wood and it was the perfect thing to read this time of year! I loved all the fairy tale vibes 😀 I’ve never heard of The Snow Child before but now I want to look more into it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
YES! I know right!? oh recommend that one- it’s really unique!
LikeLike
What a nice post!! I haven’t read yet Wolf in the Whale, but the others are amazing – maybe I will add this one to my list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! Awesome! It’s a bit darker and more adult- just so you know!
LikeLike
Great list! I haven’t read any of these, but half of them are on my TBR.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Fair enough- I hope you like the ones you get to!
LikeLike
I think I have heard of To Kill A Kingdom. Is it young adult?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it is
LikeLike
okay
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Everyday Strange and commented:
Looking for a winter read? The Orangutan Liberian has a list of chilly fairytale re-tellings to choose from, including one set in 1920s Alaska.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your welcome!
LikeLike
Brilliant picks! I really liked To Kill A Kingdom and, of course, I loved The Bear the Nightingale. I haven’t read The Snow Child or The Hazel Wood but they both sound intriguing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Ah they’re both awesome! And I recommend them both!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. I love fairytale retellings but have somehow only read one of these! I’ll have to keep the others in mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Oh definitely do!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great list!! I’ve heard awesome things about the Bear and the Nightingale, and The Snow Child sounds interesting! I read To Kill a Kingdom when it first released and loved it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! Oh I can’t recommend them enough!! It’s awesome!!
LikeLike