Classic Princess stories with a Twist

[Storygamer88]

I think a lot of Disney movies lately have been inverting the classic trope with heroes like Moana and Brave's archer. Then there's anime and video games that change it too.

That said, there arent many novel based princess like characters I can think of - though it is admittedly out of the scope of my interests. Perhaps Ella as others have said is the only I can recall.

[Elizabeth Pass]

I love Patricia C. Wrede's The Enchanted Forest Chronices. Princess Cimorene thinks being a classic princess is boring. She convinces the castle staff to teach her things like fencing and cooking. She ends up volunteering to be a captive to a dragon where she can cook, clean, read, and do magic. I HIGHLY recommend this book series.

[freakkshowx]

I wanted to add that Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge is an amazing retelling of Little Red Riding Hood; I would urge everyone to give it a try. It moves quickly, and I found it to be far less predictable than most stories based on fairy tales. The writing is exquisite, especially for something that's technically young adult fiction.

[KatSims92]

I'll definitely keep all of these in mind because I'm always looking for twists on fairy tales. I wasn't blown away by Gregory Maguire's works, unfortunately. But, I'll check all of these out!

[Mallory Porshnev]

The Princess Bride!

[Lil Reads]

I'm also going to say Ella Enchanted and Just Ella!

I'm going to add Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales by Gregory Maguire. Yes, the same guy who wrote Wicked and its sequels. Leaping Beauty re-imagines the characters as animals; it is a fun and quick little short story collection for younger readers. After reading some of his darker and deeper books, reading a story where the three little pigs become penguins is such a palette cleanser. He still uses the some of the details from older stories, like the step-sisters inflicting pain on themselves trying to fit their feet into Cinderella's slipper to get the prince, but she's an elephant using pie pans, so it verges into silly more than some of his other work.

[Ksharmilla]

Have you read the Once Upon A Time series? It's written collectively, and they're all retelling classic fairy tales. They're absolutely smashing, in my opinion. I highly recommend them.

There's a book series??!! I'm hooked (no pun intended) on the TV series...

[Ksharmilla]

I love Patricia C. Wrede's The Enchanted Forest Chronices. Princess Cimorene thinks being a classic princess is boring. She convinces the castle staff to teach her things like fencing and cooking. She ends up volunteering to be a captive to a dragon where she can cook, clean, read, and do magic. I HIGHLY recommend this book series.

I remember reading this a long time ago. I absolutely loved it!!

[sarahmarlowe]

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories. It's a collection of parodies of classic fairy tales, with anything potentially offensive removed. in one, Cinderella goes to the ball, against the advice of her fairy godmother, who tries to dissuade her from stuffing herself into uncomfortable clothing to conform to an unrealistic male-imposed standard of feminine beauty. Mayhem ensues. In another, Red Riding Hood goes off to bring some healthy snacks to her grandmother (who is an active senior citizen and perfectly able to take care of herself), and of course encounters the wolf. When the woodsman arrives to save the day, both Red and the wolf are offended by the insinuation that women and wolves can't solve their own problems without a man's help and... well, again, mayhem ensues.

I read this a while back, but I had forgotten about it! I'm going to have to pull it back out. Thank you!

[PegR]

I love the selection Series. Damsels in distrest in the begging but then when America takes actions is beautiful. Fragile princess no more!! 100% recommended.

[Mariette15]

I loved the twice upon a time series. They were retellings from both the prince/lover and princess's perspective and added so much more to the story!

[decafmama]

Princess Bride by William Goldman. The heroine is not necessarily brilliant, but the story does upset the traditional applecart.

[jesscat304]

I have to agree I love once upon a time, particularly how they interweave all the original classics in a humouroys, thrilling and exciting manner that brings back to life the old storyline’s that we know and love with a twist. Definitely, a must read!

[Ak1412]

I actually read a lot of reworked fairytales that were picture books for my Children's Literature class recently. they are so interesting!

[fenellamelford]

The Crown of Dalemark by Diana Wynne Jones! A modern girl gets dropped back in time, in the place of her historical doppelganger who was on a quest to be Queen. It throws a lot of tropes on their head & is part fantasy, part who-done-it.