Fairy tales, often the first stories children encounter, can foster a lifelong love of reading. However, the genre remains captivating for adults, offering worlds of magic, wonder, and moral clarity, even as modern fantasy often leans toward epic scope and intricate politics. For readers seeking to infuse their literary journeys with enchantment, several contemporary novels reimagine classic fairy tale themes.
The Night Circus (2011) by Erin Morgenstern
Erin Morgenstern's debut novel transports readers to a mysterious circus that serves as the venue for a magical duel. Celia Bowen and Marco Alisdair, trained from childhood by rival mages, compete by crafting increasingly spectacular exhibits within the Circus of Dreams. Their prolonged, anonymous rivalry blossoms into love, jeopardizing the circus and its inhabitants, whose magic sustains their eternal youth and binds them to the show. The narrative follows their struggle to end the dangerous game, presenting a poignant story filled with wondrous descriptions.
The Golem and the Jinni (2013) by Helene Wecker
Helene Wecker's debut novel masterfully blends Jewish and Arabic mythologies within the setting of 19th-century New York. Chava, a golem whose creator perished en route to America, and Ahmad, a jinni freed from an ancient flask, navigate their new surroundings and find solace among fellow immigrants. Their bond deepens as they explore the city, contrasting their distinct perspectives on humanity. While the novel culminates in a tense climax, it thoughtfully details Chava and Ahmad's search for meaning through simple acts like baking and seeking warmth. This book initiates a trilogy charting the pair's decades-long journey, concluding with the recent release of The Gates of Midnight.
Spinning Silver (2018) by Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik's Locus Award-winning novel draws inspiration from the Brothers Grimm's tale of Rumpelstiltskin, set in the fictional kingdom of Lithvas. When Miryem Mandelstam assumes her father's moneylending business, her efficiency in debt collection leads her to boast she can transform silver into gold. This claim attracts the attention of a fae king, drawing her into a conflict with his realm and the demon Chernobog. Miryem must employ her intellect to escape her predicament, leading to a narrative praised for its rich characters and evocative settings. Novik's earlier novel, Uprooted, also draws from Polish folklore.
The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020) by TJ Klune
TJ Klune's acclaimed queer romance, The House in the Cerulean Sea, explores the theme of belonging at any age. Linus Baker, a solitary caseworker for magical youth in government orphanages, is sent on an unusual assignment to a remote island facility. There, he sheds his professional detachment to embrace a unique family comprising sprites, a wyvern, and the Antichrist. The novel offers a classic narrative of finding love and the courage to defend one's beliefs, while also addressing serious themes of intolerance and child abuse. The story continues in Klune's 2024 novel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
Tress of the Emerald Sea (2023) by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson's Tress of the Emerald Sea, the first of his crowdfunded Secret Project books, is a romantic adventure reminiscent of The Princess Bride. Tress inhabits a solitary island encircled by deadly spores. Her limited view of the world expands when her friend Charlie, the duke's son, is kidnapped by a sorceress. Tress embarks on a perilous sea voyage to rescue him. Though set within Sanderson's Cosmere universe and narrated by Hoid, the book serves as an accessible entry point for new readers, offering a whimsical story that stands independently.
This feature is part of Polygon's special issue, Happily Never After: A Week of Adult Fairy Tales.