Book picks similar to
The Halcyon Fairy Book by T. Kingfisher
fantasy
short-stories
fairy-tales
fiction
The Moonfire Bride
Sylvia Mercedes - 2021
Until the night he whispers her name.For years, Valera has worked weary hours as a seamstress just to keep food on the table. She would give her all to protect her little sister from the cruelties of the world . . . and the tantalizing lure of the fae forest. One day, she fears, the fae will spirit her sister away, and how can Valera hope to stop them?Then the fae come. Not for her sister . . . but for her.Trapped in a magnificent palace far from her own world, Valera finds herself the unwilling bride of an enigmatic fae lord. He claims he won’t harm her and vows to return her home after a year and a day if she honors one rule: she must never see his face.Determined to return to her sister at all costs, Valera struggles to unravel the mystery of her so-called husband. Why does he so desperately need a wife? And why her specifically? Torn between love, duty, and the unexpected freedom she finds in this strange new world, Valera must fight to find her place.But will a burgeoning passion for the unseen figure in the shadows be her undoing?The Moonfire Bride is book one of a two-part fae romance inspired by the myth of “Hades and Persephone” as well as “Eros and Psyche.” Read today if you’re craving a dark, swoon-worthy hero and a sweet, slow-burn romance with just a touch of steam!
Ash & Bramble
Sarah Prineas - 2015
But she discovers that what seems to be freedom is a prison of another kind, one that entangles her in a story that leads to a prince, a kiss, and a clock striking midnight. To unravel herself from this new life, Pin must choose between a prince and another—the one who helped her before and who would give his life for her. Torn, the only thing for her to do is trade in the glass slipper for a sword and find her own destiny.
Girls Made of Snow and Glass
Melissa Bashardoust - 2017
She never guessed that her father cut out her heart and replaced it with one of glass. When she moves to Whitespring Castle and sees its king for the first time, Mina forms a plan: win the king’s heart with her beauty, become queen, and finally know love. The only catch is that she’ll have to become a stepmother.Fifteen-year-old Lynet looks just like her late mother, and one day she discovers why: a magician created her out of snow in the dead queen’s image, at her father’s order. But despite being the dead queen made flesh, Lynet would rather be like her fierce and regal stepmother, Mina. She gets her wish when her father makes Lynet queen of the southern territories, displacing Mina. Now Mina is starting to look at Lynet with something like hatred, and Lynet must decide what to do—and who to be—to win back the only mother she’s ever known…or else defeat her once and for all.Entwining the stories of both Lynet and Mina in the past and present, Girls Made of Snow and Glass traces the relationship of two young women doomed to be rivals from the start. Only one can win all, while the other must lose everything—unless both can find a way to reshape themselves and their story.
Foxfire, Wolfskin and other stories of shapeshifting women
Sharon Blackie - 2019
These stories are about coming to terms with our animal natures, exploring the ways in which we might renegotiate our fractured relationship with the natural world, and uncovering the wildness - and wilderness - within. Beautifully illustrated by Helen Nicholson, Foxfire, Wolfskin and Other Stories of Shapeshifting Women is her first collection of short stories. All are either reimaginings of older tales, or contain characters, beings and motifs which appear in older tales.
A Whole New World
Liz Braswell - 2015
Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war. What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again.
Mirrors and Pearls: A Retelling of Snow White
Lea Doué - 2018
But dreams never come true that easily. Among those by her side are a huntsman who is more than he seems, an enthusiastic talking squirrel, and a handful of dragons who are not as helpful as Snow would like. If she is to reclaim her throne, she must come up with a bold plan to stop the Queen before it's too late. Mirrors and Pearls is a stand-alone novella inspired by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a magical, adventurous retelling of the classic fairy tale.
Beauty and the Beast
Jenni James - 2012
Fans of Disney, fairy tales, and fantasy will love the Faerie Tale Collection by Jenni James. A prince by day and a wolf by night—Prince Alexander has been turned into a werewolf and has one year to find someone to love the beast and break the spell, or he will be a wolf forever. He has nearly given up achieving the impossible, knowing no girl would ever fall in love with such a monster.Just when he is about to abdicate the throne to his cousin, he meets Cecelia Hammerstein-Smythe, while a wolf, and begins to hope for the first time in months. Can he balance both worlds as a human and beast, gaining the love and trust of a girl who has every reason to despise him?Cecelia detests the prince. She only knows Alexander as the arrogant monarch—the tyrant who has made her life miserable—though perhaps he's changed right before her eyes. He's not as full of himself as he once was. The prince is gentle now... but then again, so is the beast.
Fantasy Magazine, October 2014: Women Destroy Fantasy! Special Issue
Cat RamboSofia Samatar - 2014
In its pages, you will find science fiction: from near-future, sociological soft SF, to far-future, star-spanning hard SF—and fantasy: from epic fantasy, sword-and-sorcery, and contemporary urban tales, to magical realism, science-fantasy, and folktales. Funded as a stretch goal of LIGHTSPEED’s Women Destroy Science Fiction! Kickstarter campaign, this month we’re presenting a special one-off issue of our otherwise discontinued sister-magazine, FANTASY, called Women Destroy Fantasy!: an all-fantasy extravaganza entirely written—and edited!—by women. Here’s what we’ve got lined up for you in this special issue: Original fantasy—edited by long-time FANTASY editor Cat Rambo—by Kate Hall, H.E. Roulo, T. Kingfisher, and Julia August. Reprints—selected by legendary editor Terri Windling—by Delia Sherman, Emma Bull, Carol Emshwiller, and Nalo Hopkinson. Nonfiction articles—edited by LIGHTSPEED managing editor Wendy N. Wagner—by Kameron Hurley, Galen Dara, Sandra Wickham, Shanna Germain, Sofia Samatar, Kat Howard, and Wendy N. Wagner. Plus an original cover illustration by Elizabeth Leggett.
Stolen Songbird
Danielle L. Jensen - 2014
A prince cursed to darkness. A bond that will unleash magic caged for centuries.Centuries ago, the Isle of Light was ruled by cruel creatures with dangerous magic until a witch bound them to their underground city. But a prophesy has spoken of a union with a human girl that has the power to set them free.Cécile is a singer destined for the stage when she is kidnapped and bonded to the cursed prince of Trollus, with their minds linked in a way she never dreamed possible. Trollus is both magical and deadly, but as Cécile hunts for a way to escape, she discovers there is more to her mysterious husband than anyone realizes. As tension brews and political games escalate, Cécile finds herself at the center of a rebellion... and she is the one with the magic needed to overthrow the tyrant who rules.Torn between returning to her human life and becoming the princess Trollus needs, Cécile must decide which world she belongs to... and how far she's willing to go to save the prince who holds her heart. Stolen Songbird is the first novel in a complete YA fantasy romance series that is perfect for readers looking to be lost in a magical world full of swoon-worthy and slow-burn romance!
Enchanted Kingdoms
J.A. ArmitageStacey O'Neale - 2021
Each novel-length story features a different take on your favorite fairytale.Your every fantasy will come to life in ways you could never have imagined, packed full of heart-wrenching romance, gripping adventure, and magic that will weave you in its spell.Scroll up and one-click now to grab this limited edition set before the clock strikes midnight!All proceeds benefit Puzzle Peace United, a children's autism charity.From the AuthorFairytales include:Alice in Wonderland by J. A. Armitage and J.A. CulicanCinderella by Kimbra SwainSnow White and Rose Red by Eileen Mueller and A.J. PonderBeauty and the Beast by Beth HaleAladdin by Zara QuentinRumpelstiltskin by Craig HalloranSleeping Beauty by Stacey O'NealeWizard of Oz by Amanda MarinSnow White and the Seven Dwarves by Lacy SheridanRed Riding Hood by May DawsonRapunzel by Anne StrykerSinbad the Sailor by Cassidy TaylorRobin Hood by Jacque StevensLittle Match Girl by Lee Ann WardThe Snow Queen by Laura Burton and Jessie CalLittle Mermaid by Nda GrantThe Pied Piper by Alice IvinyaMulan by Charlotte Daniels and Charlie DanielsThe Nightingale by IreAnne Chambers and Rachel McManamayThe Girl without Hands by Daphne MooreNix of the Mill Pond by Astrid V.JThumblina by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison
Not Quite the Fairy Tale, Volume 1
May Sage - 2016
Instead of Prince Charming, meet a bunch of sexy alpha males. Cinderella doesn't want anything to do with her King, and her biggest aspiration is suing the shit out of her step mother when she can afford to do so. Erik isn't all that fond of the mermaid with red hair, but he definitely fancy the sea witch.While the Beast is something of a recluse, he sees plenty of action in his casino-slash-sexclub...And Kai's more interested in the mysterious girl who seem to control his frozen wasteland than in Gerda. This bundle includes a lot of your favourite characters, only everyone is all grown up, and definitely sassier. What's more? All of them are standalone novels - not short stories, no cliffhanger. --------------Cinderella The King needs an heir and that means finding some sort of woman to do the job;“That’s all it’s about, ultimately: basic, carnal compatibility in order to satisfy this need. For that reason, the pictures I request of those who wish to apply are explicit. The full prerequisites are attached to the correspondence. If you aren’t comfortable with these demands, don’t bother applying.”Ella applies, seeing straight through the bullshit; she goes as far as derisively add a set of pictures fitting the requirements the letter demands:A picture of her "pussy" - a fat, indolent Persian - and of her in her nightwear - yoga pants and a hoodie.In lieu of an introduction, her message reads:« Dear Daniel Franko Phillipe Del Luz,I’ve applied to guarantee that I’m not summoned to your little orgy.Fuck you. We aren’t all stupid.Ella. »It was supposed to go through an automated system;she didn't expect anyone to read it...Let alone the King--------------A little SirenSilvia Undine, otherwise known as the Sea Witch, has enough of hiding. All she did three years ago was saving a child and his father, but she stands accused of causing the storm, and as a consequence, has been banished from her seas. Enough of that. Defying the ruler of the seas, she goes back where she belongs.Everything would be peaceful, if it wasn't for the three Kings who fight over, against, and for her. The King of Alenia has taken a wife and Erik of Denker knows it's his turn; after three years spent searching for the one woman whose ever mattered - the one who saved him and his son from drowning - he has to give up and choose an alternative. He does so, tying himself to the first suitable option, just when Silvia step in his kingdom.--------------Beauty and the Beast“Let me tell you one thing, Beast: if your Prince ever returns, watch his back. There are thousands who would gladly throw daggers at it.”And Belle would be first in line. Ten years ago, he was Prince Aiden, heir of Jereena, at the top of the world – now, they call him Beast.Aiden has landed on his feet, his exclusive club is the place to be, he makes hundreds of thousands a night. What else could he possibly want?Belle grew up during the Anarchy, and the corrupted system screwed her, big time, but she managed to get by. Then, her stupid brother goes and steals from the Beast, who demands her as payment. Well, her, a pile of cash, or her sister – option two and three aren’t acceptable. --------------The Snow QueenKai, heir of the dilapidated clan who's established residence in the most dangerous mountain on Gaia to avoid persecution, has enough problem on his plate. For starters? Finding enough food. Lack of running water. Keeping the kids alive - and out of the slave trade. The torrential snow. But when he sees that innocent, defenseless girl who persists in staying in the cold wastelands all by herself, he can't close his eyes, she becomes his to care for. She's the last full fledged goddess residing in Gaia and that mortal wishes to save her. Men are stupid.
The Woodcutter
Kate Danley - 2010
Not a mark on her body. No trace of her murderer. Only her chipped glass slippers hint at her identity.The Woodcutter, keeper of the peace between the Twelve Kingdoms of Man and the Realm of the Faerie, must find the maiden’s killer before others share her fate. Guided by the wind and aided by three charmed axes won from the River God, the Woodcutter begins his hunt, searching for clues in the whispering dominions of the enchanted unknown.But quickly he finds that one murdered maiden is not the only nefarious mystery afoot: one of Odin’s hellhounds has escaped, a sinister mansion appears where it shouldn’t, a pixie dust drug trade runs rampant, and more young girls go missing. Looming in the shadows is the malevolent, power-hungry queen, and she will stop at nothing to destroy the Twelve Kingdoms and annihilate the Royal Fae…unless the Woodcutter can outmaneuver her and save the gentle souls of the Wood.Blending magic, heart-pounding suspense, and a dash of folklore, The Woodcutter is an extraordinary retelling of the realm of fairy tales.
Robots vs. Fairies
Dominik ParisienJohn Scalzi - 2018
Robots vs. Fairies is an anthology that pitches genre against genre, science fiction against fantasy, through an epic battle of two icons. On one side, robots continue to be the classic sci-fi phenomenon in literature and media, from Asimov to WALL-E, from Philip K. Dick to Terminator. On the other, fairies are the beloved icons and unquestionable rulers of fantastic fiction, from Tinkerbell to Tam Lin, from True Blood to Once Upon a Time. Both have proven to be infinitely fun, flexible, and challenging. But when you pit them against each other, which side will triumph as the greatest genre symbol of all time?There can only be one…or can there?
Gutshot
Amelia Gray - 2015
A medical procedure reveals an object of worship. A carnivorous reptile divides and cauterizes a town. Amelia Gray’s curio cabinet expands in Gutshot, where isolation and coupling are pushed to their dark and outrageous edges. These singular stories live and breathe on their own, pulsating with energy and humanness and a glorious sense of humor. Hers are stories that you will read and reread—raw gems that burrow into your brain, reminders of just how strange and beautiful our world is. These collected stories come to us like a vivisected body, the whole that is all the more elegant and breathtaking for exploring its most grotesque and intimate lightless viscera.
Princess of Thorns
Stacey Jay - 2014
Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago.Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love?