Retellings aren’t just classic novels being re-written or even just updated to reflect modern times. When done well, movies like Clueless (a retelling of Emma) and 10 Things I Hate About You (a retelling of The Taming of the Shrew) become classics in their own right.
These 10 authors are hoping that their young adult novels bring something new to the conversation, and since they all have the jumping off point of well-worn, classic novels, you can feel smart when you read them, too.
10. The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake
https://www.instagram.com/p/B40RBSOArHt/
A Retelling Of: Twelfth Night
Release Date: October 1, 2019
This queer take on a Shakespearian classic stars Violet Larkin, who is starting over without her brother, who is in treatment following a suicide attempt.
She finds herself in Lyric, Maine, a town founded by her great-great-grandmother after she was the sole survivor of a shipwreck.
Fellow treasure hunter and beautiful aspiring historian Sam joins her on a quest to find the wreck of the ship.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
9. Hood by Jenny Elder Moke
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_fI_jVATVa/
A Retelling Of: Robin Hood
Release Date: June 9, 2020
This retelling is told from the perspective of Isabelle of Kirklees, the daughter of the infamous outlaw, when she finds herself on the wrong side of the crown.
Led by her mother, Marien, she sets off to find her father and also a place within his men as they fight, side-by-side, to protect everything they love.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
8. Scavenge the Stars by Tara Sim
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzqg3rDgyAb/
A Retelling Of: The Count of Monte Cristo
Release Date: January 7, 2020
This is a fantasy, but it contains all of the transformation, betrayal and revenge of the original.
This time, the main character is a countess named Amaya, whose revenge is complicated when she falls for the son of the man who enslaved her.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
7. Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAf_N-cgOlE/
A Retelling Of: Orpheus
Release Date: September 1, 2020
The charming Pheus and recent transplant Eury meet after losing everything in Hurricane Maria, but their relationship will only work if they can fight the demons determined to tear them apart.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
6. Off Script by Kate Watson
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7xJXvvpzVR/
A Retelling Of: Emma
Release Date: January 21, 2020
You might think you’re tired of Austen and Emma retellings (which, Clueless aside, are never as good as you want them to be), but this book might change your mind.
In it, starlet Emma Crawford returns to Manhattan after a semester of college determined to make all the right moves, but is derailed by a failed attempt to transform her assistant and (of course) a gorgeous man comes back into her life.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
5. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Hr4WagBXj/
A Retelling Of: King Arthur
Release Date: September 15, 2020
Every version of King Arthur is pretty much epic, and this one is full of promise.
Bree is thrown into the world of magic when she’s attacked by a demon, then learns about a secret society that exists to hunt them down.
Secrets float to the surface, Bree discovers latent talents of her own, and a magical war is brewing…delicious.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
4. Night Spinner by Addie Thorley
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8baq6PA5aA/
A Retelling Of: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Release Date: February 11, 2020
The hunchback is one Enebish, a warrior who lives in a monastery to atone for her murderous loss of self control.
She’s given a second chance to return to the army, but only if she can track down the rebel Temujin.
She does, but then ends up facing another dilemma altogether.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
3. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_3ZsSNgGZD/
A Retelling Of: Romeo and Juliet
Release Date: November 17, 2020
I don’t know about you, but I am always down for a R&J retelling.
This one is set in the world of 1920s gangsters, so I mean, count me the heck in.
It follows Juliette Cai, a former flapper and heir to the Scarlet Gang and her Romeo, Roma Montagev, mastermind of the rival gang.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
Get it from Amazon for $13.99, Barnes & Noble for $13.99, or at a local bookstore through Indiebound here.
2. Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8uv5-hAAho/
A Retelling Of: Macbeth
Release Date: February 18, 2020
This ultimate revenge fantasy follows a group of friends looking to make a rapist pay.
Witchery and revenge and delights ensue – sometimes more than they bargained for.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
1. Ruinsong by Julia Ember
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5qqZatAYqq/
A Retelling Of: The Phantom of the Opera
Release Date: November 20, 2020
Candace is a queen’s mage with a poisoned voice, but when a childhood friends arrives to convince her to turn to the rebellion, she’ll have to make a choice.
Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Indiebound.
I’m going to have to give some of these a try – I actually love a good re-telling!
Did you put any of these on your to-be-read list? Tell us which ones sound great to you in the comments!
