I’m not going to lie, putting together this blog post made me a little nervous. Because let’s be real for a second and admit that some of the original Sleeping Beauty stories are really, really dark and definitely not safe for you to read to your kids (or to read at work).
Most modern writers tend to skip over those aspects of the original story (thank goodness!) and I did work extra hard to scrub the list of books below. Luckily, Sleeping Beauty has been blessed with a Disney movie retelling so it has inspired plenty of stories that focus on the lighter aspects of the original fairy tales!
Let's start things out with some special call outs for my favorite retellings of this fairy tale:
Spindle’s End – by Robin McKinley – I’m assuming you’ve read one of Robin McKinley’s retellings of Beauty and the Beast, but did you know she has written a Sleeping Beauty retelling as well? It has McKinley’s trademark beautiful world building and descriptions combined with some fun twits. I think the best part is the fact that the main heroine is not some passive princess waiting for everything to get solved – she’s a woman of action!
The Healer’s Apprentice – by Melanie Dickerson – Melanie Dickerson has written a whole series of fairy tale retellings mixed with historical fiction, and this book is the first one in her series. I personally like books I read to have a touch of magic in them (which these do not) but I have to admire how seamlessly Dickerson can blend the historical aspects with the original fairy tales to come up with a story that is both entertaining and realistic!
The Castle Behind Thorns – by Merrie Haskell – Ok, I did not like this book as much as Haskell’s other book, The Princess Curse. But this is still a great book with an interesting spin on the Sleeping Beauty tale (both how she ends up in the situation and what she and the main male character do to fix things).
Sleeping Beauty – by K.M. Shea – For my retelling of Sleeping Beauty I knew I wanted Briar Rose to be a bit more fiery (she had to be to go through what I had planned for her)! Sometimes she gets a little carried away with herself but that is why Isaia is there to steady her and hold her back when necessary.
A big shout-out to everyone who commented on my Facebook post with extra book ideas! These are all reader recommendations so think of them as a friend rec! (I asked for no spice and low language but if that is a concern for you be sure to check the reviews.)
Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
Sleeping Beauty’s Daughters by Diane Zahler
Rose & Thorn by Sarah Prineas
The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker
Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay
Curse of the Thirteenth Fey by Jane Yolen
Awaken by Camille Peters
Once Upon a Dream by Liz Braswell
The Princess Game by Melanie Cellier
Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep by Gail Carson Levine
Alora by Morgan Dawson
Sleeping Beauty by Jenni James
Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey
Kingdom of Slumber Deborah Grace White
Cursed by Kaylin Lee
Mistress of All Evil by Serena Valentino
The Awakened Prince by Alora Carter
Ice and the Elves by Anabelle Raven
Thorns at Sunrise by Janeen Ippolito
A Gracious Hope by Robyn Sarty
Sleeping Dragon by Amberlyn Holland
A Lady Most Engaged by Audrey Glenn
A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
Dagger's Sleep by Tricia Mingerink
The Silent Night by Sarah Beran
Spindled Slumber by Kayla Eshbaugh
Bria & the Billionaire's Kiss by Catelyn Meadows
Upon a Dream by Laura Burton and Jessie Cal
Did you find a book you want to read? The list includes everything from middle grade, YA, Fantasy, historical, and contemporary. So it has a bit of everything and I hope you found your next great book!
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