Top Beauty and the Beast Retellings for Fantasy Lovers

In “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” by Brigid Kemmerer, we are introduced to Rhen, the cursed prince of Emberfall. He must find love to break his curse, yet each failure turns him into a beast at the end of autumn. However, hope flickers when Harper, a girl from our world, stumbles into his.

Harper is unlike any girl Rhen has met. Despite her cerebral palsy, she possesses a fierce determination and resilience. Their journey together redefines courage, pushing both to their limits. This story weaves a fresh take on “Beauty and the Beast retellings,” where love’s power is tested in the face of darkness.

“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas transports readers to a lush, dangerous world ruled by faeries and ancient magic. Feyre, a young huntress, finds her life forever changed when she kills a wolf in the woods. This act triggers a chain of events that drags her into the magical lands she’s only heard of in tales.

Taken to the faerie realms by Tamlin, a powerful and mysterious High Fae lord, Feyre discovers that her captor’s estate hides more than just enchantments. As her feelings for Tamlin evolve from icy hostility to fiery passion, she learns of a shadow falling over the magical lands. Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin and his world forever.

“Cruel Beauty” by Rosamund Hodge is a captivating novel that spins a unique twist on the classic “Beauty and the Beast retellings.” The story unfolds with Nyx, who has been betrothed since birth to the evil ruler of her kingdom, a mysterious being known as the Gentle Lord. Despite her dread, Nyx harbors a fierce determination to free her people from his tyranny by any means necessary.

Upon entering the Gentle Lord’s enchanted estate, Nyx plans to search for a way to kill him and break the curse he’s placed on her land. However, she is not prepared for the attraction she feels towards him, nor the revelation that the man she must destroy is not the monster she expected. Torn between duty and desire, Nyx must navigate a dangerous labyrinth of secrets and lies.

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“Hunted” by Meagan Spooner gives “Beauty and the Beast” a fresh twist. Yeva, a bold huntress, craves adventures that defy her family’s wishes. Following her father’s mysterious disappearance, she ventures into the wild, only to end up as the beast’s prisoner in his enchanted castle.

Yeva sets her sights on escape and unraveling the beast’s mysteries, finding a realm filled with magic and hidden truths. The beast, cloaked in curses, reveals complexities that intertwine with Yeva’s destiny. They embark on a perilous journey, challenging both to face unforeseen dangers and sorcery.

“Uprooted” by Naomi Novik sweeps readers into a vividly imagined world where magic is both a gift and a curse. Agnieszka loves her village, nestled at the edge of a malevolent forest. However, their peace is overshadowed by the presence of the Dragon, a powerful wizard who demands a terrible price for their protection: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate seemingly worse than death.

When the Dragon chooses Agnieszka, everyone expects her life to change for the worse. Instead, she discovers an unexpected affinity for magic and a talent for the spellcraft that might be the key to saving her home. As she delves deeper into her powers, Agnieszka uncovers a web of secrets and a looming battle that threatens everything she holds dear.

“Beastly” by Alex Flinn updates the classic “Beauty and the Beast” story for today’s New York City. Kyle Kingsbury, rich, handsome, and popular, crosses a witch at school and earns a curse. He becomes a beast, unrecognizable and frightening.

Kyle must win someone’s love as a beast, or stay cursed forever. He lives hidden, with a blind tutor and a young housekeeper as his only contacts. Lindy, a previously unnoticed girl, brings hope and a chance for love into his life.

“Rose Daughter” by Robin McKinley revisits the timeless “Beauty and the Beast” narrative with a fresh perspective. Beauty, the youngest of three sisters, moves with her family to a mysterious, ruined mansion near an enchanted forest. Their new home’s garden hides an extraordinary rose bush, which becomes central to Beauty’s life and her family’s fortune.

When their father plucks a rose for Beauty, he incurs the wrath of the Beast, who demands a daughter in return to spare the father’s life. Beauty volunteers to go on a journey to the Beast’s magical, isolated castle. There, she discovers a world filled with wonder, danger, and a curse that only she can break.

“Entreat Me” by Grace Draven puts a dark and compelling spin on the “Beauty and the Beast” tale. Ballard, a fierce warrior, carries a curse that transforms him into a monster. Louvaen Duenda, a determined woman, seeks to save her sister and ends up in Ballard’s cursed castle.

Their initial meeting sparks tension and defiance. Yet, as they face challenges together, attraction grows. The castle, alive with magic and secrets, tests their resolve. Louvaen’s strength and Ballard’s hidden kindness push them closer, challenging their fears.

“A Curse of Salt” by Sarah Street weaves a gripping tale within the “Beauty and the Beast” motif, introducing readers to an ancient curse and a love that could break it. In this story, Isla, a young woman from a coastal village, faces a dark legend that haunts her family. The curse, tied to the sea, promises ruin to those she loves unless she can find a solution.

Her quest leads her to a mysterious, cursed sailor named Merrick, whose fate is intertwined with the curse. Initially, Isla seeks to use Merrick to break the curse, but her plans change as she gets to know the man behind the beast. Together, they uncover secrets that challenge their understanding of their world and themselves.

“Stalking Shadows” by Cyla Panin is a gripping tale that twists the “Beauty and the Beast” narrative into a dark, haunting story. Marie, the protagonist, will do anything to protect her sister, who transforms into a beast and preys on the villagers. Determined to break the curse, Marie embarks on a dangerous quest into the forest’s depths, seeking a cure.

Her journey leads her to the mysterious Ansel, who holds secrets of his own and promises a solution. However, the closer Marie gets to saving her sister, the more she entangles herself in a web of deceit and betrayal. Trust becomes as elusive as the cure she seeks.

“In the Vanishers’ Palace” by Aliette de Bodard reimagines the “Beauty and the Beast” story within a richly crafted world of Vietnamese mythology. Yên, a scholar’s daughter, finds herself given to Vu Côn, a feared dragon, as payment for her village’s debts. Instead of the death she expects, Yên becomes Vu Côn’s tutor to her children, entering a world of magic, intrigue, and danger.

Their relationship, built on mutual respect and growing affection, challenges the traditional roles of captor and captive. As Yên navigates the complexities of her new life, she uncovers the secrets of Vu Côn’s palace—a place of beauty that conceals the scars of a broken world. Together, they embark on a quest to heal the damage wrought by the Vanishers, powerful beings who have left the world in disarray.

“Bookish and the Beast” by Ashley Poston gives a modern spin to “Beauty and the Beast.” Rosie Thorne, a book-loving high school senior, crosses paths with Vance Reigns, a scandal-plagued Hollywood star. They meet in a mansion full of rare books and secrets.

Rosie is dealing with her mother’s loss and her uncertain future. Vance wants to escape his fame and its pressures. After Rosie damages a valuable book, she must organize Vance’s library as repayment. Their initial dislike slowly turns into understanding and attraction.