A parent might reach for this book when their teen expresses that classic fairy tales are too simple or childish. This anthology of short stories is for young adults who crave more complex, morally gray narratives. Acclaimed authors like Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, and Melissa Marr take timeless tales and poems and twist them into dark, thought-provoking new forms, exploring themes of justice, identity, and the fine line between good and evil. It's a perfect choice for mature readers (14 and up) ready to deconstruct the stories they grew up with and engage with sophisticated, sometimes unsettling, literary fiction.
Death is a central theme and event in several of the stories.
Moral AmbiguityIntense
Challenges clear distinctions between right and wrong, hero and villain.
Sensitive Topics
Deals directly with death, violence, grief, and moral compromise. Resolutions are often ambiguous or bleak, reflecting the complexity of the themes rather than offering simple, hopeful endings. The approach is secular and focuses on the psychological and philosophical underpinnings of the original tales.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful, well-read teen (14-17) who enjoys authors like Neil Gaiman and is ready to critically engage with literature. They find simplistic "good vs. evil" stories boring and are looking for fiction that reflects a more complicated, morally gray world.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the mature content, including body horror ("The Cold Corner"), violence, and unsettling imagery ("The Sleeper"). It is not a light or comforting read. Previewing a few stories may be helpful, but the book can be read cold by a teen accustomed to the YA fantasy or horror genre. A parent hears their teen say, "All the old stories are the same and for babies," or asks, "What if the villain was actually right?" This signals a readiness for more nuanced storytelling.
Age Experience
A 13 or 14-year-old will likely enjoy the spooky atmosphere and the clever plot twists on familiar stories. An older teen (16-18) will better appreciate the thematic depth, the deconstruction of literary tropes, and the social commentary embedded in many of the retellings.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many single-author retelling collections, this anthology offers a wide variety of voices, styles, and genres. Its inclusion of retellings based on poems (Poe, Kipling) and less-common folktales (The Golem of Prague) alongside classic fairy tales makes it a uniquely broad and literary collection.
Read plot summary
An anthology where popular YA authors retell classic fairy tales, folktales, and poems with dark, modern twists. Stories include a post-apocalyptic "The Little Match Girl," a sci-fi take on "The Pied Piper," a golem's perspective on a historical tragedy, and a sinister version of "Sleeping Beauty." The collection spans genres from horror and sci-fi to contemporary fantasy.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In Carrie Ryan's "That the Machine of a Man's Body," the creator is monstrous while the creation is sympathetic. How does this story flip the classic Frankenstein narrative? Who did you feel was the true monster?
2
Kami Garcia's "The Sleeper" re-imagines the prince's kiss not as a rescue but as a violation. Why do you think it's important for modern writers to re-examine the idea of consent in these old stories?
3
Many stories, like "The Cold Corner" (a take on "The Little Match Girl"), place a classic tale in a bleak, futuristic setting. How does changing the setting from a magical past to a dystopian future alter the story's message?
4
After reading several stories, which character's choices surprised you the most? Did you agree with their decisions, even if they were morally questionable?
