Books like Fairy Tale — picked by fans

I fell in love with this book and series for several reasons. Initially, though the magic system was almost a little confusing, I enjoyed how unusual it was. I love discovering unique magic systems in fantasy that really make me think and capture my curiosity.

The complexity of the characters and how relatable they were also strongly appealed to me. They weren’t perfect, nor were they so completely flawed that I found it hard to connect to them. Nothing makes for a rich story like deep characters who feel like they could still be real outside of the fantasy world.

My favorite thing about this book (and the series), however, is the found family element. The primary protagonist, Kip, is uprooted from his less-than-perfect life in such a dramatic way. The journey we get to go on with him as he finds his place in his world and builds up… show more.

There is a "realness" and melancholic quality to this story that immediately drew me in because every element, even the more fantastical ones, felt immensely believable.

Set in the richly detailed and lived-in world of Osten Ard, this first volume in the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series by Williams took its time to get the main plot moving, but I want to stress just how much I found that to be a good thing. It truly afforded me an opportunity to get to know the setting and characters intimately, so that by the time the plot kicked into high gear, I was well and truly committed to caring about what happens.

Despite its hefty length, this was one of the fastest page-turners I’ve ever laid my eyes on.

Many an idealistic young law student like me felt that jolt in our spine early on when we saw up in the balcony of that courthouse a sleepy Scout being told, “Stand up, Jean Louise. Your father’s passin’.”

The movie is as faithful to the novel as the medium would allow. The novel is told entirely from Scout’s POV and not only focuses upon the racism of the time and place, but also upon her coming of age as a tomboy and being told to act “As a little girl should.”

The book offers more to those of us for whom the rule of law and not of men is a passion, especially in Finch’s closing: “There is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of Rockefeller, a stupid man the equal of Einstein… That institution, gentlemen, is a court.” 

Much like the bibliophilic protagonist of The Shadow of the Wind, I discovered this life-changing novel in a most hidden corner of the world—in my case, tucked out of sight on the bottom shelf of a discount bookstore in the Red Light District of Amsterdam.

While the narrative focuses on one child’s unwavering perseverance to solve the mysterious disappearance of his favorite author and unmask the pyromaniac burning all his books, I became enmeshed in the noir-style, labyrinthine backdrop of 1940s-50s Barcelona in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War.

This masterpiece is equal parts mystery, coming-of-age, midcentury gothic, and European historical fiction, and left me with eyes brimming with tears when I finished the final page.

Wow… what did I just read? The 7½  Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a beautifully convoluted, genre-bending mind melt that follows a man who wakes up each day as a different potential witness to the same murder.

I loved that this book gave me an entirely new reader experience, essentially positioning me in the minds of several different unreliable narrators to try and unravel the underlying mystery of this fast-paced, time-loop gothic thriller that is as much historical fiction as it is science fiction.

I highly recommend this book. It is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves deeply into themes of identity, gaming culture, and social justice. The story follows Kiera Johnson, a high school student who secretly develops a virtual reality game called SLAY, designed to celebrate Black culture.

The writing is exceptionally well-crafted, and the characters are richly developed, making it a gripping read that resonates on multiple levels. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary young adult fiction with a strong, empowering message.

I love this book because Tolkien took the fantasy genre to a new, unprecedented level, resurrecting ancient legends of old, with countless mythical creatures.

His magnificent characters defined their races, occupations, and even their languages, later inspiring the game, Dungeons and Dragons, of which I was once a Dungeon Master. Many of The Fellowship serve messianic roles. Gandalf, for example, conquers death following his battle with a demon, and Stryder, an obscure ranger, turns out to be Aragorn, heir of the fallen kingdom.

Tolkien captures keen insight into the human condition regarding the struggle against sin. He also whispers a mystery; while an evil wizard created the One Ring to rule them all, a hidden, even more powerful force is clearly behind the ring’s eventual destruction.

Some people familiar with the series may think it doesn’t belong on this list. The main character, Jorg, is an extremely broken individual and not likable in so many ways. In fact, there are plenty of moments through the Broken Empire series in which you truly despise him, but he is also irritatingly clever at times.

I found myself compelled forward through the simple desire to see how he would accomplish his goals and get out of the many difficult situations he often found himself in. One of my favorite aspects of Jorg’s story is the complicated relationships he builds with his Brotherhood of often equally despicable misfits that are, despite their differences, something of a family.

I will advise readers that this series is grimdark and includes a lot of unpleasant content. It is a dark, gritty fantasy with an almost villainous protagonist that won’t appeal to everyone.

This is a book that simply cannot be siloed into one genre, and it resulted in many precious hours of lost sleep.

I was captivated by the story’s ability to shift effortlessly between a serial killer thriller and an unrequited love story spanning four decades in the lives of an artistic would-be pirate and his beekeeper-turned-FBI agent best friend.

What I loved most about this book were the extremes the author went to regarding 3-dimensional characterization. While there are several prevalent characters throughout, no two are alike; each has his/her own ambitions and pitfalls, and all eventually become interwoven in an explosive climax and an immensely satisfying, full-circle ending that left me thinking long after I put the book down.

This is a delightful children’s book set in the captivating Victorian era. It follows the adventures of Wilson, a charming Dalmatian dog. Throughout the story, young readers are taken on a journey with Wilson as he diligently performs his duties to keep his family safe. The combination of historical elements with the heartwarming experiences of a faithful pet adds a special touch to the narrative.

Told from Wilson’s perspective, the book not only engages children but also offers an enjoyable read for adults, especially those sharing the story with young ones. The portrayal of Wilson’s roles and responsibilities provides an enriching learning experience about the past, making it a cherished read for all ages.