15 Enchanting Sapphic Retellings That Rewrite Classic Tales

Recently updated on July 14th, 2024 at 02:18 pm

From Cinderella to Sleeping Beauty. You can’t beat a retelling.  I’ve compiled 15 Sapphic retellings you should add to your TBR list ASAP.

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​You can’t beat the charm of a fairytale retelling. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty & The Beast hold so much nostalgia for me. And I love reading a fresh update on a classic tale.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say that in recent years, we’ve seen some incredible Sapphic books. 

​ But the problem is, finding Sapphic retellings is difficult. That’s why, I’ve compiled the absolute best wlw retellings.

From fantasy retellings with fae or contemporary romances, read on for the best Sapphic retellings.

Read on for the best Sapphic retellings

Sapphic retellings

1. Cinderella is dead by Kalynn Bayron (Cinderella)

A Cinderella retelling with a sapphic romance. A twist on the classic story, it features BIPOC characters and a wlw romance.

The premise is that teen girls are now required to appear at an annual ball where men select wives. But Sophia wants to marry her childhood best friend Erin. And isn’t a fan of the whole parade in front of suitors thing.

She decides to flee and decided to take down the king once and for all.

The dystopian twist on the classic Cinderella story makes this book unique. The romance is a bit insta-lovey but still well developed. 

The plot keeps you hooked throughout.  Women overthrowing a dystopian patriarchy. 

Kalynn Bayron writes  enchanting cottagecore imagery. And the beautiful cottagecore and woodland imagery will make you want to live in a forest.

And the best part is, it’s a standalone. Finding standalone fantasy books is difficult. Let alone with lesbian representation. If you’re looking for Sapphic retellings then I recommend Cinderella is Dead.

If you’re a fan of ya fantasy retellings, I have tons of recommendations. Check out my article on ya fantasy retellings here.

2. Ash by Malinda Lo (Cinderella)

This Sapphic Cinderella retellimng features enchanting cottagecore imagery and discussions of grief. Released in 2009, it features a Sapphic heroine but doesn’t focus on romance.

Ash is a lesbian Cinderella retelling. It follows Ash who is dealing with the grief of losing her parents. She falls in love with the king’s huntress.

I loved the descriptions of the world such as the woods and the fae. And I instantly loved the King’s Huntress.

But, I wish that the romance had been a little better developed. The scenes they together were fantastic. But I was left wanting more. 

However, I love that it focuses on Ash recovering from grief. Mental health is a strong theme throughout and the romance feels secondary.

 This cosy read  offers great escapism. And you can easily read this short retelling in one sitting.

 3. Malice by Heather Walter (Sleeping Beauty)

A Sleeping Beauty retelling told from the perspective of the villain. It features a dystopian world and a cute Sapphic grumpy/sunshine romance.

 Once upon a time, a wicked fairy cursed a line of princesses to die. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse.

The book follows Alyce – the dark grace.

She was left abandoned in Briar from a dark kingdom. The dark magic that runs in her veins abhors residents in Briar. Except for Princess Aurora.

Not only does Princess Aurora accept her. But she encourages Alyce to accept herself.

This book is almost a cross between Wicked and The Hunger Games. But with fae.

The world building is dark and magical. And the residents of Briar reminded me of the residents of the Capitol. I LOVED the depiction of the Imps and goblins in Misrule. Plus both books reference fae.   A must-read for anyone after  Sapphic retellings. 

4. She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (Mulan)

This epic historical fantasy is pitched as Mulan meets Song of Achilles. But it’s also much more than that. 

Set in a famine-stricken village in China in the year 1345.  Two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness…

For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass.

The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected.

But then a bandit attack orphans the children. And Zhu Chongba dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother’s identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice.After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu uses takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother’s abandoned greatness.

If you’re after Sapphic historical fiction, check out my article on historical Sapphic books.

5. Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur (Pride and Prejudice)

Searching for wlw books for adults? Written in the Stars is a great pick. 

Why? Because Written in the Stars is an incredible, feel good wlw romance. A New Adult WLW book with the fake dating, enemies to lovers and grumpy/sunshine tropes.

It follows Elle and Darcy. Elle is  a free-spirited social media astrologer. She agrees to a disastrous first date with uptight actuary Darcy. After the terrible blind date, Darcy is determined to stop her brother from setting her up again. So she lies and starts a fake relationship with Elle.

Written  in the Stars is a queer of Pride and Prejudice set in urban Seattle. A compelling and heartwarming read.

   You feel the chemistry though the pages. 

The characters were well developed and well written. The fake-dating trope also allows for lots of character development. 

The imagery of the city is incorporated throughout. And it makes you want to visit the city.

I’m OBSESSED with enemies to lovers book.  I have tons of recommendations for fans of enemies to lovers books. Likewise, many enemies to lovers books feature LGBTQ+ characters. Check out my article on LGBTQ+ Enemies to Lovers Books here.

6. The Grimrose Girls by Laura Pohl (Multiple fairytales)

The Grimrose Girls is a modern take on classic fairytales such as The Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

The heroines of the stories are re-imagined as friends attending an elite boarding school. After their friend dies, the police rule the death as suicide. But they decide to investigate to find out the truth.

Grimrose Girls is a unique concept and fantasy retelling. The mystery was  gripping and well-paced. And the story keeps mentioning tantalizing details that keep you engaged.

The story also uses the darker versions of the fairy tales. And this added to the dark academia, mysterious tone of the book. Some reviews do mention the lack of world-building, but I preferred this because it kept the plot fast-paced.

If you’re after Sapphic retellings, then you should check out this unique take on classic fairytales.

I listened to Grimrose Girls as an audiobooks. As a huge audiobook fan, I have tons of recommendations for Sapphic audiobooks. Read my article on Sapphic audiobooks here

7. Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust (Sleeping Beauty)

This iSapphic retelling is based on the Classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty.  The writing is enchanting and it draws on Persian Mythology for inspiration. 

It follows Soraya.  A cursed princess poisonous to the touch. Soraya is only safe in her garden. Hidden away and apart from her family.

As the day of her twin brother’s wedding approaches, Soraya must decide if she’s willing to step outside of the shadows for the first time. Below in the dungeon is a demon who holds knowledge that she craves.  The answer to her freedom. And above is a young man who isn’t afraid of her, whose eyes linger not with fear, but with an understanding of who she is beneath the poison.Soraya thought she knew her place in the world. But when her choices lead to consequences she never imagined, she begins to question who she is and who she is becoming.

Fan of Cinderella is Dead or This Poison Heart? Then you’ll love this! If you’re after Sapphic retellings or a unique ya fantasy, then you need to read this book. 

8. Ruinsong by Julia Ember (Phantom of the Opera)

A Sapphic retelling of the Phantom of the Opera set in a dystopian world. With lush world-building,  a twisty plot and feisty main characters.

In this world, singers have magic powers when they sing certain songs. And they are able to heal, cause pain and heat people.

Cadence is a strong mage. She was born in poverty in an orphanage and rises to success. But she works for the evil Queen Elene. And Elene forces Cadence to use her power to torture others.

  But when she is reunited with her childhood friend she must make a choice. Does she take a stand or follow the queen.

This book is like a queer, dystopian phantom of the opera.

The world building is enchanting. Full of strong willed women wearing beautiful ball gowns taking down evil. In this dark fantasy  girls take down their enemies while wearing beautiful pink ballgowns. 

The magic system is unique and well developed. Let me clarify, singing  is used as a vehicle for magic. The intriguing magic system and well written characters hook you into this story.

You need to read this, whether you’re searching for Sapphic retellings or not. This retelling is unlike any book I’ve read.

9. The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska (The Ballad of Tam Lin)

This Sapphic retelling features a wlw romance, witches and a curse on a town. It’s a retelling of a classic folk story – The Ballad of Tam Lin. You can read about the Ballad of Tam Lin here.

It follows Lina. She lives on a small island where the dark tide could cause it to sink. Every year the Witch Queen lures a boy back to her palace and sacrifices her on the full moon. And so keeps the island city from sinking.

Lina is convinced the Witch Queen will take her brother.  She asks Thomas Lin to help. Thomas is the only person to survive the sacrifice. But they draw the Queen’s attention. And instead, Thomas is taken.

Lina offers herself instead of Thomas. But the queen is nothing like Eva expected. And they must choose between saving the island or themselves.

The premise of this book hooked me in straight away. A girl goes to save a guy but instead falls for the ‘villain’.  If you’re looking for a book with an enemies to lovers romance with a morally grey love interest – then this is the book for you. 

Lina and Eva’s romance is an angsty slow burn, with an amazing grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The cursed romance setup was well executed and made the book tragically romantic.

 The worldbuilding is also  dark, moody and atmospheric. A sea wild tale.  The beautiful writing made me fall in love with the world. Full of bitter witches, sea, salt, blood and sacrifice.

10. Robber Girl by S.T Gibson (The Snow Queen)

Robber Girl is an incredible Sapphic Snow Queen retelling. The romance is adorable. And the worldbuilding is beautiful, set in Sweden with snowy mountains. Plus this short retelling makes quick reading.

We follow Helvig. Her brigand father raised her to steal whatever treasure catches her eye. Her men ambush a strange girl on the road, with pale hair and a crow on her shoulder. Helbig cannot resist bringing home a witch.

Drawn into the other woman’s web, Helvig learns of Gerda’s reason for walking the icy roads. To find the queen living at the top of the world and kill her.

Anyone else would be smart enough not to believe Gerda. But Helvig is plagued by enchantment of her own. As Christmastide gives way to the thin-veiled days when ghosts are at their most vengeful, the two women will find themselves on a journey to a final confrontation that will either redeem them or destroy them entirely.

The pace was a little slow in the middle. But this is a cute and easy read. The perfect Sapphic retelling to read in winter months or at Christmas. The snowy worldbuilding coupled with the robbers is enchanting.

11. Briar Girls by Rebeccas Kim Wells (Sleeping Beauty)

Searching for retellings with fairytale vibes? You’ll love Briar Girls. The world building in this Sleeping Beauty retelling is enchanting. Particularly if you enjoy forest imagery.

We follow Lena. The touch of her Skin can kill. Before Lena was born, a witch cursed her. Lena has always lived in feart and isolation. But after a devastating mistake, she and her father are forced to flee to a village near the Silence, a mysterious forest with a reputation for luring people into the trees, never to be seen again

Until the night an enigmatic girl stumbles out of the Silence and into Lena’s sheltered world. Miranda comes from the Gather, a city in the forest brimming with magic. She is on a quest to wake a sleeping princess believed to hold the key to liberating the Gather from its tyrannical ruler—and she offers Lena a bargain. If Lena assists her on her journey, Miranda will help her break the curse.

Fans of Sweet and Bitter Magic will enjoy this. The plot is good and the fairytale worldbuilding is lovely. But, the characters are lacking development. Character-driven readers may struggle to read this.

12. Wendy and Tink by Kelly Anne Jacobson (Peter Pan)

Wendy and Tink is a moving retelling of Peter Pan. The novel jumps between the past and the present. This is a dark reimagining of the original book. I recommend checking the trigger warnings beforehand.

We follow Tinker Bell, she is in love with both Peter Pan and Wendy. Peter and Wendy’s granddaughter Hope Darling finds the reclusive Tinker Bell squatting at the Darling mansion to care for the graves of her two lost friends.

As Hope wins the fairy’s trust, Tink tells her the truth about Wendy and Peter—and her own role in their ultimate fate.

I love the reimagining of Tinker Bell as a chaotic bisexual squatter. The characterisation is excellent. And the worldbuilding is excellent. It contrasts the whimsy of wonderland with bleak New York.

This is a unique retelling. And it isn’t for everyone. Some readers find this odd due to the jumps in time. And many readers found that the plot wasn’t developed enough to explain the unique points of the story. But this is a darkly moving retelling many will love.

13. Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder (Sleeping Beauty)

This Sleeping Beauty retelling is a gender swapped reimaging of the classic fairytale. Two sapphic characters attempt to break a curse on a prince. Think Indiana Jones with axe wielding lesbians.

Fi is a bookish treasure hunter with a knack for ruins and riddles. And Fi definitely doesn’t believe in true love.

Shane is a tough-as-dirt girl warrior from the north who likes cracking skulls, pretty girls, and doing things her own way.

Briar Rose is a prince under a sleeping curse, who’s been waiting a hundred years for the kiss that will wake him.

Cursed princes are nothing but ancient history to Fi–until she pricks her finger on a bone spindle while exploring a long-lost ruin. Now she’s stuck with the spirit of Briar Rose until she and Shane can break the century-old curse on his kingdom.

This is an incredible debut novel. The character are awesome. Fi is a badass and instantly likeable. Plus the banter is hilarious.

14. Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood (Odyssey)

Lies We Sing to The Sea is a Sapphic fantasy based on Greek Mythology. This was a New York Times Bestseller. This is a beautiful and lyrically written fantasy.

Each spring, Ithaca condemns twelve maidens to the noose. This is the price vengeful Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago.

But when that fate comes for Leto, death is not what she thought it would be. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island. And she meets Melantho, a girl with the power to command the sea. And Melantho says death can stop a thousand.

The prince of Ithaca must die—or the tides of fate will drown them all.

This is a beautiful fantasy book. But a quick warning, this is loosely inspired by the Odyssey and Greek mythology. The author admitted to not finishing reading the Odyssey.

15. The Princess and the fangirl by Ashley Poston (The Prince and the Pauper)

Imagine The Prince and The Pauper, but Sapphic and set at a convention. Then you have The Princess and The Fangirl. This is a fun, quirky and wonderfully geeky romance.

We follow Imogen Lovelace, an ordinary fangirl. She’s on a mission to save her favourite character, Princess Amara, from being killed off from her favorite franchise, Starfield.

Problem is, Jessica Stone —the actress who plays Princess Amara—wants nothing more than to leave the intense scrutiny of the fandom behind.

When a case of mistaken identity throws look-a-likes Imogen and Jess together, they quickly become enemies. But when the script for the Starfield sequel leaks, and all signs point to Jess, she and Imogen must trade places to find the person responsible.

Are you a fan of fandoms? Then you will love this romance. This is a romance for people who pour their heart and soul into a fandom. Compared to other books in the series, this is a little lacklustre. But still a cute, lighthearted retelling.

Conclusion

From Sleeping Beauty to Mulan, these Sapphic retellings are all incredible. And I hope you add some of these to your tbr list!

I love reading Sapphic books and I have tons of recommendations. Audiobook fans, check out my article on Sapphic audiobooks here. I also have articles on historical Sapphic books, Sapphic contemporary books and wlw enemies to lovers books.

What are your favourite Sapphic retellings? I’d love to hear your recommendations!