Every single one of us grew up listening to fairytales. But did you know that fairytales weren't originally intended for children? If you think about it, they often have a very dark side. So it's no surprise that many writers produce rather more grown-up versions of the stories that we're so familiar with. Try these dark, twisted, wonderful fairytales for adults and young adults …
What an absolutely irresistible title! If you enjoy this tale about a mysterious orphanage, you'll be happy to know that the third in the series has just come out.
Neil Gaiman is a master at creating dark fairytale worlds, so don't miss this retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty. There's an illustrated edition to make it even more special.
How does a child cope with the loss of his mother? By escaping into his books and a fantasy world. But is it really fantasy?
Everyone loves a circus - but this is no ordinary circus. It only opens at night, and is full of magic …
Witches often make an appearance in fairy tales, so it's no surprise to see them in Beautiful Creatures. If you like the Sookie Stackhouse novels, you might enjoy this series.
Any list of modern fairytales has to include something by Angela Carter. She's a wonder at updating familiar stories and giving them a darkly compelling twist. If you think there's nothing new to add to stories like Little Red Riding Hood and Bluebeard (itself a pretty dark story), read this … but not if you're easily scared!
Imagine a world where fairies and magic exist. But are the fairies benevolent, and what happens if you make bargains with them?
If you've always thought Peter Pan was too twee and saccharine, this updated reworking might be up your street. It's an extremely dark version, so not for the fainthearted!
If you enjoyed Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (now a BBC series), you'll also like this collection of fairytales by the same author. In her world, magic exists in 19th-century England …
AS Byatt is best known for books like Possession, but has also written some adult fairytales. Pick up this volume and let the genie out of the bottle …
If you're a fan of graphic novels, you'll love this series - and with 150 volumes, it'll keep you going for a while! Fables imagines that fairytale characters have escaped to our world after being expelled from their own.
These are just some of the fantastic fairytales for adults than you can enjoy. The stories that we know from our childhood originated as very dark tales that were later sanitised for a younger audience, and these modern versions are reclaiming these stories for an adult reader. So immerse yourself in the world of fairytales …
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