Ximena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. 📚 This enchanting tale is inspired by Bolivian politics and culture, putting a magical lens over the world as we know it. But there’s more to what happened in 1518 than even Emil knows, and discovering the truth may decide whether Rosella survives the red shoes. They draw her toward a boy who knows the dancing fever’s history better than anyone: Emil, whose family was blamed for the fever five hundred years ago. A strange sickness sweeps through Strasbourg: women dance in the streets, some until they fall down dead.Īs rumors of witchcraft spread, suspicion turns toward Lavinia and her family, and Lavinia may have to do the unimaginable to save herself and everyone she loves.įive centuries later, a pair of red shoes seal to Rosella Oliva’s feet, making her dance uncontrollably. 📚 Fall in love with this gorgeous standalone inspired by the tale of the Red Shoes-with prose and a modern spin that will make you fall in love. Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore And bonus, this year’s in particular are retelling stories that we haven’t seen much of yet!ġ.

They focus on modern ideas of love, politics, societal expectations, and so much more. Yes, they’re rooted in stories and fairy tales from forever ago, but they’re tailored and crafted in such a way that they’re even more relatable to the world we’re living in today. If you know Team Epic Reads, you know that retellings are some of our greatest literary loves. You might think we’ve moved past the golden age of YA retellings, but let us tell you, there are plenty to get excited for this year. A mashup of Moulin Rouge and Phantom of the Opera that will absolutely enchant ✨ you. A Bolivian fairy tale inspired by current events. A descendant of Cinderella fighting against the ball.

Amy rose capetta and cori mccarthy