A New Twist on Classic Fairytales

One of my favorite authors is Melanie Cellier. She has written several series so far, all of which I have loved, and is still adding more stories to them. I will share about them all eventually, but wanted to start at the beginning with The Four Kingdoms.

The Four Kingdoms series is made up of five novels and three companion novellas. Melanie Cellier takes classic fairy tales, we have all grown up with, and creates a fantastical world of magic and godmothers. She takes all of these individual stories and ties them and their characters together into an intricate web. While she expertly intertwines all of the characters’ stories, each book could possibly be read on its own. She has also mastered the art of clean romance. There is no question of the emotions and drama she is able to convey, all without the graphic and unnecessary details. I personally prefer to go in reading order, and not necessarily release order. I am going to do a quick blurb about each book, in the order I read them.

The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea

In this first book you get an introduction to the four kingdoms set in the kingdom of Arcadia. A woodcutter’s daughter is caught in a storm and winds up at the castle by accident. As a result she finds her self with a new job and in a new world. After trials, danger, and a godmother’s intervention, her life will never be the same again.

The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood 

Princess Ava, and her bodyguard Hans, are forced to flee for their lives. To save her kingdom Rangmere, as well as her life, she must ally herself with her enemies. She faces many trials and her faith is put to the test. Can she do what it takes to protect her people?

The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette

Follow Hans’ sister Hanna after she has been forced to leave Rangmere and start over. She has worked so hard to become a pastry chef. She is so close to completing her apprenticeship, and will do whatever she has to to do it. When everything goes wrong she will have to decide what is most important. Will she fight for her dream as a pastry chef in the Northhelm palace kitchens? Will she fight for the only man she has ever loved?

Happily Ever Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red

Sarah and Evelyn helped Ava to win her throne and save Rangmere, but not everyone is happy about their new queen. Follow them as they fight not only for their new kingdom, but their own places in the new court.

The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin

Princess Marie of Northhelm must set off on a quest with the charming Rafe to save her kingdom from the coming darkness. Will she be able to find the secrets of her identity and find a way out of the bargains that have been made?

A Midwinter’s Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince

Princess Cordelia travels to Northhelm to attend her brother’s wedding. She has high hopes for this visit, but things do not go according to plan. Nothing is as it seems, and only the ugliest man in court will even listen to her. Can she overcome the obstacles ahead to save the four kingdoms, and maybe find romance as well?

The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty

Princess Celeste has been cursed with incomparable beauty and foolishness, or so it seems. Little does anyone know, she has a sharp mind and keen intellect. Working from the shadows, she is able to protect her kingdom and those she loves. When a threat comes that she can’t stop on her own, she has to rely on a handsome and charming prince to help her save them all.

The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling

Evie has always felt rejected. She has trouble trusting the crown prince even though he has shown her nothing but friendship. After finding herself on a tour of the kingdom of Lanover and unknown dangers, her inability to trust could lead them to doom. Can she overcome it in time?

I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have. Keep your eye out for my next post about the next of her series Return to the Four Kingdoms for more classic fairytales retold!