I have always been a proud Disney adult. Between Disney-bounding in the parks, rewatching the movies, and collecting Minnie ears my love of Disney is always on display. And with it, is a love of fairy tales and magic that can only come from growing up loving these movies. I'm so glad I still enjoy so many of the movies I grew up with through fresh eyes, and with it, I've discovered different stories that give me the exact same feelings Disney stories do. Whether they be fairy-tale retellings of classic stories or the creation of new magical worlds, these books will provide fellow Disney adults the same exciting feelings we typically have when hearing the words "once upon a time."
1. A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier
The Twelve Dancing Princesses is one of my favorite fairy tales. Growing up I was a ballet dancer, and so the idea of secretly being able to dance the night away appealed to me greatly. However, Melanie Cellier takes this concept and gives it life-or-death stakes. A curse spreads through the land, and a princess competition is the key to solving it. Twelve princesses enter, working together in order to save each other and the lands they call home. Perfect for fans of Frozen or Tangled, you'll watch these girls grow into their own, and maybe also find love along the way.
A Dance of Silver and Shadow is available through Amazon
2. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
This retelling of A Thousand and One Nights has everything someone could want in a story: war, revenge, romance, and magic. Shahrzad marries Khalid with two goals in mind. The first: survive through the next dawn; the second: kill Khalid. However, neither of them expects something might bloom between them. With all the love we expect from a Disney movie, coupled with a high-stakes adventure, you won't be able to put this book down.
The Wrath and the Dawn is available through Penguin Random House
3. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Tomi Adeyemi burst into the fantasy scene with Children of Blood and Bone, and the genre will never be the same. Weaving together West African folklore with a unique magic system, she has changed how people perceive fantasy. It's an impactful look into the way prejudice and bigotry can drive fear within a people, timely themes we still need reminding of today. The world is vibrant and lush, perfect for every Disney fan who wants to explore a magical world that's nothing like they've seen before.
Children of Blood and Bone is available through Macmillan Publishers