Fated Fairytales: Two Retellings That Had Me Totally Hooked

Two of the Most Addicting Romantasy Retellings Out There.

They had me at vampires. But if there's one thing I'll always pick up, it's a fantasy retelling with high stakes, morally gray love interests, cursed kingdoms, and near-perfect pacing -- enough to keep me reading at 2am when I've got to work in a couple hours. Both Reign of Cinders and Glass AND Kingdom of Roses and Flame delivered.

'Cinders' leans into rebellion, magic, and a heroine with agency, while 'Roses' twists the classic Beauty and the Beast story with dragons, vampires, and enemies-to-lovers tension. Roses expands on the world created in Cinders, though it could be read as a standalone.

Reign of Cinders and Glass - 5 Stars

What's it about?

Unlike other Cinderella stories, this Ella isn't sitting around waiting for her rescue. She's actively spying for the human resistance, navigating political dangers (in the form of vampires), and uncovering her magic.

Why is this worth it?

The story feels modern and empowering without losing its fairy tale atmosphere. And the vampire prince? He's a great enemy-to-love interest, creating strong tension from the beginning. The prince and Ella deliver fresh jabs to each other, making the banter feel natural. This book is really readable. The pacing moves fast, with fun twists woven throughout the book's recognizable Cinderella storyline.

Read this if you like:

• Vampire romance

• Strong female MC

• Witchy magic

• Fast pacing and addictive readability

• Fairy tale atmosphere without feeling stale

• Enemies-to-lovers trope

Kingdom of Roses and Flame - 4 Stars

What's it about?

Think Beauty and the Beast with dragons, vampires, and a cursed kingdom. Yes, please. Belle's journey begins with her search for a cure to the kingdom's curse, where she's pulled into the Dragon King's world. From there, the story melds into an enemies-to lovers romance filled with politics.

Why is this worth it?

The second book in this series feels slightly familiar since Beauty and the Beast retellings are everywhere -- especially in the romantasy genre -- but this still manages to keep its own identity. The romance has a slightly twisted version of Beauty and the Beast's slow-burning tension that works. The world-building adds another layer to the story, keeping it fresh. And while this version is slightly darker than other retellings, the darkness adds to this world, keeping the pacing tight.

Read this if you like:

• Dragon King love interest

• Enemies-to-lovers tension

• Cursed kingdom

• Exiled vampire court

• Beauty and the Beast vibes

• Dark fantasy romance

Thoughts on the series:

Both books are great fairy tale retellings. Both are a fun, fast-paced read with elaborate world-building and deep characters. If you want a rebellious Cinderella with vampires and magic, with some fun moments, read Reign of Cinders and Glass. If you want a darker Beauty and the Beast storyline with a dragon, beasts, vampires, and a cursed kingdom, read Kingdom of Roses and Flame. Honestly? I recommend them both.