Once upon a time, there lived a man who loved his two daughters dearly and regaled them with bedtime stories about “princesses” and “brides." Soon those tales morphed into fun adventures involving swash-buckling pirates, earnest romance, and gripping escape plots, and years later, into an enduring children’s book, The Princess Bride.
At its heart, The Princess Bride is a charming fairytale that skillfully makes use of an episodic structure to advance the adventures of Buttercup and Westley. But it also makes use of interesting meta fiction elements—the story claims to be an “abridged version” of a longer tale, being read by a father to his son, and even references Goldman’s Hollywood career as an acclaimed screenplay writer. The mix of the autobiographical with the fantastical while also parodying classic adventure tropes made for a rather compelling narrative. Goldman also wrote the screenplay for its Hollywood adaptation in 1987, which has since become a cult classic.
A beloved children’s classic, The Princess Bride has bewitched several generations of readers over the years. So, if you’re in the mood for more endearing fairytales filled with humor and high fantasy elements, we’ve got some recommendations lined up!
Tress of the Emerald Sea
Sanderson’s novel is set in his wider Cosmere universe but can also be read as a standalone and is heavily inspired by The Princess Bride. It features quite an elaborate plot with pirates, talking animals, a quaint love story that flips traditional gender roles and a unique magic system involving fungal spores. It follows young Tress (called so, after her unruly hair) who sets sail to rescue her beloved from the Sorceress and befriends a ragtag group of pirates, leads a mutiny and becomes the captain of the ship, in the process. Entertaining and hilarious, Tress of the Emerald Sea promises to be an enchanting read.
Bride of a Wicked Scotsman
If you’re in the mood for a Regency-era romance with Celtic magic, Samantha James’ Bride of a Wicked Scotsman is sure to make you swoon. It narrates the adventures of Lady Maura O'Donnell who is determined to retrieve an ancient family heirloom, The Circle of Light even if it means marrying an enemy pirate—until they catch feelings for one another. Fast-paced and filled with spicy scenes, Bride of a Wicked Scotsman is a rather enjoyable read.
The Seer and the Sword
Published in 2000, The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley is an underrated classic of YA fantasy literature that dives deep into the wonders of childhood friendship and imaginative worldbuilding. It follows Princess Torina who’s gifted a magical crystal and a young boy (Landen) to be her slave. Torina immediately frees him and the two secretly become friends, even as political intrigue pulls them apart in different directions. With a charming plot and endearing characters, The Seer and the Sword makes for a rather fun and nostalgic read.
The Fairy Godmother
A gorgeous historical romance novella sprinkled with a generous helping of fairy dust, The Fairy Godmother by Lynsay Sands follows the maiden Odel who has sworn off love but must nevertheless choose a suitor. If you’re looking for a short and funny read, set during the medieval era and packed with romantic shenanigans, grab a copy of The Fairy Godmother.
A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking
However, if you’re in the mood for a rather cozy book filled with charm, humor and high adventure, The Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher will definitely warm your heart. It tells the story of 14-year-old Mona whose magical skills are limited to the bakery, until she discovers a corpse on the floor and an assassin on her tail. A charming coming-of-age narrative, marked with wit and whimsy, The Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking is a rather wonderful read—savor it on a cozy evening with some of your favorite pastries!
Poison
I first came across Chris Wooding’s Poison at my school’s Scholastic bookfair, though I only managed to read the book many years later. And I’m actually glad for it, because like The Princess Bride, Poison is packed with a lot of metafiction elements and references to myths and fairytales that are very entertaining to catch as an adult. It follows the adventures of a 16-year-old teenage girl who sets out on a quest to rescue Azalea, kidnapped by the “phaeries." Gorgeously imaginative and embedded with folkloric and horror motifs, Poison is a dark and dazzling tale.
In Shining Armor
If you’re still searching for the Westley to your Buttercup, John Charming from Elliott James’ In Shining Armor might just stake a claim on your heart. With werewolves, dragon slayers and the Knights Templar all involved in varying degrees, In Shining Armor is a thrilling action-packed ride, with a charming romance also thrown into the mix.
The Last Unicorn
Another enduring children’s classic, The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle weaves a charming story that’s worth revisiting time and time again. It follows the many adventures of a unicorn who believes she’s the last of her kind, as she searches for what had happened to the others of her species. On the journey, she encounters various magical creatures and travels to mysterious locales while following an intriguing set of clues. Sweet and poignant, The Last Unicorn promises to be a rather satisfying fantasy read for all ages.
The River Has Roots
Finally, if you love lyrical prose, quaint riddles and charming fairytales, The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar is certainly the novella for you. It tells the tale of two sisters growing up on the borders of a magical river, on the edge of Faerie and the selfish suitor who threatens to tear their beautiful lives apart. Heartbreaking and haunting, The River Has Roots feels like it’s destined to become a timeless classic.
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