There were two sisters, one dark and one fair. There is a beast in the woods. There is a witch in the deepest part of the forest, or the ocean, or high in the mountains. Seven brothers have been turned to swans. Fairytale tropes are timeless and authors love to subvert and play with new versions. Here a handful of the best modern retellings and adaptations.

The Mythic Dream edited by Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe

Editors Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe have a remarkable knack for collecting luminous fantasy short stories by some of today’s top authors, including the reigning queen of fairytale retellings, Naomi Novik. With a lineup that includes Rebecca Roanhorse, sci-fi powerhouse Ann Leckie, and Seanan McGuire, these stories should offer a sneak peek into what fantasy will look like for upcoming years.