Enthralling Fairy Tales That Will Keep You Glued to the Pages

by MK French

Fairy tales and folklore are great choices for Halloween reading. Here are a couple of books that kepted me enthralled from cover to cover.

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Our Gifted Hearts by Jennifer Kennedy

October 2025; Angry Robot;  978-1836730194
ebook, print (400 pages); fairy tale

Fortune Blyth lost a child ten years ago and vowed to never let another man touch her. Witch hunters coming into town are pointed in her direction, so she's forced to choose between getting hung or getting married. She chooses marriage, but her new husband's home is reachable only by boat and comes with a surly housekeeper and eccentric mother-in-law. There are secrets and a possible fate worse than death.

Fortune isn't well liked in her town by some people, most notably the man who fathered her stillborn child and doesn't want that truth getting out. It doesn't matter that she never even told her mother, his own reputation is what matters to him. The traveling salesman that she was friendly with offers marriage, which her mother kept pushing, so it's her ticket out of town. It's a common enough situation that occurred to many women around the world. It makes Fortune grateful enough that she doesn't question the odd things in the house, the ghosts, the visions she has or how odd the relationships are between her mother in law and housekeeper. The groundsman has his own story; his sister had gone missing after marrying when he was a child, and Isaiah Quickly looks like the groom. The two form a friendship, and he's the only one who believes Fortune when she feels there's something wrong with the household. 

Fortune's story drew me in from the start. She's in a bad position in her town, then in the manor house. She is lonely and has the birds, Mathias and her dramatic mother in law Esme, since Isaiah is gone for most of the book. Exploring and figuring out details from conversations gives some idea what happened in the past, and provides the tension of a ticking clock. The final third of the book really escalates, keeping me glued to the pages way past bedtime. I liked the ending, and felt it fit the story and the characters well.

Buy Our Gifted Hearts at Amazon

Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan

October 2025; Little, Brown; 978-0316576208
audio, ebook, print (368 pages); YA fairy tale

Life in the Iron Mountains is harsh and Yining survives as a skilled thief and an even better liar. The enchanted ring she stole is then stolen by her step-aunt, and Yining must get it back to secure her future. This brings her to the palace, where Yining catches the eye of the ruthless and ambitious prince. Drawn into a battle for power, her only ally is the cunning advisor from a rival court who keeps dangerous secrets of his own. To break free, she must unravel the mystery of her past and fight for a future that both frightens and calls to her.

Yining's stepaunt sold everything of value and encouraged her to cheat others and steal. The wooden ring is one of two things she has from her mother, who she doesn't remember. A magic carp gives her family magic, which is bound into the ring. Being separated from it would eventually kill her, so she has to get it back. Prince Zixin is enchanted by her clever ruse to stay near her ring, and she's forced to learn court etiquette as she's living in finery. He's courteous and charming with her, but capable of callous cruelty. A neighboring kingdom's advisor promises to get her ring if she'll work with him, but going along with that doesn't turn out the way she expects. 

There are many twists and turns along the way, as well as nods to different variations of fairy tales. We think we know who to trust, but it continually changes. The characters are complicated, with multiple priorities as they try to stay safe and survive whatever happens. The Iron Mountains are treacherous in different ways, and people aren't what they seem. Even Yining isn't all that she thinks she is. While she believes the worst in others and herself, she still has a core of goodness that makes her keep promises as best as she can, and maintain loyalty to those she cares about. The story kept me enthralled until the last page, and I loved the world they're in. I'd be more than happy to return if there's a sequel planned. 

Buy Never Ever After at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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