Retelling old fairytales with new twists is common in modern fiction. The Tyme series by Megan Morrison is one of the best takes I have ever seen on this concept. Unlike other retellings, it keeps with the period and general environmental descriptions of the tales. The characters, however, are fleshed out beyond their original description.
The Tyme books also incorporate a lot of themes that one doesn’t normally encounter in middle-grade fiction. These range from abusive family dynamics to corruption in politics. This adds a lot to the books, without weighing them down.
While all the stories in the series overlap to some degree, Morrison doesn’t overwhelm the reader with intensive world-building up front. She unveils the details of the world slowly, with small details that eventually build to a fully fleshed-out continent throughout three books.
“Grounded”, the first installment in the series centers around Rapzuel’s story. It shows Rapunzel as a very naive innocent girl whose whole worldview collapses when she leaves the tower. She goes through an incredibly painful, awkward, and treacherous journey and slowly learns about the world. My favorite part about this book is that Rapzuel is not a stereotypical protagonist. She is bratty and inexperienced in the ways of the world. This makes much more sense, given her isolated upbringing, than most portrayals of Rapunzel which depict her as a perfect princess. The book also goes into themes of manipulation and abuse in the dynamic between Rapunzel and the Witch who raised her. It is done thoughtfully and includes incredibly nuanced emotional exploration.
“Disenchanted” is the second book in the series and rethinks the tale of Cinderella. This book is my personal favorite because it contains masterful storytelling. It strays fairly far from the original tale and analyzes socioeconomic differences. In this telling, Ella exposes Prince Charming to the realities of the working class and the cruel actions of the aristocrats. The book also portrays the “evil stepmother” in a more nuanced, and realistic light. Ella is mourning the loss of her mother and struggles with her stepmom but they eventually bond. There is also an incredible side plot concerning fairy godparents and commercial corruption.
The final installment in the series is a retelling of the Frog Prince. In this story, the prince is a spoiled narcissist who gets cursed by a wishing well. He almost dies multiple times from predators and other dangerous circumstances before finally becoming human again. This book also touches on democracy, political corruption, and pandemics. I loved this story because the redemption arc was complex and the main character truly changed.
The Tyme series is truly incredible and severely underrated.