Books that Feel like
'Once Upon a Time'
I fell in love with 'Once Upon a Time' as a twelve-year-old girl. I watched it during the lockdown, in-between my online lessons. It was the first series I watched alone, astonished with the plot, great characters and world-building. ‘Once Upon a Time’ mixes the traditional fairy tales with an incredible small-town, family atmosphere. These are the things that made me obsessed with ‘Once Upon a Time’. And after finishing my favourite series (for the first time…), I started wondering if there's a chance to experience visiting Storybook once again.
Fortunately, I found the answer in these books I present to you. They will make you feel like one of the Storybrook's citizens. Eating pie and drinking cocoa with cinnamon at Granny's, walking down the coast between the pirate ships, visiting the Mr Gold shop… You will feel like a part of the Charming family.
What is Once Upon a Time about?
‘Once Upon a Time’ is a 11-season-long series, telling the story of Emma Swan. She is a twenty-eight orphan, single and friendless. Emma spends her birthday alone, suddenly interrupted by a boy named Henry Mills that claims to be her son. Henry takes Emma to Storybrook, Maine. Henry believes that this small town is in fact cursed, and its citizens are actually the fairy tale characters. Storybrook’s cold mayor and the adoptive mother of Henry, Regina, is believed by her son to be the Evil Queen. Henry thinks that Emma, on the other hand, is the Chosen One, able to save the town from the Evil Queen’s curse…
Book that Feel like Once Upon a Time
…considering the characters
#1
Zelena (The Wicked Witch of the West)
‘What they call green with envy I just call looking good’
One of my favourite characters of the whole show, Zelena - the absolute ginger diva in dark-green hats. Zelena first appears in the 3rd season of ‘Once Upon a Time’ after causing her curse straight after the Neverland arc. Abandoned after birth by her mother, Cora, the half-sister of Regina, Zelena grew up in Oz. She discovered her magic abilities at a young age, but her foster family was afraid of her talents. Unloved, Zelena wanted to get to know her roots.
When Zelena discovered that she is in fact the first daughter of the queen of the Enchanted Forest and the sister of the princess, Zelena's anger and jealousy escalated. It all led to the tragic metamorphosis from innocent Zelena to the envious Wicked Witch of the West. As Zelena sings in the iconic song ‘Wicked Always Wins’ (the musical episode, ‘The Song in Your Heart’ of the Season 6), ‘She [Cora, Zelena and Regina’s mother] went and made Regina queen/And my blood boil.’
However, Zelena's rage didn't come from nothing. All of Zelena's life - before the birth of her daughter, Robin - was full of pain and loss. She lost her mother, her master, then even her love, Hades. Only after forgiving Regina did Zelena find happiness in Storybrooke with her daughter on her side.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Zelena, as an iconic, but tragic character of ‘Once Upon a Time’, is one of the most complex characters in the show. And if there is an equally good portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West from the original ‘Wizard of Oz’, it is the novel ‘Wicked’ by Gregory Maguire I once review.
———• ☾ •———
Elphaba, born with green skin, has always been an outcast. In contrary to her disable younger sister, Nessarose, Elphaba's otherhood doesn't make anyone tolerate her. Always discriminated, Elphaba feels the rage towards inequality. Her anger deepens when Elphaba starts her education at the Shiz University, discovering even more discrimination in Oz. Thus, Elphaba becomes an activist and begins a risky fight with the social construction of Oz. Little does she know that her activism will become the reason why she will be hailed as the Wicked Witch of the West…
#2
Belle (Beauty) & Mr Gold (Rumplestiltskin)
Belle and Mr Gold were originally Beauty and the Beast or Belle and Rumplestiltskin in the Enchanted Forest. Their relationship started when the Dark One took Belle from her father in exchange for help. Belle became a servant in Rumple's castle and slowly fell in love with him after seeing in him his good side.
This couple has always been a controversy among the ‘Once Upon a Time’ fans. The most toxic romantic relationship of all in the show and the most break-ups and make-ups. Belle is on top of my list of the favourite characters in the series. I love her character-building, both incredibly clever and honourable, adventurous and caring. Also, with the clothing style I admire! Belle is, with Mary Margaret, the character whose outfits I'd love to wear. And of course the biggest book-worm in the series!
Mr Gold, on the other hand, is probably the most complicated character in ‘Once Upon a Time’. Never actually good or evil - he is just selfish all the time. His nature contrasts so badly with Belle’s heart of gold and it leads to one of the worst relationships I've seen.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
This unusual start of the relationship takes place also in ‘Uprooted’ by Naomi Novik. Deeply - maybe too deeply - inspired by Slavic myths and beliefs, ‘Uprooted’ is the story of Agnieszka and the Dragon. Agnieszka lives in the small, quiet village on the border with the Woods - the scary forest that uses dark magic to hurt people and infect them with evil. The only person that is able to stop the powers of the Woods is the Dragon. He is a cold wizard that frequently takes young girls from one of the villages. They are told to work for him at his castle.
This year, everyone thinks that Kasia - Agnieszka’s best friend - will be the next victim of the Dragon. Kasia is caring and beautiful, Agnieszka is just introverted and clumsy. Agnieszka is afraid that her friend will disappear from her life forever, but surprisingly, she is the one the Dragon chooses.
Is 'Uprooted' Any Good?
Although ‘Uprooted’ by Naomi Novik doesn't focus solely on the relationship between the Dragon and Agnieszka, it is one of the most important elements of the plot. Additionally, the Woods are an extremely interesting concept. The unspecified evil, not a human of any other single and self-conscious being, that's something fresh in the fantasy genre. And while ‘Uprooted’ is based on Slavic culture, the valid role of the forest in its plot is even more interesting. I reckon this is the reference to the importance trees had in the Slavic mythology.
All those great elements of ‘Uprooted’ can't compensate for the fact that this book wasn't written for any Slavic, let alone Polish person. Naomi Novik wrote ‘Uprooted’ as a separate work, not a retelling of Polish folklore nor history. Thus, the number of obvious references and inspirations is scary.
The Slavic Controversy
At first it was just annoying, but then it felt like Naomi Novik didn't have any idea for world-building and just used what was already existing. For me, as a Polish person, it was embarrassing how many of those ‘inspirations’ were. Not to mention the fact that Naomi Novik, as a Polish-American didn't grow up in our culture, thus her idea of the Polish culture and reality wasn't good enough to write this kind of a book.
The best example is what names Naomi Novik gives to the characters living on the ‘Polish’ side of the Woods. Half of them are Polish, like Agnieszka or Kasia, but the other half are just names that don't exist here. Iwan, Wasyl etc. - those names have their equivalent in Polish. There's no need to translate and adapt them to the ‘Polish’ reality. This is just seeing all of the Slavic nations as one (Iwan or Wasyl are popular names in Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian and other Slavic nations, but not those western ones).
So, if you are Polish or you have a knowledge about this culture, consider not reading ‘Uprooted’. Or just be ready for a lot of rage and embarrassment. For all others - this would be a great book experience for you! ‘Uprooted’ will remind you of the dynamics between Belle and Rumple in the best way.
#3
Cora (The Queen of Hearts)
Born as a daughter of a miller, Cora spent all of her youth to become a part of the elite. Known for her coldness and cruelty, Cora brought up her daughter, Regina, with a desire for her to become even more powerful than Cora herself. However, the control obsession of Cora eventually led to Regina imprisoning her mother in Wonderland. Cora became the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland, finally satisfied with the amount of power she has as the blood-thirsty ruler.
Heartless by Marissa Meyer
Used only for Review Reasons according to the Polish Law on Copyright (art. 29).
‘Heartless’ a story of the Queen of Hearts before her heart turned into a stone. Marissa Meyer creates the alternative version of the Queen of Hearts’ story, the story with her as a victim, not a villain. ‘Heartless’ helps you see the Queen, ie - Cora, in a different perspective. From now on, you will not only see the evil woman, crazy for control and power, but also a young girl inside her, hurt by the world.
Cath is a daughter of a marquis. However, she doesn’t find aristocratic lifestyle attractive – her biggest passion is baking. And her biggest dream? Opening a bakery with her best friend, Mary Ann. Cath doesn’t belong to the life she’s forced to live and she doesn’t have courage to live her life her way. Everything in her changes when Cath meets Jest, a court joker serving a King of Hearts. Cath and Jest fall for each other from the first sight, what sounds impossible. A noble lady and a simple jester being in love?
If the controversial love interest weren’t enough for the misery of Cath, she’s at the same time a favourite of a King of Hearts. Everyone expects Cath to marry King and become a Queen of Hearts. Especially Cath’s mother who has a strong hold on Cath and her life. However, when Cath is falling in love with Jester, her courage to fight for a happy ending in her way strengthens. Will she object society expectations and become a woman she wants to be?
Books that Feel like Once Upon a Time
…considering the locations
#4
The Small Town, Straight from the American Dream (Season 1)
The mentioned small-town atmosphere is one of the best aspects of ‘Once Upon a Time’. Storybrooke feels like the town in ‘Gilmore Girls’, with all-year-long autumn and winter, and characteristic provincial architecture. The centre of the Storybrooke's unforgettable atmosphere is obviously Granny's dining, with iconic plaid tablecloths and burgers.
If it hadn't been for the curse, Storybrooke would be the perfect town of America, quiet and peaceful. Under the care of the Storybrooke clock tower, with the forest and the sea surrounding the town, Storybrooke seems like the Eden of America. However, the curse on Storybrooke ruins the dream about the perfect city. Storybrooke turns out to be much darker than it seems, and it keeps secrets that are able to change the lives of the characters forever.
Wayward Pines by Blake Crouch
If you are looking for a book about a similar small town that isn't as perfect as it seems, I reckon the ‘Wayward Pines’ series by Blake Crouch would be something you'd love! Bestseller author Blake Crouch portrays the ideal small town - the titular Wayward Pines, Idaho. Secret Service agent, Ethan Burke, visits Wayward Pines to find two agents that went missing. His arrival to Wayward Pines isn't fortunate. Ethan experiences a brutal car accident and goes to a very unsettling hospital in Wayward Pines. Ethan feels unreasonable unease during his stay in the hospital and decides to leave it. However, he does not have his ID nor money and even worse, can't contact his wife nor boss.
What is happening in Wayward Pines? Is someone lying to Ethan all along?
What is Wayward Pines and what is outside the town?
Why does everyone and everything seem so… perfect? Too perfect…
———• ☾ •———
Incredibly engaging and thrilling, the ‘Wayward Pines’ is a must read for all the fans of the strange small towns of American provinces with even stranger secrets. The mix of Storybrooke and Twin Peaks, Wayward Pines are really the place of unpredictable events. While the series starts inconspicuously, it quickly becomes so addictive you won't stop reading just to discover what happens next.
Crazy plot twists and philosophical discussions about the nature of humans makes ‘Wayward Pines’ unforgettable. This series will make you feel like entering Storybrooke again, this time with a federal agent aside except for Emma Swan. Much less focused on the family issues but equally on the paranormal activities, ‘Wayward Pines’ is like a dark sister of ‘Once Upon a Time’.
#5
Neverland (Season 3)
In the 3rd season of the series (probably the best one), the ‘Once Upon a Time’ cast visits Neverland to rescue Henry. He was kidnapped by Peter Pan and his allies from Storybrooke. Emma, Killian (I had a huge crush on him), Regina, Mr Gold, Mary Margaret and David try to survive in the dangerous Neverland, facing death several times. In ‘Once Upon a Time’ Neverland isn't the happy place like in the Disney adaptation nor is Peter Pan a hero. Neverland and Peter Pan are both deadly dangerous.
Similar events happen in ‘Lord of the Flies’, the classic by William Golding. This sociological reinterpretation of ‘Peter Pan’ examines the nature of humans, our unsettling love towards violence.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
After the plane crashes, a group of boys wake up on the island in the middle of the ocean. They are the only that survived the catastrophe, left all alone, without any adult supervision. This should already be a clue about the linking between ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’. The core of both Neverland and the island from Golding's work is the lack of the presence of any adult. This leads both groups to the conclusion that no adults (ie no rules) equals true freedom.
What did seem to the boys from ‘Lord of the Flies’ like a land of infinite joy and play - their own Neverland - soon changes into a life-threatening place. The isolation from the society and its rules leads the boys into the violence and transforms the tropical island into a slaughter. While the boys don't feel like they may be held liable, their actions are becoming more and more brutal and fatal. The same happens in ‘Once Upon a Time’ portrayal of Neverland. Furthermore, both the show and Golding's book share the uncanny idea that lack of the rules leads to the creation of fascism.
In ‘Once Upon a Time’ Neverland and ‘Lord of the Flies’ the boys create a fascist society - their excess of rules leads to enslavement of an individual. In ‘Once Upon a Time’ Lost Boys’ personality cult is centred around Peter Pan and in ‘Lord of the Flies’ the object of the cult is Jack.
The dangerous tropical island, being at the same time the sociological examination of humanity, is the topic of both ‘Once Upon a Time’ season 3rd and ‘Lord of the Flies’ by William Golding. Those works share the unforgettable atmosphere of a tropical paradise that is in fact hell, and are equally engaging.
#6
Cameloth and Avalon (Season 5)
Season 5 takes place in Cameloth, the legendary kingdom from the Arthurian cycle. Avalon, the mythical island among the mists, also appears in the 5th season of ‘Once Upon a Time’.
And if you read my blog at least for a while, you know how much I love the Arthurian legends! Compared with my favourite show, Cameloth is even more interesting to explore as a location of ‘Once Upon a Time’. Especially including the thread of Emma being the Dark One… I love Emma in her obscure villain era!
If you’re looking for the magical atmosphere of Cameloth and Avalon, for the knights and maids in honour, for the good and the evil fighting in the dark chambers, ‘The Mists of Avalon’ is your next must read!
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The book starts with the tragic story of Igraine, the wife of Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall. She’s unhappy in her marriage, married to the elder man on demand of her sister, the Lady of the Lake, called Viviane.
Irgaine lives in the castle of Tintagel with her first-born daughter Morgaine and younger sister Morgause. She remains an inactive witness of the political chaos in Britain and the misery of her life. It changes when Morgaine meets Uther Pendragon, the probable future High King. They fall in love, experiencing an instant mystical bond of twin flames and knowing their souls from a past life at the Atlantis.
By falling for Uther, Igraine begins fulfilling the prophecy of her sister Viviane and changes the fate of Britain. The Lady of the Lake foretells that the son of Igraine and Uther will be the High King to liberate Britian from the Saxon attacks and unify the people of the islands. Indeed, they conceive a son, Arthur, who is sent from his father’s court as a child.
Couple of years later, Morgaine as a grown woman become an important piece of the story. She also has been sent from Igraine as a little girl, barely remembering her younger brother. Morgaine lives at the misty island of Avalon with her aunt, Viviane, and is taught to become a sorceress and the future Lady of the Lake. Unexpectedly, she reunifies with her brother Arthur, what is another turning point of the British history. From now on, Morgaine is the main narrator of the novel starring also Lancelot, the best friend of Arthur and his knight or Gwenhwyfar, the wife of Arthur.
———• ☾ •———
The best retelling of the Arthurian legends by Marion Zimmer Bradley explores the unknown stories of the women in Cameloth with the feminist narrative. Marion Zimmer Bradley portrays the unpopular herstory of the medieval times. Compared with complex political conflicts and mystical secrets of Avalon magic creates an unbelievably mesmerising story that will take you straight to the walls of Cameloth.
Books that feel like Once Upon a Time
...just Considering the Vibe
#7
The School for Good and Evil
And at the very end, I would like to have the honour of recommending you the book as special as the ‘Once Upon a Time’ series itself. ‘The School for Good and Evil’ by Soman Chainani, the book series I’ve talked about a lot on this blog, is something that has always reminded me of ‘Once Upon a Time’. My favourite TV show and my favourite books, they both have been my obsession since an early age. I even had an idea of a fan fiction combining those two magnificent works, back then when I was a dedicated fangirl. It were to be a story of the ‘Once Upon a Time’ cast visiting the Endless Woods and meeting the characters of 'The School for Good and Evil'.
Sophie and Agatha are best friends living in a small village called Gavaldon. Once a year, a pair of the Gavaldon’s children is kidnapped by a mysterious School Master to the School for Good and Evil, a fabulous academy training both heroes and villains. Sophie believes that she and Agatha will be chosen this year.
Since Sophie is beautiful and beloved by the whole village, everyone is sure Sophie will be kidnapped to the School for Good and will become a princess she always wanted to be. Agatha, however, is a lonely, spectral outcast, living in a creepy cemetery with her mother and ugly cat. She seems like a real-life witch, so Sophie and all of the villagers consider her the next villain of the School for Evil.
When the landmark day comes, the unthinkable happens – Sophie become chosen to be a student in the School for Evil, and Agatha – the School for Good. What at first seems like a mistake, soon will expose the misconception everyone used to have about the girls whose souls aren’t the one their façades would suggest. But the School Master is right all along about Agatha’s Good and Sophie’s Evil, what they both will have a hard time discovering and understanding.
———• ☾ •———
'The School for Good and Evil' is the series of my life, the one that changed me forever. Similarly to ‘Once Upon a Time’, 'The School for Good and Evil' is incredibly cozy and equally suspenseful. Another great aspect of 'The School for Good and Evil' is its love threads I talked about in my analysis of the Hophie (Sophie x Hort) ship. Similarly to the romances in 'Once Upon a Time', they are so engaging element of the plot. At the same time, the love life doesn't predominate other threads.
Moreover, 'The School for Good and Evil' is something so different from ‘Once Upon a Time’, that reading it would be a fresh and life-changing experience. The best of all the books like 'Once Upon a Time'! (And the best book of all the time).
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