Books like 'The Castle Behind Thorns'
Readers who enjoyed The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
historical fantasy mystery action / adventure magic retellings historical-fiction fairy-tale children medieval
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The Twelve Dancing Princesses by K.M. Shea
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsQuinn is a loyal soldier of Farset, willing to risk her life on behalf of her country and squad. So, when a fellow soldier volunteers for a dangerous mission, Quinn joins him. Their assignment is to investigate the nightly disappearance of the twelve royal princesses, a mystery none have solved as those who attempt it vanish... -
![Profetian om Beatrice by Kate DiCamillo]()
Profetian om Beatrice by Kate DiCamillo
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsFrom two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall comes a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world.We shall all, in the end, be led to where we belong. We shall all, in the end, find our way home.In a time of war, a mysterious child appears at the monastery of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing...Categorized as:
children fairy-tale family friendship historical-fiction medieval retellings royalty -
![Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue by Chuck Black, Andy Turvey]()
Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue by Chuck Black, Andy Turvey
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLady Carliss faces the challenge of her life. Can she save the kingdom before it’s too late? Determined, smart, and a master of both the sword and the bow, Lady Carliss has proven herself as a veteran Knight of the Prince. Returning from a mission of aid, Carliss is plunged into adventure once again as she searches for the marauders responsible for kidnapping a friend’s family...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction medieval religion spirituality action-adventure audiobook book -
![Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier]()
Den of Wolves by Juliet Marillier
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 31 ratingsThe “powerful and emotionally-charged” fantasy series from the author of the Sevenwaters novels continues, as Blackthorn and Grim face haunting secrets and old adversaries... Feather bright and feather fine, None shall harm this child of mine... Healer Blackthorn knows all too well the rules of her bond to the fey: seek no vengeance, help any who ask, do only good... -
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![The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning by John Flanagan]()
The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning by John Flanagan
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsAfter a senseless tragedy destroys his life, Will is obsessed with punishing those responsible - even if it means leaving the Ranger Corps. His worried friends must find a way to stop him taking such a dark path. It is Halt who suggests the solution: Will must take an apprentice. The candidate Halt has in mind surprises everyone - and it's a request Will cannot refuse...Categorized as:
children family friendship historical-fiction medieval myths royalty action-adventure -
![Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco]()
Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOld Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, is preparing her eggs for the Easter Festival when she takes in an injured goose. She names the goose Rechenka, and they live happily together until one day when Rechenka accidentally overturns a basket, breaking all of Babushka's lovingly crafted eggs... -
![Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George]()
Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 38 ratingsPoor Creel. She can't believe her aunt wants to sacrifice her to the local dragon. It's a ploy to lure a heroic knight so that he will fight the dragon, marry Creel out of chivalrous obligation, and lift the entire family out of poverty. Creel isn't worried. After all, nobody has seen a dragon in centuries... -
![A Tale of Beauty and Beast: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Melanie Cellier]()
A Tale of Beauty and Beast: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Melanie Cellier
Rated: 4.31 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsPrincess Sophia has helped her twin sister Lily save the duchy of Marin. But now Sophie faces an even greater threat when she sets out to free the cursed kingdom of Palinar from its beastly prince. Alone, and with danger on every side, Sophie must navigate a magical castle and its even more mysterious master to discover the secret to breaking the curse... -
![The Forgotten Sisters by Shannon Hale]()
The Forgotten Sisters by Shannon Hale
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsAfter a year at the king's palace, Miri has learned all about being a proper princess. But the tables turn when the student must become the teacher!Instead of returning to her beloved Mount Eskel, Miri is ordered to journey to a distant swamp and start a princess academy for three sisters, cousins of the royal family... -
![The Devil's Pawn by Oliver Pötzsch]()
The Devil's Pawn by Oliver Pötzsch
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA showman’s fate is in the hands of the devil in an enthralling novel inspired by the Faust legend from the bestselling author of the Hangman’s Daughter series.Rome, 1518. The church is tarnished by greed. Peasants are rebelling. Tumultuous times demand drastic recourse—before the devil gets his due...Categorized as:
historical-fiction medieval myths religion spirituality action-adventure audiobook book -
![Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier]()
Heir to Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier
Rated: 4.22 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsA brand new novel in the beloved world of Sevenwaters, a fantasy series that should appeal to "Lord of the Rings" fans (VOYA). The chieftains of Sevenwaters have long been custodians of a vast and mysterious forest. Human and Otherworld dwellers have existed there side by side, sharing a wary trust... -
![Warriors of Cumorah by Chris Heimerdinger]()
Warriors of Cumorah by Chris Heimerdinger
Rated: 4.19 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsWhen Becky and Josh Plimpton are kidnapped by Todd Finlay, Megan and her two suitors, Ryan and Apollus, attempt to rescue them, but through the mysterious powers of the Rainbow Room, one group ends up in nineteenth-century Jerusalem and the other in central America hundreds of years after the visitation of the Savior to the Nephites...Categorized as:
children family historical-fiction magic religion spirituality action-adventure anthologies -
![Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker]()
Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsNow that Annie has helped her sister Gwendolyn (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) wake up from the 100-year curse by finding her beloved prince, you would think that things would get back to normal. Think again! That beloved prince, Beldegard, is stuck in the body of a bear and the only way that Annie can be free of the two irritating lovebirds is to help-by finding the evil dwarf who cast the spell... -
![Find Me Their Bones by Sara Wolf]()
Find Me Their Bones by Sara Wolf
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsNo one can save her.In order to protect Prince Lucien d’Malvane’s heart, Zera had to betray him. Now, he hates the sight of her. Trapped in Cavanos as a prisoner of the king, she awaits the inevitable moment her witch severs their magical connection and finally ends her life.But fate isn't ready to give her up just yet... -
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![Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George]()
Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsWith the Dragon Wars over, Creel finds herself bored with life as a seamstress. Then word comes that a bordering country has been breeding dragons in preparation for an invasion... -
![The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, Hatem Aly]()
The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, Hatem Aly
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 24 ratings1242. On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon... -
![The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker]()
The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsIn this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie-blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic-can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen's true love to kiss her awake... -
![Wakestone Hall by Judith Rossell]()
Wakestone Hall by Judith Rossell
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsTHE MAGICAL CONCLUSION TO STELLA'S AWARD-WINNING STORY From bestselling writer-illustrator Judith Rossell comes the thrilling and magical conclusion to her multi-award-winning novel, Withering-by-Sea...Categorized as:
children family historical-fiction magic spirituality action-adventure boarding-school book -
![The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire]()
The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPrincess Andaryn's six older brothers have always been her protectors—until her father takes a new Queen, a frightening, mysterious woman from the forest who quickly enchants the men in the royal family. When Ryn’s attempt to break the enchantment fails, she makes a bitter bargain: the Queen will spare her brothers’ lives if she remains silent for six years... -
![The Mage of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen]()
The Mage of Trelian by Michelle Knudsen
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDragon fire, dark magic, and the bonds of friendship clash in a thrilling finale to the middle-grade fantasy trilogy by best-selling author Michelle Knudsen.Apprentice mage Calen shocked everyone when he disappeared—apparently willingly—with Krelig, the incredibly powerful and evil mage intent on destroying the Magistatum and forcing the world to submit to his rule... -
![Quest for the Secret Keeper by Victoria Laurie]()
Quest for the Secret Keeper by Victoria Laurie
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsDelphi Keep is awash in activity, and for Ian, Theo, and Carl, their safe haven might be nearing its end. The Royal Navy has taken the keep to use as a hospital and the tunnels running under the keep and the castle are ideal to set up a central communications outpost for the approaching war... -
![The Curse of Deadman's Forest by Victoria Laurie]()
The Curse of Deadman's Forest by Victoria Laurie
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSince Ian Wigby and his sister, Theodosia, found the silver treasure box and the prophecy within it, their world has changed. There's no denying what they discovered in Morocco: a powerful evil is budding, and to defeat it, and save the world from darkness, six uniquely gifted children must be gathered... -
![Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George]()
Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsCastle Glower has been acting weird, so it’s no surprise when two towers transport Celie and her siblings to an unknown land. When they realize that no one from home is coming to get them, the kids – along with Celie’s pet griffin Rufus – set out through the forest to figure out where they are and what’s happened to their beloved Castle... -
![Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne]()
Night of the New Magicians by Mary Pope Osborne
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsMerlin sends Jack and Annie on a mysterious mission to Paris, France, over a 100 years ago. There they must find four magicians and give them an urgent message from Merlin himself. When Jack and Annie land in Paris, they make their way to the 1889 World’s Fair. Below the Eiffel Tower, built especially for the fair, there are thousands of exhibits from all over the world... -
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![Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin]()
Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsThe moon is missing from the remote Village of Clear Sky, but only a young boy named Rendi seems to notice! Rendi has run away from home and is now working as a chore boy at the village inn... -
![No Place for Magic by E.D. Baker]()
No Place for Magic by E.D. Baker
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsWhen Emma and her beloved frog-turned-prince Eadric travel to Upper Montevista to ask for Eadric's parents' blessing on their marriage, they find his homeland in chaos: Eadric's annoying little brother Bradston has been kidnapped by trolls! Worse, his mother won't let Emma use magic, even to rescue Bradston, and Eadric seems suddenly a bit too fond of the girls from his past... -
![The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope]()
The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsIn 1558, while exiled by Queen Mary Tudor to a remote castle known as Perilous Gard, young Kate Sutton becomes involved in a series of mysterious events that lead her to an underground world peopled by Fairy Folk—whose customs are even older than the Druids’ and include human sacrifice... -
![The Captive Kingdom by Jennifer A. Nielsen]()
The Captive Kingdom by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsJennifer A. Nielsen returns to the world of The False Prince in this fourth book of the Ascendance Series!In a peaceful Carthya, Jaron leads as the Ascendant King with Imogen beside him -- but the peace he fought so long for is not destined to last.On a routine sea voyage, Jaron's ship is brutally attacked, and he is taken hostage...Categorized as:
children family friendship historical-fiction medieval myths royalty action-adventure -
![A Song of Flight by Juliet Marillier]()
A Song of Flight by Juliet Marillier
Rated: 4.23 of 5 stars · 21 ratings"Juliet Marillier's WARRIOR BARDS Trilogy, a new series, about an organization of elite operatives -- MI6 in a medieval-style fantasy world -- who use magic, song, poetry, weapons, and combat skills to solve crimes and protect the public...Categorized as:
family friendship historical-fiction magic medieval myths action-adventure audiobook -
![Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George]()
Princess of the Silver Woods by Jessica Day George
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 25 ratingsWhen Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor's twelve dancing daughters, is invited to visit an elderly friend in the neighboring country of Westfalin, she welcomes the change of scenery. But in order to reach Westfalin, Petunia must pass through a forest where strange two-legged wolves are rumored to exist... -
![The Secret of the Nagas by Amish Tripathi]()
The Secret of the Nagas by Amish Tripathi
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 60 ratingsToday, He is a God. 4000 years ago, He was just a man. The hunt is on. The sinister Naga warrior has killed his friend Brahaspati and now stalks his wife Sati. Shiva, the Tibetan immigrant who is the prophesied destroyer of evil, will not rest till he finds his demonic adversary. His vengeance and the path to evil will lead him to the door of the Nagas, the serpent people. Of that he is certain...Categorized as:
friendship historical-fiction magic myths religion retellings spirituality action-adventure -
![The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson]()
The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson
Rated: 4.15 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsWhat happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character... -
![Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George]()
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
Rated: 4.11 of 5 stars · 39 ratingsTuesdays at Castle Glower are Princess Celie's favorite days. That's because on Tuesdays the castle adds a new room, a turret, or sometimes even an entire wing. No one ever knows what the castle will do next, and no one-other than Celie, that is-takes the time to map out the new additions... -
![The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley]()
The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 35 ratingsLegend states that there exists a mighty sword that makes its possessor invincible to his enemies. But there is a curse on anyone who lifts the sword for conquest. King Kareed of Archeld goes after this sword anyway, winning it from the King of Bellandra. When he returns home from battle, he brings his daughter, Princess Torina, two special gifts... -
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![Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen]()
Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsA powerful amulet. A vengeful goddess. A deadly quest.Nic may have escaped enslavement in the mines outside of Rome, but his troubles are far from over. The Praetor War—the battle to destroy Rome from within—is in full force, and Nic is caught in the crossfire. The secretive Praetors are determined to unlock a powerful amulet—one sure to bring the empire to its knees... -
![Lost in Babylon by Peter Lerangis]()
Lost in Babylon by Peter Lerangis
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe adventure continues as Jack and his friends travel to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in the pulse-pounding second title in the Seven Wonders series.With Marco gone and the first Loculus lost, Jack, Cass, and Ally are no closer to saving themselves (or the world) than when they first arrived at the Karai Institute...Categorized as:
children family friendship historical-fiction magic myths action-adventure audiobook -
![The Seven Swords by Nils Johnson-Shelton]()
The Seven Swords by Nils Johnson-Shelton
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAcross both worlds are seven legendary blades. Some have been uncovered, Some forgotten, Others secreted away.Very soon all must be united.Spending the summer fighting dragons, rescuing wizards, and leaping through portals into the Otherworld was only the beginning for Artie and Kay Kingfisher... -
![Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr]()
Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe girl has had many selves in her short life. The first she remembers is Aissa, the daughter of Mama and Dada, sister to Zufi who watched the goats. Then the Bull King's raiders came, and Mama said, -Don't make a sound till I come back.- And when the villagers found her she was silent as stone, because Mama never come back again... -
![Rose and the Magician's Mask by Holly Webb]()
Rose and the Magician's Mask by Holly Webb
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA precious mask of unimaginable power has been stolen from the royal palace. Rose suspects that dark magicians are at work – and that danger looms...The race to stop the evil thieves will take Rose to the mysterious city of Venice, where nothing is quite what it seems.. -
![A Wolf for a Spell by Karah Sutton]()
A Wolf for a Spell by Karah Sutton
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe Girl Who Drank the Moon meets Pax in this fantastical tale of a wolf who forms an unlikely alliance with Baba Yaga to save the forest from a wicked tsar.Since she was a pup, Zima has been taught to fear humans—especially witches—but when her family is threatened, she has no choice but to seek help from the witch Baba Yaga...Categorized as:
children fairy-tale friendship historical-fiction magic myths retellings action-adventure -
![The Crowfield Demon by Pat Walsh]()
The Crowfield Demon by Pat Walsh
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhat lies beneath?Things are not right at Crowfield Abbey. The building has begun to crumble. And what Will finds beneath the floor of the side chapel is truly terrifying...Categorized as:
children historical-fiction magic medieval religion spirituality action-adventure audiobook -
![Orphan of Destiny by Michael P. Spradlin]()
Orphan of Destiny by Michael P. Spradlin
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTristan and his companions-the fiery archer Robard Hode and the assassin maid Maryam-have escaped to England. But tragedy has occurred to Tristan's beloved abbey while they were on the Third Crusade, and Robard's home in Sherwood Forest suffers under the rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Many obstacles still prevent them from delivering the Holy Grail into safe hands... -
![The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley]()
The Prairie Thief by Melissa Wiley
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIn this “delightful mash-up of Little House on the Prairie and The Spiderwick Chronicles” (SLJ), experience life on the prairie—with one fantastical twist!Louisa Brody’s life on the Colorado prairie is not at all what she expected. Her dear Pa, accused of thievery, is locked thirty miles away in jail... -
![Quest for a Maid by Frances Mary Hendry]()
Quest for a Maid by Frances Mary Hendry
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMeg Wright is nine when she hides under a table and hears her sister Inge kill the King of Scotland by witchcraft, setting in motion a treacherous power struggle... -
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![For Love and Honor by Jody Hedlund]()
For Love and Honor by Jody Hedlund
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsLady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts...Categorized as:
fairy-tale friendship historical-fiction medieval myths religion royalty spirituality -
![Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George]()
Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA castle that is constantly rearranging itself, and a young royal family sworn to protect it... Celie, Rolf, and their beloved Castle Glower are back in this exciting sequel. When her brother Rolf dares her to catch magical Castle Glower creating a new room, Princess Celie takes the challenge! No one knows the Castle better than she does. But as usual, the Castle has ideas of its own... -
![Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff]()
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 24 ratingsRump has never known his full name—his mother died before she could tell him. So all his life he's been teased for his half-a-name. But when he finds an old spinning wheel, his luck seems to change. For Rump discovers he can spin straw into gold. Magical gold.His best friend Red Riding Hood warns him that magic is dangerous—and she's right! That gold is worth its weight in trouble... -
![Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale]()
Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale
Rated: 4.04 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsComing down from the mountain to a new life in the city is a thrill to Miri. She and her princess academy friends have been brought to Asland to help the future princess Britta prepare for her wedding.There, Miri also has a chance to attend school-at the Queen's Castle. But as Miri befriends students who seem sophisticated and exciting she also learns that they have some frightening plans... -
![Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen]()
Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsA powerful amulet. A vengeful goddess. A deadly quest.Nic may have escaped enslavement in the mines outside of Rome, but his troubles are far from over. The Praetor War—the battle to destroy Rome from within—is in full force, and Nic is caught in the crossfire. The secretive Praetors are determined to unlock a powerful amulet—one sure to bring the empire to its knees... -
![Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen]()
Rise of the Wolf by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Rated: 4.12 of 5 stars · 29 ratingsNic may have escaped enslavement in the mines outside of Rome, but his troubles are far from over. The Praetor War -- the battle to destroy Rome from within -- is in full force, and Nic is caught in the crossfire. The secretive Praetors are determined to unlock a powerful amulet -- one sure to bring the empire to its knees...
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