Into the Forest discussion

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or fairytale/folklore books where a character(s) has an Outlaws,
which includes thieves, assassins, pirates, and other nefarious folk

If anyone is looking for a quick middle-grade read in this category, I read Ronia, the Robber's Daughter by Astrid Lindgren this year and thought it was a great read. It features some lesser-used mythological creatures.

I just found a copy of The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark on clearance, and the reviews/summaries mention "thieving" and "sky-pirates." So, I assume that may fit for this year.

I suggest:
Little Thieves

I wonder if Zorro would work. I am due a reread! :)

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang would be a great fit here.

there are two fun Icelandic sagas about outlaws, grettir's saga and Gisli's saga. I would even say that these two sagas are two the best ones.

Roelofsky wrote: "there are two fun Icelandic sagas about outlaws, grettir's saga and Gisli's saga. I would even say that these two sagas are two the best ones."

After your recommendation I started Gisli's Saga. Although I didn't enjoyed it as much as I thought, Icelandic Sagas are offering nice insight into the country's old customs and traditions which is welcomed in my book :). Personally I loved Njall Saga much more.

Njál, Egil and Laxdæla are my favorites, but I would put Grettir's saga also in that list. Its a bit similar to Gisli's, but better 🫣

Andy wrote: "I suggest:
Little Thieves

I wonder if Zorro would work. I am due a reread! :)"

I think it would even though if I remember correctly it is more realistic historical fiction. The Zorro character in itself is mythological. If I don’t find anything for this prompt I might reread it.

I can’t think of many books for this prompt but I’m sure there are lots.
Off hand I think of
The Child Thief by Brom a kind of creepy retelling of Peter Pan. I remember liking it.
Of course any book featuring Robin Hood would work
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi The lead character is a pirate. I loved it
fairy tales like Ali Baba and the 40 thieves or The Robber Bridegroom……

If someone is interested in the classics, there is a possibility of "The Water Margin"/"Outlaws of the Marsh" by Shi Nai'an from China

Roelofsky wrote: "Njál, Egil and Laxdæla are my favorites, but I would put Grettir's saga also in that list. Its a bit similar to Gisli's, but better 🫣"

I read all three titles you mentioned :). I see I gave the highest score to the first one.

All great recs! I'll probably read the second Amina book for this challenge, thought I'll read at least one more, too.

I wonder, we didn't include this in the definition, but now that I'm thinking of the idea of villains in fairytales, I would think that retellings told from the villain's perspective would count, like the wicked witch in Snow White, or Medusa. There are so many Medusa retellings I haven't read yet.

Other recs:
Nimona by N.D. Stevenson: YA graphic novel all about what it means to be a villain and a hero.
Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson: sci-fi about outcasts.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab is like a villain origin story. I don't want to say too much about that.
The City in Glass by Nghi Vo, a novella from a demon's perspective.
Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland: a funny fantasy pirate novel.
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark: Not my favorite of his, but definitely fits the challenge well.
Girls Made of Snow and Glass and Forest of a Thousand Lanterns for snow white retellings that include the villain's perspective.
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder is a horror about women becoming the villains by turning into monsters.
Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell is a horror romance about a monster and villain.