How to Read the Twisted Tales Series
The A Twisted Tale series, published by Disney-Hyperion, is a highly popular collection of young adult fantasy novels that explore a simple but dramatic question: What if a key event in a classic Disney or Pixar film happened differently? Because each book is a standalone story set in its own unique timeline, there is no single overarching narrative. This means you do not need to read the books in any specific order. You are completely free to pick up whichever book features your favorite Disney movie, character, or plot twist.
However, for readers who prefer structure, or who want to see how the series has evolved in style and complexity, reading in publication order is the most common path. Below, you will find the complete chronological list of releases, including co-authored contributions and upcoming titles, followed by our advice on the best starting points.
The Complete Publication Order
Since the series debuted in 2015, multiple authors have contributed to the collection, including Liz Braswell, Jen Calonita, Elizabeth Lim, Farrah Rochon, Mari Mancusi, and Keala Kendall. Here is the complete list of novels in the order they were published:
- A Whole New World (2015) by Liz Braswell — Based on Aladdin. Premise: What if Aladdin never found the lamp?
- Once Upon a Dream (2016) by Liz Braswell — Based on Sleeping Beauty. Premise: What if the Sleeping Beauty never woke up?
- As Old as Time (2016) by Liz Braswell — Based on Beauty and the Beast. Premise: What if Belle's mother was the one who cursed the Beast?
- Reflection (2018) by Elizabeth Lim — Based on Mulan. Premise: What if Mulan had to travel to the Underworld?
- Part of Your World (2018) by Liz Braswell — Based on The Little Mermaid. Premise: What if Ariel never defeated Ursula?
- Mirror, Mirror (2019) by Jen Calonita — Based on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Premise: What if the Evil Queen poisoned the prince?
- Conceal, Don't Feel (2019) by Jen Calonita — Based on Frozen. Premise: What if Elsa and Anna never knew each other?
- Straight On Till Morning (2019) by Liz Braswell — Based on Peter Pan. Premise: What if Wendy first traveled to Never Land with Captain Hook?
- So This is Love (2020) by Elizabeth Lim — Based on Cinderella. Premise: What if Cinderella never tried on the glass slipper?
- Unbirthday (2020) by Liz Braswell — Based on Alice in Wonderland. Premise: What if Alice grew up and went back to Wonderland to lead a revolution?
- Go the Distance (2021) by Jen Calonita — Based on Hercules. Premise: What if Megara had to become a Greek god?
- What Once Was Mine (2021) by Liz Braswell — Based on Tangled. Premise: What if Rapunzel's hair had the power to hurt instead of heal?
- Almost There (2022) by Farrah Rochon — Based on The Princess and the Frog. Premise: What if Tiana made a deal with Dr. Facilier?
- When You Wish Upon a Star (2022) by Elizabeth Lim — Based on Pinocchio. Premise: What if the Blue Fairy was not supposed to help Pinocchio?
- Set in Stone (2023) by Mari Mancusi — Based on The Sword in the Stone. Premise: What if Arthur wasn't supposed to be king?
- Suddenly Super (2023) by Elizabeth Lim — Based on The Incredibles. Premise: What if Bob and Helen never retired from heroics?
- Fate Be Changed (2024) by Farrah Rochon — Based on Brave. Premise: What if Merida's mother never changed back from a bear?
- Princess of Thieves (2024) by Mari Mancusi — Based on Robin Hood. Premise: What if Maid Marian became the leader of the Merry Men?
- Sally's Lament (2024) by Liz Braswell — Based on The Nightmare Before Christmas. Premise: What if Sally was the one to rescue Santa Claus?
- Be Prepared (2024) by Farrah Rochon — Based on The Lion King. Premise: What if Scar defeated Simba and ruled Pride Rock?
- Cruel Truth (2025) by Jen Calonita — Based on 101 Dalmatians. Premise: What if Anita and Cruella De Vil were best friends?
- How Far I'll Go (2025) by Keala Kendall — Based on Moana. Premise: What if Moana accidentally broke the Heart of Te Fiti?
- Nobody Gets Left Behind (2026) by Keala Kendall — Based on Lilo & Stitch. Premise: What if Nani and Stitch had to travel to outer space to rescue Lilo?
- Adventure Is Out There! (2026) by Liz Braswell — Based on Up. Premise: What if Ellie was the one who went up to Paradise Falls instead of Carl?
- Waiting on a Miracle (2026) by Anika Fajardo — Based on Encanto. Premise: What if Mirabel and her sisters had to leave the Encanto to rescue Antonio?
Anthologies, Graphic Novels, and Webcomics
In addition to the main prose novels, the Twisted Tale universe has expanded into other exciting formats:
The Anthology
If you prefer bite-sized retellings, look for A Twisted Tale Anthology (2023), edited by Elizabeth Lim. This collection features sixteen short stories from the series' regular authors as well as guest writers, offering alternative takes on films like Aladdin, Mulan, and The Little Mermaid.
Graphic Novel Adaptations
For visual readers, Disney-Hyperion has adapted select novels into graphic novels. So far, these include:
- Part of Your World: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel (2023) — Adapted by Stephanie Kate Strohm with illustrations by Kelly and Nichole Matthews.
- Straight On Till Morning: A Twisted Tale Graphic Novel (2024) — Adapted by Stephanie Kate Strohm with art by Noor Sofi.
An adaptation of Almost There was originally planned for 2025, but its release has faced indefinite publishing delays.
Webcomics
Disney has also partnered with platforms like Webtoon to adapt the stories into digital comics, starting with a serialized version of Liz Braswell's As Old as Time.
What to Know Before You Start
Because these stories are published for a Young Adult audience, they feature darker themes, higher stakes, and more emotional depth than the original animated movies. Characters face genuine peril, political intrigue, and complex moral dilemmas. While they retain the magical charm of the classic films, they are not simple direct novelizations. The authors often spend time building up the lore and expanding the worlds beyond what we saw on screen.
If you are wondering where to start, we recommend choosing a book based on the Disney film you know best. Having a strong memory of the original plot makes the twists and deviations much more satisfying to uncover. If you want a darker, more action-packed fantasy, Liz Braswell's entries (like Part of Your World or A Whole New World) are great starting points. If you prefer character-driven, emotional stories, Elizabeth Lim's Reflection and Farrah Rochon's Almost There are highly praised by fans.