FIFTEEN BOOKS SET IN A CASTLE
Fairytales have been around for generations, and they have been charming us for those same years. In fairytales, one thing we find is castles. This inspires us to look at books that have castles. Some of these will probably be literal and some will be figurative. But either way, let’s discover the books there are that fits this.
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FIFTEEN BOOKS SET IN A CASTLE. A #TopTenTuesday book list! #TopTen #TopTenList #BookList #Reader Share on XI’m not sure what types of books I’ll remember or find, but one thing I know is this, I have read books with castles. Let’s meet some of the books that fit.
FIFTEEN BOOKS SET in CASTLES
BEAUTY and the BEAST
This one seems obvious, but it deserves to be added. It’s a story about a “beast” and the intellectual girl he imprisons when she makes a case for her father’s freedom. The story doesn’t work for everyone, but its an iconic fairytale. Goodreads
CASTLE on the RISE, THE LOST CASTLE and THE PAINTED CASTLE, KRISTY CAMBRON
A trilogy that looks really interesting, this is a trio I also haven’t read. Still maybe at some point I will. The books tease exploring the ruins of a French castle, so yeah, how can we not be curious. Goodreads
THE BETROTHED and THE SELECTION, KIERA CASS
These both should have a castle, right? (Or whatever the modern equivalent of a castle would be since these are kind of dystopian novels.) There is also royalty in both so there has to be a grand dwelling, too. The description for The Selection calls it a palace which seems close enough. ‘Betrothed’ on Goodreads | ‘Selection’ on Goodreads
THE BOOK of HOURS, T. DAVIS BUNN
Though its synopsis calls the “castle” a mansion and estate, its name is Castle Priory, so I’m going to make it fit as a story taking place in a castle. Even if technically it is not one. This is also a book I read years ago and seem to remember liking! Makes me think a re-read should happen stat. Goodreads
THE CAPTIVE MAIDEN, MELANIE DICKERSON
A Cinderella re-telling, this is a book that I read years ago. It’s also part of a fairytale collection of retold fables that are favorites among readers. Goodreads
REBECCA, DAPHNE DU MAURIER
This title doesn’t have a technical castle (I think Manderley is called an estate), but I mean to me, it is a castle. Goodreads
A CASTLE in the CLOUDS, KERSTIN GIER
I don’t think this one is technically a castle, but it’s in the title and is about a hotel tucked away in a picturesque place. Plus, I suspect that, to me, some of these places considered mere estates would 100% feel like a castle to me. Goodreads
MY LADY JANE, CYNTHIA HAND, JODI MEADOWS and BRODI ASHTON
Another one I don’t remember for sure, but I am it is, in part, about a king and a woman who takes the throne for a handful of days, so there has to be a castle, right? Goodreads
ONCE UPON a PRINCE, RACHEL HAUK
The novel that inspired the Hallmark film (of the same name), I loved this one way before it was ever to be a movie. It’s also a trilogy, which means there is more that one modern royal romance to follow! Goodreads
AN UNCERTAIN CHOICE, JODY HEDLUND
I read this book several years ago, which was the first by Hedlund in the young adult market. The book is all about knights and sassy heroines, and given the castle on the cover art, I’m quite sure there is one! There are also 3 or 4 other books in the series, too. Goodreads
THE CHRONICLES of NARNIA, series, C.S. LEWIS
This series does have a castle, and though it’s been a while since reading them (I think I read three books in the series), I did love these books. Goodreads
THE PRINCESS in the OPAL MASK, JENNY LUNDQUIST
I cannot remember when, but this is a book I read quite some time ago. It was entertaining if I remember right and about two girls who swap places. Goodreads
Have you read any of these? Which ones would you read? Which ones should be added to this list? Tell me how many of these fifteen books that have castles would you add to your TBR? Share all of your thoughts below.
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Linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl July 22: Books Set in/Take Place During X (Pick a place, time, era, etc. Examples: Books set in Europe/Italy/Australia/Chicago, books set in Regency England, books that take place during the 1900s, books set in imaginary worlds/post-apocalyptic/dystopian worlds, books set on the ocean, books set it castles, books that take place during WW2, etc.)
I read The Princess in the Opal Mask maybe 6 or 7 years ago. I enjoyed it, but was disheartened to realize it was part of a duology. Alas, I’ve never read the second book.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/visit-toronto-ten-books-set-in-the-greater-toronto-area/
I read that one several years ago, too, Pam! Like you, I also never read the second book. ;) Maybe someday!
Love this post – it’s really impossible to not be curious about castles, ruined or not! So this theme was right up my alley. And it totally made me think of Howl’s Moving Castle too – now I want to go off on castle exploring myself!
Exploring a castle would be great fun! I feel like if I ever travel to some of the places I’d love to see and there is a castle nearby, well, that has to be a high priority stop. ;) I never read “Howl’s” but have heard of that one. Thanks so much for visiting!
Nice choice for this topic. When I am looking for books in castles, I will definitely refer back to this post.
Thanks so much for visiting today Carla!! :)
This is such a great post!! Have you read I Capture the Castle? That is another good one.
I have not read that one, Erin! But I should. I’ve seen the film adaptation a couple times and am always reminded how much I enjoy the fun story. :)
I was obsessed with fairytales as a kid, and I still think castles are super cool!
I still think they are super cool, too, Lydia! I’d definitely visit one someday. :)
Love your take on this week’s topic! I love fairy tales, and Beauty and the Beast is one of my absolute favorites. One of my favorite re-tellings is Beauty by Robin McKinley. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
I hear SO much good about Robin’s books but never read any. Perhaps I will remedy that soon. :)
I loved the Selection!!!
Same! They were so fun. :)
ooo books in a castle are fun! I highly recommend Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell too :) Thanks for stopping by RimSP
They are and your recommendation is one I haven’t heard of! YAY for new possible TBR addons. :)
Great topic for today! I loved Kristy Cambron’s Castle series! I also tried Rebecca, but not sure I gave it a fair shake and maybe I should try it again?!
I need to finish Rebecca someday! I started it when Netflix adapted the new version. So I still have to read it technically too. ;)
Set in a castle is a good choice. The Chronicles of Narnia is the only one familiar to me. Thanks for introducing me to some new books.
It was fun! I know I missed some good ones, too, but that’s for next time I guess. ;)
I love books set in castles! There’s something wonderfully whimsical about them (unless they’re haunted, of course!). I’ve only read Narnia from this list, but I’ve heard great things about My Lady Jane :)
If you’d like to visit, here’s my off-topic TTT: https://thebooklorefairyreads.wordpress.com/2025/07/21/top-ten-tuesday-most-anticipated-books-releasing-in-the-second-half-of-2025/
They are fun! And I agree – so long as they aren’t creepy or haunted.:) Narnia is so good and every time I feature them, I’m reminded that I need to read the rest in the series.
I am surprised how few books from this list I’ve read! I love books set in a castle. My Lady Jane was such a good book, plus I love the tv adaptation! I was so sad that they cancelled the show. Happy TTT!
Every time I add My Lady Jane on my list or see it on others I’m reminded that I need to read more in that book series. Hopefully someday! :)
Great topic! I love the idea of books set in castles, and it leaves it open to so many genres – historical fiction, romance, fantasy, and even mystery. This is a great list, and I’ve even read a couple of the books from it for a change!
Right you are, Leah! This is all so true. Castle do fit different genres. :)