Fairy tale parodies where the Tradition dictates destiny.
The Five Hundred Kingdoms is a romantic fantasy series set in a realm where a force called the Tradition tries to make lives follow familiar fairy tales, legends, and other story patterns. Those patterns can bring danger when people are pushed into roles they did not choose, and the novels follow characters who must find ways to change the outcome. The books share a setting but feature different protagonists. Start with The Fairy Godmother, then use the publication-order guide to continue or choose a later standalone tale.