Serena Valentino is a comic book author. She is best known for writing novels about the lifestyle of famous Disney villains. From a young age, the author knew she wanted to work in publishing. Her dream came true when she was in her mid-20s.
Serena was inspired by writers whose narrative views were different from the standard. Serena was aware that her writing style was unique but was eager to find an audience.
Her first book, ‘Nightmares and Fairy Tales,’ was a big hit. But her career took off when Disney asked her to write about some of their characters. Serena had a traditional interest in Disney’s animated films when she was younger. She enjoyed the miracles, silliness, and even sadness of the stories. As she got older, though, Serena started loving the villains.
Her books, instead of repeating the same stories, reinvent them from a new perspective. Each book examines a villain’s behavior and tries to deduce their intentions.
Each story centers on a movie told from the perspective of the villain. It doesn’t try to explain the deeds of each protagonist. Serena’s point is to illustrate to her readers the interesting backstory of each antagonist. She lets them decide if the villain’s history legitimizes their behavior.
Serena Valentino Books in order
Disney Villains
- Fairest of All (2009)
- The Beast Within (2014)
- Poor Unfortunate Soul (2016)
- Mistress of All Evil (2017)
- Mother Knows Best (2018)
- The Odd Sisters (2019)
- Evil Thing (2020)
- Cold Hearted (2021)
GloomCookie
- GloomCookie Volume 1 (2001)
- GloomCookie, Volume 2 (2002)
- Broken Curses (2004)
- The Carnival Wars (2005)
- The Final Curtain (2007)
Nightmares & Fairy Tales
- Once Upon a Time (2004)
- Beautiful Beasts (2005)
- 1140 Rue Royale (2007)
- Dancing with the Ghosts of Whales (2008)
Standalone Novel
Similar authors
- A Whole New World by Liz Braswell shows an alternative plotline to the movie Aladdin. What if Aladdin gave Jafar the magic lamp at the entrance to the Cave of Wonders?
- Jennifer Donnell’s Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book follows two sisters. They are forever arguing and bet that Belle will abandon the Beast before the spell breaks.
See also: A Twisted Tale Series in Order.
Most recommended books
- Cold Hearted (Villains, #8) (4.13 Goodreads score)
- Evil Thing (Villains, #7) (4.07 Goodreads score)
- The Odd Sisters (Villains, #6) (4.05 Goodreads score)
- Mother Knows Best (Villains, #5) (3.99 Goodreads score)
- Mistress of All Evil (Villains, #4) (3.99 Goodreads score)
Upcoming releases
Serena Valentino’s next book, Never Never, will be released on July 19th, 2022. It is the latest installment in the Disney Villains Series.
Book summaries
Fairest of All (2009)
Why exactly is the wicked Queen so nasty, particularly to Snow White? Perhaps it has something to do with the creepy-looking man in the magic mirror who’s not just some random spooky visage…
The Beast Within (2014)
A cursed prince sits alone in a secluded castle. Few have seen him, but those who claim they have said his hair is wild and nails are sharp–like a beast’s! But how did this prince, once jovial and beloved by the people, come to be a reclusive and bitter monster? And is it possible that he can ever find true love and break the curse that has been placed upon him?
Poor Unfortunate Soul (2016)
How did the sea witch, Ursula, become so twisted and filled with anger and hatred? Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with Ursula. Will the cost of losing her enchanting voice and nearly her soul prove too high for Ariel, or will the power of good prevail Losing then finding one’s voice is at the heart of the classic story of The Little Mermaid.
Mistress of All Evil (2017)
The tale is told as if it’s happening once upon a dream: the lovely maiden meets her handsome prince in the woods. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the maiden finds out that she is a princess—a princess who has been cursed by a dark fairy to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into an eternal sleep. Though her three good fairies try to protect her, the princess succumbs to the curse. But the power of good endures, as her true love defeats the fire-breathing dragon and awakens the princess with true love’s first kiss. The two live happily ever after. And yet this is only half the story. So what of the dark fairy, Maleficent? Why does she curse the innocent princess? What led to her becoming so filled with malice, anger, and hatred? Many tales have tried to explain her motives. Here is one account, pulled down from the many passed down through the ages. It is a tale of love and betrayal, of magic and reveries. It is a tale of the Mistress of All Evil.
Mother Knows Best (2018)
The tale of the legendary golden flower is widely known. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the flower is coveted by an old witch to keep herself young and beautiful. And always the flower is used to save a dying queen, who then gives birth to a princess with magical hair. Not willing to lose the flower, the old witch steals the princess and locks her away in a high tower, raising her as her own. But the princess always finds out who she truly is and manages to defeat the old witch. And yet this is only half the story. So what of the old witch, Mother Gothel? Where does she come from? And how does she come across the magical golden flower? Here is one account that recounts a version of the story that has remained untold for centuries . . . until now. It is a tale of mothers and daughters, of youth and dark magic. It is a tale of the old witch.
The Odd Sisters (2019)
When the truth about the odd sisters is revealed, will anything be the same again? Throughout the course of time, three witches – Lucinda, Ruby, and Martha – have changed the fates of the greatest villains ever known. They’ve turned innocents into monsters and left chaos in their wake. Now those they have wronged throughout the many kingdoms demand justice and the secrets of the twisted, diabolical odd sisters are about to be revealed…
Evil Thing (2020)
The darkly captivating seventh novel in the popular Villains series follows the rise and fall of the deranged and glamorous fan favorite, Cruella De Vil. If it doesn’t scare you, no evil thing will…
Cold Hearted (2021)
This was supposed to be her happily ever after…It’s a familiar tale: A kind and beautiful young girl, reeling from the loss. A doting father, frantic to bring a mother’s love back into his daughter’s life. And the selfish, cruel woman who insinuates herself into that family?a woman so unfeeling, so cold-hearted, that when her new husband dies, she makes the girl a servant in her own home.But who is that evil stepmother, that icy lady of the house? How did she become so closed off that, in the face of a child’s grief, she thought only to seek wealth and power for herself and her abhorrent daughters? Before that fateful ball, before the glass slipper and the prince, there was another story? a story of love and grief, of hope and of dreams dashed. It is the story of Lady Tremaine. Even the coldest of villains are sometimes wives and mothers, women who loved and lost and hoped forsomething grander for their lives . . . once upon a dream.
GloomCookie Volume 1 (2001)
GloomCookie is Serena Valentino’s cult-favorite, goth-infused, satirical soap opera graphic novel series, focusing on the star-crossed relationship between goth clubber Lex and her gargoylesque friend and lover Damion. Each volume collects a six-issue arc of the series; Volume 1 features are from Ted Naifeh, Jon Gebbia provides art for Volume 2, Breehn Burns works on Volume 3, Harley Sparx draws Volume 4, and Vincent Batignole provides art on Volume 5.
GloomCookie, Volume 2 (2002)
Collecting issues 7-12 of the popular gothic soap-opera series – follow the conclusion of the triangle of fate between Isabella, Damion, and Lex; discover the secrets behind Chrys and Sebastian; and see triumph turn to humiliation in Vermilion the poet’s ultimate plot against Lex. Plus NEW material, including an introduction by Darick Robertson and a guest page by Jhonen Vasquez!
Broken Curses (2004)
The drama continues with GloomCookie’s third collection. Lex & Damion are haunted by a terrible curse, Sebastian struggles to understand his increasing powers, and Chrys learns about her past.
The Carnival Wars (2005)
GloomCookie features an ensemble cast of cursed beauties, living wax statues, bad goth poets, malevolent gargoyles, disturbed werewolves, and a boy struggling to come to terms with his enormous power. The Carnival Macabre goes to war against Marguerite and her evil shape-shifting acolytes for their horrific misdeeds against Sebastian and his friends.
The Final Curtain (2007)
Wrapping up the long-running Gloom Cookie series, The Final Curtain brings us to a brief resting point for all of the characters as the goth soap opera brings everything to a boil, with plots, twists, and turns in the relationships and the storylines.
Once Upon a Time (2004)
This haunting first collection of Annabelle’s memories are filled with frightening stories and dark fairy tales about her various owners. Featuring the first 6 issues, as well as some other spookirific surprises, including an introduction by Tommy Kovac (Skelebunnies, Stitch, and Autumn) as well as a guest page by Jhonen Vasquez and other SLG creators.
Beautiful Beasts (2005)
Nightmares and Fairy Tales is a continuing series filled with dark fairy tales and horror stories, all narrated by Annabelle, a disturbingly creepy-cute little doll. Each person who possesses Annabelle falls into horrible circumstances, and Annabelle isn’t sure if she’s merely witnessing the horror or causing it.
1140 Rue Royale (2007)
This tale belongs to the dead and the house they dwell in. Madame Lalaurie inflicted unspeakable acts upon her slaves at 1140 Rue Royale, and now their tortured souls are seeking revenge on the house’s new occupants: an elderly woman named Victoria and her young niece Rebecca. Rebecca must fight for their lives as she learns of the house’s horrifying past, encounters monstrous nuns with a deadly secret in the attic, and becomes possessed by one of the spirits in her new home.
Dancing with the Ghosts of Whales (2008)
Nightmares & Fairy Tales returns to the book’s manga-inspired roots with two new retellings of classic horror stories and fairy tales. This issue features two stories inspired by Sleeping Beauty and H.P. Lovecraft’s Shadow over Innsmouth.
How to Be a Zombie / Undead (2010)
So you’re a zombie. What now? Slow down — and flesh out the life of the mindless with this essential guide for the newly undead. The vacant stare, the shambling gait, the sense that you’re falling apart — adjusting to “life” as a zombie takes a little getting used to. And what’s with the sudden obsession with brains? Time to get your outstretched hands on this comprehensive handbook spelling out all things z-o-m-b-i-e.
How to Be a Werewolf / Howl (2010)
Are you subject to savage moods, extreme and unexplained buffness, and cravings for meat on the rare side? Do you long for super speed and reflexes, along with rapid healing and maybe a talent for telepathy? Welcome to the pack — and get ready to howl — as you sink your claws into this guide to everything life as a werewolf has to offer. Among its abundant fur-raising topics
