Have you ever been reading a fantasy novel with complicated politics, epic battles, and extensive world building and found yourself relishing the parts where the character stops at an Inn and enjoys a meal? Or savored the detailed descriptions of nature or a little town the character passes through? Then you might enjoy cozy fantasy books.
Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that has a slower pace, lower stakes, more focus on characters, and a happy ending.
Here are 25 cozy fantasy book recommendations for you to peruse at your leisure.
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What Is a Cozy Fantasy Book
Cozy fantasy is a more recent subgenre of fantasy. Usually they include heartwarming themes like finding belonging and enjoying the small things of daily life, and they are low stakes in comparison to epic fantasy novels.
The term “cozy fantasy” started to appear on social media sites like Tik Tok and Instagram around 2020 when people were craving stories to escape from tumultuous events. Most notably it was the genre used for Travis Baldrey’s Legends and Lattes, which is marketed as “high fantasy with low stakes.”
Despite cozy fantasy often being defined as “low stakes,” this is too limiting to describe the genre. It is low stakes when compared to traditional adult high fantasy novels, which are often stories of saving the world and facing perilous obstacles.
However, this does not mean there are no stakes or consequences in cozy fantasy. It also doesn’t mean that there is never any violence or a threat to the life of a character. Oftentimes the cozy fantasy genre includes themes of loss, heartbreak, and the dangers of the everyday world. What then should be considered a cozy fantasy?
The following concepts could be seen as a guideline as to what to expect in cozy fantasy: self development, found family, comforting descriptions of food and everyday life, and good endings.The goal of these combined concepts is to create a cozy atmosphere with fantastical elements that are like a healing balm for the reader.
Because this subgenre has been growing rapidly in the past few years, there are countless amazing books to choose from. This article will include a few of my recommendations for trying out this exciting new category of fantasy. Many of these overlap with other genres like romance, mysteries, and fairytales.
New Cozy Fantasy Books
The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst
When Kiela the librarian is forced to flee Alyssium, she starts a new life in her home town by the sea armed only with some illegal spellbooks and her magical plant familiar Caz. In a land where performing magic is illegal, Kiela has to learn what risks she’s willing to take to make it on her own.
This new addition to cozy fantasy explores themes of connection and romance, overcoming one’s fear of new things, and gorgeous descriptions of plants.
Books and Bone dust by Travis Baldry
In this prequel to the widely popular Legends and Lattes, Viv is wounded while on a quest with the Rackam’s Ravens company and is forced to recover in the small seaside town of Murk. She spends her time healing in a bookshop meeting unlikely friends and learning about new things that will eventually inspire the events in Legends and Lattes.
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
In this tale of love and self-discovery, Belladonna Blackthorn learns the importance of community and believing in oneself. She lives her life in secret as a witch in a bookshop.
However, on her 30th birthday, Belladonna’s magic ability is put to the test by her coven where she must prove her abilities as a witch in order to keep her magic.
The Good and the Green by Amy Yorke
This is the first book in the series of The Wilderise Tales. Alison Lennox leaves a busy kingdom to live in a cottage she has inherited and intends to flip for profit.
However, her plans become frustrated by arguments with her handsome neighbor and a mysterious vine that starts to invade the cozy town she comes to love.
Dreadful by Catlin Rozakis
Imagine waking up in a castle afraid that the evil lord is going to come for you before you realize that the evil lord might, in fact, be you!
This is a unique tale that is full of humor, telling the story of Gav who doesn’t remember how he ended up as the Dread Lord of a castle with a captured princess and Goblin minions. He has to get his memories back and figure out who he was, or more importantly, who he wants to be.
Best Cozy Fantasy Books of All Time
Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldry
This is perhaps the most well known book in the genre, kicking off the cozy fantasy trend on BookTok and BookTube. An orc decides to retire from adventures and opens a coffee shop to start a new life. It highlights themes of found family, starting over, romance, and detailed descriptions of coffee and baked goods that will have your mouth watering.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
You might be familiar with Hayao Miazaki’s interpretation of this story, but before it was made into a movie by Studio Ghibli, it was a delightful book of magic, romance, and friendship. It’s included in the best of all time category because it showcases all the key points of cozy fantasy before it was used as a category.
It has a slower paced story line with detailed descriptions of towns, a wizard’s fantastical castle that moves on its own, and endearing characters that warm the heart.
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater
With the unique combination of Regency England and fairy kingdoms, this was a no brainer when it came time to choose what to include in this category.
Theodora Ettings does not experience things the same as others, and some find her lacking in feeling. When she is introduced to a bad-tempered sorcerer she embarks on a journey of self acceptance, romance, and finding her purpose.
Redwall By Brian Jacques
Matthias is a mouse that is training as an apprentice monk at Redwall Abbey. He goes on a quest to find a mythical weapon to defeat a warlord bilge rat who threatens his quiet little village of woodland creatures.
This middle grade book has the hero’s journey that many might find familiar in other fantasy novels, but this was the first fantasy that made me want to find books with a similar cozy vibe. The extensive meal preparation for the feast at the beginning of the book creates a comforting atmosphere.
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
When a reclusive professor travels to the isolated village of Hrafnsvik, she intends to continue the research for her book on different types of fae. Competing with her dashing but frustrating academic nemesis, Wendell Bambleby, Emily struggles to solve the mystery of the local fae and discover the true intentions of her rival.
The writing in this book is spellbinding and beautiful. This is the perfect book if you want to get lost in the dramatic cold landscape and detailed academic descriptions of fairies.
Lighthearted Cozy Fantasy Books
The Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mika is taking a risk by posting videos on social media “pretending” to be a witch. Struggling to keep her identity as a witch a secret but living an isolated life, Mika goes on an unexpected journey of discovering love when she is hired to travel to Nowhere House to teach some young witches.
This book features fond descriptions of libraries but is ultimately about finding a place in an unlikely family.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
When Linus, who works for the department in charge of magical youth is sent to an orphanage on a remote Island, he must determine if these children are as dangerous to the world as he was led to believe.
This is a heartwarming story about finding connection in unlikely places and encountering love and belonging.
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
An adorable tale of an anxious little Garlic character who can’t seem to get anything right. She just wants to be safe in her garden until a nearby castle becomes occupied by a vampire and her vegetable friends convince her to pay him a visit.
Garlic is cute and so relatable with her self doubt that it inspires the reader to face their own fears. This graphic novel is filled with gorgeous drawings of nature and endearing characters that will definitely give you the warm and fuzzies.
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner
If the mouthwatering descriptions of baked goods is what draws you to this genre, this story will be the perfect one to sink your teeth into. A human baker finds friendship, love, and self confidence when she enters an elvin baking battle with other magical creatures.
The House Witch by Delemhach
Fin has a special gift when it comes to cooking with magic. When he is hired by the domestic staff of the King and Queen themselves, Fin must be extra careful to keep his identity a secret. This a comforting read with mystery, romance, and delicious food.
Cozy Fantasy Books for Adults
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
If you want more adventure with your cozy read then this one might be for you. Marketed as a Princess Bride retelling, this story is filled with the lush and beautiful worldbuilding for which Sanderson is known. Tress is an endearing character who has to risk pirates and a deadly ocean of spores to save the one she loves.
Swordheart by T.Kingfisher
When Halla unexpectedly inherits money from her late uncle, her greedy relatives try to force her into a marriage that will keep the money in the family. Halla accidentally enlists the help of Sarkis who is bound to an enchanted sword and becomes her defender in this comforting story of self discovery and romance.
The descriptions of the inns and towns Halla travels through are so detailed and comforting I could practically smell the bread and stews she’s served.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
In this fairytale inspired story Miryam takes control of her life by taking over her father’s job as a moneylender to help her poor family. She begins collecting money from the villagers that her father refuses to collect debt from and a rumor is spread that she can “turn silver into gold”. This attracts unwanted attention from a powerful Fey who presents her with an impossible task.
There are many wonderful scenes describing the frigid winter landscape, the meticulous exchange of money and goods, and delicious descriptions of food.
Asiri and the Amaru by Natalia Hernandez
In this cozy fantasy romance inspired by Peruvian mythology, Asiri decides that she must hide her ability to speak to animals when she moves to a village by the sea. This turns out to be more complicated when she and an attractive animal healer come across a mythical creature that needs their help.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
If you want a story that includes mystery, enemies to lovers, and folklore, then this one just might be for you. Jack’s rival Adaira convinces him to use his musical ability as a bard to find and save the girls who have gone missing from their village.
Cozy Fantasy Books for Kids
The Ogress and the Orphans by Kelly Barnhill
This is the perfect cozy fantasy to share with the whole family. It highlights the importance of community, kindness, and of course baked goods.
In a town that is struggling, a group of orphans are helped by an unlikely stranger. But when some of the orphans begin to go missing, they must work together to make the villagers listen to them when the mayor starts to blame the local Ogress.
Roverandom by JRR Tolkien
Inspired by Tolkien’s son losing his toy dog, this story follows Rover who goes on a journey filled with dragons and magic to find the magician who transformed him into a toy so he can become a dog again.
The Girl who kept the Castle by Ryan Graudin
Book one in a duology, this enchanting tale stars Faye, the maid of a wizard’s castle, who has unfortunately become a ghost. The wizard requires a successor to renew the spell that holds the castle so he must rely on Faye and her domestic skills to run a competition and even go up against the shadow queen herself.
Little Witch Hazel by Phoebe Whal
This adorable graphic novel celebrates the seasons in four stories about Witch Hazel. With gorgeous illustrations of nature, Witch hazel goes on cozy adventures to help her fellow woodland friends.
The Little Grey Men by B.B.
In this classic story from the 1940’s,three gnomes, who are going extinct in Britain, decide to venture out into the world to find their missing gnome friend. Their journey takes them through lush countryside throughout the seasons and is a celebration of nature and friendship.
Hopefully you enjoyed this list of cozy fantasy recommendations and found plenty of options to add to your TBR. If you found something you’re interested in trying out, hopefully you get to enjoy it by a roaring fire with a hot beverage and a sweet treat.
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