If you ever feel the urge to escape to a fantasy world but aren’t in the mood for world-saving quests, evil forces, and epic battles, then cozy fantasy is the perfect root for you.
What is Cozy Fantasy?
Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that focuses on characters and their relationships, often set in small towns with close-knit communities. There is a greater emphasis on world-building, and the stakes are lower, as the conflicts of the characters are more personal and intimate rather than involving world-threatening situations. They usually include quirky and whimsical elements with themes of magic, adventure, and found-family tropes. The stories usually end on a positive note, evoking a sense of comfort and warmth.
These cozy fantasy novels will transport you to enchanting worlds and magical adventures, making them perfect for a comfortable night in:
Table of Contents
1. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
It would be a grave literary sin to not mention this seminal work of the fantasy genre on this list. Published in 1937, this timeless classic was written by the iconic writer J.R.R. Tolkien, originally crafted for his own children, but has been cherished by readers for decades. Set in the wondrous world of Middle Earth, the story begins with Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives a peaceful and comfortable life in his humble and cozy dwelling in Hobbiton. He heartily enjoys his meals, soaks up the sun, and is a hospitable neighbor, bothering no one and disturbed by no one.
But this pleasant life is upended when an unexpected visitor comes knocking at his door. It’s Gandalf, the wizard, who persuades Bilbo to embark on an adventure with thirteen dwarves, on a treasure quest. Bilbo, of course, is horrified. Infused with immersive storytelling, vivid imagery, and adventure, this novel is the epitome of cozy fantasy.
2. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
In this cozy and heartwarming novel, we follow the journey of Kiela, a librarian who works to preserve spellbooks in a magical library for the city’s elite, along with her assistant, caz, a sentient spider plant. When the dark forces attack and the library goes up in flames, they manage to gather some spellbooks and flee to her childhood home, a place she wasn’t expecting to see again. She encounters an insufferably handsome neighbor who is hell-bent on helping her. To make a living, Kiela decides to set up a jam shop with the help of an old recipe book her parents left behind.
She restores her family’s overgrown cottage and grows berries using unsanctioned magic spells. But as she starts to understand the power of magic, she opens a secret spell shop to help people, building a vibrant magical community. Filled with mythical beings like winged cats, this romantasy offers the perfect escape.
3. The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill
This fantasy graphic novel is an overload of cuteness. It is set in a whimsical, cozy society and begins with Greta, a young girl who discovers a tea dragon. What are tea dragons? Tea dragons are tiny and affectionate creatures that grow different herbs on their heads and are named by the kind of herb they grow, such as chamomile. These herbs have unique properties and drinking tea infused with them provides various magical effects.
The enchanting illustrations perfectly capture this fantasy world and the story highlights the importance of friendship and community. This quick read provides a charming escape for your busy days.
4. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
In this enchanting novel, we follow the journey of Emily Wilde, a curmudgeonly professor and an excellent researcher who travels to a small town near the Arctic Circle, characterized by the bitter cold, to write an encyclopedia on faeries and their magical powers. Despite being a genius scholar, she is not a people person and prefers her own company. When she arrives in the village of Hrafnsvik, she is accompanied by her insufferable but charming academic rival, Wendell Bambleby, much to her dismay. This incorrigible flirt meddles in Emily’s research, exasperating her.
As she gets closer to unraveling the mysteries of the hidden faeries, she faces another question: who exactly is Wendell Bambleby? Brimming with compelling world-building, Snow-laden forests, folklore, faerie, mystery, and adventure this book is a delightful read.
5. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The story revolves around the life of Mika Moon, one of the few witches left in Britain, who is forced to hide her magic and avoid coming in close contact with other witches to avoid drawing attention. She lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers. Mika follows all the rules except one: she has an online account where she posts videos as a pretend witch assuming no one will believe it. But everything changes when she receives an unexpected message inviting her to teach three young witches at the secluded “Nowhere house”.
There, she gets tangled in the lives of its residents including a charming librarian, who will go to any extent to protect the children, and views Mika as a threat. Used to a solitary existence all her life, she unexpectedly finds herself caring deeply for these people and discovers an unexpected family in the unlikeliest of places. This book offers a magical reading experience with romance, secrets, friendship, a little danger, and endearing characters.
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