Summary

• Cozy fantasy novels tend to focus on lower-stakes stories and personal relationships in traditional fantasy settings.
• Books like Half a Soul and The Spellshop offer entertaining and heartwarming stories perfect for relaxing days reading.
• Novels like The Tea Dragon Society and Howl's Moving Castle offer timeless cozy fantasy stories despite being categorized as middle grade.

Many well-known fantasy books and series boast thrilling adventures and high stakes, but one subset of the genre leans into the cozy side of the extraordinary. "Cozy fantasy" is a relatively recent term in the book community, but it describes novels that are set in traditional fantasy environments but evoke feelings of comfort rather than tension. They typically accomplish this by focusing on lower-stakes stories centered on characters' personal goals and relationships.

Numerous cozy fantasy books have come out since the term became popular, though there are examples of this subgenre from before then. These novels are solid choices to snuggle up with, and they strike a great balance between embracing the fantastical and idealizing the ordinary. For those looking to wind down from the usual high fantasy narratives, they're a great way to relax and reset. And with their poignant and relatable themes, some of the most popular cozy fantasy books will stay with readers long after they've put them down.

10 Half A Soul (2020)

Written By Olivia Atwater

Olivia Atwater's Half a Soul is a book that blends fantasy and romance, with its Goodreads synopsis likening it to a mash-up of Bridgerton and Howl's Moving Castle. That's already a big selling point, and the fact that Half a Soul falls into the cozy category only adds to the appeal. The first book in Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales series, Half a Soul follows Theodora Ettings, who's cursed by a faerie to feel no fear or embarrassment.

This obviously makes Dora a liability when interacting with high society, but it doesn't prevent her from getting pulled into faerie problems — or falling for Elias Wilder. Half a Soul's regency setting is a ton of fun, and it captures all the romantic elements of the period impressively. The central romance is also a highlight, as is the fact that Half a Soul doesn't shy away from more serious subjects, like trauma and class. Despite tackling difficult topics, it's a fun and cozy read that's well worth adding to your TBR for a relaxing day.

9 The Spellshop (2024)

Written By Sarah Beth Durst

Sarah Beth Durst's The Spellshop is a recent addition to the cozy fantasy subgenre, as it's one of the many anticipated fantasy books to come out in July 2024. The author's debut novel, The Spellshop embraces its "cottagecore" vibes, weaving a story about magic and jam. The book sees Kiela and her sentient spider plant, Caz, fleeing their home in the midst of a rebellion — and bringing as many spellbooks with them as possible. They wind up returning to Kiela's childhood home, where she decides to open a secret spellshop and forms a connection with an interested neighbor.

Although the beginning of Kiela and Caz's story is somewhat grim, the end result is a sweet and entertaining story as comforting as its cover suggests.

Although the beginning of Kiela and Caz's story is somewhat grim, the end result is a sweet and entertaining story as comforting as its cover suggests. The Spellshop is a can't-miss 2024 release, especially for fans of the cozy fantasy category. It's got everything you can ask for in a low-stakes fantasy romance.

8 Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia Of Faeries (2023)

Written By Heather Fawcett

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is one of the most well-known cozy fantasy books on shelves, and Heather Fawcett's story is every bit as compelling as its 4.02 Goodreads rating suggests. The first installment in the Emily Wilde series, this 2023 release follows the titular professor on a journey to the village of Hrafnsvik, where she intends to study faerie lore for the encyclopedia she's writing. It's there she meets Wendell Bambleby, a handsome academic who holds up her plans and may have ulterior motives for doing so.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries boasts a lovable main character, an enchanting setting and lore, and a charming romance. While it does veer away from its cozy descriptor at times, Fawcett's book is still worth a read. Its sequel is equally entertaining, and there's even another installment on the way.

7 The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches (2022)

Written By Sangu Mandanna

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is another cozy book that balances fantasy and romance, and Sangu Mandanna does an impressive job of weaving this witchy tale. The 2022 novel follows Mika Moon, a witch who's been isolated for much of her life in order to keep her magic a secret. Mika does post witch videos on social media, assuming no one will believe a word she says. But this lands her an invitation to Nowhere House, where she's tasked with training three inexperienced witches.

A story about finding one's place and choosing one's family, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a heartwarming story that will leave readers smiling.

A story about finding one's place and choosing one's family, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a heartwarming story that will leave readers smiling. There's also a sweet romance, with Mandanna's book boasting something for everyone. Those who like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches can look forward to the author's 2025 book, A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping, which looks every bit as charming.

6 The Tea Dragon Society (2017)

Written By Kay O'Neil

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neil is aimed at a younger audience than most of the books on this list, but this middle grade fantasy story really is the definition of cozy. The 2017 novel sees Greta, who's training to become a blacksmith, discovering "the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking." That may sound absurd, but Greta's adventures in the world of tea dragons are adorable and fun. The tea shop setting and the family Greta forms are also highlights of this novel, giving cozy fantasy fans every reason to dive in.

Those who love dragons but don't want a high-stakes Fourth Wing should definitely check out O'Neil's middle grade story and its sequels. It's incredibly fun to immerse oneself in this world, especially when snuggling up and having some downtime. There's a reason all three of O'Neil's Tea Dragon books have such high Goodreads ratings. They live up to the hype, no matter what age the reader is.

5 A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking (2020)

Written By T. Kingfisher

T. Kingfisher's young adult novel, A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, sounds cozy from the title alone — and the fantasy book's premise delivers on that promise. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking follows 14-year-old Mona, whose magic doesn't lend itself to grandiose acts of heroism. But even though Mona can't do anything flashy with her powers, she's able to use it on bread. Needless to say, she spends plenty of time in her aunt's bakery. And A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking blends the fantasy genre with the mystery category when Mona discovers a dead body in that very bakery.

This is a problem on its own, but things escalate when Mona discovers she might be the killer's next target. The stakes are a bit higher in A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking than they are in other cozy fantasy books, but this blends the cozy fantasy category with the cozy mystery genre in the best way. Kingfisher rarely misses, and while this isn't one of the author's best-known books, it's the perfect one to curl up with on a lazy day.

4 Legends & Lattes (2022)

Written By Travis Baldree

Legends & Lattes has gotten a lot of hype since its 2022 release, and it's one of the most recognizable cozy fantasy books out there. Written by Travis Baldree, Legends & Lattes sees its orc heroine, Viv, sheathing her sword and bidding farewell to her warrior lifestyle. Viv decides to open a coffee shop and start anew, but there are a few challenges to achieving her dream — including the fact that coffee is a foreign concept to most of the people residing in Thune.

If Legends & Lattes' premise sounds wildly entertaining, that's because it is.

If Legends & Lattes' premise sounds wildly entertaining, that's because it is. Viv's journey is charming and heartwarming, especially as she meets people who change her life and help make her dream a reality. The book's coffee shop setting is undeniably cozy, and the low stakes of the story allow readers to sit back and fully immerse themselves in it. Legends & Lattes is a must-read cozy fantasy novel, as is its sequel, Bookshops & Bonedust.

3 The House In The Cerulean Sea (2020)

Written By T.J. Klune

T.J. Klune is no stranger to cozy fantasy, and The House in the Cerulean Sea might be some of the author's best work to date. The novel opens with Linus Baker, a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, being ordered to travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage and determine if six magical children there are too dangerous to leave unchecked. The children's caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, will go to great lengths to keep their secrets and ensure their safety. And he and Linus form a bond, leaving Linus to decide whether he wants to help this family or do his duty.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a stunning tale about found family, and it makes for a magical and cozy read. There's plenty of humor scattered throughout Klune's 2020 release, and there's no shortage of heartfelt moments. The House in the Cerulean Sea is also getting a sequel in September 2024, so there's no better time to dive in.

2 A Psalm for the Wild-Built (2021)

Written By Becky Chambers

A Psalm for the Wild-Built is a mix of sci-fi and fantasy, but one category it undeniably falls into is "cozy." Becky Chambers' 2021 book is the first chapter of the Monk and Robot series, and it takes place in a world where robots gained self-awareness and disappeared into the wilderness hundreds of years earlier. Naturally, then, the tea monk we follow in A Psalm for the Wild-Built is shocked to have a robot appear and ask about what people need. And this existential question is the focal point of Chambers' book, which explores the human condition over other high-stakes themes.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built has gotten a ton of praise since its release, and its 4.27 Goodreads rating is a testament to its quality. This is a stunningly written book that will leave readers feeling warm and content. Chambers has a knack for doing that, and the author's Monk and Robot books continue to showcase their talent.

1 Howl's Moving Castle (1986)

Written By Diana Wynne Jones

Howl's Moving Castle was written long before "cozy fantasy" was coined, but Diana Wynne Jones' 1986 novel fits the description of the subgenre. Howl's Moving Castle follows Sophie, who is turned into an old woman by the Witch of the Waste. Her only shot at undoing this spell is to travel to the Wizard Howl's castle and deal with Howl and other extraordinary beings. The middle grade novel takes Sophie on a grand adventure, but it's one that's heartwarming and comforting despite the personal stakes.

Howl's Moving Castle is a classic that's likely to touch anyone who reads it, even if it's labeled as a middle grade story. Its continued popularity speaks to how timeless the book is, as does its impressive 4.29 Goodreads rating. Studio Ghibli's adaptation of this cozy fantasy book is also worth checking out on a relaxing day, as its just as entertaining and stunning.

Source: Goodreads