What is a Cozy Fantasy?
From the Archives: A Special Share While I Do Something Big This Weekend
Dear Cozy Reader,
I’m pulling a post from the archives this week because I’m moving to Portugal!! 🇵🇹📚 I’m so thrilled about this adventure and can’t wait to share more about life (and reading!) abroad with you.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist starting yet another Substack called Reading in Portugal. It’s where I’ll chronicle my travels, cozy reading nooks I discover, and what it’s like building a readerly life in a new country. There aren’t any posts yet, but if you’d like to follow along from the start, you can subscribe now.
In the meantime, here’s a favorite from the Sleuth Hero Alien archives, about how I define “cozy fantasy.”
—Emma
Cozy fantasy is a popular term in the book community right now.
This subgenre has actually been an under-the-radar gem for a while now; though in the past they often leaned more toward the absurd, like Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series or Robert Asprin’s Myth-Adventures series.
But In 2022, Travis Baldree took the reading world by storm with his cozy fantasy, Legends & Lattes, and since then we have all been banging down publishers’ doors asking for more.
In L&L, Viv, an orc, is weary of being a mercenary. So, she changes her life, moves to a city, and opens a coffee shop.
The story starts with a bang. In the first chapter, Viv is on a mission with her mercenary team. There is violence, theft, and gore. With the setup, a reader might think they are smack dab in the middle of an adventurous high fantasy, but Baldree quickly flips the script.
In chapter 2, the stakes get much lower and the world gets much cozier, when Viv arrives in the city to begin her life as a small business owner.
This fantasy has lovable characters (many of whom are mythological creatures), small town vibes, delicious food, and very little violence. There is some adventure, because it’s a fantasy after all, but what you know from the outset is things are probably going to go well for Viv. And that’s a cozy fantasy.
It’s a story with wizards, witches, or magic but without the violence or high stress of darker fantasies.
Authors sometimes amp up the cozy vibes with a quaint small town, lovable characters, and tea or coffee or books.
There’s also an adventure. There’s a dragon to slay, a dark lord to oust, or a magical community to defend.
Because it’s cozy, you will not feel highly anxious or grossed out while reading. Instead, coziness is about those fun and safe vibes.
I’ve been running an online Cozy Magical Book Club for the past year and a half, and here are three of the club’s favorites:
Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper. A reluctant witch returns to her hometown to arbitrate a magical competition between the founding families. There are small town vibes, a sweet romance, and benevolent mischief.
House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. A social worker is sent on a mission away from his dull gray cubicle job, to a home for magical children on a beautiful island. There are many sweet, funny, and mischievous scenes with the kids, plus a lovely romance.
The House Witch by Delemhach. A cook, who’s also a witch, gets a job at the castle. He tries to hide his magic, but eventually hijinks and political intrigue rule the day. There are descriptions of delicious food, fun magical times, and lots of laughter.
I love fantasies. I’m happy to read a high fantasy, a low fantasy, or a witchy tale. But as a sensitive reader, I vet my books carefully for how gruesome the violence will be, and sometimes fantasies can get pretty dark.
For me, cozies are a fun and comforting subgenre where I can relax and enjoy a good tale without having my guard up.
Have a cozy fantasy recommendation? Share it in the comments!
Cozy Book Recommendation: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
In this prequel to Legends & Lattes, Viv has just started working as a mercenary. She’s hungry for adventure, but she gets injured in her first battle. Now, she’s stuck in Murk, a small town in the middle of nowhere, and there’s nothing to do but read, make friends, and have a couple adventures.
I absolutely loved this story. We follow Viv as she heals from her wound, reads, helps renovate a bookshop, has a sweet romance, and makes friends with a cast of fun characters.
I read this one twice, once in print and once on audio. Travis Baldree does the audio narration, and it’s great. I couldn’t stop listening, even though it was my second time reading the book!
If you read this one, you can expect:
A book about books, as Viv discovers the joy of reading
An exploration of healing, and what it means to pause when you don’t want to
Curmudgeonly friends, who band together
A fun adventure
I especially recommend this for folks who enjoy books about bookstores. You won’t be disappointed.
Hi there! I’m Emma Veritas, your cozy reading enthusiast. I delight in escaping to small towns filled with endearing characters—and a touch of mystery, dragons, or aliens! When I'm not sharing bookish musings here, you’ll find me crafting fictional tales in my notebooks, spending quality time with my adorable pet bunny, or savoring a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
You might also enjoy my other newsletter, Mystics Reading Society, a welcoming space where books, personal growth, and magic intertwine, nurturing your soul one page at a time. We’re currently slow reading When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron. Join us as we study one chapter at a time. Read the most recent post here: This Very Moment is the Perfect Teacher