Readers need stress relief more than ever, which has resulted in a rise in demand for cozy fantasy and sci-fi novels. The cozy fantasy genre has seen a sudden surge in hits like: Azure Beach House With TJ Clune Legends and Lattes Following in the footsteps of Travis Baldry’s Cozy Fantasy, now sci-fi is catching up with a cozy hit of its own. The cozy fantasy genre has become popular in the last few years, but authors such as Diana Wynne Jones, Mercedes Lackey, Patricia Wrade, Robin McKinley and William Golding were writing heartwarming fantasy novels long before the trend caught on.
Cozy is best defined as a genre that feels like a warm hug, but that doesn’t mean authors shy away from difficult themes. Many cozy works find characters recovering from trauma and finding new people and ways to find self-worth. These 10 cozy fantasy and science fiction novels include books about surviving abuse and war, but hopeful themes prevail. Most importantly, these novels are magical, immersive, and guaranteed to leave you smiling.
A letter to the shining abyss Sylvie Casral
This endearing, heartwarming fantasy novel is told through letters and various documents exchanged between E, Scholar Henery, and their siblings. It is set in a world mostly covered by water. E lives in the Deep House, a one-of-a-kind underwater home designed by her eccentric (and deceased) scholar mother. After seeing a strange sea creature, she writes to Scholar Henery, a renowned marine naturalist, asking for his thoughts. The two begin a joyful correspondence that leads to deeper feelings. Meanwhile, in the future, their siblings believe the two are dead and begin exchanging letters among themselves to try to better understand what happened. This is a heartwarming, beautifully written debut novel and the first in a planned series.
Copying known success stories Malka Ann Older
Malka Ann Older has written a fun and heartwarming murder mystery set on Jupiter. Preity, a researcher, is studying classical literature as part of her studies to recreate ecosystems to regenerate the planet. Then her ex-lover, Mossa, now a detective, shows up on her doorstep, asking for her help in investigating a murder. The pairing of these two characters is adorable! Another short story in this series was recently published. Imposing unnecessary obstaclesand it’s just as great as the first film, with the added bonus of a romance element.
reference: 10 Must-Read Classics
Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Fairies Heather Fawcett
This fun historical fantasy featuring fairies is the perfect escape from reality. The story takes place in a fictional world in the early 1900s where fairies are real. Emily Wilde is a very hands-on Cambridge fairy scientist currently compiling her research for an encyclopedia. She heads to a remote Scandinavian village to study fairies that have never been studied before and are rumored to be dangerous. She records her findings in a diary and the novel is written as a series of diary entries. Soon she is joined by Bumblebee, a ridiculously charming and handsome fairy scientist and rival. Everyone is crazy about Bumblebee but she just can’t stand him. Right? right!? The second book in this series is Emily Wilde’s Map of Other Worldsis just as fun as the first one.
Psalms for the Wild People Becky Chambers
Becky Chambers is a very popular traveller The space opera series is a masterpiece, but the hopeful, quietly beautiful novella (the first book in a complete two-part series) is just as wonderful. It is set in a future where humanity actually does the right thing. When Sibling Dex, a non-binary tea-mixing monk, decides to travel the wilderness, they meet a wild robot named Mosscap. The two quickly become friends, and during their journey through the forest they discuss philosophy, consciousness, death, happiness and the meaning of life. It is a moving and heartwarming meditation on the human connection to nature.
Irregular Witch Secret Society Sangh Mandhana
This is a charming fantasy romance featuring a secretive witch, a cranky librarian, adorable witch kids, and a found family. The secret witch society of England is small, and Mika Moon has chosen an unusual way to hide her true identity: hiding in plain sight. She runs a popular social media account pretending to be a witch, when in fact she is. Then she receives a mysterious job offer from someone who sees through her witchy mask: to live in a secluded mansion and train several witch kids who are kept secret from the society. The pay is good, so she accepts. Unexpectedly, she finds the family she wished she had always had. This is such a happy read, and I love audiobooks.
Spell Shop Sarah Beth Durst
When war looms, disgruntled librarian Keira is forced to flee the city with her magical, talking houseplant, Kaz. She returns to the island where she lived as a child, where the villagers keep merhorses, with a box of magical books she stole before the library burned. Her family’s cottage is in ruins, and it’s clear the town is suffering, too. But Keira has an idea: bring magic back to the island, under the guise of making jam. Meanwhile, a handsome neighbor is making her rethink her introverted nature. Sarah Beth Durst is a prolific fantasy author, but this charming cottagecore fantasy is her most feel-good book to date. Spell Shop It will be released on July 9th.
Light from a rare star Aoki Rika
Just because a story feels good doesn’t mean it shys away from traumatic themes. This blend of science fiction and fantasy is a perfect example. Shizuka Satomi, known in the violin world as the Queen of Hell, is a famous violin teacher who makes a deal with the devil to save seven souls. Katrina Nguyen, who cares most about her violin, leaves her abusive family who refuses to accept her as transgender. Lang Tran, an alien captain of a spaceship, escaped an intergalactic war with his family across the universe and now runs a donut shop disguised as a human. This is a very magical read, interwoven with the theme of finding family and a touch of romance.
Goblin Emperor Katherine Addison
like Light from a rare starThe Goblin Emperor is a feel-good story that takes a traumatic event and yet is nevertheless a feel-good read. Maia is the fourth son of the Elven Emperor and the only child of the Emperor’s Goblin wife. Because the Emperor hated his Goblin wife, who died when Maia was eight years old, Maia spent the first eighteen years of her life isolated from the Emperor and society, and raised by an abusive leader. When the Emperor and his three oldest sons died in an airship explosion, Maia became the first half-goblin to become Emperor. This is one of my favorite fantasy novels. Maia is such a sweet and caring character. Addison has set another feel-good series in this same universe —Amaro Cemetery –These are not directly related, but Goblin Emperor.
The Magician’s Daughter By H.G. Parry
HG Parry combines beautiful writing with rich characters and folklore in this adventurous, heartwarming, standalone historical fantasy set in an alternate version of Ireland in 1912. Biddy has never left the magical island of Hy-Brasil, having been raised by a magician and his rabbit familiar. When her adoptive father is in danger, she leaves the island for the first time to save not only him but magic itself. A beautiful novel, and the audiobook narration is fantastic.
The Magician of the Crown Zen Cho
This delightful historical fantasy is full of romance. Prunella is a half-Indian, half-British wizard, a spirited young woman who refuses to let men tell her not to use her magic. Magic is in short supply in Regency England, and the country needs her – even if it’s not ready to admit it. When Zacharias, a black wizard, first meets Prunella, he immediately decides to take her on as his apprentice. But Zacharias’s careful nature is no match for Prunella’s liveliness, and soon his apprentice surpasses him, and she battles the dark forces from Fairyland. The second book in the series, True Queenis just as enjoyable to read as this first book.
