Have you ever just wanted to curl up with a fantasy book that you were sure would delight you? How about one that pairs well with a mug of your favorite beverage and just seeps into your heart and soul?
This is what cozy fantasy does to you. These are books that have low to no triggers, low tension, may or may not have low stakes, but in the end, you know you’re going to feel good and comforted.
These charming cozy fantasy reads may involve humor, adventure, Victorian societies, baking, romance, and enchanting magic, or they can be their own quirky mix of quaint and fantastical themes. But they all provide that cozy feeling that means you’re safe throughout the entire book.
Below are my sixteen young adult cozy fantasy reads that will warm your heart. Enjoy.
by F.T. Lukens
A chosen one wins the kingdom and has to get married to keep it, m/m romance, found family, friends to lovers, D&D party dynamic, charming and quirky
by Olivia Atwater
Bridgerton with faeries, magic, whimsy, dry humor, m/f romance, and a girl with only half a soul
by Terry Pratchett
Armed only with a frying pan and her common sense, Tiffany Aching, a young witch-to-be, is all that stands between the monsters of Fairyland and the warm, green Chalk country that is her home, hilarity, little rascal creatures, adventure, inspiring female main character
by T. Kingfisher
Baking magic, wizards, murder mystery, a little gingerbread man, humor, fantastical and entertaining, coming of age, female main character
by Juliet Marillier
Retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, fascinating setting in the Transylvanian woods and an Otherworld, two love stories, magic and wonder
by Diana Wynne Jones
The classic of cozy fantasy, suitable for middle-grade audience and above, heartfelt, whimsical, engaging female main character under a curse that makes her old, m/f romance, overdramatic love interest, (you guessed it) a moving castle, wondrous magic
by K. O'Neill
Graphic novel, possibly more middle grade, but tea dragons, cast of diverse LGBTQIA characters, enchanting, warm, funny
by Jen Wang
Graphic novel, sweet romance between a seamstress and a prince, warm and charming, LGBTQIA characters, coming of age
by Catherine Bakewell
Flower magic, a curse, sweet m/f romance, whimsical, charming characters, feels like Howl’s Moving Castle
by Neil Gaiman
Adventurous, magical, fairytale-like, chasing a fallen star, m/f romance, an enchanted realm that lies beyond the wall of an English country town
by Jason June
Merfolk, LGBTQIA+ characters, fake dating, rom-com-like, funny, witty, heartwarming
by Celeste Rossan
Jane Austen meets Beauty and the Beast, historical fantasy, f/f romance, adventure, lovable female main character
by Anna-Marie McLemore
Part mystery, part love story, fantastical, lush, an enchanting garden, curse: when they fall in love too deeply, their lovers suddenly vanish, characters across the gender and sexuality spectrum, Latin American culture
by Aisha Urooj
The muses have lost their inspiration, so Zeus sends them to mortal high school, immortal prejudices, good-hearted characters, charming, exploring friendship, high school drama, magical mystery
by S. R. Breaker
A bored three-thousand-year-old forest fairy, a rogue thief, adventure, an ancient relic, fun, quirky, mystical, feels like Stardust
by Hanna Sandvig
Beauty and the Beast retelling, portal fantasy, cursed fae prince, sweet m/f romance, talking forest creatures, baking, lots of banter, apple picking, bee keeping
This article was written by Allison Rose.
Allison Rose writes YA fantasy featuring magic and otherworldly beings. Her current series feature a truly unique world of Faerie. Click the covers below to check them out.
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