I’ve been having absolutely horrific, violent, gory nightmares lately and I believe a little part of the problem is that I’ve read some violent fantasy novels lately. In fact, I think that’s all l’ve read for almost a year now. What’s something sugary, syrupy, and feel-good can read? My all time favorite feel good book is Howl’s Moving Castle.
by Martimar47
6 Comments
It might be worth checking out r/cozyfantasy, it seems like you might enjoy a lot of the stuff over there.
I read Legends and Lattes a few months back and really enjoyed it.
Legends and Lattes. It’s very sweet and an easy read.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built. This is more sci-fi, but also very nicely written. A tag-line is: “For anyone who could use a break” or something like that.
I will also recommend Legends and Lattes, it’s really excellent!
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is also very good
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C Wrede. It’s sweet and charming and delightful and during the “war” they have, one wizard is eaten by a dragon and the rest are temporarily melted with buckets of soapy lemon water. No gore, all joy
If you’re open to middle grade (which it sounds like you might be, because that’s what Howl’s Moving Castle is), Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez is the most heartwarming book I’ve ever read, and it’s lots of fun too! And the audiobook is excellent, if that’s something you enjoy.
Oh, and also The Enchanted Forest Chronicles series by Patricia C. Wrede! Those are excellent whimsical magic adventures 🙂
If you’re open to a bit more intense, but almost certainly far less intense than the violent books you’ve been reading, I *highly* recommend the Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend! It’s my favorite series, and such a fun world to escape into.
If you want more Diana Wynne Jones and you haven’t read them, I’d recommend the Chrestomanci Chronicles- especially “Charmed Life” and “The Magicians of Caprona”. (I’d also recommend Hexeood, because it’s criminally underrated, but it’s definitely Not Cozy).
If you haven’t read them yet, E. Nesbit’s fantasy stories are very fun and whimsical, with a lot of bickery banter between the sibling protagonists- The Enchanted Castle, Five Children And It, and Wet Magic are all very good. Bonus points: they’re public domain, so you can read them right now for free.
Plugging my own work in a mildly tasteless way: You might enjoy The Misadventures Of Sawbones And Its Menagerie, the series of short stories I’ve been writing about a grumpy plague doctor veterinarian who loves helping sick magical creatures as much as it hates Dealing With Humans.