What Is Cozy Fantasy? Definition and Popular Examples

Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that focuses on comforting, low-stakes storytelling. Recently, the publishing industry has seen a boom in demand for these healing, whimsical tales, so your favorite bookstore probably carries a few in-demand titles — if not an entire table or shelf’s worth. 

In this post, we’ll look into the main elements of cozy fantasy, as well as some popular examples for anyone hoping to snuggle up with a hot beverage and craft their own cozy fantasy story!

What is cozy fantasy?

Cozy fantasy centers around lighter fantasy stories that highlight character journeys over epic adventures. Readers of this subgenre look for slow-paced, feel-good reading experiences that dive into relationship-building, community, and positive, slice-of-life vibes. They offer the perfect fictional escape from the everyday stresses of the world.

 The term “cozy fantasy” has surged in popularity recently because of — surprise, surprise — BookTok, Bookstagram, and other online reading communities. With bestselling books such as Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes in the spotlight, cozy fantasy is currently having its moment and isn’t going away anytime soon.

Comforting, low-stakes fantasy books, however, have been around for decades. For example, Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl's Moving Castle, which inspired the renowned Hayao Miyazaki film of the same name, was published back in 1986. Now, decades later, readers around the world can’t seem to get enough of cozy fantasy.

Whether you’re looking for your next slice-of-life read or want to write your own story, read on to find out more about the key elements of this popular subgenre.

The 5 main elements of cozy fantasy

Cozy fantasies, when stripped to their bare bones, are essentially fantasy stories, so they must contain otherworldly elements, a fantastical setting, and a magic system. But what differentiates a book like Legends & Lattes from an epic high fantasy novel such as The Lord of the Rings? Let’s take a deeper look…

1. Give your story low stakes

Readers who turn to cozy fantasy expect a safe space and a comforting atmosphere. You won’t find any perilous battles, gruesome events, or world-altering quests here! Instead of tense scenes, expect moments of whimsy, joy, and small victories.

While cozy fantasies do have challenges, they’re always of the personal, smaller-scale kind. Your characters won’t be facing any life-or-death situations; instead, their struggles would probably be centered around everyday — yet still important — things, from managing a small business or navigating a relationship to solving a local mystery.

Example: The Tea Dragon Society

If you're looking for a charming, low-stakes story with gorgeous illustrations, look no further than The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill, which offers a whimsical fictional world in which dragons grow tea leaves. These tiny tea dragons are cared for and cultivated by their kind owners, and the novel mainly centers around a young blacksmith apprentice named Greta who becomes friends with a group of these individuals. While learning about their traditions and the importance of friendship and caring for others, Greta starts to question her role in the family business and starts considering a life beyond blacksmithing. Not quite a heart-pumping challenge, but still very meaningful and relatable to anyone who’s ever felt lost in life.

2. Keep it lighthearted and whimsical

For a cozy fantasy to stand out, it shouldn’t just have a relatable protagonist or compelling setting — it also needs unique, fanciful elements to keep readers engaged! Talking creatures or enchanted homes, for example, can set a cozy fantasy apart from so many other similar titles by adding a sense of fun and wonder without overcomplicating the plot. 

Another way cozy fantasy keeps it playful is by incorporating subtle or quirky humor. Certain characters might have an eccentric sense of humor, for instance, or the main character might engage in playful banter or experience a series of unexpected magical mishaps. Don’t forget: one of the main goals for a cozy fantasy story is to make readers smile and provide a relaxing, comforting reading experience, even when things aren’t always going according to plan!

Example: Howl’s Moving Castle

In Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, the overall vibe of the novel is light and playful — there’s an unpredictable, constantly roaming castle in here, after all! And in addition to the book’s other fanciful elements, such as its magic door that opens to various locations and the fire demon Calcifer, who is bound to the castle's hearth, the interactions between characters such as Sophie and Howl are filled with charming lines and witty banter (Howl can be quite self-absorbed, which irks Sophie to no end!).

Howl himself is a memorable character in the cozy fantasy subgenre, with his dramatic personality, magical quirks, and combination of both arrogance and vulnerability.

3. Focus on growth or healing

Even though cozy fantasies are primarily fanciful, low-risk stories, that doesn’t mean they can’t have characters who undergo transformative journeys! You can still have a protagonist who grows and heals from internal struggles — without the requirement to fight a dragon or save an entire village.

Characters who strive to overcome past traumas, discover who they are, and find peace within themselves or their surroundings are just what a cozy fantasy needs. Readers expect a gentle unfolding of life lessons or self-discovery, and it’s all the more satisfying by the end of a cozy fantasy if the protagonist they’ve been rooting for finally achieves their dreams and changes for the better.

Example: Rewitched

A recently published book that features a protagonist who struggles with her unique qualities and sense of purpose is Lucy Jane Wood’s Rewitched. This charming novel follows 30-year-old witch and bookseller Bella Blackthorn, who is summoned to a trial that tests her worthiness as a sorceress. When the trial doesn’t go the way she’d hoped, Bella must decide whether to train with a mysterious, feared mentor or risk losing her powers forever.

Rewitched emphasizes the theme of growth in a way that feels nurturing, rewarding, and comforting — perfect for readers looking for stories where healing happens not in spite of, but because of, the journey itself.

4. Emphasize a sense of community

There are certain kinds of novels out there that focus on an individual’s long, solitary path to self-betterment — and cozy fantasy isn’t one of them! Much like writing, one’s journey to improvement shouldn’t be a solitary act. In fact, a close-knit community should actually be a driving force for a protagonist, helping them grow, heal, and learn even more than they would have on their own! 

That’s why you’ll often see towns, villages, or communities in cozy fantasies with people who are warm, welcoming, and — despite their quirks — care deeply about everyone around them. Having kooky (yet well-intentioned!) friends, neighbors, or supporting characters is notably a great way to create a sense of belonging and comfort. In fact, in cozy fantasy, there’s a genuine sense that no one is ever truly alone, and both the protagonist and the reader can feel safe and reassured, knowing that they’re in good hands (and company).

Example: Legends & Lattes

For any of you who’ve yet to read Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes, definitely check it out — it has a fun, memorable cast of characters who help protagonist Viv as she puts her sword away for the last time and tries to run her own coffee shop — in a place where no one knows her! Her band of merry misfits includes an artistic succubus, a dire-cat, a hob carpenter, and a ratkin who just so happens to be a talented baker.

Will Viv find success in the business of her dreams, or will she have to give it all up and spend the rest of her days fighting until she dies in battle, the way other orcs before her have gone? You’ll have to read to find out!

5. Have a happy ending

It wouldn’t make sense for a comforting, heartwarming read to end on a sad note, now would it? Cozy fantasies need a satisfying conclusion as much as they need all the other elements previously listed — so personal struggles should be overcome, relationships should be mended or strengthened, and the world should seem brighter, more peaceful, and more hopeful. Every cozy fantasy needs to leave readers with a warm, uplifting feeling of joy and contentedness.

Example: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

(Spoilers ahead!) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is a perfect example of a cozy fantasy that ends on a high note. The book’s protagonist, Mika Moon, decides to stay in Nowhere House, a place where she finally belongs. She becomes one of the guardians of the young witches who live there, and also allows herself to allow love into her life, whether that be from the other witches or the house’s handsome librarian, Jamie.

Mika also pursues her dream of starting a magical tea shop, which quickly becomes a success. By the end of the novel, there’s a huge celebration, and Mika happily reflects on how her life has changed in just a few months. A sweet ending to a sweet story!

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Now, you’re all set with a deeper understanding of cozy fantasy, including its growing appeal, essential elements, and notable works in mostly contemporary literature. For anyone feeling inspired to write their own cozy fantasy, check out our free course on creating captivating fantasy fiction. Wishing you the best of luck with your writing journey!