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36 Cozy and Feel-Good Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books
Here at Goodreads World Headquarters, we're always on alert for any shifts in readerly attention that we can spot. Recently we've noticed a distinct gravitation toward cozy and feel-good science fiction and fantasy stories.
Similar to the popular cozy mystery genre, cozy SFF is a kind of unofficial designation for speculative fiction books that skip the heavy themes and the grimdark stuff—gore, violence, despair, Red Weddings, that sort of thing. The boundary lines of cozy SFF can get pretty squishy, but we’ve collected here a list of likely suspects that can point curious readers in the proper direction.
Thematic elements might include found family stories in a magical setting, or the gang-of-lovable-misfits template crossed with space opera, or even actual cozy mysteries of the set-in-space variety. Slice-of-life tales where the stakes are less "the universe's fate is in your hands" and more "whoops, you've inherited a dragon," and kindhearted protagonists confused by their sudden immersion in treacherous situations or forbidden magic also abound. As a general rule, looking for keywords like "enchanting," heartwarming," or "lovely" in reader reviews will not lead you astray in your quest for a cozy SFF title.
Most of the books listed here are relatively recent, published in the past five years or so, but we’ve also stitched in some old favorites and genre classics. Scroll over the book cover images below for more details, and add anything interesting to your Want to Read shelf.
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Do you love the cozy SFF subgenre? Add your picks in the comments below!
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Comments Showing 1-49 of 49 (49 new)
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by
kayle
(new)
Nov 28, 2022 01:36AM
i recently discovered that cozy fantasy is a thing, and now, i'm never going back. it's everything i never knew i wanted 💖
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I don't think I've ever added so many books to my to read before. here for cosy sci-fi/fantasy!
If you like these kinds of books try Victoria Goddards "The hands of the emperor". It will make you so warm and hopeful!
kayle wrote: "i recently discovered that cozy fantasy is a thing, and now, i'm never going back. it's everything i never knew i wanted 💖"Agreed! It is so much more soothing and readable than the usual fantasy with hard-core world building and politics. I have read many of the books on this list and added several more to my TBR. My favorite is House in the Cerulean Sea! I will never stop recommending it!
I have read 12 of the books listed. I can agree that they are a cozy blanket with a warm cup of your favorite good
Definitely the terms "cozy" and "fantasy" are fancied by almost all the readers I guess. These particular words intrigued me anyways! And glad that I have read at least one of the titles mentioned here which is The Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen and of course I didn't miss it's sequel First Frost.
I've read 14 on this list and own two others. The cozy SFF genre is definitely my jam! My highest recommendation is Victoria Goddard. She is criminally under-read as is evidenced by her omission on this list. I raced through her Greenwing and Dart series and am now working on the Lays of the Hearth-Fire series. Such great stuff.Now off to explore the ones on this list I haven't read.
So many excellent books on this list. I too did not know that Cozy Fiction was my jam. But Psalm for the Wild Built was a revelation. Just what I needed in a book!
YA - Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer's Cecelia and Kate series. The first one is
Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot
.Howl's Moving Castle is one of my all-time favourite books.
Awesome! Some of these I knew, many I didn't. :D
Love this list!!! I’d definitely add my book In the Shadow Garden 😜
woops, my finger slipped and I added every single book to me TBR list
I'm almost done half a soul and it's probably my favorite read of the year. I am glued to it!
what the absolute fuck is "cozy, feel-good Fantasy and Sci-Fi"?is that opposed to "uncomfortable, visceral Fantasy and Sci-Fi"?
If so, give me the latter!
hahahhahahahhahahhahhhhahaha!
Jim wrote: "what the absolute fuck is "cozy, feel-good Fantasy and Sci-Fi"?is that opposed to "uncomfortable, visceral Fantasy and Sci-Fi"?
If so, give me the latter!
hahahhahahahhahahhahhhhahaha!"
Books with low stakes plots tend to be termed cozy. So, fantasy without world-shattering quests; rather smaller problems that are more character focused. Yes, it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Here are some more...The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station
Scharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time Travelling
The Stranger Times
And my favorite in 2022:
Light from Uncommon Stars
Sibylle wrote: "Here are some more...The Cleaner, the Cat and the Space Station
Scharlette Doesn't Matter and Goes Time Travelling
The Stranger Times
And my favo..."
Thank you for the recommendations! This is my favourite genre
Spindle's End by Robin McKinkley is quite cozy.
Paladin's Grace is absolutely a feel-good cozy multiple re-read for me, as are most of her books, but I'm almost done with Nettle & Bone and it is definitely Darker and not Cozy.
My absolute favorite cozy sci-fi is M.C.A. Hogarth's Dreamhealers series starting with Mindtouch The two MC are absolutely adorable and there's just enough tension to keep it interesting without stressing you out. And she even includes recipes!
I'm new here so I don't know what's appropriate. I have a couple of books that would suit this category, Is it Ok to mention them?
The Vine Witch series by Luanne G Smith definitely fits in this category! Loved them 😊
“High stakes” yet still cozy because of its emphasis on the families one finds is “Light From Uncommon Stars” by Ryka Aoki.
Tom wrote: "I'm new here so I don't know what's appropriate. I have a couple of books that would suit this category, Is it Ok to mention them?"Of course! Go for it.
Tom ClaveyI have a couple of books (and a third in progress) that fit this category. No wars. Just people and societies doing the best they can with what they've got.
DOWNSHIFT CITY: Book 1 of the Celeste series
Mars Station: Book 2 of the Celeste series
Andrew wrote: "Tom wrote: "I'm new here so I don't know what's appropriate. I have a couple of books that would suit this category, Is it Ok to mention them?"Of course! Go for it."
Thanks :)
Awesome list with some great books! Definitely a subgenre that deserves more attention. I have to say Curse of Chalion is a good book, but a little darker than what I'd consider strictly "cozy".
Twerking wrote: "You know what this list needs? More gay books./me sarcasm off."
Vibe wrote: "If you like these kinds of books try Victoria Goddards "The hands of the emperor". It will make you so warm and hopeful!"
Vibe wrote: "If you like these kinds of books try Victoria Goddards "The hands of the emperor". It will make you so warm and hopeful!"
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, anything by Patricia McKillip, Robin McKinley, Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic prequels & sequels, Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series & her Incryptid series - The earlier ones have many laugh out loud scenes. So good to see Diana Wynne Jones on a list - she was a brilliant author, wrote for all ages but her only so-called adult book is out of print: A Sudden Wild Magic, it's hilarious & I'd love to get a copy.
I would add Ryka Aoki's Light From Uncommon Stars--great music, found family, doughnuts.
kayle wrote: "i recently discovered that cozy fantasy is a thing, and now, i'm never going back. it's everything i never knew i wanted 💖"I was so glad when I learned the word grimdark. Such a quick way to sum up everything I didn't like.
Funny, happy, light fantasy and scifi - my favorite! Thanks for this list!!
Tom wrote: "I'm new here so I don't know what's appropriate. I have a couple of books that would suit this category, Is it Ok to mention them?"Please DO, Tom!
I LOVED THIS LIST. Added so many to my TBR list, then devoured at least four books here within two days. Keep returning to this list too. Thanks Goodreads team!Never knew that cosy fantasy was a thing, but it's one of my new favourite genres for sure!
People, read all the comments, to save repetition. Thank you. I cam here from the SFFBC (book club here on GR) which has a thread (and mod) dedicated to the theme. I have already read about half listed, but I got many more from post and from comments! Thank you all!
I love this genre and this list and all the rec's!
Cheryl wrote: "People, read all the comments, to save repetition. Thank you. I cam here from the SFFBC (book club here on GR) which has a thread (and mod) dedicated to the theme. I have already read about half li..." could you please tell me what the thread is? I looked all around but couldn't find it. Thanks
I love all of Becky Chambers's books. The Princess Bride is a masterclass in storytelling and Toshikazu Kawaguchi is an absolute must read. Thank you so much for the list provided above, Sharon.I also humbly add my first novel; Girl Out of Time. I had no idea I was creating a "cozy science fiction" story when I started, but I found I wanted to create a place I wanted to stay in for awhile.
