More Cozy Fantasy
Time for more of my new favorite genre — cozy fantasy. All the magic of fantasy with none of the sleepless nights. I wrote about others in this category earlier on the blog. The trio below all combine magic, romance, and home in delightful ways. All of these writers have other books in the same vein to check out once you’ve exhausted these!
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (2022)
Mika is a young witch. She has been trained to keep her magic secret to protect herself and her fellow witches. But she starts a YouTube channel with videos of “fake” magic because she yearns for community. When she is contacted to help three young, orphaned witches whose powers are threatening to spin out of control, she becomes their tutor and mentor. Will she also fall in love with one of the members of the household? Of course she will. This one leans heavier on the romance than the magic. The characters are all charming and intricate.
The House Witch series by Delemhach (2022)
Finn has been employed as the new cook of the castle. He immediately rubs folks the wrong way with rude and stubborn behavior, but in the end he reveals his heart of gold and his magic! Finn is a house witch, a rare kind of magician whose talents are linked to where he calls home. This makes him an excellent cook (though he prefers to work alone) and fiercely loyal (as he can sense danger for other members of the household). His history with an abusive father also makes him a feminist determined to seek justice for those who are mistreated. His attraction to a highborn lady, who is a confidant of the queen, complicates matters further.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst (2024)
In Durst’s acknowledgments for this book, she writes that she wanted it to feel “like a warm hug” and, wow, did she succeed. I adored this book. Kiela is a librarian at the book’s start, but a fire during a rebellion forces her to flee with as many books as she can carry and a sentient spider plant. The two settle on an island called Caltrey. They slowly carve out a life for themselves there, walking the line between opening up to the community and keeping their secrets. There’s a romance with a friendly and handy neighbor. There is delicious food and spells gone wrong (and right) and the revelation of a connection between the island and Kiela’s past. I urge you to pick this book up. You’ll find yourself drawn to the people, places, and magic in no time. Durst has also written a companion book, The Enchanted Greenhouse.