#Cozy Fantasy

[bookcub]

Cozy Fantasy and Why It Doesn't Work

I think I am among many who feel like they should love cozy fantasy and have found it an incredibly lacking genre.

This newly branded "cozy fantasy" genre that has taken readers by storm since 2020 and while it is new that books are now marketed as cozy, the genre itself isn't new. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is a great example of the genre before it was labeled and also how to make it work.

Cozy fantasy is defined by many as fantasy with low stakes. Fantasy aesthetic but less sword fights. On paper, it sounds great. But the execution has been less than stellar for readers like me. The lack of physical stakes has also impacted the emotional stakes of these books, creating forgettable characters with boring problems. As a romance reader, I find this frustrating. Romance is known for being a predictable and formulaic genre, the now defunct Romance Writers of America defined romances as needing happy endings, a term romances have continued to follow. Yet these romance texts manage to have low physical stakes (how to date your neighbor, how to confront your toxic friends, etc) while still maintaining high personal stakes that keep readers invested and begging for more. So I was initially confused why cozy fantasy authors struggle to write texts that connect to readers like me.

I think I have found the answer which is the genre is just here for vibes. It is all about aesthetic, not even worldbuilding that fantasy is known for as most cozy fantasy I read have so many problems as soon as you ask one question. It is hard to acknowledge that a genre that is pitched to work for readers like me doesn't work for many of us. Especially because occasionally there is one that works beautifully to my taste.

I often say my favorite cozy fantasies that are more contemporary are short and visual, which I plays into the idea of the genre being an aesthetic. The Bakery Dragon by Devin Elle Kurtz is a good example because it is a simple story that is given the perfect amount of pages and gorgeous visuals without dragging on when the message is very clear and easy to understand. Books like The Phoenix Keeper and Legends and Lattes have absolutely nothing for me, their very clear message hitting the reader over and over so the readers don't miss it and focusing on the aesthetic of worldbuilding rather than the reality of the fantastic elements within the world.

I guess my point is. . . I realize this genre isn't for me since I have realized it is more of an aesthetic than anything. .. .but I want it to be. Should I let it go and put my efforts elsewhere? Or should I keep exploring this new trend and find the hidden gems?

[camelidae]

He is a bit of a tripping hazard, but at least he no longer tries to nap /inside/ the stove.

[pixilaine]

as a barista I just know tandri would be so unbelievably good at latte art

[littlecakeclub]

[thegorgonist]

Season's Greetings from the Gorgonist!

Thanks to everyone who made Geek Craft Expo a good send-off for my year of vending. My etsy shop is still open and I'm adding a few things to it--such as my new wintery, cozy Baba Yaga's hut (with baby huts)!

[cryptonature]

It's cover reveal time!

Strange Animals is my cozy, creepy, woodsy, contemporary fantasy novel about an ordinary mind discovering a hidden world of wondrous supernatural creatures and an unexpected home.

It's a story about new beginnings, found family, meaning making, and learning to see a beautiful, strange, and hidden side of nature.

Link in my bio for preorder info!

[peachesobviously]

book genres as hands (in order : contemporary romance, cozy fantasy, historical romance)

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

ok so like ... where are the queer low-stakes/cozy fantasy books?

I already know about Can't Spell Treason Without Tea, Legends and Lattes, and The Honey Witch but from my very low-effort browsing on GR and in bookstores, I can't seem to find any others?

if anyone has recs for cozy fantasy books with queer protagonists, I would love to hear them but don't recommend me things that are only available on amazon/kindle, please and thank you <3

[wrenmkingsley]

I'm Batshit Fucking Insane About Yield Under Great Persuasion By Alexandra Rowland And You Should Be Too

Rowland must have stalked me or something, because this book was everything I could have wished for and more.

A horrible gremlin who's also a sad little meow meow for a main character? Check.

Yearning? World Building? Whimsy? Sexiness? Divine intervention in growing the biggest phallic vegetable in history? Check!

The word cock in the opening paragraph? MOTHERFUCKING CHECK

Okay, okay, I've taken a little break from writing this, because the urge to keysmash was growing very strong indeed. I think the energy drink has mostly worn off now, so here's the less feral part of the review:

Yield Under Great Persuasion is an achingly tender book.

Its main theme is allowing happiness into your life even if it makes you vulnerable. It's protrayed with an exceeding gentleness and subtlety, yes even in the parts were an actual mother goddess shows up to tell the main character, Tam, to knock it off.

Tam has been awful to his on and off lover Lyford for years now, ostensibly over a childhood accident, but really because Tam is too much of a cynic to allow himself to be loved. His quest for forgiveness and to overcome his bitterness is both realistic and deeply meaningful.

Rowland's incredible sense of humour and daring to be delightfully weird is the cherry on top of a story I devoured in about six hours.

Run, don't walk, to read this book.

@ariaste

monster-fuelled book review episode 2 >>

[samiligia]

Tales of Forge and Fortune is a whimsical cozy fantasy tabletop roleplaying game that lets players create and take on the role of a budding blacksmith who sets out to forge a legacy, on their own or with friends! You'll explore lands, both near and far, to gather the resources required to craft countless wonders that you can keep for yourself or sell in your shop to the masses!

[torpublishinggroup]

This advertisement is for Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, a high fantasy adventure of first love and secondhand books set prior to the events of New York Times bestseller Legends & Lattes.

The art featured in this image is by Samantha Petrie. 

WHAT’S IT ABOUT

Viv's career with the notorious mercenary company Rackam's Ravens isn't going super great. When she suffers a dread injury during the hunt for a powerful necromancer, the Ravens pack her off for some obligatory and undesired R&R. 

The sleepy beach town of Murk is relaxing, but so far from anything resembling excitement or action that she worries she’ll never get back in the game. But then this down-on-her-luck soldier of fortune starts whiling away her many free hours at a beleaguered bookshop and in the company of its foul-mouthed proprietor. 

We don’t always know what we need, or which small choices change the paths of our lives. 

And adventure isn’t so far from Murk as Viv thinks! A suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and an improbable number of skeletons would like a word.

[saironwen]

Hi! Here are some fanarts I made for The stormlight Archive, this are moments that stuck on my brain and wanted to see them haha

I hope you like them! Adolin, Gallant and Maya on Shadesmar, Saving Notum Syl on Shin (this one was a kick painting that I even sketched) Shallan and Hoid retelling the Girl who looked UP (Always makes me cry!)

Navani and Raboniel

Dalinar and the thrill

Hope you like my interpretations! Its all painted with watercolors :)

This tumblr account is quite old, but I never actually used it. so i decided to share the work that I been doing in a place that doesnt feel like Ryze :) If you like my style i have commissions on discount on VGEn https://vgen.co/saironwen

[cozyfantasyscribbles]

Peachtober Day 15 Lamp! I was compelled to draw Coco from Witch Hat Atelier, a great manga 10/10 would recommend! The art is so beautiful I wish I could have an art style so detailed!

[chillfaerie]

I noticed Ariadne and Deilah play a very similar narrative role

[nothwell]

cozy fantasy enjoyers are really sleeping on Yonderland tbh