Lovers of dragons, fae, witches, magic, and, above all, escapism, flee to the fantasy genre to fulfill their every reading need. So, I’ve gathered a diverse shortlist of fantastical recommendations to add to your never-ending TBR. Whether you’re hoping for a low-stakes getaway or an adventure of epic proportions, this list is sure to quench your every craving.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
An instant New York Times bestseller and a Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award nominee, Legends & Lattes had a hand in catapulting the cozy fantasy subgenre into the ether. Known as a “low-stakes” read set in a secondary world, this beloved read is bursting with quiet adventure, charm, and found family, with a side of queer romance. Readers are put out to pasture alongside Viv, an orc sick and tired of a life of battle, on a journey to start a coffee shop. Along the way, we meet friends and rivals and find the magic in a hot cup of joe. Sitting happily at the cozy end of our list, Legends & Lattes is the perfect pickup for those in desperate need of some peace, quiet, and magic.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches may have all the coziness of Legends & Lattes, but it surely doesn’t shy away from emotionally heartwarming and hard-hitting plotlines. The House in the Cerulean Sea meets Practical Magic, this cozy read follows Mika Moon, an orphaned witch. In Mandanna’s imaginative tale, witches are cursed to be lonely, and so is Mika Moon’s lot in life. When she is invited to Nowhere House to mentor three young witches, Mika must learn what it means to belong. But her journey is not without its perils, and she is forced to protect either herself and her magic or her newfound family.
The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. Maclean
Sweet and spicy in equal doses, The Phoenix Keeper is an upcoming sapphic cozy fantasy releasing on August 13. As head phoenix keeper at her zoo, Alia must prove their out-of-shape facilities are fit to save her beloved species. In order to do so, she must seek help from a fellow keeper — a.k.a. her college rival — Luciana. With poachers looming in the shadows and her odds of success less than ideal, Alia’s fate of the phoenixes and her love life rest precariously in her hands.
The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton
When a competition to become Birder of the Year is announced, rival professors Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley are thrust together amidst the chaos to find a rare, winning bird called the Caladrius. This upcoming release from India Holton, author of the Dangerous Damsels series, cements her as a queen of whimsical historical romantasy. With charming prose, a fast-paced plot, a swoon-worthy romance, and a healthy serving of magical birds, this book shines as a joyous beacon of the light academia genre. The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is a ridiculous romp of a romance, perfect for fans of the Emily Wilde books. The first in a new series called Love’s Academic, this book is set to release on July 23.
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
The Tainted Cup is my favorite read of the year so far, and rightly so, I can’t seem to shut up about it (see example A). An adult fantasy somewhere between a Sherlockian mystery and a solarpunk epic, this book features both queer and dyslexic representation. Its tight plot and shocking twists are enthralling, while its unique setting and compelling mystery leave readers begging for the sequel. Fans of detective stories and murder mysteries, as well as fantasy worlds, will adore this book.
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
If the blurb of R.F. Kuang singing this book’s praises isn’t enough for you, then let me sell you a little harder. The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi is a new fantasy from the author of The City of Brass, spotlighting one woman’s adventures on the high seas. The titular Amina is ready to be put out to pasture after a career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most infamous pirates. But when the chance for one last adventure is presented to her, Amina can’t help but take the offer. On the way to saving a friend’s kidnapped daughter, she learns there is more to the mystery than meets the eye. Halfway between epic and cozy, this fantasy has much to give by way of an older protagonist, Islamic history, and much, much more.
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
Black Sun takes place in the Pre-Columbian Americas, weaving the singular tale of a ship’s captain (with the ability to calm waters and mold minds) and her mysterious passenger. The scene is set with the dangerous combination of a winter solstice and a solar eclipse. Black Sun promises star-crossed prophecies, unique magic, and political plots. This fantasy offers vital representation on shelves and sits firmly on the epic end of this ranking.
The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez
Critically acclaimed and beloved, The Spear Cuts Through Water is an epic fantasy for the ages. In this thrilling read, a guard and an outcast aid in the escape of a god previously imprisoned by dictators. A tale of folklore, family, identity, and legacy, Jimenez’s second book vows to be unlike anything you’ve ever read before.
Cozy or action-packed, fantasy books have the unique ability to help us reflect on and escape our lives. Which of these recommendations made it onto your TBR list? Let us know on Facebook, Instagram, or X!
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