cozy fantasy

The Enchanted Greenhouse

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The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst

A fantasy novel as cozy as a warm hug, this is connected to The Spellshop. Terlu awakens on a cold, snowy island, alone. She is stunned, because her last memories are in the Great Library of Allysium, where she’s been a wooden statue. Before that, Terlu was a lonely Fourth Librarian who cast a spell from a library book on a spider plant, and later ended up a statue.

An unlocked door on Belde Island reveals an amazing greenhouse, leading to more and different greenhouses. One has singing plants; another has a sunflower maze protected and pollinated by tiny dragons. There is a greenhouse dedicated to garlic, others to roses, even one with a sea turtle! These are enchanted, and are cared for by Yarrow, the single remaining gardener, who grew up on Belde. Yarrow is mostly silent, very busy, grumpy, and an excellent cook and baker. A winged cat and a talking rose plant are the only other island residents. Yarrow was hoping for someone to help the greenhouses that fail, going cold and dark with broken glass, and is very disappointed to get a talkative librarian instead of a sorcerer.

The greenhouses are simply amazing, and Terlu, Yarrow, and Lotti (the sentient rose plant) are very good company. More people arrive on the island, with startling news from Allysium, and Yarrow and Terlu look for ways to repair the broken greenhouses. This story would make lovely reading in a warm, bright room on a cold, wintry night. Fans of The Spellshop will be pleased, and look forward to more cozy fantasy from Durst.

Brenda

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping

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A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

Mandanna’s first book for adults, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, has been very popular with cozy fantasy readers since it was published in 2022. Fans will rejoice with this new book, not a sequel, but set in the same version of England. The British Guild of Sorcery in Northumberland has a council packed with conservative white witches from the top ten British witch families. They run a school for young witches, but fortunately also offers a homeschooling option.

We learn more about magic and witches, including some from Iceland. Witches have varying amounts of power, curses may backfire, and magic can be lost. Some old books of spells are in a restricted section of the Guild’s library, and Sera Swan has lost access to it.

Sera and her formerly late great-aunt Jasmine run the Batty Hole Inn, and the inn is largely held together with Sera’s magic. A recent spell lets only those who need the inn find it. Currently lodging with Sera and Jasmine are two non-magical guests: Matilda, who is obsessed with mushrooms and Nicholas, who works as a Knight at the nearby Medieval Faire. Theo, a young relative, is living there while homeschooling. Luke, a witch scholar, unexpectedly arrives with his young sister Posey, who has magic and autism. Roo-Roo, a zombie rooster, and Clemmy, a fox, also live at the inn. Found family is a major theme, and Sera tries to make the inn as welcoming as possible when apple tea may rain down on any given Sunday.

There are two possible romances developing, an ex-friend seeking forgiveness, a power-hungry wizard who will do anything to thwart Sera’s plans, and some adventure and danger in store. A delightfully creaky old house and a charming cast of characters greatly add to the story’s appeal.

Brenda

The Rainfall Market

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The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang

A charming Korean cozy fantasy, a quick and pleasant read. Teen Serin writes a letter detailing what she’d like to change in her somewhat dreary life, and receives a golden ticket to the magical Rainfall Market in Rainbow Town. The Market is full of dokkaebi, which turn out to be goblins, and are described in an illustrated glossary. Other than Taekwondo and listening to music, Serin doesn’t have any hobbies. Her mother is a seamstress and they are poor.

When a week of rain is predicted, the market opens for the lucky people with tickets. Serin has many adventures at the market, accompanied by Issha, a magical cat guide. There is a little hint of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory about the market and Serin’s adventures. Other then the dokkaebi, there are few Korean words, making for easy reading. I love the cover, really liked the ending, and was surprised to find out that the author is male. I would definitely read another cozy adventure like The Rainfall Market, especially on a rainy day.

Brenda

Clouds & Curses

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Clouds & Curses: Tales of Rydding Village Book 3 by Shanna Swendson

Readers of cozy fantasy novels set in small villages will enjoy the Rydding Village series. In this novel, Ceri, Lady Parcells, comes back home after many years with her daughter, Lili. Ceri’s husband has died and left everything to his children from his first marriage. Ceri’s mother, Mistress Teague, is the most disliked lady in Rydding, and is a complete snob. Ceri was in love with Daryn as a teen, but her mother persuaded her to marry an older nobleman.

Ceri and Lili have an affinity for animals, and bring their cat and dog with them. Ceri can calm horses, though she doesn’t believe in magic. There is some mystery in Rydding. Lights are seen in the distant castle, but no one is ever there. The harvests the past several years seem to be cursed, with rain falling at the worst times. Wyn, the healer who runs a tea shop is slowly starting a romance with Bryn, who runs the small inn and studies magic. Mair, who runs the dairy and sells cheese, is not happy that Ceri is back in town, but Wyn, a newcomer, is more understanding. Ceri actually apologizes for her past mistakes.

Ceri meets Daryn again, and there are definite sparks. Could he still care for her after all these years? Together, the villagers try different methods to harvest the hay and wheat and save the crops. Ceri learns that she can stand up to her mother, especially concerning Lili’s future, and becomes more connected to the village. Some storylines have satisfying conclusions while others will be continued in the next Rydding Village book. The first novel is Tea and Empathy.

Brenda

The Teller of Small Fortunes

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The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

This is a delightful first novel that’s an Indie Next and a Library Reads pick. I love the book cover, which features a wagon, an Asian woman in a cloak, a cup of tea, and a cat. The book is recommended by other cozy fantasy writers, including Sangu Mandanna, Sarah Beth Durst, and Rebecca Thorne.

Tao is Shinaran, but grew up in Eshtara in her stepfather’s house. She once told a major fortune, but has resolved to tell only small fortunes. Small fortunes usually concern the near future and are about everyday happenings. She travels between villages with her mule, Laohu, telling fortunes by reading tea leaves, palms, or a set of Shinaran stones. When a large tree blocks the road, she meets Mash and Silt. Mash is a large ex-mercenary and poet while Silt is a reformed thief. A small fortune told for Mash has a huge effect, and the trio decide to travel together. Mash has been looking for his missing daughter for months.

Then apprentice baker Kina joins the found family. Kina’s pastries usually taste delicious but don’t look very appealing. She is happy to join them on the road, and they soon acquire another wagon and horse, along with a cat. The group encounters a troll and a phoenix on their travels. Tao finally sees her mother after a long separation, as well as her stepfather, and learns more about Eshtara’s Guild of Mages. This is a lovely tale that is heartwarming, a little sad, and occasionally funny. I enjoyed this story about a young woman who didn’t fit in anywhere finding her path and her people. Another book in the same world but with new characters is expected next year.

Brenda

The City Beyond the Sea

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Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea by Pari Thomson

Iffenwild is a wondrous city, part of the Marin Deep, with blue water magic. It’s only a legend to those in the Greenwild, first introduced in Greenwild: The World Behind the Door. Botanists in Amazeria are in danger, and want the Greenwilders to come with help from Iffenwild.

Daisy, the Prof, and Indigo travel to the Moonmarket and sneak onto the Nautilus, one of four theater ships headed to Iffenwild to perform for the city residents and their duchess. Also on board is Max, who’s been ill most of his life and was recently kidnapped by the Grim Reapers. Max and Daisy clash; they have similar personalities. Daisy’s cat, Napoleon, is a help and a comfort, as is Indigo’s parakeet. Daisy struggles to control her green magic, while Max is recovering his strength and secretly learning how to swim. Max, in disguise, gets a walk on role in the Nautilus company’s play, and spends time in a storeroom with a magical memory tree.

The theater, ships, water horses and the land/sea combination of Iffenwild enchant. While dark in parts, this page turning middle grade fantasy novel is a very satisfying read. The depiction and use of magic here is delightful. Some people have power with plants or water, there are magical animals, and there are magical fruits, seeds, leaves, and vines. Excellent! A sequel, The Forest in the Sky, is expected next summer.

Brenda

A Pair of Cozy Fantasy Novels

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Bread and Burglary by Shanna Swendson (Tales of Rydding Village, Book 2)

This is a lovely cozy fantasy novel set in a half-abandoned village. Baker Lucina loves her work and the small village of Rydding, but becomes anxious when the the new smith’s apprentice speaks to her in Tufanan, her native language. Also, Nico was a duke’s guard, and a past relationship with a guard led to Lucina’s fleeing Tufana after an uprising. Wyn makes her tea to help prevent nightmares.

Lucina is hoping to save enough money to send for her Nonna, who raised her and taught her to bake. Some recent thefts in the village have people suspecting Nico, the newest resident. Lucina and the smiths are the only ones not to have been targeted. Does the bread and cream Lucina leaves on her back doorstep every evening help protect her from theft? Her Nonna did the same back in Tufana, as thanks for the magic that makes the bread rise. In this sequel to Tea and Empathy, it’s nice to see the village growing slowly, and for a couple of romance to begin. I look forward to the next Rydding Village tale.

The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught

This is a graphic novel with colorful and charming illustrations. Juniper works at Mira’s bakery. Hadley plays the flute, makes deliveries for the bakery, has a pink pet snake, and longs for adventure. Neither teen look quite human.

A large rush order for tarts made with glowing mushrooms come in to the bakery. Mira asks Juniper and Hadley to travel to the woods to gether the fungi. Of course, their quest does not go smoothly, but they make friends along the way. This includes a fey named Thistle, who has giant caterpillar friends. This is a sweet and cozy queer fantasy.

Brenda

The Spellshop

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The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

If cozy fantasy is your jam, you’re sure to enjoy this book. Lots of jam is made and consumed in this novel, mostly raspberry jam. Librarian Kiela and her assistant Caz flee Alyssium during a rebellion when fire reaches the library. They take five crates of spellbooks down the lift to a sailboat and head for the islands.

Caz is an enchanted spider plant with great penmanship. Kiela sails to a remote island where she was born, and finds that her parents’ clifftop cottage is still vacant. Introverted Kiela soon meets baker Bryn and her friendly neighbor Larran, who tends the merhorses who help the local fishermen. There are also mermaids, winged cats, a harpist with four arms, and a cactus. Kiela has blue skin, blue hair, and magenta freckles. This is lovely cottagecore, but with lots of drama, including some suspicious islanders, dangerous storms, an imperial inspector, and the uncertainty of trying new spells. Kiela and Caz would love to stay in her cottage, now with multi-colored custom shelves for the jam and spellbooks thanks to Larran, but can they? This is a compelling and entertaining read. Readalikes include Shanna Swendson’s Tea and Empathy or Bread and Burglary in her Tales of Rydding Village series.

Brenda

Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch

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Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe

I really enjoyed this cozy fantasy marketed for ages 8-12. Eva (short for Evalithimus) Evergreen, 12, is an apprentice witch, taught by her mother, a grand-master. Eva doesn’t have much magic; casting a couple of spells makes her sleepy. She has one month to help a town, have the town mayor approve her work, and fly back to the city on her broom.

On the train to the coast, Eva acquires a magical pet flamefox named Ember. Mischievous Ember chews on Eva’s broom, causing Eva lots of stress, but this scene is funny for the reader who’s seen the book jacket where Eva is flying on the broom. Eva’s Semi-Magical Repair booth in Auteri shows her skill at combining a little magic with creative and practical skill to solve small problems and delight the young children at a nearby orphanage. Eva’s dad, who’s non-magical, often sends care packages with Japanese sweets, which Ember also enjoys.

Late in the month, a terrible storm approaches Auteri from the sea. Eva’s mom isn’t allowed to come and help until the month is up. Can Eva and her newly repaired broom save the town with the help of a few new friends? This is an absolutely charming cozy fantasy. Happily, there is a sequel, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch. Readalikes include Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono (and I just learned there’s an animated film adaptation by Hayao Miyazaki), and The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neil. An older children’s fantasy novel I’ve also enjoyed is The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart.

Brenda