Image via Tor Books
Published Nov 5, 2026, 6:42 AM EST
Diego Pineda has been a devout storyteller his whole life. He has self-published a fantasy novel and a book of short stories, and is actively working on publishing his second novel.
A lifelong fan of watching movies and talking about them endlessly, he writes reviews and analyses on his Instagram page dedicated to cinema, and occasionally on his blog. His favorite filmmakers are Andrei Tarkovsky and Charlie Chaplin. He loves modern Mexican cinema and thinks it's tragically underappreciated.
Other interests of Diego's include reading, gaming, roller coasters, writing reviews on his Letterboxd account (username: DPP_reviews), and going down rabbit holes of whatever topic he's interested in at any given point.
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The term "cozy fantasy" as a recognized, distinct subgenre of fantasy was only coined around 2020, mostly driven by the desire for emotional escapism and comfy entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global lockdown. However, its ancestors and most foundational roots can be traced much further back, retroactively making many great classics some of the best cozy fantasy titles in history.
Whether we're talking about one of those hyper-influential classics like The Hobbit, or about a modern gem like Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, one thing remains certain: for people who love fantasy as a whole, cozy fantasy can be a delightful blast. It's all about comforting, relatively low-stakes narratives, as well as emotional slice-of-life moments favored over epic wars or world-ending threats.
10 'A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking' (2020)
Image via Argyll ProductionsWritten by Ursula Vernon under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher, A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking was a major critical and commercial success upon release, winning awards as prominent as the Locus Award for Young Adult Fiction. Its story follows Mona, a teenage baker witch who discovers a dead body in her aunt's shop and must use her powers to foil a city-wide conspiracy and defend her home.
It's one of the best fantasy books of the 2020s so far, and with its being published right at the peak of pandemic lockdowns, it was one of the first books to be labeled as cozy fantasy by social media as the term was being born. Striking the perfect balance between warm domestic comfort, comedic charm, and real emotional stakes, it's an unforgettable quirky YA novel that even older fantasy readers love.
9 'Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries' (2023)
Image via Random House WorldsHeather Fawcett's popular debut novel, Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, launched the Emily Wilde series, one of the best cozy fantasy novel series to date. Its story follows the titular Emily Wilde, a grumpy Cambridge professor who travels to a remote sub-Arctic village to research elusive faeries, only to have her fieldwork upended by a charming academic rival who turns out to be a secret fae prince.
The book makes flawless use of the epistolary format, making its whimsical folklore elements feel all the more genuine and enhancing the warmth of its cozy atmosphere. It's dark academia meets cottagecore, with a delightfully smart protagonist and a wintry aesthetic that makes the heat of every fire, the hug of every wool blanket, and the steam of every mug of hot cider feel as comforting as the real things.
8 'Half a Soul' (2020)
Image via OrbitThe first installment in Olivia Atwater's Regency Faerie Tales trilogy, the Regency romantasy delight Half a Soul is one of the best fantasy books published since 2020. Its story follows Dora, a girl cursed by a faerie to be unable to feel or express emotions after losing half her soul. So, she travels through London with a royal magician to reverse her condition and solve a magical plague.
At first, the book was little more than a modest self-published release, but the cozy fantasy phenomenon on BookTok during the pandemic lockdowns gradually turned it into a huge success, leading Orbit Books to acquire and publish it in 2022. It's just that good: with its uniquely compelling heroine and her fun dynamic with the Royal Sorcerer Elias, Half a Soul is a celebration of empathy, kindness, and whimsy.
7 'The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches' (2022)
Image via BerkleyPerfect for people who aren't really looking to commit to a new fantasy series and would rather just enjoy a standalone cozy fantasy title, Sangu Mandanna's The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches should be a joy to read. It follows Mika Moon, a lonely witch who breaks the strict rules of her society by posting online magic videos. The videos lead her to being hired to teach three unruly orphan witches at a remote estate, where she unexpectedly finds family and love.
It's the ultimate "found family" cozy fantasy book, a novel that's just about as close as you can get to a proverbial warm hug on a cold, rainy night. Full of low-stakes domestic magic and imbued with a bright, colorful atmosphere that makes the whole story feel safe and inviting, it's a book all about the deeply relatable theme of overcoming isolation and finding a place where it feels like you belong.
6 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' (2020)
Image via Tor FantasyThe first book in T.J. Klune's Cerulean Chronicles is The House in the Cerulean Sea, a YA story about a government caseworker who oversees magical youth. He's sent to evaluate a remote island orphanage housing six classified children — including the Antichrist — where he unexpectedly finds a family and a home. As great as its sequel is, it doesn't get much cozier than this.
House in the Cerulean Sea is a deeply emotional tale about acceptance and found family, full of romance, low stakes, emotional warmth, and a gentle narrative. All in all, it's one of the best fantasy books of the past 10 years, built on the foundations of a protagonist whose redemption arc is as satisfying as it is moving. The magical children are irresistibly sweet, the romantic elements work wonderfully, and the message against prejudice and institutional oppression is profoundly powerful.
5 'Tress of the Emerald Sea' (2023)
Image via Tor FantasyIf there's any one author who has done more than enough to be worthy of the title of "best fantasy writer currently working," it's the infinitely prolific Brandon Sanderson. The first of the four secret novels that Sanderson wrote during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tress of the Emerald Sea is one of the author's best books to date, following a young girl who stows away on pirate ships across the ocean to rescue her beloved from an evil sorceress.
Though an epic adventure is what fuels the narrative of Tress of the Emerald Sea, it's nonetheless the coziest piece of fantasy that Sanderson has thus far written. Whimsical, stylish, and deeply comforting in spite of its epic narrative, this first installment in the Hoid's Travails series (part of Sanderson's overarching Cosmere universe) wears its cozy Princess Bride influences on its sleeve.
Image via TorAs far as modern books that were specifically written under the newly-coined "cozy fantasy" umbrella go, it doesn't get much better or more iconic than Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes. A finalist for the 2023 Nebula and Hugo Awards, this is the story of a battle-weary orc retiring from her adventures and moving to the city of Thune, where she accomplishes her wish of opening a coffee shop.
It's the ultimate cozy fantasy premise, and the way it's executed is every bit as warm as the silky lattes served at Viv's café. Proof that you don't need sky-high stakes in order to craft a high fantasy story that's thoroughly engaging, Legends & Lattes is bolstered by Baldree's beautifully tactile and comforting prose, the heartwarming "found family" story, and the welcoming subversions of traditional Hero's Journey heroic fantasy tropes.
3 'Going Postal' (2004)
Image via DoubledayBritish writer Sir Terry Pratchett was one of the most beloved satirists in the modern history of English-language literature, revolutionizing comedic fantasy with his massive Discworld series. Going Postal is the 33rd book in the series, and it follows a condemned con artist who's spared from hanging and forced to revive the city's ruined post office, while battling a ruthless communication monopoly.
It's one of the most fun fantasy books of all time, and it's all anyone should need to read in order to understand why Pratchett is such a beloved figure—though it'll inevitably become tempting to pick up some other Discworld installment. Going Postal may predate the birth of the cozy fantasy trend, but its masterclass in satirical humor, quirky industrial fantasy, and cozy approach to sociopolitical critique make it an essential ancestor for the subgenre's modern form.
2 'Howl's Moving Castle' (1986)
Image via Harper CollinsDiana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle achieved modest acclaim and success among children's fantasy fans and critics back in 1986, though it would be the release of Hayao Miyazaki's 2004 anime film adaptation that would really push its reputation into the stratosphere. Its story follows Sophie, an 18-year-old who's turned into an old woman by a witch. She takes refuge in the castle of a vain wizard named Howl, where she bargains with a fire demon to break their curses and untangle a web of magical chaos.
It's one of those perfect fantasy books that turned into even better movies, and another one of the most important and noteworthy precursors of the cozy fantasy subgenre. Long before the term was coined, Jones established this blueprint for whimsical domestic magic, eccentric found families, and reluctant yet undeniably witty heroes. From the vibrant characters to the titular castle itself, everything about Howl's Moving Castle inspires a joyful sense of awe.
1 'The Hobbit' (1937)
Image via George Allen & UnwinEven though it was The Lord of the Rings that would go on to enshrine J. R. R. Tolkien as the single most important and influential fantasy author of the 20th century, it was the smash hit that was The Hobbit that put him on the map as a master of the genre. It's the tale of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, who's recruited by a wizard and thirteen dwarves to embark on a dangerous quest.
Even though The Hobbit was written nearly a century before the coining of the "cozy fantasy" label, and some purists may be scandalized by the mere proposition of considering it the grandfather of all cozy fantasy tales, it's nevertheless a subgenre that fits it too well to ignore. One of the most perfect fantasy books of all time, The Hobbit's story may have danger and adventure, but it's also the ultimate ancestor of the cozy fantasy category. Bilbo as a home-loving reluctant hero, Bag End as the coziest space in all of fantasy, and a story that celebrates the power of friendship and hospitality all make this the most foundational pillar of cozy fantasy.
COLLIDER Middle-earth
Personality Quiz
Collider/ Movies/ The Lord of the Rings/ Which Race Do You Belong To
Ten Questions · Five Peoples Which Lord of the Rings Race Do You Belong To? Hobbit · Elf · Dwarf · Man · Orc
Middle-earth is home to many peoples: the courageous, the ancient, the stubborn, the ambitious and the wretched. Ten questions will determine which race truly claims your soul. The answer may surprise you, or it may confirm what you already suspected.
🌿Hobbit
🌟Elf
🪓Dwarf
⚔Man
💀Orc
Find Your Race
Stage 1 of 10Comfort
What does your ideal day look like? How we rest reveals as much as how we fight.AA long meal with good company, a pipe, and absolutely no unexpected adventures. BWalking through ancient forests, composing verse, watching the stars emerge. CDeep underground, the clang of hammer on anvil, crafting something that will outlast me. DTraining, planning, preparing. There is always something that needs defending. ETaking what I want and making sure nobody tries to take it back.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 2 of 10Time
How do you feel about the passing of time? Our relationship with mortality shapes everything we value.AI have watched ages come and go. Time is a river I observe, not chase. BThe days blur pleasantly. I do not think about it much, and there is always second breakfast. CLife is short. I want to leave something behind: a name, a legacy, a deed worth singing. DTime means little underground. What matters is the work, and the work is never done. ETime is something stronger things take from weaker ones. I intend to be the stronger one.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 3 of 10Instinct
Danger is approaching. Your first instinct is to: Fight, flight, or something in between.AHide, and hope it passes. I am no hero, and I am fine with that. BStand your ground. Someone has to, and it might as well be me. CFade into the background and observe. Knowledge before action. DCharge straight at it. Hesitation is just fear wearing a sensible hat. EDig in, fortify, and wait. Ground is everything, and you never cede ground.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 4 of 10Treasure
You stumble upon a great treasure. What do you feel? What we desire, and what we do about it, is the true test.AMy heart swells. This is the work of my kin, and it belongs in my hands. BExcited, but nervous. I would rather it not cause trouble. Can I just leave it? CMine. Obviously mine. Why is this even a question? DBeautiful. Something this ancient deserves to be preserved and admired, not hoarded. EA resource, and resources should serve those with the vision to use them.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 5 of 10Community
How important is community and belonging to you? No race of Middle-earth is truly alone, but some prefer it that way.AEverything. My neighbours, my village, my people. They are the point of it all. BI cherish my kin deeply, but I feel connected to all living things, not just my own kind. CI will protect my people with everything I have, but I do not need anyone else’s approval. DI prefer a tight-knit clan bound by loyalty and shared toil over any grand fellowship. ECommunity is a pack. You are either dominant or you are used. I know which I prefer.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 6 of 10Ambition
How ambitious are you, honestly? Ambition is neither virtue nor vice. It depends entirely on what you want.ADeeply. I want to build something great, reclaim something lost, or leave a mark on history. BI seek mastery and perfection, not power over others but excellence in all I do. CHonestly? I mostly just want a quiet life and for things to not go wrong. DCompletely. I want to dominate, and I see no point in pretending otherwise. EAmbitious within my craft. I want to make the finest thing ever made by my people’s hands.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 7 of 10Nature
Where do you feel most at home in the natural world? Middle-earth is vast, and every race has its place within it.AAncient forests, still pools, places where the world feels oldest and wisest. BRolling green hills, good soil, somewhere you can grow things and watch them thrive. CUnderground. Caves, mines, tunnels. The dark does not bother me. It is where things are made. DOpen plains, mountains, the kind of landscape that makes you feel the weight of history. EBlasted wastelands, smoke, ash. Somewhere harsh enough to keep soft things away.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 8 of 10Strength
What kind of strength do you most respect? Every race defines strength differently, and they are all at least a little right.AThe strength to carry on when everything is telling you to stop. BThe strength of stone. Immovable, reliable, tested by pressure and time. CThe strength to lead others and bear the cost of that responsibility. DGrace under pressure. Calm, precise, and lethal when it needs to be. EBrute force. Everything else is just philosophy for those who lost.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 9 of 10Legacy
What do you want to leave behind when you are gone? Legacy is the story we tell ourselves about why any of this matters.ASongs, poetry, beauty. Something that outlasts the memory of who made it. BThe knowledge that my corner of the world was a little safer and kinder because of me. CFear. A reputation that means nobody ever dares come for mine. DA name remembered. A deed that made a difference at a moment that mattered. EA masterwork. Something crafted so perfectly it becomes the standard all others are judged by.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseNext
Stage 10 of 10Truth
Be honest. What do you want most out of life? The truest question always comes last.APeace. Safety. Good food, good friends, and nobody asking me to save anything. BTo matter. To be part of something larger than myself, even at great cost. CEternity. To witness all ages, to remember everything, and never be forgotten. DDominance. To never again be at the mercy of anyone or anything. EMastery of my craft and the respect of those who know great work from good work.
Press 1 to 5 to chooseReveal My Race
Middle-earth Has Spoken You Belong To
A tie. You walk between two peoples.
🌿 The Hobbits The Shire-folk Heroism does not require ambition, and you are the proof.
You are, at your core, a creature of comfort, community and quiet joy, and there is nothing small about that. Hobbits are proof that heroism does not require ambition, that the bravest heart can beat inside the most unassuming chest. You value good food, warm hearths, close friends and a world that stays largely untroubled by dark lords and quests. When adventure does find you, and it will, you rise to it not because you sought it but because the people you love needed you to. That is not ordinary. That is the rarest kind of courage in all of Middle-earth.
LoyalGroundedUnassumingBraver Than You Look
🌟 The Elves The Firstborn They mistake your depth for distance.
Ancient, graceful, and carrying a weight of memory most mortals cannot fathom, you are one of the Elves. You see the world in its fullness: its beauty, its impermanence, the unbearable ache of watching everything you love eventually fade. You pursue perfection not from pride but because excellence is how you honour the time you have been given. Others may see you as remote or melancholy. They are not wrong, exactly. But they mistake depth for distance. You feel everything, which is precisely why you have learned to carry it so quietly.
AncientExactingObservantMelancholy
🪓 The Dwarves The Stone-born Anything worth doing is worth doing properly.
Stubborn, proud, fiercely loyal and possessed of a work ethic that would exhaust most other races before breakfast, you are Dwarf-kind through and through. You do not ask for approval and you do not offer it cheaply. Your loyalty, once given, is given for life. Your grudges last longer. You love deeply and defend ferociously, and the things you build, with your hands and your sweat and generations of accumulated craft, are made to last. Not for glory. Because anything worth doing is worth doing properly, and you have never once done anything by half measures.
StubbornLoyalExactingImmovable
⚔ The Race of Men The Mortal Kind You fall, and you rise, and the rising is what defines you.
Mortal, ambitious, flawed and magnificent, you belong to the most complicated race in Middle-earth, and that complexity is your greatest strength. Men are capable of cowardice and extraordinary bravery, of cruelty and breathtaking sacrifice, sometimes within the same breath. You feel the urgency of your finite years and it drives you. You want to matter. You want to leave something behind. You fall, and you rise, and the rising is what defines you. Tolkien called mortality the Gift of Men, not a curse but a fire that burns bright precisely because it does not burn forever. That fire is you.
AmbitiousMortalDrivenUnfinished
💀 The Orcs The Broken Kind You have made your peace with a world that is not kind.
Brutal, survivalist and contemptuous of anything that cannot defend itself, you answered with the instincts of an Orc, and there is a certain savage honesty in that. You do not dress up your desires in polite language or pretend you want things you do not. You want power, survival, and to never be at the bottom of any hierarchy again. Orcs are not evil by nature. They were made from something that was once good and broken into this shape by forces they did not choose. What remains is fierce, territorial, and deeply aware that the world is not kind. You have made your peace with that. The question is what you do with it.
TerritorialBluntRelentlessUnsentimental
Your Closest Matches
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Quest recorded by COLLIDER Collider.com · Middle-earth
