Life is hard, especially nowadays, and sometimes it’s nice to escape for a little while. Here are five recommendations, in no particular order, for when you crave a little book escapism. Keep a lookout for some bonuses!
- Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success — not to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to go it alone….
Probably unsurprisingly, I’ve included Legends & Lattes on this list as it’s popularity is one of the main drivers of the cozy fantasy genre as a whole. I would highly recommend this book for fans of D&D, light romance, or character driven narratives. As a bonus, check out my review of the prequel, Bookshops & Bonedust.
2. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside…
I am a big fan of TJ Klune’s work, and across all of his books there is an emphasis on found family. That is certainly the case for The House in the Cerulean Sea as well as it’s sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. I would also recommend this for readers interested in a character driven story as well as interesting world building.
3. A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules…with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos “pretending” to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.
But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic…
Along the same vein of found family, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a slow burn romance that deals with generational trauma, identity, and community. Set in magical realism Britain, I would recommend this for fans of romance, character driven narratives, and found family.
4. In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
For four hundred years, the Warren witches have used their magic to quietly help the citizens of the sleepy New England town of Evenfall thrive. There’s never been a problem they couldn’t handle. But then Constance Graves—a local known for being argumentative and demanding—dies while staying at the bed and breakfast Brynn Warren maintains with her aunts. At first, it seems like an accident…but it soon becomes clear that there’s something more sinister at work, and Aunt Nora is shaping up to be the prime suspect…
The second book about witches in this list, In the Company of Witches is a fantastic cozy mystery story that deals with grief, family trauma, and healing.
5. Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
Leovander Loveage is a master of small magics. He can summon butterflies with a song or turn someone’s hair pink by snapping his fingers. Though such minor charms don’t earn him much respect, anything more elaborate always blows up in his face, and so Leo vowed long ago never to use powerful magic again.
That is, until a mishap with a forbidden spell binds Leo to obey the commands of his longtime rival, Sebastian Grimm. Grimm is Leo’s complete opposite–respected, exceptionally talented, and absolutely insufferable…
Sorcery and Small Magics is a must read for fans of the enemies to lovers trope, but this is a slow burn full of misunderstandings and preconceptions. I would highly recommend this book for fans of a biased and flawed narrator, romance, and once again character driven narrative.
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