I am primarily an epic fantasy reader, but some of the series I finished in 2024 were pretty heavy. I'd like to try out something different this year! I know the main critiques surrounding cozy fantasy is typically that the plot is lacking, there are little to no real stakes, and that it is an overwhemlingly white subgenre. Only 2 of the books featured in my video are by Black authors. The inequity in publishing is a decades long issue that touches every genre, and of course fantasy and speculative fiction are no an exception.

As for the criticism on the actual stories, I think if you're going into a new genre (or subgenre), it helps to find out what the goal is for that type of world. If these stories are tied more to escapism, to the comfort of a fantasy setting, then maybe the high stakes are not needed. It's absolutely possible to write a story that is compelling and heart wrenching without the tell tale signs of an epic adventure.

Some of my favorite stand out stories of last year were stories that just had solid writing, with a legend or myth at the center, and a really good narrator immersing you into that world. All that to say, I'm going in with little expectations, and I'll report back my findings! Here are some of the titles that have sparked my interest:

• Greenteeth by Molly O'Niell (Pub: Feb 2025)
• House of Frank by Kay Sinclaire
• Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
• Where The River Meets the Soul by S. Nicole
• all of Travis Baldree's work !

A few that didn't make it into this video:

• The Baby Dragon Cafe by A. T. Qureshi (Pub: Jan 2025)
• A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (Pub: July 2025)
• The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko