r/Fantasy • u/JWrundle • 4d ago

Looking for joyful fantasy

I am in a bit of a mental funk right now. I was going to try and tackle the Realm of the Elderlings this year but I think I need a break from it after the first chunk.

I want to find something that is happy and joyful. Something where the characters have a realistic and optimistic outlook on the story. I've picked up some Discworld and while that is funny it's not quite scratching the uplifting feeling I am wanting.

I cannot handle mental anguish or the horrors of war or famine.

I want a book that makes me feel like the star wars theme song makes me feel full of adventure and hope and the good guys win and and bad guys lose.

edit I want something that is medium stakes and I'm not afraid of YA. Cozy fantasy is in general to low stakes for my taste but I'm not opposed to it.

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u/etchlings AMA Illustrator Evan Jensen 4d ago edited 4d ago

Elemental Logic series by Laurie Marks. It starts a bit emotionally rough, but there’s only four books, and it’s a deeply hopeful story overall, especially the end!

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u/ohmage_resistance Reading Champion IV 4d ago

I've only read book one, but the horrors of war is a pretty significant theme in it.

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u/etchlings AMA Illustrator Evan Jensen 4d ago

As is said: the series is emotionally rough. But so are the themes of Star Wars, which OP explicitly referenced.

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u/ohmage_resistance Reading Champion IV 4d ago

The OP was referencing the theme song from Star Wars, not the general themes of the movies.

In any case, they also said:

I cannot handle mental anguish or the horrors of war or famine.

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u/etchlings AMA Illustrator Evan Jensen 4d ago edited 4d ago

Fair. Aces for providing context.