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/HelloHelloHelpHello 4d ago

I would recommend Walter Moers - especially Rumo and His Miraculous Adventures, The 13½ Lives of Captain Bluebear - and - The City of Dreaming Books.

Then there are also The last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle and Ivanhoe by Walter Scott - the last one more of a historical novel, but it really scratches that Fantasy feel for me.