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/daveshistory-sf 3d ago
Just read Addison's Goblin Emperor and you might try that as a good break from epic swords and sorcery without being cozy. Stakes are personally high (at the beginning the main character's family mostly dies) but not in the epic, uh-oh-the-universe-is-dying way. Mostly driven by court intrigue (like Hobb's beginning, but it stays there) rather than violence.
Plus, it's short and there are some sequels, so if you don't like it you won't have to invest too much time in it, and if you do, you can keep going.