Winter… is cold, the days are short, and the streets are full of cheery people rushing to buy presents for holiday parties — three wonderful reasons to stay at home with my fluffy blanket and a book that makes me not want to leave my house (not that I really need excuses to do that). And so, while other people hang out with their friends and families in cozy places, I like to visit my fictional families and friends in fictional, cozy, wintry worlds. You may think it’s sad, but as a creature of solitude, that is my favorite winter sport.
If you are like me and love to avoid all those cheery people who are invading the world like the flu during the wintertime, I have five amazing winter fantasy book recommendations for you to read during this season.
These are the books I reach for when I want cold settings, dangerous magic, and the general feeling of not having to talk to anyone for a while.
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
I’ve seen other people describe Water Moon as “100% vibes and no story,” which I kinda agree with… to an extent. Did that make me enjoy this book less? NOT AT ALL! I picked it up because the premise reminded me of xxxHolic by CLAMP: a magical pawn shop that only appears for those who need it.
Add to that a whimsical, Studio Ghibli–like world, and it becomes the perfect recipe for a cozy fantasy that’s also slightly dark. Yes, it’s a little predictable, and the insta-love situation feels a bit forced at the beginning, but this story has exactly the right vibes for a slow winter evening on my couch with hot chocolate and too many sweet snacks.
Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova
During the first fourteen days of the year, the city of Chernograd is invaded by monsters, and it’s the job of witches like Kosara to keep them at bay. Foul Days takes place in a very cold winter setting filled with Slavic folklore-inspired monsters.
It’s a fun story with snarky and slightly damaged characters that will keep you glued to the pages until the very end. At times it feels like cozy fantasy, and at other times it leans straight into horror. It also features grown adults dealing with grown-adult problems, which, honestly, is refreshing.
If you’re noticing a pattern here: yes, I like my winter stories cold, magical, and a little unhinged.
North Is the Night by Emily Rath
I know very little about Finland, so of course when I saw that North Is the Night was a fantasy adventure inspired by Finnish mythology, it immediately piqued my curiosity.
The story follows two women who are incredibly close friends. When one of them is kidnapped and taken to Tuonela, the land of the dead, the other goes on a dangerous quest to bring her back. It’s a winter tale filled with uncommon magic, ancient spirits, and unbreakable bonds. The perfect story to feel the cold of the season from the comfort of your home.
The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang
One of my favorite books of all time, The Sword of Kaigen is about a very cold people living in a very cold mountain town that is suddenly under attack. It’s an epic fantasy inspired by Japanese culture that will make you scream, cry, and feel every possible emotion at full volume.
If you ever thought your family was messed up, it’s because you’ve never met the Matsuda family. They put your craziest uncle and your daddy/mommy issues to shame.
If you’re in the mood for a cold, violent winter reading, read The Sword of Kaigen.
And if you’re not in the mood for a cold, violent winter reading… you should still read The Sword of Kaigen because it’s just that good.
The Night Ends with Fire by K. X. Song
And then there’s the book you pick up when you’re feeling emotionally fragile and want to make it worse.
Advertised as a Mulan retelling with a feminist twist, The Night Ends with Fire isn’t really about a winter setting, but it is about a very angry woman. Angry in the same way I get angry when someone forces me to attend a family Christmas dinner.
It’s heart-wrenching, soul-crushing, and the ending will leave you calling for vengeance. Easily one of the best fantasy books I read last year.
These are my go-to winter fantasy reads — the kind that make the cold feel intentional.
What are your favorite winter books? Let me know in the comments.
