Loved The Song of Achilles but still paying for therapy because of the emotional pain you experienced while reading it? Girl, I feel you. What’s less expensive than therapy? Drowning your sadness innewFantasy books that offer genuinely uplifting conclusions. If you’re fed up with having your sensitive fantasy heart crushed by an author’s cruel interpretation of emotional release, these cheerful novels are worth trying. Here are the 10 top fantasy books with positive endings, ones that avoid a painful blow to the heart on the final page. Instead, they deliver a joyful kick!
The House in the Cerulean Sea
TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Seabegins as a somber experience, but much like the transition from winter to spring, the atmosphere gradually improves over time. Linus Baker is a worker for the Department Responsible for Magical Youth, whichsounds A seemingly satisfying job on paper until you discover that sorting documents is all Linus does. Everything shifts for our melancholic government employee when he is tasked with overseeing a seaside orphanage named after itself, the supernatural kids inside, and their appealing adult caretaker. Although Linus hopes to find everything in order, his assumptions are surpassed when he discovers a new family instead. Reading this book is like sipping a warm cup of tea on a rainy day – your heart grows warmer and warmer over time. By the end of the novel, your cup is empty, but your heart is full.
The Return of the King
The culmination of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the KingThe story concludes with a classic high fantasy feel-good ending. Spoiler alert: the Dark Lord is defeated, the orcs plunge into a massive hole in the ground, and our headcanon gay hobbit heroes fly out of Mordor on the backs of eagles (a help they could have definitely used during their journey there). Good prevails over evil, the true king returns, and everything in Middle Earth improves. A heads-up: although this book ends on a positive note, you’re likely to shed a few tears. When Bilbo and Frodo head to the Undying Lands, it’s a one-way journey. The ring-tainted hobbit is going to live a better life, but he must sadly leave his Fellowship friends behind. According to Stephen King, endings are merciless. This ending is full of heart, completely happy, yet somehow still painful. No matter how pleasant it may be, endings always involve a farewell.
Legends and Lattes
In Travis Baldtree’s Legends and Lattes, the queer fantasy couple doesn’t need to part ways at the end (apologies to Frodo and Sam). The book follows an Orc named Viv who is tired of the constant adventure lifestyle and chooses to focus on building a thriving small business instead of the typical orc retirement path of perishing in battle. After transforming an old stable into a coffee shop, Viv is closer to her goals than ever before. With assistance from an artistic succubus eager to revamp the place, she and her demonic girlfriend are poised to create a nest egg that will last a lifetime. This novel isn’t free of conflict, but when challenges arise, the characters come together to rebuild—sometimes even physically. By the end of the story, everything has been restored stronger than before—borrowing a Biden campaign phrase.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Just as the Studio Ghibli film that sparked audience enthusiasm,Howl’s Moving Castle ends with a thrilling climax that many of us can only imagine (i.e. being with a hot wizard). When Sophie Hatter began her journey, she never anticipated ending up with the kingdom’s most desirable magical bachelor in his moving castle, but destiny had other plans. Considering destiny betrayed her when she was cursed by a witch to age rapidly at the start of the story, poor Sophie certainly earned some cosmic compensation. Although it’s well-known that Sophie and Howl end up together at the conclusion of this enchanting romance novel, the enjoyment lies in witnessing their relationship develop—like a Rube Goldberg machine that kisses you on the lips at the end. Hot.
The Goblin Emperor
Katherine Addison’s The Goblin Emperoris the tale of Maia, the new emperor of a vast elven kingdom. The half-goblin royal never expected to be sitting on the throne, but after all the other heirs in the realm died in an heirship accident – I mean, airship* accident – Maia was the only option remaining. Much like Aang at the beginning ofAvatar The Last Airbender,Maia has much to discover before he can be prepared to rescue this kingdom from destruction. Frankly, he should focus on protecting himself from killers before he starts worrying about others’ issues. Although Maia encounters a challenging and frequently dangerous path in learning how to rule, he meets the royal challenge in the book and turns into the hero that Gotham— I mean— Ethuveraz needs.
A Guide for Wizards on Defensive Baking
A Mage’s Handbook for Defensive Pastry Preparationby Ursula Vernon is precisely what’s stated on the box – a nonsensical manual on elevating magical pastries that can safeguard you and your dear ones. For teenage wizard Mona, whose magic can make bread rise, but little more, this handbook offers the ideal formula for achievement. With the assistance of a sourdough starter that acts as her companion, Mona discovers how to protect her city from a sinister scheme that starts with an enigmatic bakery murder. You know how in goth lesbian necromancer fantasyGideon The Ninth They constantly create bone structures and throw them at each other? Mona learns to do the same, but using gingerbread men. We’ve all witnessed it.Shrek 2, we are aware of the type of weapon of mass destruction a gingerbread man can turn into when given orders.
The Princess Bride
A timeless example of uplifting fantasy,The Princess Bride is perhaps the most remarkable “and they lived happily ever after” story ever created. I don’t need to explain it to you, you’ve probably watched the film, haven’t you? If you have, pick up the book – it offers all the exciting moments from the screen plus a bit more depth. If you haven’t, stop hiding under that rock and experience it. This is the love story of a young princess rescued by a charming hero, who turns out to be a long-lost lover. During their journey, the two encounter giants, Sicilians, men with eleven fingers, and rats of unusual sizes – The Princess Bride has got it all.
The Night Circus
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is the tale of the most extraordinary spectacle in the world (take that, Barnum & Bailey). Inspired by a nighttime carnival that only appears under the stars, the book chronicles two of the finest performers at Le Cirque des Rêves, who are engaged in a mystical contest. Raised from childhood to be each other’s opponents, these two illusionists captivate spectators with their magical performances as part of an ongoing “game.” Although they have never met, they gradually develop feelings for one another after observing each other’s talents. This presents a challenge, as one of them is meant to perish when the game concludes. Rest easy, as true to their nature as magicians, they devise a clever (and deeply romantic) solution by the end of the story.
The Past and Future Witches
The Past and Future Witchesby Alix E. Harrow is a historical fantasy book set in a world where witchcraft has been almost eradicated by male-dominated authorities. When the three Eastwood sisters accidentally cast a spell, they find themselves drawn into an emerging feminist movement in New Salem, Massachusetts. However, securing the right to vote is not sufficient; the Eastwoods also seek the right to practice magic. The global witch hunters certainly won’t approve of this. A story about women forming communities beyond conventional power systems,The Past and Future Witchesconcludes in the manner that the old witch trials should have: with women able to pursue the arcane as they wish, completely undisturbed by any critics.
The Queen of Salt and Legacy
Located in a legendary realm inspired by ancient China,The Queen of Salt and Legacyrelates the story of the title royal’s rapid ascent to power. Originally a princess from a rebel kingdom, Empress In-yo has been compelled to marry the Emperor of Pines and Steel to strengthen his reign. A foreigner in an unfamiliar place, In-yo must rely on her political acumen (along with some assistance from her handmaiden/lover Rabbit) to endure the dangerous imperial court. Endure andthrive, more like. By employing subtle defiance and clever political strategies, In-yo ultimately manages to remove her oppressive husband from power, live with her lesbian partner, and bring about a long-term peace across the kingdom. Endings don’t get much more positive than that.
