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9 Fantasy Books That Feel Like Snowy Escapes

Joao Nsita
1 day ago
13 min read

There is a unique, almost sacred, alchemy that happens when you read the right book at the right time. As the world outside grows cold and a quiet blanket of snow hushes the landscape, there is no greater pleasure than escaping into a story that mirrors the magic of the season. A great winter fantasy book is more than just a story; it’s an atmosphere. It's the feeling of crisp, cold air on your cheeks, the crunch of snow underfoot, and the comforting glow of a fire in a cozy tavern, all conjured from the simple black and white of a page. It is a true and perfect form of escapism.

In the vibrant, trend-driven world of 2025, this desire for a seasonal, immersive reading experience has become a full-blown cultural movement. A scroll through the aesthetic dreamscapes of TikTok and Pinterest reveals a powerful collective yearning for "atmospheric reads." The "cozy fantasy" trend has exploded, with readers seeking out low-stakes, character-driven stories that feel like a warm hug in book form. At the same time, the moody, intellectual allure of "Dark Academia" continues to thrive, finding its perfect setting in the snow-covered grounds of a magical university or a remote, gothic manor. This list is your definitive guide to the nine best fantasy books that perfectly capture the magic of a snowy escape. Presented in descending order, these novels are not just set in winter; they are winter, in all its enchanting, dangerous, and beautiful glory.

We hope you find this article a magical and helpful guide for your winter reading! If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work with a small donation or by sharing our articles with your friends and family. Your support helps us continue to create joyful and informative content.

9. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Vibe: An immersive, atmospheric, and beautifully lyrical Russian fairytale.

Synopsis: Set in the wild, remote forests of medieval Russia, this novel follows Vasilisa "Vasya" Petrovna, a spirited young woman who, unlike the rest of her village, can still see and interact with the ancient spirits of the home and the wild. As a new, fervent Christian priest arrives in the village, preaching against the old ways, the household spirits grow weak, leaving the village vulnerable to a dark and ancient evil that stirs in the frozen woods. Vasya, caught between the old world of magic and the new world of organized religion, must find the courage to embrace her unique gifts to protect her family and her home from the encroaching darkness of a seemingly endless winter.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: Katherine Arden’s prose is pure magic. She doesn't just describe a Russian winter; she makes you feel it in your bones. The cold is a living, breathing character in this novel—the "crackle of freezing trees," the "deep, smothering silence of the snow," the life-or-death importance of a warm fire in the pechka (a traditional Russian stove). The world-building is rich and immersive, seamlessly weaving Russian folklore and fairytale elements into a grounded, historical setting. You can practically feel the chill of the wind and smell the woodsmoke in the air. This book is the definition of an "atmospheric read," a story that will transport you so completely you'll find yourself reaching for an extra blanket. The book’s rich, folkloric world-building is a quality shared by some of the best fantasy TV shows of the winter season.

External Link: The official website of author Katherine Arden is a great place to explore the other books in her fantastic Winternight Trilogy.

8. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

The Vibe: A complex, multi-layered fairytale retelling with a sharp, feminist edge, where winter is both a prison and a source of incredible power.

Synopsis: Spinning Silver is a brilliant and intricate reimagining of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale. The story is told from the perspective of three powerful young women. Miryem is the daughter of a moneylender who, to save her family from poverty, discovers she has a talent for turning silver into gold. Her boastful claim attracts the attention of the Staryk, a terrifying, fey king of winter who captures her and forces her to become his queen. Meanwhile, a young noblewoman named Irina is married off to a handsome but cruel tsar who harbors a fiery, demonic secret. The fates of these women, along with a determined peasant girl named Wanda, become intertwined as they navigate a world of treacherous bargains, political intrigue, and powerful magic.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: The winter in this book is breathtakingly beautiful and deeply menacing. The world of the Staryk is a place of stark, otherworldly beauty—a kingdom of ice and silver, where the trees are made of glass and the air is sharp with cold. Novik masterfully uses the winter setting as a central plot device. The eternal winter of the Staryk kingdom is a constant, encroaching threat to the human lands, and the story is a brilliant exploration of the balance between the two worlds. It’s a book that perfectly captures the dual nature of winter: its beautiful, glittering surface and its dangerous, unforgiving heart. The book’s intricate plot and complex characters are as compelling as any found in the best HBO dramas of all time.

External Link: You can explore reader reviews and similar fairytale retellings on the Goodreads page for Spinning Silver.

7. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

The Vibe: The ultimate "Dark Academia," a brilliant and profound portal fantasy with a breathtaking, arctic adventure.

Synopsis: The first book in the masterful His Dark Materials trilogy, The Golden Compass introduces us to Lyra Belacqua, a fierce, semi-feral orphan who lives among the scholars of Jordan College, Oxford. Her world is one of steampunk-esque technology, powerful church-like institutions, and, most importantly, dæmons—the physical, animal manifestation of a person's soul. When children, including her best friend, begin to go missing, Lyra embarks on a perilous journey to the arctic north, a land of witches, armored bears, and a terrible secret hidden in the shimmering lights of the aurora.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: The second half of this novel is a masterpiece of wintery world-building. The journey to the frozen north is a breathtaking adventure. Pullman’s descriptions of the stark, beautiful, and incredibly dangerous landscapes of Svalbard are unforgettable. The society of the Panserbjørne (the armored bears), the silent, graceful flight of the witches through the frozen air, and the terrifying, clinical horror of the experimental station at Bolvangar all create a powerful and enduring sense of a truly magical and perilous winter. It is a world that is as awe-inspiring as it is terrifying. The book is a true classic, a story with as much cultural impact as the best TV comedies of the 2010s.

6. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

The Vibe: The ultimate "cozy romantasy," a festive and heartfelt novella perfect for fans of the ACOTAR series.

Synopsis: A Court of Frost and Starlight is a bridge novella, set after the epic events of A Court of Wings and Ruin and before the next full novel in the series. The story is a warm, low-stakes, and deeply comforting slice-of-life look at the beloved characters of the Night Court as they celebrate their first Winter Solstice together in a time of peace. The narrative follows Feyre and Rhysand as they navigate the stresses of rebuilding their city, shopping for gifts, and simply trying to enjoy their first holiday season as a true, official couple.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: This book is the definition of a cozy, wintery read. The city of Velaris, covered in a blanket of snow and decorated with twinkling lights for the Solstice, is a magical and festive setting. The story is not about epic battles; it’s about the small, intimate moments of joy and connection that make the holidays special. It’s about snowball fights, decorating, and the warmth of a found family gathered around a fireplace. For the massive global fanbase of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, this book is a beloved comfort read, a perfect, heartwarming story to curl up with on a cold night. The book’s focus on a loving, supportive relationship is a theme explored in this article on how to build a strong and lasting relationship.

External Link: The fan-run A Court of Thorns and Roses Wiki is a fantastic resource for exploring the deep lore of the series.

5. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

The Vibe: A dark, gritty, and modern urban fantasy that perfectly captures the ghostly, gothic chill of a New England winter.

Synopsis: Leigh Bardugo’s adult debut, Ninth House, is a masterpiece of modern fantasy. The story follows Galaxy "Alex" Stern, a high school dropout from L.A. with the ability to see ghosts. After surviving a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide, she is given a full scholarship to Yale University. Her mission? To monitor the secret, magical activities of the university’s elite secret societies, which use occult rituals to manipulate the stock market, control politicians, and gain unimaginable power. As Alex navigates this world of privilege and dark magic, she finds herself investigating the murder of a local girl, a case that is far more sinister than it appears.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: This is the ultimate "Dark Academia" novel. The setting of Yale University during a bleak, cold New England winter is incredibly atmospheric. Bardugo masterfully captures the feeling of a historic, gothic campus haunted by both literal and metaphorical ghosts. The snow in this book is not clean and pristine; it is grey, slushy, and covers a world of dark secrets. The novel’s winter is moody, mysterious, and deeply unsettling, a perfect backdrop for a ghostly murder mystery. It’s a book that is as intellectually stimulating as it is thrilling, a perfect read for those who like their fantasy dark, smart, and with a touch of real-world grit.

Call to Action: You can find the latest bestsellers and cozy reads to pair with a hot drink at retailers like Barnes & Noble or your local independent bookstore.

4. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

The Vibe: A heartbreakingly beautiful and deeply melancholic work of magical realism set in the Alaskan wilderness.

Synopsis: Set in the 1920s, The Snow Child follows Jack and Mabel, a childless couple who have moved to the harsh, unforgiving landscape of the Alaskan frontier in a desperate attempt to build a new life and escape their grief. Their life is one of back-breaking work and profound loneliness. In a rare moment of whimsy during the first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning, the snow child is gone, but they catch a glimpse of a young, blonde girl running through the trees, wearing the hat and mittens they had placed on their creation. What follows is a beautiful, strange, and deeply moving story as this wild, feral child, who seems to appear and disappear with the snow, slowly enters their lives.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: This novel is a love letter to the stark, beautiful, and often brutal Alaskan winter. Ivey’s prose is stunning, perfectly capturing the immense, overwhelming silence of a snow-covered landscape and the incredible resilience it takes to survive in it. The winter in this book is both a source of immense hardship and a place of profound, quiet magic. The story, based on a classic Russian fairytale, is a beautiful and heartbreaking exploration of love, loss, and the desperate, human need for connection. It’s a book that feels like a quiet, contemplative walk in the snow, a story that is both sad and incredibly beautiful. For more stories that explore the complexities of love and family, check out this list of 10 Holiday Rom-coms.

3. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

The Vibe: The ultimate "Cozy Fantasy," a low-stakes, high-comfort story that feels like a warm hug in book form.

Synopsis: Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes is a book that single-handedly defined a subgenre. The story follows Viv, a battle-weary orc barbarian who, after a long and violent career as an adventurer, decides to hang up her sword and pursue her one true dream: opening a coffee shop. She settles in the city of Thune, and with the help of a quiet but resourceful succubus named Tandri and a cast of other wonderfully quirky characters, she slowly but surely builds her dream from the ground up.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: While not explicitly set in the dead of winter, this book is the epitome of a cozy, wintery read. The central setting, the coffee shop itself, is a haven of warmth, the scent of fresh-baked goods, and the revolutionary new drink called "coffee." The book focuses on the simple, profound pleasures of building something, of creating a welcoming space, and of forging a new found family. It is a book that is deliberately low on conflict; the stakes are not about saving the world, but about whether the cinnamon rolls will come out right. It is the perfect antidote to a stressful day, a gentle and deeply comforting story that will leave you feeling warm and hopeful. It's a perfect book to read while you enjoy a cozy activity, like one of these 10 Cozy Knitting Projects for Autumn.

2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

The Vibe: A classic, groundbreaking, and deeply philosophical work of science fantasy set on an ice planet.

Synopsis: Ursula K. Le Guin’s masterpiece, The Left Hand of Darkness, is one of the most important and influential works of science fiction ever written. The story follows Genly Ai, a human envoy who is sent to the planet Gethen, also known as "Winter," to persuade its inhabitants to join a galactic confederation. The people of Gethen are androgynous, with no fixed gender, a concept that the human Genly struggles to comprehend. The novel follows his difficult and dangerous journey as he tries to navigate the planet’s complex politics and his own evolving relationship with Estraven, a disgraced Gethenian politician who believes in his mission.

Capturing the Snowy Escape: The planet of Winter is one of the most fully realized and unforgettable settings in all of literature. Le Guin’s descriptions of the harsh, unforgiving, and breathtakingly beautiful ice-covered world are incredible. The novel features a thrilling and grueling journey across a massive ice sheet that is a masterclass in survival storytelling. The winter in this book is a powerful and ever-present force, shaping the culture, the biology, and the very psychology of its inhabitants. It is a profound, intelligent, and deeply moving exploration of gender, identity, and the nature of humanity, all set against the backdrop of an endless, beautiful, and unforgiving winter. The book's deep, philosophical themes are as compelling as those in the greatest HBO dramas.

External Link: The official website for Ursula K. Le Guin is a fantastic resource for exploring her incredible body of work.

1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Vibe: The quintessential, timeless, and most magical portal fantasy of all time.

Synopsis: Taking the top spot on our list is the book that, for millions of readers, is their very first journey into a magical winter world. C.S. Lewis’s classic tale follows the four Pevensie children who, during World War II, are sent to a large country house where they discover a magical wardrobe. The youngest, Lucy, is the first to step through, pushing past the fur coats into the quiet, snowy woods of Narnia, a land that is trapped under the spell of the White Witch, a land where it is "always winter and never Christmas."

Capturing the Snowy Escape: This book is the definition of a snowy escape. The image of a gas lamp glowing in the middle of a snowy wood is one of the most iconic and enduring in all of children's literature. Lewis masterfully captures the wonder, the beauty, and the slight menace of a world covered in a blanket of perpetual snow. The cozy, fire-lit interior of Mr. Tumnus’s cave and the Beavers' dam are perfect havens of warmth against the cold. The eventual arrival of Father Christmas and the thawing of the snow is a powerful and beautiful symbol of hope’s return. It is a timeless story about courage, faith, and the battle between good and evil, a book that has defined the magic of a fantasy winter for generations of readers. It is a story that feels as comforting and familiar as one of our favorite Gilmore Girls episodes.

External Link: You can find the entire Chronicles of Narnia series, along with beautiful box sets, on the HarperCollins Publishers website.

Conclusion

A great fantasy novel has the power to transport us, to lift us out of our own world and into one of magic, wonder, and adventure. When that world is a breathtaking, snow-covered landscape, the escape is even more profound. The nine books on this list are a testament to the incredible power of a wintery setting. They are stories that are cozy, magical, and deeply immersive, perfect companions for the long, dark nights of the season. So, this winter, brew a warm drink, find a comfortable chair, and let yourself get lost in a snowy escape that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

We hope you found this article a magical and helpful guide! If you enjoy our content, please consider supporting our work with a small donation or by sharing our articles with your friends and family. Your support helps us continue to create joyful and informative content.

For more on finding the perfect story to get lost in, check out these other articles from That Love Podcast:

FAQs

What is "cozy fantasy"? Cozy fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that focuses on low-stakes, character-driven stories. The emphasis is on warmth, community, and personal growth rather than epic battles or saving the world. Legends & Lattes is a perfect example.
Are all these books for adults? It's a mix. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Golden Compass are classics of children's literature that are beloved by adults. Legends & Lattes and The Snow Child are suitable for older teens and adults. Ninth House, Spinning Silver, and A Court of Frost and Starlight are intended for an adult audience.
What does "portal fantasy" mean? Portal fantasy is a subgenre where a character from our world is transported to a magical, alternate world, often through a specific gateway or "portal." The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the classic example of this.
I love a good fairytale retelling. Which book on this list is for me? Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik is a brilliant and complex retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. The Bear and the Nightingale is also deeply rooted in classic Russian fairytales.
What is "Dark Academia"? "Dark Academia" is a popular social media aesthetic that romanticizes classic literature, higher education, and intellectual pursuits, but with a moody, melancholic, and often gothic twist. Ninth House and The Golden Compass both fit this trend perfectly.
Do I need to have read the other books in a series to enjoy the ones on this list? For The Golden Compass, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Ninth House, it is best to start with them as they are the first books in their respective series. A Court of Frost and Starlight is a novella that should only be read after the first three books in the ACOTAR series. The other books on the list are standalones.
Which book on the list is the "coziest"? Legends & Lattes is the definitive cozy fantasy read, with its focus on a coffee shop and found family. The Snow Child also has a deep, albeit more melancholic, sense of coziness.
I prefer fantasy with a strong romantic element. Which book should I read? A Court of Frost and Starlight is a pure romance novella. Spinning Silver and The Bear and the Nightingale also feature beautiful, central romantic subplots.
What does "magical realism" mean? Magical realism is a literary style that blends a realistic, grounded view of the world with magical or fantastical elements, treating them as a normal part of everyday life. The Snow Child is a perfect example of this.
Where can I find more book recommendations like these? Goodreads is an excellent resource for creating and browsing user-curated lists for any genre or theme imaginable. The #BookTok tag on TikTok and the #Bookstagram tag on Instagram are also fantastic for finding real-time recommendations from other readers.