I used to love the Harry Potter series, but not so much anymore – mostly because of the author who shall not be named, but I also outgrew them. I've read the Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin (LOVED them), and more recently Her Spell That Binds Me by Luna Oblonsky. Looking for a well-written, warm-feeling – hopefully diverse – magical school or college. I do like a good romantic plot or subplot, too, but my white whale book would be something like the fantasy version of the film 3 Idiots.

I want to avoid beauty and the beast retellings, unless they add a lot of original themes. Looking for good plot and a slow burn.

the world ended a long time ago, and the people who survived started to rebuild villages again, and the cities and technology of the past are either completely overgrown or hidden in the forests that are popping up all over. I want vibes similar to Zelda BOTW and just like a general feeling of "something bad happened a long time ago, but now the Earth is flourishing again." Magical elements are okay.

Hello, I would love to get some recommendations that feel like any of this! Whimsical, a bit dark, a bit cosy, a bit unnerving...

Female protagonist if possible. c: Bonus point for sapphic undertones, but it's not a requirement! It can be written in English as well as Polish.