I absolutely loved the writing style of this one, and it was truly a comfort to read! Julie's worldbuilding is really fun as well. The characters are charming and the found family vibes are perfect. I can't wait to read more from Julie!

I enjoyed spending time with these characters in this fantasy land. The story had just enough tension and plot to keep going at a good pace while still remaining super cozy.

This book did not do it for me. I'm 90% sure I didn't even finish it even though I was very worried about the lost little girl. The characters were lovely, but ultimately the novel had too many weird plot points that felt like a DnD campaign got shoved in the middle of the novel. It also felt like the publisher or author was like "can you please just write something like Legends & Lattes?" And oh boy do they recreate it. Pretending that this universe creates the exact same fortune cookie and called it a fortune cookie? So dumb.

A warm, beautiful, and ultimately comforting fantasy

I loved THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES, Julie Leong’s debut novel. It’s a cozy quest fantasy with a found-family vibe, set in a vaguely British renaissance-era world. Tao, the main character, travels the land in a wagon, telling “small fortunes” and avoiding her ability to see major events in her clients’ lives. She is solitary, except for her mule Laohu, and she prefers it that way. When she accidentally reads a not-so-small fortune for a former mercenary seeking his lost daughter, Tao finds herself caught up in his quest, and reluctantly agrees to travel with Mash and his companion Silt, a former thief. Along the way, the trio are joined by a baker, Kina, as well as a cat. Slowly, Tao begins to trust her companions. But Tao’s use of her gift eventually attracts the notice of agents of the mage guild (from whom she has been hiding for years), putting not only Tao but her new friends in danger.

THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES really is cozy fantasy, despite the dangers Tao and her friends find themselves in. The three major side characters are delightful and individual, and their several adventures serve to meld them together as a team. In fact, the novel feels very much like a D&D-style adventure—on a personal rather than an epic scale, and low on both violence and evil creatures. The party does encounter a few potentially dangerous magical beings, dealing with them ethically and creatively. I also appreciated how the villains turned out to be worse in Tao’s imagination than in reality. And as you might expect from a cozy fantasy, the descriptions of Kina’s treats had me longing for scones, cinnamon rolls, and other tasty baked treats.

The author, Julie Leong, draws on her own experiences in exploring themes of racial identity and belonging through the character of Tao. Born in Shinara, Tao has not seen her homeland since her childhood; following her father’s death, her mother married a Eshteran minor nobleman and they left Shinara for his land. Marked as foreign by her appearance, Tao faces suspicion and occasional prejudice in the villages and small towns to which she confines her travels. She feels she can never truly fit in in Eshtera, but nor can she go back to Shinara. Resolving that conflict is a major facet of Tao’s character arc. In fact, the meaning of home, family, and belonging are key to all the major characters’ journeys.

THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES is a warm, beautiful, and ultimately comforting debut fantasy. I would love to see more books set in this world, especially featuring these characters. But regardless of the setting, I look forward to seeing whatever Julie Leong does next.

I stopped reading this at 15% because it wasn't holding my attention and the characters were unlikable to me.

☕️🫖𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒆𝒔🫖🍵

‘𝒲ℯ 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒷ℯ 𝓃ℴ𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝒽ℴℴ𝓈ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝒷ℯ 𝓂𝒾𝓈ℯ𝓇𝒶𝒷𝓁ℯ 𝒶𝒷ℴ𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝓉, 𝓁𝒾𝓀ℯ 𝓎ℴ𝓊—ℴ𝓇 𝓌ℯ 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒷ℯ 𝓃ℴ𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝒸𝒽ℴℴ𝓈ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝒷ℯ 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓁ℯ𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒷ℯ 𝓅𝓊𝓇𝓅ℴ𝓈ℯ ℯ𝓃ℴ𝓊𝑔𝒽. 𝒲𝒽𝒾𝒸𝒽 𝓈ℴ𝓊𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝓂ℴ𝓇ℯ 𝓌ℴ𝓇𝓉𝒽𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓁ℯ 𝓉ℴ 𝓎ℴ𝓊?’

‘A wandering fortune teller finds an unexpected family in this warm and wonderful debut fantasy, perfect for readers of Travis Baldree and Sangu Mandanna.’

🫖Cozy tale of friendship, growth, and redemption
🫖Warm and whimsical
🫖Found Family
🫖Choosing your own path
🫖Light, easy read

For fans of Legends and Lattes and The House on the Cerulean Sea! I loved it! It was the perfect light fantasy read I was looking for as a palate cleanser, sometimes you just need a wholesome book!

The writing was exquisite for a debut novel which comes to no surprise as author Julie Leong is a Yale graduate in economics and political science🤓 I can’t wait to see what other books she goes on to publish!

Also peep this gorgeous @fairyloot edition🤩

Synopsis:
‘Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells “small” fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…

Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a “knead” for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat.

Tao starts down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past close in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.’

My cozy fantasy readers, which books in this genre are some of your favorites?!

I love the idea of “small” fortunes!

I needed a cozy fantasy for the perilous times we’re in. This was cute and sweet, but failed to grab me. I could not focus on the story because it was almost too cozy. Now, certainly could have been a fault of other things happening in the world right now, but I did want a like more.

I do think if you’re a lover of cozy fantasies, however, that this will be right up your alley.

Cozy fantasy is an interesting subgenre. I have liked a few from those that I have read, but this one just felt like there wasn't much to the plot. For this reason I found it hard to concentrate while reading and found myself just not wanting to pick it up. I was hoping this would be a winner because the cover is beautiful and I am happy that cozy fantasy is becoming popular. Sometimes you just want something on the lighter side.

Overall, this wasn't for me.

This book crafts a story as captivating as it is quietly profound. At its center is Tao, a gifted female fortune teller who can see fragments of her clients’ futures. Through her, we meet a kaleidoscope of people, each desperate for answers, healing, or clarity. But Tao, despite her extraordinary gift, carries deep wounds of her own—a tragic past and an aching desire to reconcile with the family she’s lost.

Leong’s prose is spellbinding, weaving vivid imagery with gentle yet razor-sharp emotional insight. You don’t just read about Tao’s world—you feel it. The tension in her every interaction, the bittersweet weight of her visions, and the intricate emotional threads connecting each character resonate deeply. This isn’t a book of grand twists or fast-paced action; instead, it’s a study of the intimate moments that shape lives and the delicate, often unseen ties between strangers.

What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of connection and vulnerability. Tao’s fortune-telling isn’t merely a skill—it’s a window into the human condition. Through her eyes, we see how people’s hopes, fears, and choices intersect, creating ripples that extend beyond themselves. And yet, the most poignant part of Tao’s story lies in her struggle to see her own future clearly—a reminder that even those who guide others can be adrift in their own journeys. This is a book for readers who savor introspective, character-driven narratives. Leong’s ability to capture raw, relatable truths about love, loss, and destiny makes this one a beautifully meditative read.

A wonderfully, warm and cozy adventure. If you need a book to lift your spirits, this is just the ticket.

I have been extending my reading from cozy mystery to cozy fiction in general. I am especially enjoying cozy fantasy and The Teller of Small Fortunes fits the bill. Author Julie Leong tells the story Tao, a young woman on her own, traveling the country in a mule-drawn wagon, Tao earns her living by telling fortunes, but only small ones. Tao fears that using her greater vision will bring her to the attention of the Mage's Guild. One day Tao meets a pair of adventurers. She tells the fortune of one and, even though it is small, her vision reveals something remarkable. Before Tao knows how it happens, she finds herself travelling with the men and a young woman, a baker, who longs to see the world. At first Tao isn't sure she wants their company. She's used to being on her own. But as the group get to know each other, friendships are forged, obstacles are faced and problems are solved. The bonds between Tao and her new companions grow stronger until Tao is willing to risk everything, including her freedom, to help them. This is a heartwarming story of bonds forged and broken ties mended. Readers will be filled with warm fuzzy feelings by the end of the story.

A calming and cozy fantasy centered on found family, goodness and change. I often contemplate what it means to be a good person and Tao's journey takes a reflection of that, using a simple plot but complex feelings to have you evaluate yourself.

I absolutely adored the found family trope here. Just an overall comforting, thoughtful read.

A cozy fantasy about Tao, a traveling teller of small fortunes, who is soon joined by a small cast of colorful characters on journeys of their own.

Tao, who left home to avoid being placed in service to the mages, is happy traveling with her donkey to small villages to offer small fortunes. Wary of giving bigger fortunes as that would undoubtedly draw the eye of those she is trying to hide from. Giving fortunes is how she meets up with a pair of men desperate to find a lost child. Can she help? Can she see where the girl has gone?

A tale of adventure, found family, becoming who you were meant to be and learning to trust again those who have hurt you in your past.

The best of magical road trips! the characters were fleshed out. and I loved the found family aspect. such a fun read.

Cozy fantasy isn’t my favorite genre as these stories can be a bit slow with the low stakes tropes. But I really enjoyed this one! The characters were lovable and I always enjoy a good found family trope. Just don’t go in expecting anything ultra exciting.

every christmas, i end up having a book that i feel just makes the perfect book for a gift among my family and friends… and then i seem to tell everyone that while writing a review for said book. well, this was a phenomenal debut novel, that i purchased 10+ copies of and gave out for christmas this year! this really just had the perfect balance of comfort and high stakes, while also feeling so inspiring and thought provoking. and this just ultimately is a story about being the person you want to be, and going on the adventures you want to go on, with the people you want to surround yourself (and grow) with in life. hopefully all my loved ones are reading this after christmas, but i just really believe this is a top tier story for a gift, and truly a good reminder of how i want to live my life. (this is also a preamble to say that i think you, dear review reader, will also enjoy this one, because i think most people will enjoy this story and the messages within it! 👉👈)

okay okay, me never being able to write intros to reviews anymore? yes! this story stars tao, who is an immigrant traveling the world via her wagon, and making a living by telling fortunes, but only small ones. she brings people peace, while trying to not to use too much magic and make too much of an impression on all the towns she is traveling through. but her path soon crosses with an ex-thief and someone very desperate to find their daughter - which ends up being a major quest tao accepts. but the crew soon also picks up a baker apprentice and one very hungry kitty. and together they go town to town, looking for information on a missing child, while also accepting so many side quests, ranging from sapphic nuns to trolls and bridges.

this is also a story about being scared to let anyone in, especially when you feel like your identity has been broken in half for most of your life. this book deeply celebrates the importance of honoring your culture, while also discussing things like shame when you feel disconnected from who you and your ancestors are. yet, there is so much hope within these pages, about balancing life and becoming the version(s) of yourself you want to be. there really is so much good at the heart of this already beautiful story all about adventures. i hope this author keeps giving us stories in this world, even though i feel like i could read forever about tao.

trigger + content warnings: racism, loss of father in past, missing child, mention of illness, mention of hate crime abuse in past, ptsd / trauma in past, grief, anxiety, panic attack

Tao has carved a small, self-sufficient life for herself by travelling from small town to small town, telling small, personal fortunes. She avoids looking at larger fortunes, like death, war, politics, or destiny. All is well unti she happens into two mercenaries who are determined to travel with her. One small fortune has turned into a quest, forcing Tao to make lasting connections with other people. Unfortunately, this also means that she has made enoguh waves for her past to find her.

Like the main character, this novel focuses on ordinary life and ordinary people as much as possible. It is very sweet and moving and made me cry.

I read THE TELLER OF FORTUNES at just the right time because this cozy fantasy perfectly suited my mood and worked well as I was distracted by being away on an extended trip. It was easy to slip into this tale, and I did come to care for the group of characters that gets assembled before the halfway point. I liked tagging along on their adventures, and seeing their relationships grow as they shared more experiences. And even though things escalated and wrapped up pretty quickly, it felt right for a tale that was meant to be slice of life(ish) and cozy.

Thank you so much to Berkley Pub for the copy of this book!

This is the exactly the type of fantasy I need in my life. I had heard that if you enjoyed Travis Baldree's books that you would enjoy this and I have to agree.

"One could choose to be nothing, or one could choose to be happy."

I will say this book kind of gave me The Wizard of Oz feel? Not sure if it's enough to say its a retelling but the vibes are very similar and I was here for it. You have Tao who travels city to city to do small fortunates and she meets Mash and Silt (both former thieves) along the way who join her and then eventually meet Kina, a baker. There's even a cat (Fidelitus) who they take care of on the travel. They meet a man who asks them to fulfil a quest. Just similar themes. There was a moment where Tao was separated from the rest of the group and they came to rescue her and it was just so sweet how they banded together to get to her (including the cat). They became each other's family.

I love the relationship between all the characters and how they were so determined to help Mash find his daughter. I was happy to see Tao re-establish her relationship with her mom after essentially running away.

If you are looking for a fantasy lite read with a cozy feel about a group of people traveling - give this one a try!

PS - They met a troll at a bridge! This was a very exciting encounter just because of it being stereotypical and I could picture it so vividly.

4.5

Cozy adventure fantasy. I wasn't expecting this to be a cozy fantasy, with semi low stakes. It was an interesting take on epic adventure fantasy.
I did enjoy this, especially the camaraderie that develops between the group members.
It is a bit slow paced, but not in a bad way, as it seems to fit. All in all a good solid fantasy read.
Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the ARC