The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leung is a beautifully crafted tale blending magic, family, and identity. The story follows a young fortune teller who can predict only small, seemingly trivial events. Through her journey, she learns that even small fortunes can have significant impacts on people’s lives. Leung’s lyrical prose and poignant character development make the main characters exploration of her abilities and heritage compelling and relatable. This novel gently addresses themes of self-acceptance and the ways our smallest actions can ripple outward, making it a heartwarming read that leaves readers contemplating the quiet magic in everyday moments.

Cozy Fantasy • Found Family • Mystery
Publication Date • 5 November 2024

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the free finished book & ALC! 🎧

I’m going to say something controversial. Teller of Small Fortunes > Legends and Lattes. For those who haven’t read L&L, it’s *the* book that ignited the explosion in cozy fantasy as a genre. And I enjoyed Legends, especially when narrated by Travis Baldree who brings the voices to life so well. [Both books in that duology are reviewed on my page.]

The Teller of Small Fortunes has all the cozy, comforting vibes. There will not be epic fight scenes but instead there will be caravanning adventures, gastronomically pleasing baked goods, lots of tea steeped, and of course the quintessential theme for the genre: family found in unexpected places.

My favorite character is Tao, a nomadic fortune teller who can read palms, tea leaves and more. She experiences bigotry due to her heritage, immigrant status, and features, not to mention her gypsy like status, but she gets by with her trusty mule, wagon, and feisty feline Fidelitus.

Along the way she meets a band of fellow travelers, some flitting past imparting small wisdoms, and others who join her on her journey. Highly recommended if you are a fan of low stakes cozy adventure stories. This is the epitome of warm and fuzzy, comforting, magic and baking.

Not only do I echo all the positive comparisons to cozy fantasies by Rebecca Thorne, Sarah Beth Durst, et al, but also while their worlds are pretty different, I think Tao and company would have a delightful time sharing a campsite and some tea with the protagonists of Becky Chambers' Monk & Robot series. A warm heartfelt delight.

Thank you for the free book @BerkleyPub #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram and Julie Leone @julieleongbooks
“The Teller of Small Fortunes” by Julie Leong⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Cozy Fantasy. Location: The kingdom of Eshtera.

Dark-eyed, tawny-skinned Tao is a fortune teller born in Lianghe in the kingdom of Shinara, but raised across the Long Sea in Margave, Eshtera. She now travels between Eshteran villages with trusty mule Laohu for company. Tao 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. It’s a lonely life, but better than her previous life in Margrave. When a small fortune turns big, semi-reformed thief Siltarian Silvertongue (Silt) and ex-mercenary enormous, bearded Mastrick (Mash) recruit her into their desperate search for Leah, Mash’s lost child. They have dubious reputations, but their company is not entirely unpleasant. Soon, they’re joined by red-haired Kina, baker of lumpy but delicious pastries, and Fidelitus, a one-eyed, slightly magical cat. Tao loves her big-hearted companions, but as she lowers her walls, her past closes in. Can she risk everything to preserve her found family?

Author Leong has written a quietly beautiful tale of finding your chosen family and following your own path. Her characters are charming and ready to expand their lives. Her writing is comforting and cozy. Leong takes us on a slightly magical journey with more than a few twists and turns along the way. I was entranced, and it’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼‍♀️ #thetellerofsmallfortunes #julieleong #NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this arc.

The cover entranced me and the plot sounded nice so I was delighted to get a chance to read this one. It’s a nice cozy fantasy that I think will appeal to lovers of that subgenre. For me, it was a bit slow and the end just dragged. This is a cozy story with lots of vibes. It’s Found Family all around. There are two threads that bring some, but not as much as I expected, tension to the story – Mash’s search for his missing child and Tao being sought by Important People to do something for them.

The major themes of the book – immigrants not feeling accepted in their new land, immigrants missing what they’ve lost, underdogs standing up for themselves, self discovery, friendship, and a sense of belonging – are all addressed. I’ll be honest and say many of these moments can be seen coming from far away and felt like A Point Was Being Made rather than being totally natural. But I’ve read worse.

The start is a tad slow as all the main characters have to be introduced and the underlying plot points introduced. However, the characters move through the book at the speed of horse/mule drawn wagons so this also sort of makes sense. About two-thirds of the way in, this weird quest gets dropped into the story which seemed out of place and pretty much went nowhere.

I enjoyed the found family. Tao hasn’t had the companionship of people she likes who also like her since she was a child. As an immigrant she has experienced discrimination, long looks, and feeling othered. With Kina, Silt, and Mash – she feels at ease and at home. I also liked her moments with her (not so ornery) mule whom she clearly loves. There is also an ornery cat. That four people couldn’t figure something out about the cat made me question their powers of observation.

The high point of the thread that involves Tao’s past surprised me a bit but I liked being surprised and also liked the character in charge. This sort of felt as if it was the natural end point of the book but, oh yes, there’s still another thing to be wrapped up which, yay it was but it also dragged. It’s also treacly sweet with fairly easy resolution of the conflicts.

Readers looking for a low impact, fantasy-lite (mostly mage magic, with one troll, and gnomes and elves only being mentioned) will probably enjoy this. I found the start a bit slow, a little bland overall, and would have enjoyed just a bit more bite. B-/C+

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
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Tao, a wandering fortune teller, is used to being alone. One day she meets two men traveling to find a missing girl, then meet up with a messy baker, and a grouchy cat. They all wind up traveling together and get roped into a quest for treasure.
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What I liked:
-Quest. Give me books with quests! I thought the quest part was fun and that isn’t even counting the longer quest throughout the book of finding Mash’s daughter.
-This book was funnier than I expected it to be, but oh so sweet and a little quirky.
-Loved the grouchy cat.
-I spilled a few tears during Tao’s storyline, especially when she had the conversation with her mom.
-But the best part (imo) was the excellent use of the “found family” trope. I loved that part of this book SO MUCH. It just warmed my heart to see all the friendships growing, and the way it ended. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a delightful and heartwarming read!

This was an interesting cozy fantasy read.

I liked our main character Tao and enjoyed the friends she picked up along her journey. This book was quite atmospheric and I liked that Tao didn’t deal with predictions that were too complicated. It did become a bit repetitive as the villages blended together after a bit, but overall it was well done.

I’d recommend this to any cozy fantasy readers. This is not exactly the same, but “The Teller of Small Fortunes” reminded me a lot of “A Psalm for the Wild Built” by Becky Chambers.

Rated 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

A thank you to the publisher and net galley, in exchange for an honest review.

In truth, it was a good story, but not one that will stay with me. The main character travels from place to place telling small fortunes. She gains traveling companions along the way: a soldier looking for his lost daughter, a semi-reformed thief, and baker who is trying to find her way in the world. The guild is looking for the fortune teller, as is her family, and they are all searching for the little lost girl.

I didn't become attached to this story, but I did finish it. I thought it was a good story, but not something I would ever reread. I kept waiting for something, but whatever it was I was waiting for, never happened in the story.

Tao is a guarded Immigrant who also happens to be a traveling fortune teller. Just her, her wagon, and trusty mule travel town to town telling small fortunes so she does not get noticed by the bigger mage institutions. She does not want to use her full power due to childhood trauma. She is fine with being alone, even though due to the way she looks she is not always welcome. When she meets Silt, Mash, and Kina they decide to travel together to try and find Mash's lost little girl. Through friendship, and adventure they can find the answers they seek and heal themselves along the way. Such a cute story!

This is a delightful breath of fresh air for cozy fantasy-style books. I highly recommend it for readers of the genre of want to read a story with delightful characters and setting.

4.5 stars. I wanted more! Cozy fantasy is quickly becoming my jam and this novel is no exception. Tao is a teller of "small" fortunes. She travels around with her mule and cart, hiding from a past that it quickly catching up to her. She meets a slightly reformed thief and a mercenary and quickly agrees to help them find the mercenary's missing daughter, after "seeing" him give her a kitten. This ragtag band then meets up with a baker who's confections look terrible but taste delightful and she joins the group as well. Pretty soon, there is nothing they won't do for each other. When Tao becomes pursued by a mage-finder because of her power, the group bands together to help.
This is a novel about found family and the power of love and loyalty.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Ace for this e-arc.*

This cozy fantasy was such a comfort read; I loved everything about it. It isn't filled with thrilling battles or romance, but does have friendship, found family, and magic that is usually small but sometimes powerful when needed.

Tao is a solitary immigrant teller of small fortunes: nothing momentous, but helpful little ones like 'this is where you will find your missing goats.' She travels between the villages of Eshtera with her wagon and trusty mule Loahu, never staying long enough to let anyone actually know her. That is, until she meets a thief, a warrior, a baker, and a feisty cat named Fidelitus. Warrior Mash is searching for his missing daughter; thief Silt is trying to figure out another path in life aside from thievery, and (not very skilled) baker Kina would like to seek out a little more adventure than she is finding in her small village.

I watched the author on a zoom event talking about how she wrote this story after devouring comfort reads while her father was undergoing cancer treatment. It was what she would have wanted to read during a time like that, and you can absolutely feel it in the story. It's just so heart-warming and hopeful: the villains turn out to be not quite so villainous, the monsters not so monstrous. I'd recommend it for anyone who would like a gentle place to disappear into for a bit, and definitely good for any younger readers.

Thank you so much to Ace/Berkley and Netgalley for this ARC!

Thank you to Ace Books Pub and NetGalley for my free books for review.

Julie Leong's "The Teller of Small Fortunes" captivated me from the first page, a rare find in today's literary landscape.

This fantasy weaves adventure, memorable characters, and a compelling quest with magical storytelling. Tao, our protagonist, navigates her journey with determination and wit, her fortune-telling abilities both a gift and a burden. Her growth throughout the story resonates deeply as she learns to trust her instincts and embrace her unique talents. Straddling two worlds where she feels unwelcome, Tao's quest becomes as much about finding her place as it is about her magical abilities, creating a poignant exploration of identity and belonging.

The secondary characters shine just as brightly. Silt, the recovering thief, brings levity and loyalty to the group. Mash, the stoic warrior in search of his lost daughter, slowly opens up, revealing layers of complexity. Kina, the baker with odd-shaped pastries and a heart of gold, rounds up the group. Their interactions mirror the dance of new friendships - awkward, challenging, yet ultimately rewarding.

As the characters bond over shared trials, their growing camaraderie becomes the heart of the story. Leong skillfully portrays the nuances of budding relationships, from initial wariness to mutual trust and support. This authentic depiction of friendship formation elevates the narrative beyond a typical fantasy adventure.

Reading this book feels like wrapping up in a cozy blanket on a winter evening. It's a low-stakes, heartfelt journey that lingers in the mind long after the final page. For fantasy enthusiasts who appreciate character-driven stories and the quiet magic of everyday connections, "The Teller of Small Fortunes" is essential reading. Fans of "Legends and Lattes" will find a kindred spirit in this charming tale.

Thanks to Berkley for the gifted ARC!

This is for the cozy fantasy girlies who love fortunes, found family, and impactful endings. The surprise for me here was the immigrant perspective done well in this setting. A great one to read while you wait for Sangu Mandanna’s next witchy book!

I enjoyed the cozy vibes of this one. The Teller of Small Fortunes is a heartwarming tale that embraces the found family trope and follows a rag tag team of adventures on their quest. We have Tao, an immigrant who reads small fortunes to avoid big consequences, who unexpectedly finds herself joined by an ex-thief, an ex-mercenary, and a young (not very good) baker. Each character’s growth is satisfying, and their friendships bring a comforting, homey feel to the story. The narrative tackles the subject of racism in a respectful manner while keeping the cozy atmosphere. There is a very minor romance subplot and an overall delightful sense of whimsy, and in typical cozy fantasy fashion there is a touch of capitalism, but it keeps the uplifting feel-good vibe.

I would <b>NOT</b> recommend the audiobook version. The narrator sounded congested and nasally, which was very distracting. The mixing quality wasn’t great either and you can audibly hear the narrator taking deep breaths at the end of most sentences and a lot of words, which broke the immersion for me. Basically, if you have audio sensory issues, it’s best to avoid this audiobook and just stick with the physical book. 🖤

Thank you so much to Ace & PRH Audio for providing me with an early copy.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

this was a lovely new addition to the cozy fantasy genre; with an intriguing cast of characters (including a cat!) and an interesting magical system, readers who enjoyed legends and lattes and the phoenix keeper will enjoy the teller of small fortunes

First of all, let me tell you how much I love this cover. It's magical. The story starts slowly with young women traveling alone telling fortunes; not big fortunes, but small ones. It becomes quite apparent that she's hiding from something or someone and desperately wants to keep her abilities under the radar. Of course, she meets up with a collection of sidekicks and discovers the true family is oftentimes found family and there are no limits to what you would do to protect those that have a part of your heart.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a wonderfully cozy fantasy. The story is sprinkled with magical touches and centers on a heartwarming found family. Tao, an immigrant woman, travels the country telling small fortunes, avoiding big ones to prevent serious consequences. However, one fortune sets her on an unexpected path.

Though she used to travel alone, she soon finds herself accompanied by an ex-thief, an ex-mercenary, and a young baker. The bonds formed within this little group are truly heartwarming. I especially loved watching each character grow and become even better versions of themselves. There’s a charming sense of adventure throughout the story, even if the adventures are gentle ones. This is a delightful read, perfect for anyone who enjoys a cozy fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Ace for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Oh my goodness this book was so cozy and wonderful and PERFECT. I wanted all of the characters to come to life and share some funny-looking but delicious baked goods around a campfire. Such a comforting, lovely book that felt like the gentlest hug. Great for fans of Travis Baldree and D&D players who wish their campaigns featured more stopping to smell the roses (or pastries!).

Sheer perfection of a cozy fantasy novel. Found family. A smidge of romance (between secondary characters). Animal companions with personality. Everything turns out exactly as it should in the end, after some suspense (and happy tears on multiple occasions from this reader) in the last third. Think: A Psalm for the Wild-Built meets Legends & Lattes. I adored this.