Thank you to Ace/Berkeley publishing group and #NetGalley for the chance to read an egalley of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I wanted to like this book, in part because I had so liked [book:A Psalm for the Wild-Built|40864002] but this is a very basic quest story with interesting characters, but nothing so original and engaging that you can't put it down.

I did like the characters, and some of the dialogue, but I couldn't really get over knowing the ending before I was through the first chapter.

Recommended for someone new to fantasy who cares more about characters than plot.

Tao is a teller of small fortunes. She roams the western part of the empire, never staying long in one place and always on her own until one day she meets two wandering mercenaries who are searching for a lost child. As they travel together they are joined by a young baker looking for adventure and eventually a lost cat looking for a home. As they travel together searching for the child and avoiding the magic users searching for Tao they are soon faced with choices and changes they may not welcome.
This is a slow moving story, almost totally focused on character growth. There is only one real “dangerous adventure” incident and is mostly a cosy and warm story of friendships and found family. I really liked all the characters and how they grew and changed as they forged ties with each other. Recommended

This was a super sweet, low stakes, cozy fantasy that will pull you in from the first page. The author does an amazing job blending Asian culture into a traditional fantasy setting in a way that will feel both familiar and unique while reading.

Tao was a great protagonist, and her journey does a great job of delicately highlighting the difficulties immigrants can face in a new culture and the importance of acceptance. I loved how she remained compassionate throughout her trials and worked hard to remain kind despite how she’s treated by others.

Although Tao was my favorite, none of the other MC’s were far behind. Each one will capture your heart as you’re reading and you can’t help but cheer as they overcome their own personal challenges on their journey together.

This books has so many layers to uncover while reading, each with its own beautiful message for you to find. Reading this book felt like a warm blanket or a big hug from an old friend. If you need a story to bring some light into your life, pick up The Teller of Small Fortunes. Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pub Date: November 5, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This satisfying, quiet story follows a teller of small fortunes--those day-to-day events that often change lives--as she travels her adopted country and finds surprising friends along the way. Tao is a Shinn outsider in the kingdom of Eshtera, brought there as a child by her widowed mother. Although she was raised in Eshteran ways, due to her appearance and background, she never fit in. When her Eshteran stepfather tries to force her into either a marriage or to join the Mage Guild where her ability to foresee the future would be used for the Crown's advantage, Tao runs away and becomes a travelling fortune teller. This is where the story begins and how she meets the people who become her friends, the adventures they have, and the growth all of them achieve with the help of each other makes for a wonderful story. It's well worth travelling with them as they go.
Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own. This blog post includes affiliate links.
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a sweetheart of a fantasy that left me with a full heart & the reminder that friendship is so important to life happiness.

When the book opens, Tao is a solitary teller of small fortunes who left her remaining family for a life on the road. She soon runs into Mash & Silt, who are looking for Mash’s missing daughter, & later, Kira, who’s a baker with a desire to travel.

As the group travels together, they run into mysterious/magical/annoying figures along the way, all encounters building the friendship that Tao has never had before.

If you like low-stakes fantasy, you might like this one. With that being said, Tao is dealing with emotional pain & a ruptured relationship with her surviving parent, but it all wraps up fairly nicely & leaves the reader feeling the love.

4.5⭐️. Out 11/05.

CWs: previous death of parent; ruptured relationship with surviving parent; discord with step-parent.

[ID: Jess wears a blue floral dress & holds the ebook while standing next to orange flowers.]

“Something within her ached at the sound, and the ache was almost like hunger—an odd, familiar longing for someplace she had never been; for something she did not know.”

This book has been one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I was so excited to dive into the charming coziness of The Teller of Small Fortunes! Here are some things I enjoyed about the book:

✨ A beautiful ragtag found family group made up of characters finding their place in the world. I loved seeing them grow around each other, especially when hard truths needed to be voiced.

✨ Social commentary on the immigrant experience of simultaneously feeling “not enough” and “too much,” all while grappling with a new culture and everything that comes with it. This is woven into the book in a way that is poignant without being overbearing.

✨ Studio Ghibli vibes: a whimsical yet quiet adventure story. I’d love to see Ghibli adapt this one into a movie!

I enjoyed this book as a charming addition to my cozy fantasy collection. It’s got all of the right elements for this type of story, from cozy food descriptions to delightful side characters to magical elements to coming to terms with identity. There were a few high stakes moments, but the majority of the story is very much a fuzzy blanket + cuppa tea experience.

𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔾𝕚𝕤𝕥:
Tao, an immigrant fortune teller, travels with her mule, telling small fortunes to avoid big consequences. Her lonely life changes when a reformed thief and an ex-mercenary involve her in the search for a lost child. Joined by a baker and a magical cat, Tao embarks on a new journey.

As she bonds with her companions, the shadows of her past close in, forcing her to decide whether to risk everything for the family she never thought she could have.

𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕞𝕖𝕤 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤:
✨ 𝘊𝘰𝘻𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘺
☕️ 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥
🫶🏼 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
🥰 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺
🐱 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘵

𝕊𝕚𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕣 𝕍𝕚𝕓𝕖𝕤:
📚 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝘀 ʙʏ ᴛʀᴀᴠɪs ʙᴀʟᴅʀᴇᴇ
📚 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 ʙʏ sᴀɴɢᴜ ᴍᴀɴᴅᴀɴᴀ

𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
This was the book equivalent of being wrapped in a hug inside the warmest and coziest blanket. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀 is wholesome and cozy, despite some of the heavier themes it touches on.

I absolutely adored the ragtag cast of characters; a fortune teller, an ex-mercenary, an ex-thief, a baker, and a magical cat. There was so much depth and development within each character- they were all so well-rounded and very lovable. Found family is one of my very favorite tropes and Julie Leong accomplished this so well with Tao’s story.

I highly recommend reading this magical, cozy, adventurous book. Do yourself a favor this fall and grab a comfy blanket, warm coffee, and this beautiful story when you are in need of some cheer- it will do the trick!

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄.

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (𝟱/𝟱)

A sweet, cozy fantasy about a young woman trying to find a place to just be herself. Along the way she gathers a rag tag bunch of found family, including a wonderfully silly cat and a baker who makes delicious and ugly baked goods.

This reminded me in many ways of Legends & Lattes, and would recommend it to people who really enjoyed that book. This is the author's debut novel, and I think she shows a lot of promise. I look forward to reading her future books!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc.

This is a very fun, very sweet book about found family and fitting in. Tao travels around the country in her wagon with her trusty mule Laohu telling fortunes to villagers in the communities she passes through. Small fortunes only, though, because big ones have gotten her into terrible trouble. She's trying to keep her head down--not only is she an ethnic Shinn among the Eshteran people, she's running from a past that might catch up with her at any time. Along the way she finds herself beginning to collect people-- a warrior, a thief, a baker-- with whom she goes on adventures. When her path leads her back to the capital city, she tries to figure out a way to use the full extent of her powers to help her friends. Cozy fantasy continues to expand as a genre and this title is a good recommendation for someone interested in getting started.

This is a fast paced cosy fantasy. It would be an excellent introduction to readers wanting to try the genre. This book is also suitable for teens to adults.
Although this book explores the protagonist's journey and immigrant experience, I would have liked more exploration of the characters Tao meets on the way.
It was a quick read and quite enjoyable.

I am really enjoying all the cozy fantasies that have been coming out in the last couple years and I appreciated unique spin this author had, while still embracing the tropes that most cozy fantasy fans love the most. I would have liked a bit more character development for some of the supporting characters, and I also found that there were a few scenes that felt completely unnecessary but overall, I had a great time reading it.

Absolutely loved this one! Highly recommend for fans of Becky Chambers's Monk and Robot series and for anyone who liked Legends and Lattes but wanted a bit more plot.

The journey made them stronger, made them a family, but in the end, the most dangerous things were the idea of something rather than the reality. Bonus points for Laohu and the small fortunes :)

I'd originally put this as 4 stars, but I just kept thinking about the book days after I'd finished it and I feel like that constitutes 5 stars.

Tao is a young woman who travels through the country--far from her childhood home across the sea--and tells fortunes. Only small fortunes, you see. Ones that seem insignificant, but help villagers in their daily lives. She's told a big fortune once--only once--and she never will again.

While the trek from small village to small village is sometimes a lonely one, Tao seems to enjoy the quiet. Yet, when she tells the small fortune of a man gifting a kitten to his daughter, she gains his company and the party grows from there. Tao tries hard to keep the three other travelers (and the cat) at arm's length, but she slowly finds their presence comforting. Could she be making friends, despite her attempts to stay a loner?

Overall, it's a fabulous read for those who like warm, cozy fantasy with a little higher stakes, sprinkled with found family and some magic on top. If you like Legends & Lattes and Howl’s Moving Castle, this is a book for you.

I absolutely adored this story and I couldn't wait to pick it up every chance I had. In the cozy style of TJ Kingfisher, Julie Leong gives us a whimsical tale of Tao. She is an immigrant fortune teller, a woman burdened by her gift, yet she finds solace in the knowledge that her small fortunes bring hope and comfort to others. Tao has learned that big fortunes come with big consequences.
Leong creates an immersive, character driven, found family journey. A little light romance between supporting cast and there is kindness towards animals that makes it an even more delightful read.

Cozy fantasy about a traveling fortune teller, a magical cat, and a troop of lovable weirdos? COUNT ME IN. This book is such a delight from start to finish. Exactly the feel-good vibes readers have been begging for. 10/10 no notes.

What a merry band of adventurers! The description does not do this book justice. It’s a wild adventure full of shenanigans! Fans of Dungeons and Dragons, RPGs, and cozy fantasies will like this book. While it does have cozy elements, it is fast paced and delightful.

Our band of misfits is roaming the kingdom getting into and out of all manner of trouble. I’ve read some cozy books that bored me to tears, this is not that.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advance copy. All opinions are my own quirky thoughts.

This is the type of story I wish Studio Ghibli would adapt.

To say I was surprised by this book’s entire outcome would be an understatement. I’ve been struggling to read, and this book came in perfectly timed, offering a small solution for a given time that was largely appreciated. I wanted to do nothing more and continue reading this, diving into its cozy elements of fantasy, fortune telling, baking, friendship, and learning about who you are.

From the beginning, the story wraps you in its bright world. I agree 100% when this author describes this as having Studio Ghibli vibes because I could envision the cozy elements of it, even wishing this was already some sort of television adaption, with its soft colors of the world; the bright characters; the slow experience of an adult figuring herself out; the found family; the new friendships being formed. The cozy fantasy genre is a fantastic main addition, adding strength without overpowering the story, as well as everything else around it. I never once felt like the author tried adding too much or felt like she couldn’t balance out the themes properly.

There’s the immigrant experience, adding a heartfelt emotion to the story, which will be relatable to many. I loved how the author blended this together. The story never becomes too overdrawn, overwhelming, angsty, or sad, but remains on the cusp of cozy and whimsical but also poignant and mysterious. There’s most likely personal experiences from the author, with herself being Chinese-Malaysian-American. The division between the Shinn and Eshteran is realistic. The prejudice, the racism, the ignorance—it shows a perspective of neglect for being of a different country. I especially loved the addition of conversation for how Tao will technically never be Eshteran simply because she was bored in Shinara, even though she was raised in Esthera and has pretty much no connection and value to Shinara. I could relate, to an extent, with how I will never be 100% from my parents country, but also not be 100% from my own country, simply due to where I was born. This will be a relatable moment to many immigrants and the diaspora. I also loved the reality of Tao not speaking Shinn even though she was born in Shinara and being fluent in Esthera instead. That one scene with the shopkeeper was so sad to me because of how realistic it is. There was a time when I didn’t want to speak Spanish, and with how I went a whole year avoiding it, it’s obvious in how I speak now. I’m still learning a lot of words I probably should’ve already known before only because I neglected that side of me for a while, wanting to be someone else, someone I wasn’t. I am again thankful that my parents did not succumb to western manipulation and didn’t give up on teaching my brother and I Spanish because it has clearly paid off for both of us.

The found family is a beautiful friendship to witness growing. I loved how each character had their own distinct trait and personality, adding a unique take to Tao’s narrative. This would’ve been a case where I definitely wouldn’t have minded multiple perspectives for each character, as they all were different and never felt like they just blended in. Nonetheless, the story is told through Tao’s eyes only, yet we manage to learn and meet the rest of the characters—Mash, Silt, Kina—well enough to be distinguished and not feel underwhelmed by them. Mash, with his grumpy, scowling attitude who just wants to find his little girl and get back home to his wife; Silt, with his witty charm, funny demeanor and charming personality; and Kina, with her sunshine self and love for baking. I can only imagine what her pastries would look like in an adaption. Their friendship was always joyous. It also goes to show how sometimes meeting the most random people in the most random times can help you find yourself. I felt like these four helped each other out in many different ways, but especially Kina. I loved how she went from not really knowing who she was and what she was supposed to do to feeling proud and passionate about her baking. The author writes their journey and exploration fantastically, not rushed or too slow, and offers enough back drops on each scene to understand what is going on.

One of my only issues with this is the forgiveness Tao gave her mother. Maybe I’m too cynical, but I’m kind of tired of reading stories where characters forgive their parents easily when those parents either do not deserve the forgiveness at all or haven’t done anything to deserve that forgiveness. I thought Tao’s mother needed to do a little more…groveling, to earn Tao’s forgiveness. I was glad she wasn’t rude when Tao went back home, but I also couldn’t excuse what she did and didn’t do so easily. I was so happy to see Tao’s character development, but her easy attitude towards her mother felt undeserved and underdeveloped, as if the experience Tao had gone through the whole book was useless in the end. It’s not to say Tao’s mother shouldn’t be given a chance, but I do think she needed to do more. The excuse of “I was also grieving” did not feel valid enough, in my opinion. It feels like that’s all it is—an excuse. I also thought the epilogue should’ve focused on Tao instead, or at least an additional one should’ve been given to her. This is more of a me thing, but I’m simply not a fan of epilogues not focusing on the main character(s). They feel pointless when they focus on side characters.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this. Maybe it’s because it was soft and comfortable, soft and cozy, and was a story I’d normally not read. Regardless, I’m glad I took a shot on it because I loved it.

What a great debut! It was cozy and whimsical and the characters were so awesome and easy to get attached too! I loved the vibes and it would be a perfect read for the fall. Will be adding to my library and recommending 100%!

A wonderful cozy fantasy with unique and loveable characters, lots of delicious baked goods, and adventures of all kinds. Great worldbuilding and character development without falling into cliches - and even turning those cliches on their heads in interesting ways.