tao travels around,with a gift of fortune telling. all whilst trying not to caught by the guild….

the writing style is extremely beautiful with a hint of relatability.

you cant help but fall in love with the relationships and friendships between all the characters, as they feel very heartwarming and realistic.

this book is perfect for a cozy day.

Cosy and utterly charming. I loved the premise and this delivered beautifully. Highly recommend if you enjoy cosy fantasy. I will be look out for more from this author.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a surprisingly wholesome and cosy fantasy despite some of the big themes it handles. This one gets 4⭐️ from me.

Tao is a foreigner, travelling the small villages of the rural west in her wagon telling 'small fortunes' - the little things, like when the harvest will come in, or how many kittens the cat will have. Because of her foreign origins and her magical predictions, Tao has to stay on the move, and she's always alone. Until a small fortune told for an ex-mercenary turns out to have big consequences, and he and his ex-thief companion join Tao on her travels, along with a great baker with poor presentation skills, and a slightly magical cat. But Tao's magic is more than it seems, and it won't stay hidden for long...

This started a little slow, with a glimpse at Tao's lonely life. But what was beautiful was that this novel bloomed as Tao's life did, with the appearance and development of relationships with the characters around her - it didn't take long before I was engrossed. Aspects of their travels are cosy and quaint and slow paced, but it doesn't feel slow because of the depth of the character development - and honestly, the character development is the driving force for the whole novel.

I absolutely adore the characters in this novel. There's one moment where a minor character references the stereotypical, Dungeons & Dragons-esque party the characters make which felt wryly self-reflective and I loved it - because whilst its true, the characters also have their own rounded personalities and are eminently lovable. Silt, with his apparent shallowness and drama but his real vulnerabilities; Mash, with his hard man exterior and love of poetry; Kina, whose baking tastes great but looks awful, and how that reflects her honesty and ability to read people. And of course Tao, who tells small fortunes by choice to avoid a part of herself she is afraid of for complex reasons.

This novel has a very cosy and wholesome vibe due to those characters and their growth and maturation - but the novel actually deals with some pretty big topics for such a cosy feeling. Racism is overt towards Tao throughout the novel, affecting her mentally including her own sense of identity. Morality is challenged on numerous occasions. The effects of war on the common people are laid out and the question of greater good versus individual good is raised too. Some really big themes, but handled really well without becoming too heavy - some real writing skill on display here.

And of course I just love the found-family aspect to this book. It really highlights Tao's growth, and supports her coming into her own on her personal hero's journey, and the conversion of her loneliness and fear of herself to confidence surrounded by friendship is just so warm and wholesome to follow along.

This book was a real pleasant surprise - not what I expected, but absolutely brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable.

This book is for you if like found-family, overcoming-your-fears, hero’s journey fantasy, and enjoyed the cosy fantasy vibes of Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett or Deathmark by Kate Stradling.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Hodderscape, for the ARC of this book - the current release date at the time of writing is 5th November 2024.

"Our lives are short and shaped by circumstance, and maybe we can't control most of what's to come. But we can control how we feel."

A teller of small fortunes travels the lands in order to make a life of her own. On her way she meets a variety of people who join her due to different reasons.
The more they get to know each other, the higher the stakes seem to get, the more secrets are revealed. But this wouldn't be a cozy fantasy if you couldn't count on your new friends. Chosen Family and a little storyline make for the perfect relaxing read. The characters grow on you while they try and find out what their purpose is and who they want to be. The emotional ending really got me.
"After all- Are you the person you want to be now?" - "I'm ... not sure. But I think I'm getting closer."
For fans of "House in the Cerulean Sea" and "Legends and Latte".

I loved this book! It was quirky, interesting and heart-warming, and a total antidote to all the dark things I've been reading recently. Highly recommended if you are looking for something a little different.

This book was described as a cozy fantasy.
Between a possible upcoming war, the patriarchy, Tao running away to not be spotted as a possible mage and some of the backstory, this did not feel cozy to me.
However if you let that go, it’s an interesting story about Tao, a fortune teller, Silt a former thief, Mash his bff and Kina a baker with heart but not so much talent.
My fave is their little black cat traveling with them.
Mash has had his young daughter kidnapped, and the new crew try to find her.
There is a fair amount of tension and unfortunate situations in the book, so beware of that.
I also find it disappointing in a book that still has a foundation of hierarchy and patriarchy and racism in a book where trolls and gnomes are real. I would have liked a more fantasy substitute for it. The pacing is very slow and at times the story is very repetitive.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

4.5

This was the definition of cosy fantasy! It was magical, with the most amazing characters and storyline. I loved our little band of unlikely friends and I was rooting for them all the way through.
I love a found family trope so I ate this up.

This was an absolute joy from start to finish! A cast of wonderful well developed characters. Cosy with low stakes and an interesting story running through it.
If you love cosy fantasy this is a great book and I’ll definitely be recommending this to people

This book was so cute. Cosy and whimsical fantasy vibes. Very beautifully written.
I loved this one a lot!

I am so in love with this sweet, whimsical book! Found it impossible to put this one down, and I honestly cannot wait to read it again. Everything about this was so elegantly crafted, from the characters to the story, and the emotional moments really hit me like a truck. Tao! I want to hug her - I want to hug everyone in this lovely found family, actually. Please don't miss this one! My eternal gratitude to the publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in advance!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 stars
A very satisfying and wholesome book. The protagonist is a
Touches on the struggle all of us feel when part of us belongs oneplace but also elsewhere, as a British born Indian descendant I wholeheartedly get it and feel that the author portrayed the feelings of loss of our past, unsure where we belong, but also the joy of double the cultures to play and dabble with. I loved the book, it could've very easily read young however the lack of a romantic interest for the protagonist, I think, saves it. The storyline was fab, full of adventure and again just so heartwarming and wholesome. A great warm read to set you up for joy.

Title: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Release Date: November, 5th, 2024

4.5 Stars


Wow oh wow what a story! Im still feeling all fuzzy inside…. What did Julie put in this?!

Tao, an immigrant fortune teller, lives a solitary life, traveling from village to village with her trusty mule, predicting small fortunes that never overstep into the realm of significant consequences. Her fortunes might be small—like forecasting weather or romantic prospects—but they are enough to keep her life simple and free of the complexities she left behind.

However, Tao’s world is turned upside down when she becomes entangled in the lives of a semi-reformed thief and an ex-mercenary on a quest to find a lost child. Along the way, they are joined by a baker with a hunger for adventure and a slightly magical cat, forming an unlikely band of companions.

As Tao opens her heart to this newfound family, she is confronted by the shadows of her past and must decide if she is willing to risk everything to keep the family she never thought she’d have.

What I Loved:

* Endearing Characters: Each character is vividly portrayed and brings a unique charm to the story. Tao’s journey from solitude to finding a family is beautifully depicted. The character development and build up was so beautifully written and developed.

* Whimsical and Magical: The small fortunes Tao tells are whimsical and the magical elements, including the slightly magical cat, add a delightful touch to the narrative. I love cats! And this made this story so much better. A magic cat? Yes please!

* Poetic Writing Style: Julie Leong’s writing is poetic and flows effortlessly, making it easy to get lost in the story and feel the emotions of the characters. Everything was so well detailed and explained, but easy to follow.

* Adventure and Mystery: The quest to find the lost child and the adventures along the way keep the plot engaging and filled with intrigue. There was never a dull moment.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a cute and fulfilling read, perfect for anyone who enjoys a blend of fantasy, adventure, and heartfelt storytelling.

Julie Leong has crafted a magical tale that not only entertains but also warms the heart, reminding us of the importance of family, friendship, and the small moments that make life special. This book had me grinning and feeling fuzzy inside! Its such a beautiful story that I think everyone should read at least once in their life.

Thank you to The Publisher Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape ,The Author Julie Leong & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

As an immigrant teller of small fortunes, Tao lives a solitary life, always on the road, never staying more than a few days at the same place. She has her mule to keep her company, but longs for human connection, deep in her bones, to feel like belonging. As she travelled, she meets two travelers, an retired mercenary and semi retired thieve, both looking for the mercenary's daughter, lost six months ago. They decide to travel with Tao, and are soon joinded by a baker and a cat.

'The teller of small fortunes' a a sweet, cosy fantasy while still keeping depth of characters and pain. But rather than focusing on the pain and making the book about it, it strive for a tale of healing and finding your home among friends and connections, aknowledging your hurts without becoming a person defined by them.

It was a quick, easy, soft read, with fun characters, well enough crafted setting. I can't say I was strongly moved by it, or that it will stay in my mind for a long time, but it is definitely a book managing to give a sense of respite in your life and all its challenges. As such, I consider it a success and a great debut.

The Teller of Small Fortunes By Julie Leong
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 5 November 2024

Tao, an immigrant fortune teller, leads a solitary life traveling between villages with her mule. She sticks to "small" fortunes, aware of the consequences that come with bigger predictions. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she is recruited by a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary to help find a lost child. Joined by a baker and a slightly magical cat, Tao embarks on a new path filled with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she opens up to her newfound family, the shadows of her past threaten to engulf her, forcing her to decide whether to risk everything to protect the family she never thought she could have.

"Teller of Small Fortunes" is a bright and brilliant tale filled with philosophising trolls, charming little magics, and delectable baked goods. The cast of characters, including the unforgettable found family dynamics, adds to the story's charm. For those seeking lovely ace/aro-spec representation, this book is a treasure trove.

Reading this heartwarming, funny, and thought-provoking book is an act of great kindness to oneself. It leaves you feeling more whole and serves as a reminder that amidst life's imperfections, there are still good things to be found if one dares to reach out and hold onto them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and the author, Julie Leong, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.