The Teller of Small Fortunes

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.

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.

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.

I’m a critical reader (with a heart of stone) who’s not got on with popular ‘cozy fantasy’ in the past. I was floored at how much I enjoyed this - there’s something so genuine, so special about this story!

🥠 We have a cast of likeable and interesting characters. These folks feel human and I loved the group dynamic. I think Kina was my favourite but there’s something to root for in everyone.
🥠 There are a few threads in this story that illustrate healing. I particularly liked watching Tao expand her horizons and change her perspective on things as she grew, learned, and experienced new things.
🥠 The book had a plot and light conflict. While a positive and comforting read, our characters still had to go through things, learn, fail, and manage conflict. The addition of (manageable) struggles and conflict kept the story pacing on track and prevented it from being saccharine.
🥠 The food writing - Kina’s bakery theme - was awesome. I’ve never craved baked goods more than when I was enjoying this book.
🥠 As an ex-pat, I deeply appreciated the commentary about racism and immigration threaded throughout this book. Parts of Tao’s experience were heartbreakingly relatable and handled in an honest, but conscious, way.
🥠 Without giving spoilers, I loved the lecture that Kina gives Silt!
🥠 A slightly magical cat is always a win!
🥠 Both the UK and the North American covers are stunning. They’re very different but both suit the story and are a joy to look it.

In case it helps: I was almost put off requesting this book because it was catalogued as romance on NetGalley. But, when I looked on the Goodreads and Storygraph tags, it wasn’t, so I took a leap of faith… which really paid off. This story is a lot of things but it’s not a romance (in fact, it’s got ace/aro rep!).

This book is a weighted blanket and a cup of hot cocoa when you need it most. I confidently recommend this to readers who might need some respite from the world and invite you all to escape into the comforting and cozy world that Leong has gifted us in The Teller of Small Fortunes.

I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thank you so much, Hodderscape!

Reading this book is like being hugged and handed warm cocoa. It's a brilliantly crafted story with appealing characters you'll fall for. I enjoy everything about this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I do enjoy a good cozy fantasy and have read several already this year, but this is one of them that really stood out to me. For one thing, the focus of the story was not on romance, but rather weaving a tale of found family. I loved how each member of the band had their own issues and felt like very realistic people, and I loved how they all came together to help each other overcome them. The book has some D+D likes vibes as well, and I would absolutely love to read more about these characters and their adventures!

This was truly so, so lovely. It reminds me a lot of Becky Chambers’ Monk and Robot series if it were a little more plot heavy, which for me is definitely appreciated.

The characters were a pleasure to be with for their stories, and the themes of friendship, family and forgiveness were enough to make me tear up at times.

this is a truly special addition to the cosy fantasy genre, if not one of the best I’ve read so far. I would love to see where else we could go with this story and am waiting with anticipation for a potential sequel!

This book was honestly such a treat to read! Full of cosy side quests and low stakes journeys it’s the perfect book to curl up with a cup of tea. Going into it I wasn’t expecting to be so emotional but this got me in the feels!

This book was completely unexpected. I didn't know what to anticipate when I started reading and I certainly didn't know where the book was going to end up.
Much like the main character Tao's meandering route, in her wagon, through Eshtera it took the reader along for an unexpected journey that picked up some odd acquaintances along the way who became fast friends by the end.
The book slowly unveiled Tao's motivation and reasons for travelling solo through a foreign land as a young vulnerable female, viewed with suspicion by the people she was trying to help and sell fortunes to.
It dealt with complex themes such as loneliness, estrangement, prejudice, racial discrimination and the importance of the bonds of friendship and family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and felt like I was on an emotional journey with the main character that made me evaluate how some of those themes affect my life.
I felt it was extremely apt given the current racial dissonance occurring in the UK and globally and it provided a unique insight into the emotional exploration that this young woman experiences.

Thanks so much for an early copy of this book!!

This was such a wonderful and cosy read! It was such a lovely escape with light conflict and characters that you become so invested in.

The UK cover is stunning and I think this book should be read by all to escape from reality and fall in love with magic. And maybe a slightly magical cat .....

You know how there are certain books that you just know that you are going to love? That was me when I started reading The Teller of Small Fortunes . This book is so delightfully charming and so full of heart, which made it so easy to fall in love with. To me, this book had the vibes of a Studio Ghibli film mixed with a cozy fantasy-esque DND campaign. There’s just this comforting quality about Teller, which makes you feel like you are being wrapped up in a warm embrace.

At the centre of this story is a cast of truly amazing characters. There’s Tao, the teller of small fortunes, Mash the former mercenary, Silt the (maybe) reformed thief and Kina the baker. There is also a magic animal companion; a wonderful, clever cat. They are a found family in every sense of the world; all of them so very different, having very different goals but coming together as one in the end. And no spoilers, but this is one found family that you want to read about.

I found this to be such an incredible cozy fantasy tale, with some hefty stakes (including the search for a missing daughter) and I know I will be thinking about this for the foreseeable future. Julie Leong’s writing is so impressive and so wonderful, and also very immersive, taking you straight into the adventures of Tao and her newfound family.

A cozy fantasy full of heart, hope and the determination to not give up on your goals and letting yourself change, The Teller of Small Fortunes is an incredible debut. I, for one, cannot wait to read more of what Julie Leong has in store for us.

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good cozy low stakes fantasy and this one upped the game and hit the spot. If you’re craving all the feel goods, The Teller of Small Fortunes is your gal. This book was like a warm fire and a cup of hot chocolate for the soul. Tao and her charming “small fortunes” (that a lot of the time inadvertently revealed much bigger answers) are so thoughtfully constructed and well written it made the book hard to put down. Also, I realize the enormity of what I’m getting ready to say, but I’m gonna say it any way… This might be my very favorite found family story ever. I know, but it’s true. There’s just something about this book that hit home and never has a similar journey felt more deserved and genuine. I’ll 100% be buying a copy of this when it comes out, 5 stars

this book was an absolute delight to read!
I had been in a slump where i'd read 4 disappointing/unreadable books in a row, and i just needed something to get me out of that slump. this book was perfect!
it is, at it's core, a tale about unlikely friendships and found families. About being there, supporting and being willing to do anything (within reason) to help those you love (platonic or more).

first, the characters are great. we mainly follow Tao, Kina, Silt and Mash, who are each very different personality wise, an unlikely bunch of friends, but ultimately, the perfect combination. they were all very distinct and I never found myself (as i have with other books) thinking 'which character is this?' because often some writers end up with character clones. but there's none of that here!

the story is so lovely too. It has it's moments of peril, a little darkness, but nothing too over the top that makes this too dark a read. I've seen it described as 'cosy' and honestly, it is. reading it is like a nice little warm hug in a book. it has some wonderful morals too, and a deeper look into government than i've seen in many other books, without going too deep. there's just one section later on in the book that really made me think, and i appreciated it's simple addition to the tale.

it's honestly hard to explain why i enjoyed this so much, but just trust me, it's worth a read if you're needing something pretty relaxed. Not fraught with violence, war, sex etc. it's just chill and so, so enjoyable.

I loved this so much that I've already pre-ordered myself a copy. I didn't know cosy fantasy was my thing until I read this book. It was a hug in a book. I've read one other popular cosy fantasy before and didn't enjoy it. This was different. The different characters and the different stories made me fall in love with cosy fantasy and I'll be looking out for more.

I loved the whole group of characters. There was enough adventure and activity to keep me interested in the story. I can't say enough good things about this book.

I recommend this book to any fans of cosy fantasy.

This book was incredibly cosy and charming. It's one of those books I wish I could leap into and live. Excellent work! I can't wait to recommend it to everyone!

What an absolute burst of joy. The characters are vivid and diverse, the dialogue flows beautifully and has so much humour. The ending was great and I shed more than a few tears so how could I ask for any more! Highly recommend for fans of a cosy fantasy!!

'We're not always cheerful and funny. We've sadness and anxiety, and all these other bitter things wrapped up inside, too, and that's what makes the sweetness all the sweeter.'

I absolutely adored this book! Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree and was even reminiscent of Becky Chamber's Monk & Robot duology (with a more developed plot).

The author did a great job creating well-rounded characters who's stories were touching and relatable. I'm a very fussy reader when it comes to 'good' writing and I very much enjoyed the clean prose. The author had a clear vision for the plot and this was executed well.

An absolute pleasure to read and a great addition to cosy-fantasy genre. If you enjoy reading about a rag-tag band of characters questing around the countryside and magically-inclined felines this is a must read!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this lovely book. 4.5 stars round up!

Delightful cosy fantasy - just what I was after.
The story follows the titular Teller of Small Fortunes, Tao, as she travels around telling (small) fortunes, and collects some new friends.

It's told against a backdrop of international tension, but most of the story is focused on the group and their character journeys.

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The cover alone sold me on this book but I honestly love everything about it. The characters, the world, the tiny moments of drinking tea or eating pastries.

Tao and her four new friends travel the world as they discover more about who they are and the things they seek. Tao's fortunes help to guide them but it's her love for her friends that helps her get what she wants in the end.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is the perfect cozy read to go with a cup of tea and a cat by your side. Don't forget to look at your fortune in the tea leaves once you finished your cup. Maybe you'll find a small fortune.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a beautifully written, cozy, light fantasy and I loved every second. I don't really know what else to say about it, except that I adored it and would recommend it to anybody looking for a book to fall in love with!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I loved this! Cozy fantasy is very hit and miss for me so I wasn't sure about this going in, but I loved every second and will definitely be rereading at some point.

The world is a simple and familiar fantasy setting, but holds up the story and has enough details to feel lived in. The characters are flawed but very lovable, and the dialogue is funny and purposeful. The story is tropey but well executed - especially the found family trope, which I often find lacking in other books which include this trope in their marketing.

The plot is simple but gripped me early on. It's not quite as low stakes as other cozy fantasies (maybe that's why I enjoyed it) but still small scale. There is no real violence but serious topics such as racism and family member death are part of the themes. There are cats.

I would recommend this to everyone, except maybe people who need their fantasy worldbuilding to be very elaborate. The ending made me cry, so this gets an automatic 5 stars from me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

With thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is cosy, comforting, and was such a joy to read. The descriptions of everything was so clear and vivid that it felt like I was watching a beautiful movie. The characters were incredible, and felt so real. The writing is like being wrapped in a big hug and given a good cup of tea and a delicious scone. It’s the perfect autumnal read!

The found family aspect of this was my absolute favourite. All of the characters interacted with each other so naturally, and the ending was exactly what I wanted with this little group!

This was such a beautiful book to read and I can’t wait to get my own copy.

A fortune teller, a merchant, a thief, a baker and an entity of chaos... uh...I mean magical cat.
A quest, a dark past an handful of worst laid plans.
All wrapped in the lovely embrace of found family.

This is basically all this book is, and frankly it's all this book needs.

Bonus: if you ever wanted to know how Fortune Cookies were invented, you're lucky.

Cozy fantasy at its best with real good characters, low stakes - but also serious themes like prejudice and being treated badly for simply being different.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC!

#TheTellerOfSmallFortunes #Netgalley #Bookstagram

A wonderful fairytale for adults! I loved every moment of this book, there was a bit of everything mystery, friendship and magic! Hoping to read more from Julie Leong, as this was fantastic!

This was the most delightfully adorable book I've read in a long, long time.

I loved the slightly mysterious storyline, the charming characters and the found family aspect.

It was whimsical, funny, emotional and just completely and utterly wholesome. The most perfect book to get lost in.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a beautiful entry into the cozy fantasy genre that feels like being wrapped in a warm hug. The story follows Tao, an immigrant fortune teller who only predicts small fortunes to avoid big consequences. Her life takes a turn when a thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her to help find a lost child. Along the way, they're joined by a baker and a slightly magical cat, creating a charming and unlikely group of companions.
The strength of this book lies in its heartfelt exploration of found family, a theme that resonates deeply with me. The characters are distinct and wonderfully developed, each bringing out the best in one another. As they lower their defenses and form bonds, they create a sense of warmth and camaraderie that feels genuine and touching. There were moments where I found myself crying as the story struck just the right balance between big, emotional scenes and quiet, character-driven moments.

Julie Leong's writing is both tender and evocative, perfectly capturing the essence of these small yet meaningful interactions. The story’s pacing allows for a deep dive into each character’s personal journey while still maintaining a compelling plot. I felt every moment of Tao's struggle as she faced her past and the decision to risk everything for a future she never thought possible.

Both the UK and US cover images are stunning and capture the spirit of the book in different ways, enhancing the reading experience from the moment you pick it up. While I’d love to read more stories set in this enchanting world, I’d still be satisfied if this was the only tale we get to experience.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a story about finding a family in the most unexpected places and learning to embrace the risk that comes with love and connection. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves cozy fantasy or simply enjoys stories that celebrate the power of human (and slightly magical) connection.

Recommendations: If you enjoyed The Teller of Small Fortunes, I recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, another heartwarming story with strong themes of found family and magic. For a movie recommendation, try The Magic of Ordinary Days, a Hallmark film that captures a similar warmth and focus on meaningful connections.

Pick up this book and go on a cosy, relaxing adventure right now! The Teller of Small Fortunes is a chill fantasy adventure focusing around Tao, a Seer, who chooses to see only small fortunes as to avoid both the troubles and woes that comes with big prophecies and her family who are trying to sign her up to the Magic Guild. On her travels, she comes across Mash, a mercenary searching for his daughter, and Silt, a somewhat reformed thief looking for love. Together with Kina, a baker in need of travel and inspiration, the four embark on a journey to find what they are all looking for.

I absolutely love this story - the found family aspects, the healing, the overarching themes were all beautiful and a true pleasure to read. Leong's detailed descriptions throw you straight into the setting and don't let you out. Thoroughly recommend!

4.5/5 stars

The Teller of Small Fortunes is an Asian-inspired cozy fantasy following a traveling fortune teller. Tao lives a lonely life with only her wagon and mule as she travels along the rural countryside telling small fortunes for a small price. But when she is joined by an ex-mercenary, a not-so reformed thief, and a baker’s apprentice, her careful existence becomes more complicated as they search for a missing little girl while Tao’s past comes chasing after her.

This was just such a joy to read, and it had me from the very first chapter. It was incredibly heartwarming, endlessly charming, and entirely cozy. Despite being set in a kingdom on the brink of war and with increasing ethno-hostility, the book never feels too dark and tells a small story with a big impact. And while the story may be simple, the delight it elicits and the emotionality it evokes aren’t. In the midst of all the tea drinking, baking, journeying through unfamiliar places, and forming new friendships, a found family is formed, and I can never not love a found family.

Tao carries much of the burden and bulk of the story as it is told nearly entire from her perspective. She is an immigrant in a foreign land whose mystical occupation can easily be perceived as hostile. She is easy to root for, complex, and relatable (especially as a few generations down immigrant myself and as someone of Chinese descent). Alongside her are a cast of entirely lovable characters: Mash who is valued for his strength if not his poetic prowess desperately searching for his missing daughter; Silt whose carefree and cavalier persona hides a man who doesn’t know who he can be aside from a thief; and Kina, a woman who has lived a sheltered life seeking both adventure and the betterment of her baking. I’d read more of their journey should there be sequels.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a heartwarming and delightful Asian cozy fantasy.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is the story of Tao the fortune teller and her travels across the Kingdom of Eshtera. It's a cosy tale of found family, delicious, if misshapen baked goods and healing.

This was a cosy and emotive read with wonderfully fleshed put characters that you couldn't help but love! You rooted for them, laughed with them and wept with them. They were incredibly relatable!

The plot was fun, mostly low stakes but with plenty of adventure. Delightfully whimsical and I'm hoping that the author has left an opening for a potential sequel (I certainly think it's possible)

Overall this is a warm hug from a friend, a cosy blanket and a warm drink on a cold day....an utter delight from start to finish 🥰

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a wholesome cosy fantasy that's exactly what I need to read right now. This book has everything I'd love like found family, animal companions, low stake quests, and delicious food. I adore every single character. It is an amazing debut novel and I can't wait to read the author's future works. Also, both book covers are amazing and perfectly capture the wholesomeness of the story. I highly recommend this book to every reader. Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Title: The Teller of Small Fortunes
Author: Julie Leong
Pages: 336
Rating: 5/5

Arc Copy (gifted) - review left voluntarily
Publish date - 5th November 2924

Oh my gosh what a cosy beautiful comforting read. This was just a big fluffy blanket of loveliness. The relationships between the characters. Comradeship and loyalty is so lovely. You can smell the tea when fortunes are told and the delicious baked goods.

I felt I was invested in the storyline and what happened to the characters. It ended nicely but still with an opportunity for sequels should the author wish to carry on their journey. (I'd love to know what the conflict was about in a reading!)

I enjoyed these misfit adventurers and I was sad when I came to the end of the book. I absolutely inhaled this read from start to finish.

Beautiful!!

You'll love this book if you like
- heart warming friendships
- little to no romance
- cats
- cosy fantasy
- low stakes high reward
- comrade and kinship
- no cliff hangers/stand alone reads

Thank you @netgalley, @hodderbooks and @hodderscape for allowing me to review.

Will you be putting this on your tbr? Have you read it already, what were your thoughts??

Absolutely delightful storytelling, with all the warmth, charm and heart that cosy fantasy deserves.
Tao is a teller of small fortunes that finds family and friendship whilst travelling around the countryside.
I loved the characters, the world building was fabulous and the plot was perfect. It was especially satisfying to have every lose thread caught
From small fortunes come great things.

Thank you so much to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review!

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4,5 stars - make some tea, get comfortable and experience a magical heartwarming hug of a book.

“And what was a home but somewhere you wouldn’t have to feel quite so alone?”

I had such a lovely time with this book. It’s easy and fun to read, with an incredibly heartwarming story. The stakes rarely felt overly high, so it wasn’t stressful to read, but it also never felt boring or like things stood still - there was always something going on, either a problem to solve or an emotion to get through. I was worried cosy fantasy wouldn’t quite be my thing, as I am a lover of drama and angst, but this book more than allayed those fears.
The characters were all so loveable, and I found myself rooting for them from the moment I first met them.

“She was a cup of tea, overflowing with warmth and wrapped in loving hands.”

The story, and characters, is overall very cosy with heavier emotions and topics in the background - without that lessening the impact or importance of them. I cried, I laughed, I cheered, and was left with such a full heart at the end.

The vibes reminded me of a mix of Howl’s Moving Castle and a low magic roadtrip style D&D campaign. Found family, love and acceptance are all major themes. I would highly recommend it to all fans of fantasy, who need a little break from stress and having to think too hard while reading to remember who’s who and what’s what, or who just needs a hug and a story where everything turns out alright.

“And… There are cinnamon buns?”

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodderscape and author Julie Leong for this eARC

The Teller of Small Fortunes gets all the stars from me!

It is cozy, it is brilliant, whimsical, comforting, funny, cute and charming.

Next to beautifully written, well formed and quirky characters to fall in love with and an exciting new world to discover we get a sassy cat companion, a trusty (if slightly judgy) mule, a philosophical troll and an itchy magic finder.

The found family is perfection and Leong masterfully incorporates the subjects of racism, immigration, grief & healing without sacrificing the lightness or coziness.

One of, if not the best cozy fantasy I have read so far and by the end I was craving some warm, delicious (if slightly wonky) buns.

Cute, heartwarming and hard to put down.
Tao is a teller or small fortunes, and only small fortunes. She learned that the hard way. After telling a seemingly not so small fortune, Tao is joined by a former mercenary and a reformed thief.

This book was so well written that I couldn’t put it down. It is a loving journey of found family and friendship and kindness. You become apart of the travelling band and don’t want the story to end.
This book is not my typical book, there is no epic romance or battles. There is a girl, her friends and a journey that will leave you feeling happy and content.
A perfect feel-good story for when you feel down.


Thank you to NetGalley and Hooderscape for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

2024 has really felt like my 'year of cosy fantasy' and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀 by Julie Leong might just be my favourite yet!

In it, we travel with a small band of misfits - Tao, the lonely fortune teller fleeing the consequences of her magic; Silt, a semi-reformed thief; Mast, a mercenary searching for his missing daughter; and Kina, a baker's apprentice who wants to see the world. (And a rapacious cat.)

As you guys know, found family is my absolute favourite trope, and my does Leong do it well. Each character has their own fleshed-out backstory and character arc within the wider story. We really get to see this little found family grow and bond - from a place of real mistrust, Leong shows us how they grow together, support each other, and open up to one another, becoming better people because of the friends they've found along the way. It's truly heartwarming.

Like 'Can't Spell Treason Without Tea', another of this year's cost fantasy highlights for me, I felt that 'The Teller of Small Fortunes' had a really nice balance of having lower states without sacrificing drive and meaning. Key for me is that the characters still feel like they have agency over their own fates, rather than just stumbling into solutions - in both of these books, even if the focus isn't on world-shattering action, our characters still have to make difficult decisions to ensure their happy endings, it won't just fall into their laps.

So did I enjoy this book? The answer is obviously an emphatic yes. Even for readers not already into cosy fantasy, I think 'The Teller of Small Fortunes' would be a great entry-point - there are still meaningful stakes, you still go on a journey and face dangers monsters, and some tricky choices must be made; you just get to do it all alongside a cast of loveable characters (and a cat), and will be desperately craving a pastry by the end, which I think is the defining feature of the genre, no? 🥠 🍵 🔮

Thank you NetGalley for the early access!

This story was a balm to the heart. The coziest read I have picked up this year. The characters are all extremely lovable and I got attached to each of them, along with their personal stories and drive. The pacing can sometimes be a little slow but overall I like enjoyed it far to much for this to be an issue.
Lovers of tea and soft adventures, attaching characters, the theme of the book engage with some strong matter but in a very adapted and lovely manner.

This is a new favorite of mine and I can not wait to get my hands on a physical copy !

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

A book that feels like a soft, warm hug, The Teller of Small Fortunes is a cosy adventure fantasy with a ramshackle found-family. I adored the vibes of the book from the very beginning, and while I wouldn't call it low-stakes, it's definitely a gentle read. Tao travels alone telling small fortunes, and eventually finds herself adopting strays along the way, from a retired mercenary and his reformed thief sidekick, to a disillusioned apprentice baker and a grumpy cat. I loved their story and would happily read 10 more books about their adventures.

Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was one of my warmest reads of 2024, simply adorable and touching! I loved Tao and her found family <3

Tao is a fortune teller. She roams the kingdom with her faithful mule and cart and stops in villages to read tea leaves and palms. For a small fee she tells people about insignificant events that may or may not turn out to be important. Tao doesn’t deal in grand schemes and destiny-smattering omens. Those can often do more harm than good and may have been the reason why she fled her home in the first place. Since then, Tao has been happy keeping her own company. Or has she ? When she finds unlikely travelling companions, life becomes that little bit sweeter, and burdens can be shared, even if that means confronting the reason why Tao is on the run.
This cosy fantasy novel is really lovely. It does tackle difficult themes like racism, but in a gentle manner. The cast of characters is very cute and the way the travellers become their own kind of family is very endearing to witness. This is very light fantasy, so you won’t get a ton of world-building and some elements will require you don’t look too closely, but I have absolutely no problem with that when the focus of the story is on feelings, specifically belonging and opening yourself to new possibilities. The narrative moves on at a steady pace, with an underlying tension that is alleviated by much baking and friendly chats. And a cat, of course. One chapter felt a little disjointed from the rest, but it was fun and let the characters demonstrate the full range of their personalities so I’m not mad about it.
I’ll just say the ending (for which the author all narrative arcs were tied with a neat bow) left me a little frustrated on Tao’s part, but that is spoiler territory so I won’t go into more details here.
Rep: MC of Asian-inspired ancestry, who is also aro-ace coded. Hints of queer characters in a world that isn’t queer-friendly for the most part.
CW: racism, xenophobia, death of parent.