Book Review: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Ace (November 5, 2024)

Length: 336 pages

Author Information: Website

These last few months of 2024 have brought a bunch of crazy good reads, and I would like to add yet another to the list of highly recommended books for EOY reading. Essentially Wayfarers for cozy fantasy fans, The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a great addition to the genre, offering that same sense of warmth and whimsy. As a bonus, it’s also totally binge-worthy.

The story follows Tao, an immigrant in the land of Eshtera, where this novel takes place. Originally from Shinara, Tao relocated as a young child after her father was killed and her mother remarried a Eshteran noble. Following a family conflict, Tao left home a few years ago and has been on her own ever since. Now she makes a modest living as a wandering fortune teller who travels with only her beloved mule for company. Specializing in “small” fortunes—tiny, personal events that may seem relatively trivial to others looking in but may mean the world to those who seek to know them—she earns a modest living by setting up a stall in the villages she encounters across the countryside, offer her unique gift to the locals.

Then one day, while on the road, her own fortunes take an interesting turn when she stumbles across a pair of mercenaries who are also on a mission of their own. Mash is a ex-soldier on a quest to track down a gang of bandits who he suspects have kidnapped his daughter, and his loyal friend Silt is a reformed thief who has pledged to accompany him on the journey. Since they are headed in the same direction, the three join forces for safety in numbers, with Tao recognizing the good in the two men. Their chance encounter soon expands into a ragtag team when they are joined in the next village by Kina, a bubbly baker with big dreams. Together, they embark on a quest not only to reunite Mash with his little girl but to also help Tao rediscover the meaning of home and family.

And for found family story fans, this is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Tao, Mash, Silt, and Kina are instantly and distinctly memorable, and their bonds form and evolve naturally, filling the entire atmosphere around them with heartwarming optimism and the feeling that even in the darkest moments, everything will be okay. Because of this, I can forgive characterization for leaning a little too heavily on tropes (the burly warrior with a heart of gold, the charismatic rogue, etc.) or the plot for being predictable. This story is as much about Tao’s internal journey towards self-acceptance as it is about the shared adventure with her new companions—the shift from believing that she is meant to be alone to the decision to open herself to the help and friendship of others.

I also loved the world-building, which is on the lighter side compared to epic fantasy but still rich and detailed enough to feel immersive. Leong balances just the right amount of description to let readers envision the small but lively villages on the rural countryside, and also the greater conflicts between nations that affect the politics of the wider world beyond. Throughout this process, the focus is consistently with the characters, relating it back to Tao’s own connection with her heritage as well as her experiencing living as an outsider without ever slowing the story’s pacing or moving away from its central ideas.

At the end of the day, this results in a charming, cozy, and magical tale that feels both familiar and refreshing. Through its focus on character growth and gentle plot development, The Teller of Small Fortunes captures and embraces the essence of found family themes and reminds us that home isn’t necessarily defined by place but by the bonds we forge along the way. I came away from this novel’s celebration of joy and friendships with a warm and fuzzy feeling in my stomach, and I would highly recommend picking it up if you enjoy stories with meaningful lessons, loveable characters, and lots of heart.