Book Review: The Keeper of Magical Things 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 Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Ace (October 14, 2025)

Length: 368 pages

Author Information: Website

I was a big fan of Julie Leong’s The Teller of Small Fortunes and admittedly went into The Keeper of Magical Things with high expectations. But while I will say I enjoyed the former just a smidgen more, this one still captures the same enchanting vibe. The story unfolds on a smaller scale and at a gentler pace, but if you’re looking for a heartfelt and cozy fantasy, you’ve come to the right place.

Our story follows a young novice of the Guild of Mages named Certainty. Although she has a rather unique and useful gift—the ability to “speak” to objects and learn their histories and properties—Cert has spent years waiting for her big break, the moment she’ll finally be recognized as a full-fledged mage. That chance arrives when she’s unexpectedly assigned to assist Aurelia, a powerful and somewhat intimidating mage with a reputation for being difficult to work with. Together, they are tasked with transporting a trove of magical relics to the unassuming backwater village of Shpelling, where the items will be secured and catalogued.

But the job soon proves to be more complicated than either of them realized. For one, the people of Shpelling are wary of outsiders, especially mages, and their cold reception makes the already delicate task of handling powerful relics even trickier. But as Certainty and Aurelia begin uncovering the secrets behind the magical objects, each one revealing a story of its own, they start to see how their work might actually benefit the townsfolk and breathe new life into the village. Along the way, the two women also learn more about each other, their guarded partnership slowly softening into mutual respect, and perhaps developing into something even deeper.

What stands out most in The Keeper of Magical Things are its characters. As a protagonist, Certainty is an absolute gem. Her magic may be modest, but her empathy, curiosity, as well as her willingness to adapt to changing circumstances make her instantly endearing and easy to root for. Aurelia, meanwhile, begins as rather standoffish and takes a while to warm up to, but her work ethic and professionalism are qualities worthy of respect. As the story unfolds, however, both women begin to reveal more of themselves, with their dynamic evolving beautifully over the course of the novel. Theirs is a quiet, character-driven relationship arc that feels satisfying, filled with moments big and small that explore their individual motivations and vulnerabilities.

That said, I still often found myself wishing their relationship had remained platonic, as I believe the story would have worked just as well—if not better—without the dramatics of romantic tension. In fact, it’s really a testament to Leong’s talents in writing a believable friendship since the gradual trust and companionship that forms between Certainty and Aurelia are strong enough on their own, and the emotional payoff of the two of them finding a common ground through mutual respect and shared purpose already carries plenty of weight. The romance, while sweet, actually somewhat disrupts the rhythm that made their partnership so compelling.

I also want to talk about the setting of Shpelling, where much of the book takes place—and where the heart of the story truly lies. Close your eyes and you can see it: the perfect, sleepy, magic-faded kind of village where stories like these are meant to grow. A place of garlic farms and practical townsfolk, it’s where life moves at its own pace and where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Leong’ approach to magic definitely leans towards whimsy here, with talking teapots and winged cat-dragons. It’s soft, charming, and strangely comforting the way it all feels tangible and lived in, the kind of cozy fantasy setting that invites you to linger and soak up its warmth with a steaming cup of tea.

To be honest, it’s hard to find anything to critique. With a book like this, you come to it knowing what to expect, and that’s exactly the appeal. Some readers might feel the story lacks urgency or large-scale conflict, and sure, the plot never quite reaches high-stakes intensity, even when livelihoods are at stake, because you already know there has to be a happy ending. The romance is sweet and stays safely predictable. The village’s transformation, though heartwarming, unfolds at a casual, measured pace. In short, the book is cozy and comforting rather than edge-of-your-seat—but that’s precisely the point.

In conclusion, I still prefer The Teller of Small Fortunes, which had a tad more narrative breadth—but only by a little. If you’re looking for something similar in tone, but perhaps smaller in scope and sweeter, The Keeper of Magical Things is a lovely choice. I would highly recommend this to fans of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst or the Tomes & Tea series by Rebecca Thorn, or anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy that’s equal parts charm, heart, and found family.