A wandering fortune teller finds herself on an unexpected adventure as well as befriending unlikely people... yet when her real magic catches the eyes of others she'll have to rely on her new friends in this soft found family fantasy read. Tao is a wandering fortune teller, she travels from town to town offering "small" fortunes, refusing to ever veer into bigger ones after the terrible consequences of the big fortune she once told. Tao is lonely... and when one of her small fortunes leads to her being swept up in helping an ex-mercenary and reformed thief search for a lost child she can't say no, and along for the way is a baker and a slightly magical cat. This was a really warm hearted and sweet adventure that focuses on friendship and found family. It's a easy read and just feels like a cozy time.

Release Date: November 5,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This is a lovely cozy book. It is a fantastical story about a young woman who can tell fortunes, but she refuses to tell any fortune outside of a small one. Something simple that will not cause people to feel like their life is dictated for them. On her journeys she finds three other friends who join to form a merry gang, each hoping to find something along the way. This book is very easy to read, and the characters are simple, but still have vibrancy of their own that shines through the pages. If you’re looking for a book that has good characters and a decent plotline look no further.
Thank you to Berkly Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

#TheTellerOfSmallFortunes:⁣
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Thank you @prhaudio @berkleypub @acebookspub for my free copies! #PRHAudioPartner #BerkleyPartner⁣
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“There’s no such thing as greater good—there’s just good, and the more of it we can do, the better.”⁣
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I’m telling you, cozy fantasy just tugs at my heartstrings and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and I never want this feeling to go away.⁣
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This gave me Wizard of Oz feels as we are literally just picking up random people along the way. It’s truly a merry little band of misfits and I adored it. I had a soft spot for Mash, that grumpy ole rut. I couldn’t help but have a soft spot. ⁣
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The audio was decent by Phyllis Ho. It wasn’t my favorite, but it was easy to listen to as I went through and put away Halloween decorations. It wasn’t terrible either. I’d say a definite happy medium. When I had the option to read the physical book, I did choose that instead. ⁣
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Overall, a solid cozy fantasy for all the snuggly feels. A definite recommend and I can see why it’s a @bookofthemonth pick this month!

Unfortunately this one wasn't my favorite. I was really hoping to connect with the characters more but it didn't quite work out that way. The story had potential, and I appreciated the author's creativity but this one fell flat for me.

Cute, gentle. Definitely a book for those looking for cozy fantasy. A found family story rather than a romance and it kind of reminds me of the gentler Studio Ghibli cartoons. Also goes into the immigrant experience but not in a super deep way, more an acknowledgement the character moved to the country as a child and doesn’t remember her country of birth or the language very well. Good book and I’ve marked the author to follow in Goodreads because I’d 100% read another by the same author.

The Teller of Small Fortunes is a cozy fantasy following Tao, an immigrant fortune teller. Tao only tells small fortunes, not the big life altering fortunes. She travels through small towns and villages, with her friend (and Mule) Laohu. Laohu is a character in his own right, and I love it!

Tao is an endearing protagonist who is used to traveling alone. She’s joined by a cast of quirky adventurers, including a one-eyed cat. Each character is well-developed, bringing their own quirks and stories that add depth to the story.

I am a sucker for a found family, especially when that family includes animals. I really enjoyed this book. It was cozy and wholesome and fun to read.

The Teller Of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong. Since Tao be came an adult she’s been making her living by telling small fortunes and for reasons only known to herself she will not tell big life-changing fortunes in its all due to her childhood back in Shinara, The Frenemy to Eshtera. Her life changes for the better on the day she is stopped due to a tree in the road this is when she meets mash, A warm hearted mercenary who is searching for his daughter four-year-old Lee and Silt, The mercenaries best friend and a reformed thief who loves to laugh and make others happy. Eventually they will meet Kenna who is an apprentice to her uncle as a baker somethings she loves to do but it’s ready for adventures of her own. The ragtag group wind up making their own little family in search of little Lee who seem to always get their self in one spot of trouble or another. Not to mention Tao ha’s a member of the magic guild hot on her trail in the last thing she wants to do is to work for the crown. Despite it something hundreds of people apply for due to the lofty station it puts them at, but again for reasons of her own she still wants nothing to do with it. Will she be forced to go back to the capital city and work for the guild? Will Mash ever find Leigh and if they do will this break the chosen family up forever? This was a pretty good book but I think I’ve been conditioned in a fairytale to look for the romance and that is something that never happened and I think it threw me off but irregardless I still really enjoyed it I do think that should’ve been more interaction with magical beings Fairys ET see because at the beginning I didn’t even know this was a fairytale. I still recommend it and still absolutely totally enjoyed it. #NetGalley,#Berkeley, #JulieLeong, #TheTellerOfSmallFortunes,

The Teller of Small Fortunes was such a fun, cozy fantasy with a great cast of characters and a journey of growth and self acceptance. I sometimes struggle with cozy stories, as I can get bored if there’s not much happening regarding the plot - but I didn’t have that issue here. This story was the perfect combo of low stakes adventure and silly shenanigans amongst friends. Reading Tao’s character development was definitely the highlight of the story. I also adored all the animal companions and thought the world building was expertly done. Overall, I think The Teller of Small Fortunes is a great choice for anyone who enjoyed The Spellshop, Travis Baldree’s works, and Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea.

Thank you to Ace Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

Really enjoyed this one. A little slow to start but it picked up once Tao started interacting with other characters and the overall story arc was solid. Good use of character tropes to build deeper, more real lives that interact with one another in a variety of ways.
I do feel as though some of the secondary arcs were a bit perfunctory and either needed a little more time to play out or to be cut entirely.. as they are, they feel like detours that distract from the main story but aren’t compelling enough to keep the readers attention.
Overall a fun read, though. Would definitely read another by this author.

Read if you like books with/that are:
🫂 Found Family
🌏 Asia Setting
✨ Magical Realism/ Light Fantasy
🗺️ Adventures & Traveling
🥺 Sadness and Loss
❤️‍🩹 Tender & Healing

I really, really enjoyed this! It is very cozy and the found family and adventure was so well done! If you aren’t huge into fantasy because of all the world building and complicated details, this is one you can easily enjoy as it doesn’t have those aspects so feels a bit more like magical realism to me personally.

I also really loved that we got bipoc characters with the story set in Asia and the discussion of not fitting in when you leave your home and move to another area with a different culture and where you visible do not fit in. I felt this part of the storytelling was so emotional and thought provoking.

I also loved the idea of is the outcome a result of seeing or is seeing the result of the predestined outcome… and the questioning of self and choices that came from our MC’s gift and how her gift had impacted her life, family, self-confidence, and her future and past.

All in all, I can’t say enough about this one and really enjoyed it and hope others read and enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks so much to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

I LOVED this! What a delightfully warm and cozy romp of a quest fantasy!

Recommended for fans of Found Family, Cozy Fantasy, and Low-Stakes Quests.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong is a charming and heartwarming cozy fantasy that delves into the themes of self-discovery and forging one's own path. This captivating novel is a true gem that will not only warm your heart but also nourish your soul. I was completely enamored with every moment of this delightful read!

The silliest of a silly good times, this feels like a warm hug from a big bear of a brother after a long day. Cozy and comforting and perfectly warm. A wandering teller of small fortunes collects a rag tag group of friends and embarks on a quest to find a missing child.

What I loved…
- found family
- magic
- cat companion
- mystery and intrigue
- strong friendships
- QUEST!
- quirky
- ace/aro rep
- well moving (albeit meandering) plot
- whimsy
- tackles heavier themes in a meaningful way without feeling heavy!
- magical creatures

What I didn’t love…
- honestly, this was a spectacularly well done cozy fantasy. My personal preference is a little more movement with the plot but if you're ok with a medium paced plot this is a perfect read.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for sending this book (eARC) for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leung is a beautifully crafted tale blending magic, family, and identity. The story follows a young fortune teller who can predict only small, seemingly trivial events. Through her journey, she learns that even small fortunes can have significant impacts on people’s lives. Leung’s lyrical prose and poignant character development make the main characters exploration of her abilities and heritage compelling and relatable. This novel gently addresses themes of self-acceptance and the ways our smallest actions can ripple outward, making it a heartwarming read that leaves readers contemplating the quiet magic in everyday moments.

Cozy Fantasy • Found Family • Mystery
Publication Date • 5 November 2024

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the free finished book & ALC! 🎧

I’m going to say something controversial. Teller of Small Fortunes > Legends and Lattes. For those who haven’t read L&L, it’s *the* book that ignited the explosion in cozy fantasy as a genre. And I enjoyed Legends, especially when narrated by Travis Baldree who brings the voices to life so well. [Both books in that duology are reviewed on my page.]

The Teller of Small Fortunes has all the cozy, comforting vibes. There will not be epic fight scenes but instead there will be caravanning adventures, gastronomically pleasing baked goods, lots of tea steeped, and of course the quintessential theme for the genre: family found in unexpected places.

My favorite character is Tao, a nomadic fortune teller who can read palms, tea leaves and more. She experiences bigotry due to her heritage, immigrant status, and features, not to mention her gypsy like status, but she gets by with her trusty mule, wagon, and feisty feline Fidelitus.

Along the way she meets a band of fellow travelers, some flitting past imparting small wisdoms, and others who join her on her journey. Highly recommended if you are a fan of low stakes cozy adventure stories. This is the epitome of warm and fuzzy, comforting, magic and baking.

Not only do I echo all the positive comparisons to cozy fantasies by Rebecca Thorne, Sarah Beth Durst, et al, but also while their worlds are pretty different, I think Tao and company would have a delightful time sharing a campsite and some tea with the protagonists of Becky Chambers' Monk & Robot series. A warm heartfelt delight.

Thank you for the free book @BerkleyPub #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram and Julie Leone @julieleongbooks
“The Teller of Small Fortunes” by Julie Leong⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Cozy Fantasy. Location: The kingdom of Eshtera.

Dark-eyed, tawny-skinned Tao is a fortune teller born in Lianghe in the kingdom of Shinara, but raised across the Long Sea in Margave, Eshtera. She now travels between Eshteran villages with trusty mule Laohu for company. Tao tells "small" fortunes-whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences. It’s a lonely life, but better than her previous life in Margrave. When a small fortune turns big, semi-reformed thief Siltarian Silvertongue (Silt) and ex-mercenary enormous, bearded Mastrick (Mash) recruit her into their desperate search for Leah, Mash’s lost child. They have dubious reputations, but their company is not entirely unpleasant. Soon, they’re joined by red-haired Kina, baker of lumpy but delicious pastries, and Fidelitus, a one-eyed, slightly magical cat. Tao loves her big-hearted companions, but as she lowers her walls, her past closes in. Can she risk everything to preserve her found family?

Author Leong has written a quietly beautiful tale of finding your chosen family and following your own path. Her characters are charming and ready to expand their lives. Her writing is comforting and cozy. Leong takes us on a slightly magical journey with more than a few twists and turns along the way. I was entranced, and it’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼‍♀️ #thetellerofsmallfortunes #julieleong #NetGalley

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this arc.

The cover entranced me and the plot sounded nice so I was delighted to get a chance to read this one. It’s a nice cozy fantasy that I think will appeal to lovers of that subgenre. For me, it was a bit slow and the end just dragged. This is a cozy story with lots of vibes. It’s Found Family all around. There are two threads that bring some, but not as much as I expected, tension to the story – Mash’s search for his missing child and Tao being sought by Important People to do something for them.

The major themes of the book – immigrants not feeling accepted in their new land, immigrants missing what they’ve lost, underdogs standing up for themselves, self discovery, friendship, and a sense of belonging – are all addressed. I’ll be honest and say many of these moments can be seen coming from far away and felt like A Point Was Being Made rather than being totally natural. But I’ve read worse.

The start is a tad slow as all the main characters have to be introduced and the underlying plot points introduced. However, the characters move through the book at the speed of horse/mule drawn wagons so this also sort of makes sense. About two-thirds of the way in, this weird quest gets dropped into the story which seemed out of place and pretty much went nowhere.

I enjoyed the found family. Tao hasn’t had the companionship of people she likes who also like her since she was a child. As an immigrant she has experienced discrimination, long looks, and feeling othered. With Kina, Silt, and Mash – she feels at ease and at home. I also liked her moments with her (not so ornery) mule whom she clearly loves. There is also an ornery cat. That four people couldn’t figure something out about the cat made me question their powers of observation.

The high point of the thread that involves Tao’s past surprised me a bit but I liked being surprised and also liked the character in charge. This sort of felt as if it was the natural end point of the book but, oh yes, there’s still another thing to be wrapped up which, yay it was but it also dragged. It’s also treacly sweet with fairly easy resolution of the conflicts.

Readers looking for a low impact, fantasy-lite (mostly mage magic, with one troll, and gnomes and elves only being mentioned) will probably enjoy this. I found the start a bit slow, a little bland overall, and would have enjoyed just a bit more bite. B-/C+

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
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Tao, a wandering fortune teller, is used to being alone. One day she meets two men traveling to find a missing girl, then meet up with a messy baker, and a grouchy cat. They all wind up traveling together and get roped into a quest for treasure.
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What I liked:
-Quest. Give me books with quests! I thought the quest part was fun and that isn’t even counting the longer quest throughout the book of finding Mash’s daughter.
-This book was funnier than I expected it to be, but oh so sweet and a little quirky.
-Loved the grouchy cat.
-I spilled a few tears during Tao’s storyline, especially when she had the conversation with her mom.
-But the best part (imo) was the excellent use of the “found family” trope. I loved that part of this book SO MUCH. It just warmed my heart to see all the friendships growing, and the way it ended. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Such a delightful and heartwarming read!

This was an interesting cozy fantasy read.

I liked our main character Tao and enjoyed the friends she picked up along her journey. This book was quite atmospheric and I liked that Tao didn’t deal with predictions that were too complicated. It did become a bit repetitive as the villages blended together after a bit, but overall it was well done.

I’d recommend this to any cozy fantasy readers. This is not exactly the same, but “The Teller of Small Fortunes” reminded me a lot of “A Psalm for the Wild Built” by Becky Chambers.

Rated 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.