I absolutely loved this book. This is the authors second book and it is possibly better than her first. They are both amazing reads! I have just read both of her books back to back and I am sorry to have to leave her magical world! I hope another book from this world follows close on the heels of this one!

This book is so ridiculously cute that my blood is now all sugar (in a good way). It’s cozy, and heartwarming, and unapologetically queer, and I loved every minute of it. I think the worldbuilding/political stuff could have been fleshed out a bit better, or just explained a tiny bit more, which is my only complaint. But other than that, this was a perfect, sapphic, cozy fantasy read. The plot is fun, the characters are wonderful, the romance is so sweet, and there’s a cat dragon. I would recommend this to anyone who loves light reads, especially with fantasy settings.

This book is exactly the kind of gentle, whimsical magic I crave when I need something soft but clever, something kind but still full of spark. It was lovely in every way. Cozy without being cutesy. Emotional without being overwrought. It made me want to believe in the quiet kind of magic again, the kind that lives in connection, community, and a shared cup of tea.

Another delightful story from Julie Leong! I thoroughly enjoyed this second venture into the world of Eshtera. It is so easy to relate to Certainty's feelings that her magical ability to connect with inanimate objects was so insignificant when in reality it was extremely useful. And Aurelia's struggle to become her own person. And of course the delightful residents of the village of Shpelling added to the cozy ambience of the book. Leong's worldbuilding is excellent. I've always wanted a dragon but now I just want a Hope. And a few days to visit a certain new library...

At the end of the book are some discussion questions. One was "Would you want to read another book set in this world? If so, who or what would you want it to focus on?" And I would say Asp. I'd like to hear more about what happens with Certainty's brother and his apprenticeship. And something more about Hope, please? Of course, she could also write a book of short stories that features different minorly magical items and how they are used. But yes - I would be happy to revisit this world in other stories.

Julie Leong takes us back to the world of The Teller of Small Fortunes, in another cozy adventure centered around an icy Guild mage, Aurelia, and a hopeful mage-in-training, Certainty. The women are tasked with cataloguing various enchanted items in a small, isolated village. Along the way, they learn important lessons about community, family, and happiness. A well-paced, cozy adventure, with a touch of sapphic romance, and warmth that radiates off the page.

I found this book a joy to read. The characters are relatable, and the plot is interesting. The worldbuilding is just right without too much or too little detail. The writing is engaging and keeps you wanting to read. I really enjoyed the main characters' growth and how they impacted the community around them. I would recommend this book to anyone needing a HEA.

This is easily a favorite read of the year for me so far. Everything about this book from the atmosphere to the characters to the whimsical, minimally-magical artifacts was simply delightful. I cared so much for Certainty, Aurelia, and the people of Shpelling. I laughed out loud and chuckled often. I loved the overall message Leong conveys through this story that we do not need to earn our worth as human beings. It was just such a beautiful book, and I cannot wait for more from this author.

A very sweet and cozy fantasy with a romantic element.

I enjoyed the elements of community-building and creative problem-solving!