I absolutely loved this book!! Despite not reading the first one, I didn't feel lost or confused at all. Aurelia and Certainty were adorable and the townsfolk were a delight. Will definitely be recommending we get it at our library!

An earnest, heartwarming story about self-worth, generosity, and love - with a fun cast of characters and a touch of self-aware humor as well! I haven't read Leong's previous book, which I think is connected to this one, but I enjoyed it all the same.

Certainty is a novice in the Guild of Mages, and finally gets her shot at magehood when tasked with transferring minorly magical objects to the small, rundown village of Shpelling. But, she has to work with the restrained, seemingly stern mage Aurelia to do so. Certainty and Aurelia's interactions were sweet, the villagers were well drawn, and there were a few surprisingly deep messages about happiness and choosing what's most important in life. I didn't find the plot to be slow, which I was worried about as its a 'cozy romance', so that was a win as well. Thanks to the publisher for the e-arc!

Another ABSOLUTELY delightful book by Julie Leong! I was, of course, first enchanted by her writing with The Teller of Small Fortunes. Her newest book, The Keeper of Magical Things did not disappoint.

First, I would like to petition the universe for a talking teapot, a catdragon, and a lovely little village to live in!

The love story is very sweet and doesn’t seem rushed or forced which, unfortunately, happens often. It was lovely to see them both change each other for the better while staying true to who they are. Even with a cheeky little nod to the naughty, Leong’s books are overall so heartwarming and wholesome. This one, maybe, is a little spicier than her first work but no less enchanting.

While the beginning does take its time a wee bit, once our two heroines are established in the village, I couldn’t put the book down. Julie has a knack for absolutely quirky and loveable side characters and I enjoyed spending time with all of them.

I would love to spend time in a real-life Shpelling. Even if the town does smell quite strongly of garlic

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cozy fantasy book about a young witch who has to do a ceremony on her 30th birthday to prove she deserves to retain her powers (which she first gained on her 15th birthday) and become a full member of her coven. Things go wrong from the beginning of her trial (including the fact she doesn't get the invitation until a couple days before her witch trial) and she doesn't exactly pass it. So the coven decides to give her a mentor to "train" her before she has to re-prove herself on Halloween.

The first part of the book was really slow for me, and I came close to DNF until about 40% in when she meets her mentor. This is actually when the book got really interesting for me. Because she's assigned a mentor who has been stripped of all his powers by the coven for using them to kill someone.

It's a cozy fantasy, so I don't think it's saying too much to say she gets her powers back. But there's a whole lot that happens before she does.

What really boggled down the book for me was her constant self-doubt. After a while I found the way she talked to herself really annoying, and am glad she finds a way to gain her confidence. Also I found the premise of a young witch having to learn their skills on their own without any help and then being tested on it annoying. No one learns skills like that without a teacher all along (would most musicians become good at their craft without a teacher? No!). I found that improbable and then getting mad at her when she hasn't developed her talent bothered me.

But still, the ending was a lot stronger than the beginning, and it made the book a good read in the end for me.

🪄 Bookish Thoughts
This was such a cozy and whimsical read. I immediately wanted to be besties with Certainty. She’s such a tender hearted soul, like the human version of a warm hug. This would be the perfect fall read to snuggle up with and sip a cup of tea.

At first, I had a hard time liking Aurelia, but once we get a glimpse into her childhood and how awful her parents were, it all made sense. I loved how Certainty slowly brought out her fun side and reminded her how to enjoy life again. Their dynamic was so sweet, and I adored watching their connection grow. I got a little worried near the end, but it all worked out.

And I absolutely loved all the quirky residents of Shpelling. Gertha was my favorite. I aspire to be her when I'm an old lady 🤣

This book also touches on political greed and how those in power always seem to be the ones “safeguarding” resources. In this case, magic. Even a small amount could have made a huge difference for the townspeople, but it was hoarded at the top. I was very happy with how it all ended.

☕ What to Expect
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Forced proximity
• Slow burn
• Found family
• Small magical village
• Catdragon 🥰😍

____
📅 Pub Date: October 14, 2025
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

I really have mixed feelings on this one. I really liked Leong's previous novel which was set in the same universe and part of that was how much I liked the main characters. I didn't connect as well to the main characters of this book. I liked Certainty, but I found Aurelia to almost feel like a YA character verses being in an adult novel. She had less of the subtlety I would expect from a deeper character.

Leong's writing is still good though, I enjoy her humor (well, except for one part at the very end that just squicked me out because it's a communal artifact!), and I like her side characters. I liked the revitalization of the village and Certainty finding her way with her magic.

One of the major issues I have with the novel, that felt more subtle and well realized in the first book even if it wasn't perfect there either, was the stuff with the Mage Guild. There was a Mage War many, many years ago and so a lot of people in rural areas don't trust mages, but the Mage Guild is sending, for all they know dangerous, artifacts out to one of these cities at one point and the townsfolk never got a say in that. Certainty points out to one of the townsfolk that the mage wars happened a long time before Certainty and Aurelia were born, implying that they shouldn't be held responsible for it, but also Aurelia seemed fully willing to take a house from one of the people at the beginning because mages are still totally allowed to do that. Sometimes the book just treats the whole situation as "The rural people just need to learn to like mages!" when mages obviously have laws that put them in the superior position. On top of that, the High Mage engages in some ethically dubious things that do not make me trust mages anymore. Yes, one of those things was narratively satisfying, but she does more than one thing and that doesn't change the dubiousness.

However, a lot of other reviewers really like this and so I would definitely recommend trying this book if you are in any way interested.

Novice Certainty has spent the last 6 years working to become a Mage. With her chance in sight, her biggest obstacle might just be the Mage she is assigned to work with.

This was a cute and fun read with lots of magical objects along with budding friendships and relationships. Certainity was a ball of positive energy and optimism throughout the book although she could be a tad naive at times. Aurelia had the best character development of the two and it was nice to see her grow as the story went on.
The village of Shpelling sounded quaint and by the end sounded like a lively and lovely little village!
I do with there had been a little more focus on the magical objects as I felt this was a little longer than necessary but without any real reason for it to be that long.

If you enjoyed the authors first book The Teller of Small Fortunes then you will definitely enjoy this one!

cute and cozy! I liked both Certainty and Aurelia as well as the supporting cast of villagers, even if the plot points were all a bit predictable

Leong (Teller of Small Fortunes) delivers a story just as charming and full of interesting characters in her second novel. A young mage and a not so young apprentice are sent on a seemingly simple assignment to inventory and store extra magical items. Add in a slowly fading village full of interesting residents, some of Schrodinger's cats, and of course the curiosity of the two magic users and of course nothing goes smoothly. Of course if it did, we wouldn't have a story. This is a great cozy fantasy with a bit of romance thrown in to sweeten the pot.
If you ever read and liked Piers Anthony's Xanth series then you will love some of these magical artifacts and their less than optimal effects..;)

I have to admit, I have been waiting restlessly for this e-ARC since Julie Leong first announced her new title. Having read and absolutely loved The Teller of Small Fortunes, I knew that Leong’s next installment – not a sequel, but set in the same universe – would be just as lovely.

In The Keeper of Magical Things, readers find themselves back in Eshtera, a kingdom in tentative peace-time, ruled by a non-magic queen but supported by the Guild of Mages. Our protagonist, Certainty Bulrush, is a novice at the Guild and hoping to earn her mage status despite her weak spellcasting ability. When the Guild needs her unique magical talent in order to safely inventory a stash of magical items, she’s sent off across the country to the town of Shpelling, along with Mage Aurelia – a formidable and mysterious figure. The two magic-wielders must work together to complete the inventory while facing less-than-enthusiastic townspeople and the meddling of a neighboring lord, all while facing growing feeling within themselves.

This book was such a fun read; Leong explores more of the beautifully built world that readers first encountered in The Teller of Small Fortunes, while weaving a tale about expectations, forging your own path, hope, and – of course – love. This book is perfect for lovers of cozy fantasy.

I really enjoyed this read! It was a great cozy fantasy, which has been doing super well in our library lately. I loved the LGBTQ+ representation. I found the whole cast of characters to be really charming, and I was so happy with the way it ended! My only critique is that it felt a bit rushed on the end of the romance itself. I wasn't a huge fan of it being a sudden realization of feelings for the main character. It felt a bit awkward at first that way, although I guess that does bring us in the feelings the characters probably had! I also wish we learned a bit more about Aurelia's life and past.

I thought that this was a fun fluffy read. I am not usually the biggest fan of cozy fantasy, but I enjoyed this story. I struggled a bit with the relationship because Aurelia just didn’t seem to have much depth. It felt a little forced. However, I am glad I finished it up because it ended up being very cute.

Thanks to NetGalley, Julie Leong, and Ace publishing for the eARC of The Keeper of Magical Things.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I say I love cozy fantasy, THIS is what I mean! The quaint village, the colorful cast of villagers, an adorable catdragon, and two women slowly falling in love while they catalog magical objects? What’s not to love?

I really loved the magical system in this book. Not all magic needs to be big and huge. I love the idea of minor magic, magic that doesn’t have an obvious purpose.

Not only that, but I really loved the relationship between Certainty and Aurelia. The development of their friendship and how that slowly leads to something more was truly so sweet to watch.

I really loved this story and will definitely be picking up a physical copy for myself when it hits the shelves!

The Keeper of Magical Things was a perfect cozy fantasy with interesting stakes and a really fun magic system! Certainty is a novice in training to be a mage, but her limited magical abilities have kept her from advancing. When her unique ability to speak with inanimate objects is required for an assignment in a small village, she is paired with Mage Aurelia, a powerful mage with an extremely superior attitude. Together they have to complete their assignment and try not to be too distracted by the goings-on of the village while they work.

I loved Certainty and her desire to help those around her and see the good in every situation. I'm always a sucker for a small town setting, especially when there are magical artifacts and winged cats involved! The plot was pretty far removed from the events of the Teller of Small Fortunes, but the cozy atmosphere and delightful cast of characters felt very much the same. I recommend this to fans of Legends and Lattes and A Psalm for the Wild-Built!

I had really enjoyed “The Teller of Small Fortunes” for its cozy and cute vibes, and “The Keeper of Magical Things” did not disappoint. Certainty and Aurelia are both interesting characters, they have flaws that are laid out; but not so obnoxiously that you have a difficult time sympathizing or relating to their problems. I don’t want to spoil anything in this review, but this is a character driven novel and all the characters are delightful to read about and follow on their journeys. If you want a cute, cozy little journey; this is the book for you!

This was such a cute read!

I picked up The Teller of Small Fortunes earlier this year and really enjoyed it, so I felt quite positive heading into The Keeper of Magical Things, which is a completely separate story that occurs within the same world as the previous book. I think it's safe to say that Leong's style of "cozy fantasy" works for me.

Leong presents characters that are relatable and easy to root for, which suits this type of story perfectly. I found Certainty and Aurelia to both be compelling characters, in very different ways, which works well for the progression of the story and their eventual budding romance. Though their approaches to life and general outlooks seem to be opposite, we eventually come to see that there is a beauty in the ability to balance ambition and compassion. This can be said for their personalities as well as their career paths as Mages (I won't go too deep into spoiler territory). I just wish we could've gotten half of this book from Aurelia's POV, it would've added an extra layer of depth to the story to see her own internal struggles and conflicting motivations as she becomes more deeply involved in Certainty's activities in Shpelling. I understand why her POV isn't included, but I still wish we could've seen it.

The actual plot of this book was good; I was expecting there to be a bit more involvement with the town but I wasn't disappointed. The pacing was okay though I felt it was a bit awkward at times. There were parts in the middle that dragged a bit whereas the last few chapters were quite fast-paced, not a dealbreaker however. The overall whimsy of the story and the authenticity of the characters make up for this in the end.

If you're looking for a heartwarming, fantastical, WLW read then this may be the one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this eARC.

A cozy fantasy that’s perfect for the upcoming fall season. There’s found family, honest relationships and the romance is secondary to the actual plot which I absolutely loved. And it’s a sapphic romance to boot? Say less

🌟🌟🌟 /5 stars

“Charming concept with lovely moments, but a bit too slow for me.”

*The Keeper of Magical Things* has all the ingredients for a comforting, cozy fantasy: a quiet town full of magical oddities, a sweet sapphic romance, and a catdragon (yes, really). Julie Leong’s writing has a gentle, lyrical quality that suits the slower pace, and the story is clearly written with care and heart.

I really enjoyed the premise—a young mage-in-training, Certainty Bulrush, sent to a remote village to catalog magical objects that “don’t matter,” only to find meaning, friendship, and something worth protecting. The magical artifacts were a highlight for me—charming, quirky, and surprisingly emotional.

That said, the pacing was a real challenge. The plot unfolds *very* slowly, and while the cozy vibe is intentional, I often found myself waiting for something more to happen. There were stretches that felt repetitive, and I had a hard time staying engaged. The romance between Certainty and Aurelia is tender but almost too understated—it felt like it never fully came into focus.

This book will work beautifully for readers who want a quiet, introspective fantasy about belonging and healing. It just wasn’t quite dynamic enough for my taste.

What worked for me:

* Strong emotional themes around self-worth and chosen family
* A great cast of side characters and a vividly magical setting
* The catdragon. It really is a delight.

What didn’t:

* Very slow pacing with minimal tension
* Romance and stakes that felt too muted to fully land

Overall: A sweet and thoughtful cozy fantasy with heartwarming ideas, but the execution didn’t fully keep my attention. I’d still recommend it to fans of *Legends & Lattes* or *Emily Wilde*, especially those looking for a low-stress, emotionally gentle read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Certainty Bulrush is a Novice Mage from a family farm. Her special power is the ability to communicate with "things'. Its not the kind of ability that will get her promoted to full Mage, but it is enough to get her assigned to a special project that will hopefully lead to a promotion. Certainty is assigned this task along with Mage Aurelia, often nicknamed the "ice queen" by Certainty's friends. It will take patience, understanding and self awareness for both Certainty and Aurelia to find their true strengths and so much more.

Some technical issues on my end prevented me from finishing this book but the part I got to read was a lovely follow-up to the author's previous book, Teller of Small Fortunes. Certainty Bulrush, who can speak to objects but can do almost no magic otherwise, calls to mind the ordinary, levelheaded protagonists of Terry Pratchett or T. Kingfisher. The interplay between her and the snobby-but-has-hidden-depths Mage Aurelia is a delight. And I'm a sucker for low fantasy that deals with the minutiae of living in a magical world - like being sent off to a tiny village to catalog lesser magical artifacts.

I look forward to getting to finish the story when the book releases!