The Teller of Small Fortunes

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong, 336 pages

Tao has long been estranged from her mother and stepfather, choosing to wander the countryside telling "small fortunes" instead of facing a constrained life of magical education. As an immigrant, she's gotten odd looks as she travels farther from the border to her homeland, but it never really bothered her. Still, when an almost-former thief and a man looking for his kidnapped daughter join her on her travels, she welcomes the company and security they provide. Soon they pick up an apprentice baker and a vaguely magical cat, and begin searching for the man's kidnapped daughter in earnest. However, interference from government magicians and the threat of war with Tao's home country force Tao to return home and face her fears with her estranged mother.

This is a lovely found-family cozy fantasy, and just right for an escape from *waves hands broadly at the world*. Did it all make a lot of sense? Not necessarily. But it sure was fun anyway. Definitely reading more of Leong's books.

The Teller of Small Fortunes

 The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong, 336 pages.

Tao leads a solitary life; she travels from village-to-village with her mule and wagon, telling small fortunes which always come true. Her life may be lonely, but it is freer than the life she is fleeing, and she considers it good enough. That is until a chance run-in with a theoretically reformed thief and a former mercenary pulls her into the search for a lost child. Add a baker with a craving for seeing the world and a grumpy black cat, and Tao starts to keenly feel the companionship she has been lacking. 

This was a very cute, cozy fantasy. I don't think I've read enough books lately about the power of friendship, and this book nestled comfortably into that nook. That being said, there was enough conflict (both external and interpersonal) to feel like the book was going somewhere, and to make me excited to see what came next! This was a phenomenal debut novel, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading Leong's new book (which seems to be set in the same world) next time I'm looking for a cozy book.