Set in a fantasy world where the leaders of countries threaten war, and magic is either outlawed or mages are pressed to work for the Guild, this is a surprisingly warm and kind novel. Tao has fled her home and travels with her mule telling small fortunes, along the way she meets four companions and begins to form strong bonds of friendship, yet secrets from her past threaten them all. This has the feel of an epic adventure, and while the plot runs alongside a quest, the focus remains on the forming of family and friendship. Author Julie Leong has created characters with personalities that vibrate with authenticity, even if at first glance some may appear to be larger than life there are subtleties that ensured I felt connected to them all. It is the little things that really matter here, and they come together to form the most lovely story that attached to my heart and soul. The magic swims quietly in the background, ready to raise its head to remind you of its power. The unexpected heart-warming nature of this read ensured that I not only chose it as a Liz Pick of the Month, but also a LoveReading Star Book. Rewarding and oh-so satisfying The Teller of Small Fortunes is a gorgeously uplifting fantasy novel.
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SMALL FORTUNES. BIG FEELINGS. A cozy fantasy about trying to find yourself - and finding a family instead. Perfect for fans of Legends and Lattes, A Psalm for the Wild-Built and The House in the Cerulean Sea.
Fleeing a troubled past, immigrant fortune teller Tao roams the dusty countryside with only her mule for company, telling small fortunes, for small prices. Big fortunes come with big consequences . . . which she knows from bitter experience.
It's a lonely life, until she encounters an ex-mercenary and a (semi) reformed thief, who recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they're joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and - of course - a slightly magical cat.
Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as her friends break down her walls, the shadows of her past close in. Now, Tao must decide whether to risk everything to save the family she never thought she could have . . .
'Joyful, heartwarming and utterly charming' AMÉLIE WEN ZHAO
'The warmest, loveliest book' SANGU MANDANNA
'Will soothe your heart' SARAH BETH DURST
Author
About Julie Leong
Julie Leong is a Malaysian Chinese American fantasy author and startup exec. She grew up in New Jersey and also lived in Beijing, China for several years. She graduated from Yale University with degrees in Economics and Political Science and currently lives in San Francisco, California with her husband Drew, their rescue pup Kaya, and a magical Meyer lemon tree in the backyard that somehow always has ripe lemons.
