A review by srivalli
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

 3.5 Stars 

One Liner: Lovely cover, decent content

Tao is a nomadic fortune teller. She prefers to move from one place to another, not staying anywhere long enough to attract unwanted attention. As a teller of small fortunes, she makes just enough money to keep her wagon and the mule. For her, this life is much better than what she left behind. 

When Tao’s small fortune ends up something bigger, she has to accept two men accompanying her. An ex-mercenary and a reformed thief on a hunt to find a lost child tag along with Tao who is used to being alone. The group increases when a young baker and a magical cat join her. 

It’s almost too much for Tao to handle them all but maybe this is her chance to find the family she wanted! 

The story comes in Tao’s third-person POV. 

My Thoughts:

Cozy fantasies are easy reads as the books are usually shorter and don’t have intense stuff. The premise here sounded mellow yet adventurous, and the beautiful cover was enough to make me request the book. 

There’s no denying the cozy vibe despite the darkish themes. While the found family is the central theme, the book also deals with immigration, power battles, prejudice, war, privileged vs. poor, grief, and so on. These are woven into the plot and don’t feel off or deliberate. 

The lack of romance for the main character is actually a plus here. I’m relieved that there's no unwanted love track to mess up the MC’s arc. This is a book about friendship and found family. That’s where it stays (though there are a few undercurrents for the side characters). 

However, I do wish the main character’s arc was explored in a little more depth. Maybe coz it’s a cozy fantasy, many elements seem to get surface-level treatment. It works in some instances but not all the time. 

This would have been 4 stars if the world-building was more concrete. The whole thing is quite vague – countries that don’t like each other, past feuds, fragile peace, etc. However, I’m not sure about the religious aspect either. A place that’s called a church doesn’t sound like one and seems to have a mix of older gods as well. Then, there’s mistrust in those who don’t follow the Mother (and her Son). It gives partial Christian vibes, and I’m not sure if I got it right. 

The magical powers could also have been presented in more detail with a few scenes with other Mages, etc., showcasing how their talents work. The whole thing feels vaguely familiar but unknown. 

The last quarter picks up pace and also ups the entertainment level. This may or may not be for everyone as it feels like the resolutions are quick and easy. I liked it since that’s how the cozy element works. Things don’t escalate much and diffuse quickly. 

To summarize, The Teller of Small Fortunes is a heartwarming story about finding oneself, searching for a home, and making new friends. The narrative is slowish and sweet. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheTellerOfSmallFortunes 

 

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