Review: The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Long
Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells “small” fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences…
Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary 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 starts down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past close in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.
Review:
Dear Julie Leong,
Your book was my bookclub selection couple of months ago. I spent a few pleasant hours with the story. I was so glad that I was able to get a book from the library though because the book that costs $12.99 is an expensive one. I liked the main character, I identified with the idea that while your new country becomes your home, your heart remembers an old one too even if the old one did not treat you too well. I was also intrigued and wanted to know whether Tao truly had talent or was just pretending, because in the beginning she tells a small fortune to the little boy because she figured out how to find the goats he lost, not because she truly *saw* it. I never thought her a charlatan, I just wondered whether she was a good hearted person who wanted to help people deal with their everyday problems that way, or she truly had a powers of prediction.
Honestly though first twenty – thirty percent of the book bored me. I wondered if Tao – wondering around the country just telling people their fortunes – will be the whole plot. Of course when she meets people who become her friends and then her found family, the story became more interesting to me and I liked that Tao wanted to help someone who was in real distress (a father who was looking for a lost child) and that story became quite powerful for this reader.
Do not get me wrong, the book is first and foremost a cozy fantasy and stakes never became too high in my opinion, but to me the author overall managed to tell a story that touched my heart.
And since this is a cozy fantasy, of course food plays important role. Be prepared for unusual baking creations and fortune cookies ;-)
Grade: B/ B-
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I’ve always been intrigued by the book’s cover. The perspective of an immigrant’s story makes it sound even better. Thanks.
@Darlynne: The cover with the cat caught my eye and got me interested in reading it. The sequel also has a great cover.
@Darlynne: I do so hope it works :)@Jayne: If I manage the library I will try to read it. This is not the book I want an instant gratification on :), even if I would like to read it :)
I wanted to like this one but it just didn’t work for me, but I think I’m just not a cozy fantasy person. I am allergic to twee. But the cover is gorgeous and for lovers of the genre, it might work? Was surprised there is a sequel, it felt very standalone to me.
I just read book 2 and really enjoyed it, although I choose to skip this one (don’t remember why).
The Keeper of Magical Things worked great as a standalone and it was maybe my favorite cozy fantasy that I’ve read so far. Cute but not twee (with a couple exceptions) and a low key but satisfying Sapphic romance.
@Tanya: It felt very standalone to me too. I actually cannot read several cozies in a row – recently I read two or three in a row and got a bit bored and tired of all the food and sweetness, but to take a breath in between “meatier” reads, I do enjoy that.@Cleo: Thank you! I am trying for a library hold.
@Sirius: I also just realized when placing a hold that the couple in the second book is different, so it is more like a stand alone book in the same world right?
Thanks for your review, Sirius. I read a portion of this but put it down when it wasn’t keeping my attention. I might give it another try (…or not).