The Teller of Small Fortunes — Julie Leong

Tao is the teller of small fortunes and, more importantly, the teller of true fortunes. A talent which, on the face of it, you’d think would make Tao popular. Unfortunately, after a day or two the novelty of having your fortune come to pass wears off, and Tao’s customers start wondering about what else the seer sees…Forcing Tao to move on, yet again.

Alone.

Until a tree, a stray fortune, and a quest create a troop of unlikely adventurers, changing the path of Tao’s life and theirs.

Okay, Here’s the Thing: I give The Teller of Small Fortunes 4.5 out of 5 stars. Leong’s story is bright, engaging, enjoyable, and a well-paced read. Moreover, I would recommend The Teller of Small Fortunes to anyone wanting something nice to read on a snowy winter’s night, snuggled beneath a cozy patchwork quilt with a mug of cocoa (perhaps laced with their favorite liqueur) at their elbow.

It’s a good story.

It’s just not a unique one — AND — that’s okay.

Perhaps it’s the number of D&D campaigns I’ve been watching on YouTube as of late or the fact that I’ve been reading fantasy novels of one variety or another since I was ten years old. Either way, the elements within The Teller of Small Fortunes‘s story fall squarely into the realm of things I’ve seen in other stories. Not once, not twice, but many times, and there’s a reason why — because they work: a main quest, a couple of side quests, the grind of keeping body & soul together, and a sacrifice to see things through — are all integral pieces of this style of fantasy novel.

What makes these standard components shine is Leong’s writing.

Warm and rich, her characters are multi-faceted and interesting, and I became invested in them and their futures as I read. Even better, the book has a satisfying ending (which cannot always be said). And if Leong writes another adventure for this band of adventurers, you can bet your bottom dollar I’m going to stand in line on release day and snap the second book in the series up. 

(Please let there be a second book?! )

(*Gazing beseechingly up at the publishing/book deities and muses of inspiration.*)