The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

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🔮 The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong – Adorable Fantasy, But… Yawn?

Confession: I wanted to LOVE this book. The author is Asian American (like me!) and wrote this while her father was battling cancer, so I came in rooting hard for it. But honestly? I found it… kinda boring. Sorry! It was cute, it was endearing, but it just didn’t hook me. Maybe I’ve just overdosed on fantasy lately (not even my fave genre).

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½/5
Genre: YA fantasy / adventure
Author: Julie Leong (debut novel!)
Published: 2024

⚠️ Trigger Warnings (TW)

  • Parental death & grief (Tao’s father, Mash’s missing daughter)

  • Child abduction/missing child (Leah’s storyline)

  • Xenophobia / prejudice (Tao faces discrimination)

  • Mild violence & danger (raiders, magical confrontations)

  • Abandonment trauma (Tao’s complicated family dynamics)

🚨 Spoiler Alert!

Full plot ahead — I’m spilling EVERYTHING. If you want to read fresh, grab it on Amazon here (affiliate link – helps me keep my blog caffeinated ☕).

🧵 What’s This Book About?

Set in the kingdom of Eshtera (medieval Europe vibes) and the empire of Shinara (China-inspired), this is about Tao, a traveling fortune teller who only reads “small fortunes” (like: “you’ll meet someone cute at the market”) and avoids “big visions” (aka catastrophic prophecies) because of a tragic mistake from her past.

Cue adventure, found family, a lost little girl, a lot of fortune cookies, and… a surprising amount of baking.

📖 Full Plot Summary (Spoilers)

Fortune Teller on the Road

Tao roams Eshtera telling fortunes, carefully avoiding the “big stuff.” She lands in the village of Necker, solves their goat crisis (by pretending she “saw” where they were, but she actually SAW where they were 🤣), and earns instant street cred.

Enter the Companions

On the road, Tao meets:

  • Mash, a grieving ex-mercenary searching for his kidnapped daughter Leah.

  • Silt, a silver-tongued ex-thief with big flirt energy.

  • Kina, a baker’s apprentice who joins them (and invents fortune cookies!).

The crew travels together, bonding over adventures (and snacks).

Bigger Problems Emerge

  • Tao faces prejudice for being Shinn.

  • A magefinder discovers Tao’s power and demands she serve the Crown.

  • Tao’s backstory drops: as a child, she foresaw her father’s death, couldn’t stop it, and blames herself.

The Phoenix Egg Quest

They’re hired to retrieve a magical treasure (a golden sphere) from the Splinthorn Woods — but surprise! It’s actually a phoenix egg. Instead of stealing it, they return it, angering their employer but gaining some karmic points.

Tao’s Big Vision Moment

Tao finally agrees to use her forbidden “greater vision” to help the Crown avoid war. She learns:

  • War with Shinara isn’t coming (phew).

  • A civil war in Shinara is brewing instead (uh-oh).

Happy Endings & Found Family

  • Tao bargains: she’ll help the Guild in exchange for a search for Leah.

  • The search works — Leah is found living with a kind seamstress after accidentally drifting away on a trader’s boat.

  • Emotional reunion with Mash’s family = tears + kitten gift (fulfilling Tao’s vision!).

  • The crew decides to keep adventuring together — fortune telling + baking + performance acts = their new gig.

🧠 Themes & Vibes

  • Small vs. Big Choices: Tao’s refusal to see “big fortunes” is about control vs. fate.

  • Found Family: Mash, Silt, Kina = chaotic, supportive crew.

  • Cultural Identity & Belonging: Tao navigates being “other” in Eshtera.

  • Hope & Healing: Everyone’s on their own grief journey.

😂 My Thoughts (aka Fantasy Burnout Is Real)

Okay, so:

  • Cute premise? Yes.

  • Fun characters? Yes.

  • Magical fortune-telling with fortune cookies? Adorable.

But… also? Flat pacing. I never felt urgency, and the stakes felt small (appropriately “small fortunes,” I guess?). If you’re burnt out on fantasy, this might feel more like a cozy meander than a page-turner.

Final Verdict: 3.5/5 — Sweet, but sleepy. Great if you want gentle fantasy vibes rather than high drama.

📚 If You Liked The Teller of Small Fortunes…

  • The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill (cozy, cute fantasy)

  • Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (fantasy + food + chill vibes)

  • The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh (Asian-inspired myth with heart)

🛒 Where to Buy

Get The Teller of Small Fortunes on Amazon (affiliate link – helps me buy more books I complain about lovingly).

Final Thoughts

I wanted to love this book more than I did — but hey, not every read is going to blow us away. It’s still a sweet debut with charming moments and a loveable cast. If you’re craving wholesome fantasy with fortune cookies and kittens? This is your jam.

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