Synopsis:

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 sets 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 are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

Review:

What a lovely, lovely book. I don’t know about you, but I for one am so happy with the recent uptick in the amount of cosy fantasy being published of late.

In this, we follow Tao, a wandering fortune teller who finds herself collecting some unexpected companions as she travels through villages, never staying in one place for too long. As the company moves along their journey, Tao is forced to face her past or risk losing the family she never thought she would find.

This is one of the most delightful books I have read in a while – Leong has really understood what makes a perfect cosy fantasy. From beginning to end this book is a warm blanket, even through the scenes where conflict arises.

Alongside the found-family cosiness, this novel tells us that it’s okay to be exactly who you want to be so long as you try your best. You don’t have to be powerful or have fancy titles. Just you, as you are, is absolutely enough. Each of the characters slowly developed as they came to learn this and it was such a lovely thing to read.

We also explore the immigrant experience – Tao is a Shinn and she faces prejudice as she travels through Eshtera. This could have made her bitter, but it has done the opposite. She just wants to do good, and she comes to be proud of her culture and who she is.

Anyone who loved Legends & Lattes, or A Psalm for the Wild-Built will love this story. It’s easily one of the best things I’ve read this year. Cosy, hopeful and filled with love, it’s the perfect read for a rainy autumn day.

Out on November 5, 2024.

Thank you so much to @hodderscape for sending me an ARC of this to review.