Reviewed by Jeanne
Tao is a travelling fortune teller, but will only tell “small
fortunes,”minor things that do make a difference but aren’t
life-changing--usually. Not only do major predictions take a lot out of her,
but they also draw unwanted attention. Tao
needs to keep a low profile, and that’s already difficult since she is a Shinn
woman in Esthera. Then a small prediction has greater consequences than she
expects, and she ends up with not one but two travelling companions: a mercenary and thief (possibly reformed), who
are not going to give up until her prediction comes true. . . if it does.
This was my choice for the “debut novel” for Book Bingo,
though it could have gone for “judging a book by its cover” for that enticing drawing
of a woman with a cat sitting on the steps of a brightly colored wagon under
the stars. The cover is an accurate one, because this is a charming tale indeed. I liked all the characters. Tao is a brave and determined young woman who
is trying to make her way in the world but is forced to keep a low profile or
risk being commandeered into the Guild. Mash, the soldier is seeking his
young daughter who was lost, probably kidnapped by raiders while his companion
Silt is just along for the ride. And
possibly to lift a few valuables.
Reforming is a process, not something one can do cold turkey. They are
soon joined by Leah, the baker’s apprentice, whose baked goods taste marginally
better than they look.
While I can’t say that this book broke new ground, it is a fun and cozy fantasy full of adventure, characters we enjoy rooting for, a dash of romance,
and family. Tao has more than a few
secrets of her own, and there’s a whole backstory to gradually unravel. Leong has some points to make and she does so
elegantly and without fanfare. There’s humor and heart in this book, and I’d be
ready to join in on another adventure should one be in the offing.
And yes, there is really a cat with a role to play!
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