I have to say, The Teller of Small Fortunes was a bit of a letdown for me. It was not bad by any stretch, but it definitely wasn't the book I thought it would be. I fully admit I may have set my expectations too high, but it doesn't change how I feel.

It starts slow. It took me about five chapters—long chapters, mind you—to really get into the story, and even then... something always felt off about it.

The lack of urgency around finding Mash's missing daughter, Leah, is frustrating, to say the least. In the beginning of the story, Mash believes his daughter was stolen by a group of bandits, yet he's content to follow around this fortune teller wherever she wants to go with no issue? He's fine staying in towns for longer than necessary? He and the others “rescue” Tao at the end with more urgency than they do searching for Leah. It's weird.

I feel like with a few tweaks to the story, this wouldn't have been an issue,

although I think scraping the missing daughter thing entirely would be for the best. The quest Mash and Silt are on should ideally be much more nebulous, like wanting to find treasure or something

.

All my other complaints are pretty minor, and small enough for me not to dock any points. I felt like the “found family” formed a little too quickly. This could have easily been remedied by rearranging the order of a couple events,

particularly making Tao reveal her backstory and have her subsequent breakdown before she decided to continue to travel with the group because she “wanted to be a part of something”

. I also didn't like how the government/Guild was portrayed.

You're telling me we find out the greedy and oppressive government just so happens to have the “best interests” of the people at heart after they practically kidnap Tao and keep their people in the dark about why they are raising taxes/seizing land and merchant goods? Sure, okay. And they just want to “avoid war” after coercing Tao to use her Greater Vision because they are “well-meaning bureaucrats”? Yeah right.

It's not something that truly diminished the story in any way, and it didn't affect my rating, but I did find it an odd inclusion. I believe it would have elevated the book if the author leaned into

the government/Guild actually being a bit evil, especially after how Tao had been treated her whole life.

 

For all my complaints, the book is not bad. The found family aspect—despite the small hiccup I listed above—is done exceptionally well. I really believe that these characters truly care for each other, and it was beautiful to watch those friendships form.

Silt and Kina's romantic relationship was also well done. It was refreshing to see Kina reject Silt at first and call him out on his bullshit. Both of them grow and change enough that you believe they actually like each other by the end.

The worldbuilding is absolutely stunning; I love how the author was able to incorporate the various people and towns that felt straight out of the British countrywide with amazing magical creatures like trolls and phoenixes without making any them feel stereotypical or like they didn't belong. I especially enjoyed the phoenix portion of the story as I found it so interesting and poignant. 

I found Tao's internal conflict to be quite touching as well.

Her struggle as a “daughter” of two nations that both feel like they don't want to claim her is very well done. Additionally, the way she feels like she has to play into Shinn stereotypes just to be accepted by people because that is what's “safe” to them is heartbreaking. The way that Tao is finally able to open up as her true self and not be alone anymore is very emotional (in a good way).

In general, the way the author portrays the “immigrant experience” made me reevaluate a lot of things. It makes reading the book worth it for that alone, in my opinion. 

I am going to leave you with my favorite quote from the book, and I feel like it will determine whether or not you'll like it. I encourage you to give this book a shot if you, like me, resonate with the words.