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Welcome to the The Teller of Small Fortunes Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on June 1st and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 06/01
1st: chapters 1-3

Week of 06/02
2nd: chapters 4-5
3rd: chapters 6-7
4th: chapters 8-9
5th: chapters 10-11
6th: chapters 12-13
7th: chapters 14-16
8th: chapters 17-19

Week of 06/09
9th: chapters 20-end


PARTICIPANTS
~ Heloise
~ Sarah-Vanessa

Chapter 1-3
This is lovely so far. The characters - although some of suspicious nature - are adorable. If I could summarize the first 3 chapters it’s just awww�
And Tao obviously is a very smart and clever woman. The advice she was giving Esther was definitely wise.
I so far believe this is going to be a whimsical cozy read, but who knows.

Chapter 1-3
I was a bit skeptical at first, with Tao wandering around different villages, wondering what possibly could happen next, because I went into this book blind. But I must say, I'm intrigued!

Up until the demonstration of her powers, I thought Tao was a fake fortune teller, but I'm glad to see that there's magic involved right from the start.

I really enjoyed chapter 3! The introduction of two new characters is well done and really makes me want to know more.

Hi, I would like to join this Buddy Read

I'm up to chapter 3 and this feels so cozy, one feels welcome in this world straight away and I can't wait to find out more about the land Tao is travelling as well as the magic system.
Also Tao and her two new companions would certainly make for an intriguing found-friends/family-completely-by-accident kind of group

@Héloise I also thought she’s a fake fortune teller, so definitely a nice surprise.

@Juliane Happy to have you joining this buddy read. They indeed are an entertaining and enjoyable little group.

Chapter 4-5
These chapters slightly took away some of the magic of Tao‘s road trip. I honestly imagined her on this idyllic journey from town to town experiencing a new adventure and lots of interesting encounters. To read the real reason she doesn’t stay in one place for longer than two days, is really sad.

And who else already loves Kina?

Chapter 4-5
Having read the author's letter in my edition, I suspected that she would pass on her experience to Tao. Still, it broke my heart. I'm glad that, even if she's reticent, she'll probably find a family in the three strange characters who now accompany her.

Kina seems so cute! I just hope the second hand embarrassment will stop whenever I read Silt trying to make a move lmaoo

Chapter 6-7
The last companion has arrived! A big smile appeared on my lips when I saw that there was a cat.

I admit I struggled a bit with Kina in those chapters because she pushed Silt quite hard, asking him all those questions, even though they hadn't known each other that long and she should have realised she was making him feel uncomfortable. So she did annoy me a bit in that regard.

Other than that, I feel sorry for Tao and for Mash. I hope Leah is well.

Chapter 6-7
@Héloise Yes, the excitement couldn’t be bigger, a cat! Fits perfectly.
Kina indeed was sort of pushy with Silt. I wonder for what reason. And somehow I can’t shake the feeling Silt knows something about the disappearance of Leah. But probably I‘m wrong.

Till the end of chapter 11

So I guess that offer for a treasure hunt is at worst a trap at best a scam, there are so many red flags in that offer but its understandable why our travellers might not see another way out.

I wonder if there is a chance that Mashs daughter has been returned home by chance and Mash might not know about it yet. He probably wouldn't find out until returning home because a messenger might not find him on the road.

Taos story is so painful, such a young child being left alone with such a huge feeling of grief and responsibility for someone elses life.

"All cats are slightly magical..." No truer words ever spoken, And Fidelitus can even hold his own in a bar fight 😂

Also the image of the stone troll in the nunnery is hilarious.

Chapter 9 - 11
@Juliane You’re so right about the treasure hunt. This isn’t a good idea at all.

I too felt sad about Taos story. It hurts so bad how she had to leave everything she lived so much behind. Her language, her tradition, everything she loved. Her mother just did everything to please her new husband without even caring for her daughters needs.


Kina inventing a fortune teller cookie was hilarious. As well as @ Juliane mentioned imagining a troll in a monastery.

Cats definitely are magical creatures and Fidelitus is adorable and smart.

Till chapter 11
I didn't really like Kina's reaction to Silt and his feelings. Confronting him in front of everyone was a bad move. Luckily the tension didn't last for several chapters�

Honestly, it makes me sad to see Tao getting racist remarks in every chapter.

I have to get on with the treasure hunt chapters and I'm afraid of the ambush that awaits the four friends�

Chapters 12-13
When I read that there was a treasure quest, I have to say that I wasn't expecting to see this mythical creature. I know it's part of the folklore, but I was expecting bandits or a large animal, but certainly not a phoenix! And I certainly didn't expect them to « need » to steal this.

Chapter 13 is short but pretty surprising. I didn't think Tao would go to the guild on her own!

Chapters 14-16
Chapter 16 shocked me, it almost made me forget everything I'd read in the previous two chapters.

The ‘reconciliation� between Tao and her mother was necessary and long overdue. I'm glad to see that Tao's mother has apologised for the way she treated her daughter while she was grieving. Even if it's difficult, I think it's important to pay attention to the living, to those who remain, instead of shutting ourselves away in sadness. Obviously it's not easy, but when the person left behind is your daughter, I think it's doubly important to look after her, especially when she's also grieving.

Nice to see Kina, Silt and Mash trying to rescue Tao. Thank goodness for cats tho!

Till the end
Okay I devoured the last chapters. I was eager to finish the book and I was not disappointed. I loved how everything came together perfectly.

I'd never really read cozy fantasy, where there aren't huge stakes, even if there are important subjects addressed (and in this case a missing little girl to be found), and where you let yourself be guided as the chapters go by.

Before the last chapters, I wasn't sure what my rating would be, I was hesitating between 3.5 and 4 stars.

In the end, it's a 4-star rating, for the characters, the found family, the different sequenced chapters and the author's personal story laid bare in this first book.

Till the end of chapter 17

@ Heloise I agree regarding the schocking impact of chapter 16
The way Taos vision was handled was really quite heavy.
I guess this was the biggest stakes in the whole story and it really packed a punch, even if it hadn't concerned Taos home country the vision would have still been so traumatizing.

I admire Taos decision to go to the mage guild and I think the way it was resolved, her helping with a vision and being able to negotiate her way out of it, was really well done.

The way Taos meeting with her mother was written was really quite beautiful and felt like a big step towards some form of healing.

Till the End

Aw this was so cute, Sister Gravel as well as the ending for the shop owner who helped Tao were absolutely perfect.

The idea with the mirror gifted to Taos mother was so wonderful.

And it was fun the way they found a resolution for them all staying together and travelling through the country, the way everybody found their strength to participate and find a calling in their lifes.

Chapter 12 - 16
My final mission for today: finishing this book.
@Heloise you’re so right about the impact of cats. What a live saver! Didn’t expect the Phoenix either, but really loved that chapter. It was whimsical, beautiful and really showed the pure nature of this group. They could’ve just grabbed that egg�

Chapter 16 was tough totally agreed. I don’t particularly like the high magician. The way she tried to manipulate Tao into telling the future without asking something in return. I guess that’s how you do politics, but I‘m glad Tao saw right through that.

The scenes between Tao and her mom were heartbreaking, but still somehow beautiful. Tao needed to hear all of that, although it came quite late. But better late then never.

Chapter 17 - The End

@Juliane @Heloise I couldn’t have said it better. I Agree with both of you. The epilogue with Sister Gravel had me laughing out loud.

This was wonderful, whimsical, adorable and beautiful. Soul warming. So definitely 4 stars. The found family, the character building, the humor and the way everything turned out in the end. Although lots of solutions seemed to happen by luck, it must have been fate in the end. A wonderful cozy fantasy story with lots of heart. Can’t wait for the second book.

I’m glad it was a good read for all of us! Thank you for doing this buddy read, it was fun to hear your thoughts 😊