Fairyloot Adult #34: November 2024
My second overdue book box is this one from my Fairyloot Adult subscription, namely the November box. I received this one in the penultimate week of November.
The theme of the month was Fortunes Found with a book that would be perfect for readers of cozy fantasy who enjoy found family, friendship, and self-discovery.
This book was The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong:
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.
I’m really intrigued by the recent explosion of cozy fantasy, but at the same time I’m incredibly wary of overhyped books. The poster child for this genre is Legends & Lattes, and because it’s so popular I’ve been studiously ignoring it. This one seems to be less popular. I haven’t heard many people talking about it yet, at least. The blurb sounds interesting. It reminds me a bit of Into the Woods, but that’s probably because of the addition of a baker, lol.
The cover of the Fairyloot edition has a completely new design compared to the standard edition. Many of the elements are similar, and yet it feels completely different. I really like the soft pink main colour with the green lanterns. Both covers radiate similar vibes, and yet I find the Fairyloot one more to my taste. Less cartoonish, more cozy. Maybe the cat has something to do with it 😉
On the other side of the cover we get another alternative cover option, featuring a unique illustration by @gukkhwa. It’s a really fun illustration, but I’m glad it wasn’t chosen as the new cover, because I’m not feeling it 100%.
The hardcover itself is also really beautifully executed in the same soft pink color as the cover. On the front we get the travel wagon that was missing on the cover, on the back more of the green lanterns. I am really a fan of this execution and the gold foil gives everything an extra luxurious look. Top!
And yes, Fairyloot went for the full package again, with matching sprayed book block. Gorgeous! The gradient of pink combined with different elements of the cover is absolutely perfect!
Inside, we get two more illustrations on the endpapers by @gukkhwa, enriched with more gold foil.
The book also comes with a bonus chapter and a bound-in letter from the author with digital signature.
Fairyloot stays true to its high quality with this edition! A truly unique copy, that completely distinguishes itself from the standard edition, but still stays true to the original vision. A true gem, in my eyes!
Cheers,
Charlotte
