Fans of Legends and Lattes and This Will Be Fun will love this cozy adventure fantasy.

Tao is an immigrant, one of very few, it seems, from a rival nation. As such, she sticks out like a sore thumb wherever she goes (and is sometimes shooed out for that reason). But, she is determined to travel her way around the country, telling her small fortunes - she can see little things that'll happen in the future. She'd rather that than go home. Because home isn't quite home to her.

I loved Tao's quiet character. Despite her seeming like a pillar of independence, you can feel her loneliness and craving for love and a place to land. That comes in the form of people - Mash and Silt, friends on a mission to find Mash's daughter; Kina, a baker who makes ugly pastries and is unsure what her goals are in life; and Fidelitus, a curious cat who likes stealing their food. I adored this cast of characters and reading about their little adventure felt like a giant hug. The stakes are mostly low, the vibes are super cozy and mundane, while still having nice fantastical elements to it.

I also appreciated the dialogue around immigration and racism, about feeling out of place even though you've been somewhere for so long, and the loss of identity for a place that was left long ago. I loved how Tao found a place for herself despite these feelings and the judgement of others and how she and her compatriots helped others find their place at the end. It was all so heartwarming and I truly enjoyed my adventure with them.

TW: racism, lost child, alcohol consumption, micro-aggressions, violence, death of a parent

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 4.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5
Overall: 5/5

ARC gifted by Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.