I obtained a evaluation copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluation and all opinions are my very own.

The Keeper of Magical Issues by Julie Leong

Mogsy’s Ranking: 4 of 5 stars

Style: Fantasy

Sequence: Stand Alone

Writer: Ace (October 14, 2025)

Size: 368 pages

Writer Info: Web site

I used to be a giant fan of Julie Leong’s The Teller of Small Fortunes and admittedly went into The Keeper of Magical Issues with excessive expectations. However whereas I’ll say I loved the previous only a smidgen extra, this one nonetheless captures the identical enchanting vibe. The story unfolds on a smaller scale and at a gentler tempo, however for those who’re on the lookout for a heartfelt and comfortable fantasy, you’ve come to the suitable place.

Our story follows a younger novice of the Guild of Mages named Certainty. Though she has a quite distinctive and helpful reward—the power to “converse” to things and study their histories and properties—Cert has spent years ready for her massive break, the second she’ll lastly be acknowledged as a full-fledged mage. That probability arrives when she’s unexpectedly assigned to help Aurelia, a strong and considerably intimidating mage with a status for being tough to work with. Collectively, they’re tasked with transporting a trove of magical relics to the unassuming backwater village of Shpelling, the place the gadgets will likely be secured and catalogued.

However the job quickly proves to be extra difficult than both of them realized. For one, the folks of Shpelling are cautious of outsiders, particularly mages, and their chilly reception makes the already delicate process of dealing with highly effective relics even trickier. However as Certainty and Aurelia start uncovering the secrets and techniques behind the magical objects, each revealing a narrative of its personal, they begin to see how their work may really profit the townsfolk and breathe new life into the village. Alongside the best way, the 2 ladies additionally study extra about one another, their guarded partnership slowly softening into mutual respect, and maybe creating into one thing even deeper.

What stands out most in The Keeper of Magical Issues are its characters. As a protagonist, Certainty is an absolute gem. Her magic could also be modest, however her empathy, curiosity, in addition to her willingness to adapt to altering circumstances make her immediately endearing and simple to root for. Aurelia, in the meantime, begins as quite standoffish and takes some time to heat as much as, however her work ethic and professionalism are qualities worthy of respect. Because the story unfolds, nevertheless, each ladies start to disclose extra of themselves, with their dynamic evolving superbly over the course of the novel. Theirs is a quiet, character-driven relationship arc that feels satisfying, full of moments massive and small that discover their particular person motivations and vulnerabilities.

That stated, I nonetheless usually discovered myself wishing their relationship had remained platonic, as I imagine the story would have labored simply as effectively—if not higher—with out the dramatics of romantic pressure. In truth, it’s actually a testomony to Leong’s skills in writing a plausible friendship because the gradual belief and companionship that kinds between Certainty and Aurelia are sturdy sufficient on their very own, and the emotional payoff of the 2 of them discovering a standard floor by way of mutual respect and shared objective already carries loads of weight. The romance, whereas candy, really considerably disrupts the rhythm that made their partnership so compelling.

I additionally need to discuss concerning the setting of Shpelling, the place a lot of the ebook takes place—and the place the center of the story actually lies. Shut your eyes and you’ll see it: the proper, sleepy, magic-faded type of village the place tales like these are supposed to develop. A spot of garlic farms and sensible townsfolk, it’s the place life strikes at its personal tempo and the place everybody is aware of everybody else’s enterprise. Leong’ method to magic positively leans in direction of whimsy right here, with speaking teapots and winged cat-dragons. It’s gentle, charming, and surprisingly comforting the best way all of it feels tangible and lived in, the type of cozy fantasy setting that invitations you to linger and absorb its heat with a steaming cup of tea.

To be trustworthy, it’s exhausting to seek out something to critique. With a ebook like this, you come to it realizing what to anticipate, and that’s precisely the attraction. Some readers may really feel the story lacks urgency or large-scale battle, and certain, the plot by no means fairly reaches high-stakes depth, even when livelihoods are at stake, since you already know there must be a contented ending. The romance is nice and stays safely predictable. The village’s transformation, although heartwarming, unfolds at an off-the-cuff, measured tempo. In brief, the ebook is cozy and comforting quite than edge-of-your-seat—however that’s exactly the purpose.

In conclusion, I nonetheless desire The Teller of Small Fortunes, which had a tad extra narrative breadth—however solely by a little bit. For those who’re on the lookout for one thing comparable in tone, however maybe smaller in scope and sweeter, The Keeper of Magical Issues is a stunning selection. I might extremely advocate this to followers of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst or the Tomes & Tea collection by Rebecca Thorn, or anybody who enjoys cozy fantasy that’s equal components allure, coronary heart, and located household.