US cover of The Isle of Lonely Monsters by Julie Leong
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The Isle of Lonely Monsters

Release date: January 19, 2027 (US)

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A monster hunter who secretly runs a sanctuary for the very creatures she pursues must form an unlikely alliance with a sorcerer in this profound and moving novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Keeper of Magical Things.

When villagers in the Crownless Kingdom find themselves beset by winged or wicked creatures, they call on Meixin the monster hunter and her trusty hound to rid them of the beasts for a bit of coin. What they don’t know is this: Meixin rescues more monsters than she kills—most of them are just misunderstood—and brings them home to a hidden island sanctuary where they can live in peace.

And where Meixin too can hide away from prying eyes, and keep her biggest secret: the one that explains why she understands what it is to be called a monster all too well.

Faran the Green is an upstart sorcerer with something to prove and someone to find. When a magical reward is offered to anyone who can find the rumored last dragon in the kingdom, he decides to win it—by seeking out the services of a reclusive, yet renowned monster hunter: Meixin.

At first, Meixin wants to refuse the charmingly earnest sorcerer, until she realizes that she can use Faran to find the dragon for her own purposes. As their partnership deepens into something more, she wonders if she has finally found someone who might accept her for who—and what—she really is.

But when their hunt threatens to expose her sanctuary and her secrets, she must choose a side—man or monster—in this captivating, poignant, and tenderly hopeful fantasy about finding acceptance and belonging in a world built to keep people apart.

Praise for The Isle of Lonely Monsters

“The Isle of Lonely Monsters is one of the loveliest books I’ve read, an absolute treasure of storytelling that is going to linger in my heart always. Julie Leong has woven real magic using gorgeous language, deeply interesting characters, and a world that feels as spellbinding as moonlight. I truly can’t recommend this highly enough! It deserves all praise.”
— India Holton
USA Today bestselling author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
“Vivid, heartwarming, and rife with adventure, The Isle of Lonely Monsters is an absolutely riveting read. I was swept up in Meixin and Faran’s quest to find the last living dragon as they confronted their growing bond, painful family ties, and the shared loneliness of humans and monsters. Every monster on the isle has a place in my heart.”
— Sara Hashem
USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Jasad Heir
“Contemplative and captivating… a gem of a cosy fantasy about a reserved monster-hunter, her found family of monsters, and the gentle sorcerer who has to seek her help. With its richly imagined world steeped in folklore, its tender romance, and its themes of belonging, this book has my whole heart.”
— Genoveva Dimova
author of Foul Days
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A wandering fortune teller finds an unexpected family in this cozy fantasy debut, hailed as “perfection…a beautiful treasure of a book that will warm your heart and heal your soul.”—Sarah Beth Durst, Author of The Spellshop

“The warmest, loveliest book I’ve read in ages.”—Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches.

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 starts 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 close in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

The Teller of Small Fortunes

—— USA Today & Sunday Times Bestseller ——

★ USA Today Bestseller ★

★ Sunday Times Bestseller ★

★ Amazon Editor’s Pick ★

★ BookPage Best SFF of 2024 ★

“If you're running a little low on serotonin, trust me: brew yourself a hot drink, curl up with this treasure of a tale, and thank me later! It's the warmest, loveliest book I've read in ages.”
— Sangu Mandanna
National bestelling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
“Joyful, heartwarming, and utterly charming... a cup of hot (fortune-telling) tea straight to the soul. Readers will delight in this whimsical, healing tale.”
— Amélie Wen Zhao
New York Times & international bestselling author of Song of Silver, Flame Like Night
“Warm, welcoming, and endlessly inventive, The Teller of Small Fortunes feels like being invited in for tea with a dear friend (and expert storyteller!). An utter and complete delight to read.”
— Grace D. Li
New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief
“A lovely cosy fantasy about tiny fortunes, baked goods, ugly cats, and all of the small things that matter.”
— Olivia Atwater
author of Half a Soul
“The Teller of Small Fortunes is a warm and lovely book that will soothe your heart. Its gentleness and coziness are such a delightful gift.”
— India Holton
International bestselling author of The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels
“It's such a delight when a book is every bit as wonderful as you hope it will be. This is a beautiful treasure of a book that will warm your heart and heal your soul.”
— Sarah Beth Durst
New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop
“...a curative journey of found friendship and diaspora feels, steeped in so much kindness that even the most cynical of readers will not be able to resist its charms.”
— Eliza Chan
#1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Fathomfolk
“...very funny and incredibly charming. I found it impossible not to fall in love with this crew. If you loved Legends & Lattes but wanted more plot and feels, this book is perfect for you. I adored it!”
— Frances White
Sunday Times bestselling author of Voyage of the Damned
“...an absolute delight from start to finish. Settle in for a cozy, heartwarming journey full of twists and turns, found family, and appreciating the little things alongside the big ones. This book is a true joy.”
— Genevieve Gornichec
author of The Witch's Heart
“Lovely and sweet and comforting. But the most beautiful part was how it was not only about found family, but about finding your way back to your family.”
— Quenby Olson
author of the Miss Percy Guide series
“The Teller of Small Fortunes is such a palate cleanser... a world resplendent with charm, gentleness, reconciliation and love. There were many joyous cathartic tears shed. I adored every minute of it!”
— A.Y. Chao
Sunday Times bestselling author of Shanghai Immortal
“A wonderfully warm, cozy, and immersive fantasy adventure that left me brimming with happiness.”
— Stephanie Burgis
author of Scales & Sensibility
“...a breath of fresh air...the epitome of what I think of when I hear 'cosy fantasy.'”
— S.A. MacLean
Sunday Times bestselling author of The Phoenix Keeper
“A warmhearted, often cozy story about telling fortunes--and sometimes, stealing them. A delight.”
— John Wiswell
Nebula-winning author of Someone You Can Build A Nest In
“Tender-hearted and filled with love... The Teller of Small Fortunes will make you believe in the magic of found families and second chances.”
— Georgia Summers
Sunday Times bestselling author of The City of Stardust
“...a deeply endearing and entertaining fantasy road trip. Charming, relatable, and tender, The Teller of Small Fortunes will delight readers looking for their next cozy adventure.”
— Maiga Doocy
author of Sorcery and Small Magics
“As comforting as the scent of freshly baked bread, this is a hug in book form and the perfect comfort read... whimsical, cosy perfection and I loved every second of it.”
— Nadia El-Fassi
author of Best Hex Ever
“A charming tale with a big heart...an utterly delightful debut.”
— Genoveva Dimova
author of Foul Days
“Like one of those lift-you-off-the-ground, ribcage-cracking hugs—dizzyingly delightful, a little painful, and so incredibly therapeutic.”
— Jules Arbeaux
author of Lord of the Empty Isles
"It's the book version of a warm cup of tea, with the perfect mix of adventure, found family, and heart.”
— Amy Avery
author of The Longest Autumn

Praise for The Teller of Small Fortunes:

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Waterstones (UK)
Amazon UK

An almost-mage discovers friendship—and maybe something more—in the unlikeliest of places in this delightfully charming novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Teller of Small Fortunes.


Certainty Bulrush wants to be useful—to the Guild of Mages that took her in as a novice, to the little brother who depends on her, and to anyone else she can help. Unfortunately, her tepid magic hasn’t proven much use to anyone. When Certainty has the chance to earn her magehood via a seemingly straightforward assignment, she takes it. Nevermind that she’ll have to work with Mage Aurelia, the brilliant, unfairly attractive overachiever who’s managed to alienate everyone around her.

The two must transport minorly magical artifacts somewhere safe: Shpelling, the dullest, least magical village around. There, they must fix up an old warehouse, separate the gossipy teapots from the kind-of-flaming swords, and above all: avoid complications. The Guild’s uneasy relationship with citizens is at a tipping point, and the last thing needed is a magical incident.

Still, as mage and novice come to know Shpelling’s residents—and each other—they realize the Guild’s hoarded magic might do more good being shared. Friendships blossom while Certainty and Aurelia work to make Shpelling the haven it could be. But magic is fickle—add attraction and it might spell trouble.

The Keeper of Magical Things

—— Release Date: Oct 14, 2025 (US) & Oct 16, 2026 (UK) ——

“Absolute perfection! This book is like the finest pastry, layered with flavor and bursting with happiness... I loved every single page!”
— Sarah Beth Durst
New York Times bestelling author of The Spellshop
“This is what cozy fantasy is all about. Fresh love, fantastic friendship, a dash of unpredictable magic... and catdragons! Give me everything Julie Leong writes. I’ll clear my schedule!" ”
— Rebecca Thorne
USA Today bestselling author of Can't Spell Treason Without Tea
“...the perfect cosy fantasy, with a healthy dose of sweet sapphic romance and gentle humour to round things out. I deeply enjoyed every inch of this novel. In fact, I think I'm going to take my next vacation in Shpelling.”
— Olivia Atwater
author of Half a Soul
“With sweet humor, delightful characters, and a touch of romance, The Keeper of Magical Things is an enchanting tale full of whimsy and gentleness. I adored every minute of it!”
— Maiga Doocy
Sunday Times bestselling author of Sorcery and Small Magics
“...a story about finding yourself and finding love in the most unexpected of places...everything you can possibly want from a cosy fantasy. A hilarious, cosy page-turner.”
— Genoveva Dimova
author of Foul Days
“Healing, wholesome, heartwarming, and full of fun and whimsy that glimmers off the page... an inviting tale of self-acceptance with a charming sapphic love story.”
— Jules Arbeaux
author of Lord of the Empty Isles

Praise for The Keeper of Magical Things: