I adored Leong’s debut, The Teller of Small Fortunes, but The Keeper of Magical Things takes the cake. This is a sweet, emotional, and uplifting book. This was exactly what I needed to read. Keep reading this book review of The Keeper of Magical Things for my full thoughts.
Summary
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, corral an unruly little catdragon who has tagged along, 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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Keeper of Magical Things scooped my heart out. The characters were a constant source of charm and emotions. I love how Certainty and Aurelia have to work past these misconceptions, these past hurts, to work together. Even though they don’t want to, watching them open up to each other is beautiful. Aurelia tore my heart out in the ways she is so driven by the fear of failure, by the constant voices in her head telling her she isn’t good enough, that she has to work harder. While I empathized with Aurelia more in that respect, I loved Certainty. In The Keeper of Magical Things Leong explores fears and misconceptions we have.
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There’s this divide between mages and non-mages and it’s hard to unpack. We see the reckless use of power and the ways in which mages can forget those without powers. At the same time, magic can have unintended consequences and bad intentions. Who gets left behind? The Keeper of Magical Things explores how a whole community – and two possible friends – can work through these misgivings and misconceptions. This second boo is charming as both characters work through how we can find forgiveness for ourselves and figure out how to move on from our past mistakes. I loved this one maybe more than the first and that I already loved so that’s saying something! Find The Keeper of Magical Things on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop. org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.