The Keeper of Magical Things by Julie Leong

The Keeper of Magical Things

Julie Leong

Penguin Publishing Group · Paperback · October 14, 2025

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.

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Who it’s for
A gentle fantasy where imperfect magic, village friendships, and attraction complicate a practical assignment.
Themes
Friendship, Sharing magic, Attraction
Genres
Lesbian Romance, Cozy Fantasy, Fantasy Romance

About this book

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.

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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.

Magic, Mended

A gentle fantasy where imperfect magic, village friendships, and attraction complicate a practical assignment.

Come here for

  • A cozy village and its collection of minorly magical artifacts
  • Two mages whose prickly partnership comes with sparks

Expect

  • Warm friendships and a quietly hopeful sense of community
  • Magic with a knack for making complications more interesting

Where it sits

Fantasy Romance68%
Cozy Fantasy49%
Lesbian Romance35%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Humorous Fantasy
  • Cozy Fantasy
  • Lesbian Fiction
Authors
Julie Leong
Publisher
Penguin Publishing Group
Published
October 14, 2025
Format
Paperback
Theme
Friendship · Sharing magic · Attraction
Reading lane
Humorous Fantasy