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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
fast-paced
3.5 stars
A Venom Dark and Sweet concludes The Book of Tea duology, an innovative YA debut from Judy I. Lin that imagines a world of magic involving tea and of a dynastic battle in the fictional kingdom of Daxì. As compared to the first book, it definitely feels like both our protagonists, Ning and Kang have lost some of their innocence as they have to choose sides in terms of whom they want to support as Ning has thrown her lot in with the princess while Kang's father is usurping the throne. Kang's POV, in particular, is a fresh introduction to the series and it definitely felt like Judy I. Lin was trying to stretch her growth as an author in trying to write from his perspective.
Between the two characters, I actually felt that Kang was a more sympathetic and relatable character as he loves his adopted father (the so-called Banished Prince) and wants to believe in the best of him. However, Kang can't deny the lengths that his father has gone to gain the throne - through the poisoned tea bricks that have caused the deaths of many civilians (including Ning's mother) and of the sinister danger that seems to be circling around the kingdom, now that his father has gained a stronghold in the palace.
Ning felt like a weaker character, simply because most of her story appears to have already been completed in the first book with her sister Shu's healing.
The reason for the slightly lower rating is because the plot definitely didn't feel as refreshing or as unique as the first book as the focus drifts from Ning's tea magic to a more formulaic approach; about reuniting the forsaken princess with her throne.
A Venom Dark and Sweet concludes The Book of Tea duology, an innovative YA debut from Judy I. Lin that imagines a world of magic involving tea and of a dynastic battle in the fictional kingdom of Daxì. As compared to the first book, it definitely feels like both our protagonists, Ning and Kang have lost some of their innocence as they have to choose sides in terms of whom they want to support as Ning has thrown her lot in with the princess while Kang's father is usurping the throne. Kang's POV, in particular, is a fresh introduction to the series and it definitely felt like Judy I. Lin was trying to stretch her growth as an author in trying to write from his perspective.
Between the two characters, I actually felt that Kang was a more sympathetic and relatable character as he loves his adopted father (the so-called Banished Prince) and wants to believe in the best of him. However, Kang can't deny the lengths that his father has gone to gain the throne - through the poisoned tea bricks that have caused the deaths of many civilians (including Ning's mother) and of the sinister danger that seems to be circling around the kingdom, now that his father has gained a stronghold in the palace.
Ning felt like a weaker character, simply because most of her story appears to have already been completed in the first book with her sister Shu's healing.
Spoiler
Moreover, it turns out that she's some *super special magical warrior* that's part of an *epic battle to destroy the evil dragon spirit* which felt like a deus ex machina if there ever was one.The reason for the slightly lower rating is because the plot definitely didn't feel as refreshing or as unique as the first book as the focus drifts from Ning's tea magic to a more formulaic approach; about reuniting the forsaken princess with her throne.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
enjoyed the first book enough to where i wanted to finish the duology, but this book felt very different from the first. the dual POVs aspect was interesting, but didn't lend a lot of insight into character thoughts or personalities, so felt a bit pointless. the pacing also felt very off for me; whereas the first book was more structured thanks to the ongoing competition, this one lacked a solid structure and most of the plot occurred in the last 20% of the book. liked that everything wrapped up nicely, though!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really liked this. Thought it was better than the first book.
I liked the different environments and provinces our characters went to. The relationship between ning and her sister was great, could definitely see the progression. I liked how Ning had to face so many different challenges and then how they all tied together.
Kang as a character was amazing. And his independent development and his development with Ning was great.
I like that the story picked up right where the last book ended as well. Was a nice way to start it.
I thought the end could have been longer. I didn’t mind that it happened quickly for the action given, but I would have liked to see a bigger battle or just something more intense. But I did really like how it ended and what occurred.
Not one of my favourite fantasy series but I did really like it, loved the world and the characters. Thought the magic was very unique, and the culture in it was fantastic. Will definitely recommend to people
I really liked this. Thought it was better than the first book.
I liked the different environments and provinces our characters went to. The relationship between ning and her sister was great, could definitely see the progression. I liked how Ning had to face so many different challenges and then how they all tied together.
Kang as a character was amazing. And his independent development and his development with Ning was great.
I like that the story picked up right where the last book ended as well. Was a nice way to start it.
I thought the end could have been longer. I didn’t mind that it happened quickly for the action given, but I would have liked to see a bigger battle or just something more intense. But I did really like how it ended and what occurred.
Not one of my favourite fantasy series but I did really like it, loved the world and the characters. Thought the magic was very unique, and the culture in it was fantastic. Will definitely recommend to people
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i think i may be under the influence of some second-book curse, because tell me why every serie i've been reading these days become so difficult to read after the first volume ? it was a hassle to finish, even though i liked the plot, i'm close to begging for a great serie i can't put down for a while smh. anyway, the end was kinda underwhelming, the battle against gongyu went way too fast for my liking, but i appreciated all the shades of gray surrounding kang, and his father's death, it was quite interesting.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A