Reviews tagging 'Death'

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

85 reviews

abby_can_read's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

3.0

📖
This book was fine. I'm not really sure how I felt about it. I liked the magic system. 
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lncolgate's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Top tier! I know I’m behind the times a bit, but I was worried about overhype and I knew it ended on a big cliffhanger and I wanted to wait til the second book was out. Well worth waiting for. So good. Great balance of mystery, political intrigue, a touch of romance. Love the magic system and how it’s connected with tea and traditional Chinese medicine. Enjoyed mixing in Chinese mythology —and it wasn’t stereotypical or “traditional” (listened to an interview where she said she blended mythology from different parts of Chinese culture because there are variations —not one solid myth). I  loved Ning and her fierce determination and compassion. I wasn’t sure what to expect out of this story-I sort of expected a traditional competition story. But this really surprised me! In some ways I’m reminded of Alanna the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce. It’s like s coming of age, learning wisdom, venturing outside home and the familiar to court and intrigue. Learning magic and the extent of her powers. Judy Lin just knocked it out the park first time! 
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serendipity421's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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alexinitalics's review against another edition

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4.5

I really loved the writing style of this book. It's hard to pinpoint why but Ning's voice just drew me in every time I picked up the book. I also loved the world building and magic system. It's very unique but also consistent and interesting, the use of tea to form connections. 
With the book being set at seemingly the start of a revolution, it took me a while to figure out Ning's view, even with the first person perspective. She seems to go from very unaware and neutral to very passionate quite suddenly and I'm not sure if I just missed something in the first half of the book. 
Also, my favourite character was probably Lian. We love Lian.
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kirstenf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.75

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monicalaurette's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book was so fun to read and such a fun concept, magic tea and the magic from those who can pour it. I was so upset that I wasn’t able to actually view them pouring or the magic steam and instead just having to try and imagine it in my head. I may have to try and look up some fanart to see it in action.

I also liked Ning and her love for her father and Shu, the reasons she even went to Jia. So much happened, and sometimes when it would I’d say out loud ‘oh of COURSE this would happen/this person would do that’ but even with those moments that just seemed a little too convenient, the story was surprising and I was gripped to it.

“Strangling me with continuous thoughts of my own inferiority and doubt.”

Very happy that I was able to get both books in a thrift store so I can just start the next one now - so wish me luck!

I just always hated when Shao was in a scene because he was like classic rich boy with connections, but I feel like he might have a change in book 2, or pass away
At first I was like ‘Wenyi no I thought you were chill’ when he messed with Kang’s tea and then when we saw him in the dungeon I literally yelled out ‘OH WAIT YOU’RE STILL CHILL’ and got sad that he wasn’t able to be saved
Was Zhen really going to marry her cousin (adopted or not?) or was she like forced to accept the betrothal?
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onlyvitro's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense 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

4.5

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oakairi's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

5.0

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amberinpieces's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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xvicesx's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

This was surprisingly good. I picked it up in the library after I'd been in two minds about it online several times thinking that it would not be my cup of tea (see what I did there? 😜) but after I read the first paragraph, I couldn't put it back. How powerful an opening! 

They say you can spot a true shennong-shi by their hands - palms colored by the stain of the earth, fingertips scarred from thorns, a permanent crust of soil and blood darkening the crescents of their nails.
I used to look at my hands with pride.
Now, all I can think is, These are the hands that buried my mother. 

The pacing was really good throughout, every scene purposeful and leading the reader through the baffling world of court politics and intrigue from the eyes of a girl of simple goals. All Ning wants to do is save her sister. 

The romance was cute, although brief, so I'm hoping for a bit more in the follow-up, and the end does come to a bit of a cliffhanger overall but I enjoyed it all enough to not argue too much. 

Strongly recommend. A love letter to Chinese myth, food that is a form of art, and most of all, tea.

On a side note, because I've seen this flagged as LGBTQ elsewhere and it's not necessarily clear if it's the main focus of the book or there is representation.
It's the princess who is a lesbian, not Ning, so the queer romance is not the main focus of the book.
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