Reviews tagging 'Torture'

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

47 reviews

mariavdl's review

adventurous hopeful relaxing sad

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Terminal illness

Minor: Alcohol, Vomit, Torture, Misogyny, and Grief

nillech's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

More prequel than standalone in a series. Captivating in its world rife with creative magical realism before the midway slump, but quickly rewarding in its final act if you've managed to overcome the lull.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: War, Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Grief

Minor: Torture and Vomit

nxpe's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

This book was not at all what I was expecting. I went into this thinking it would be a relatively simple fantasy about tea magic, but it ended up being hella political. And that doesn't make it bad, but it's not by any means, I just wasn't expecting it.

I enjoyed the tea magic a lot more that I thought I would, and it was described in a very lovely way. Definitely craved tea more than I have in a hot minute. 

This was also my first Asian-inspired fantasy, which was pretty interesting! I was nervous about it going into it, but I was really fun! Definitely will be picking up the sequel.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Blood

Minor: Torture, Animal cruelty, and Vomit

passionatereader78's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

4.0

This book was heartbreaking.  I enjoyed the writing style. I liked the mystery in the story. I liked the main character.  I love books that have a strong sister bond. Ning sets off to the palace to enter a magical tea competition to save her sister's life. When Nina gets to the imperial city she quickly realizes that the stakes are higher than she expected. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Torture

emeraldeunoia's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Death of parent

Moderate: Blood and Alcohol

Minor: Torture and War

sophiesmallhands's review

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism and Sexism

Minor: War, Murder, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Chronic illness

melis_salome's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent

Moderate: Grief, Murder, and Blood

Minor: Vomit, War, Torture, and Self harm

gabrielle_reads_a_lot's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, and Murder

crows_in_a_trenchcoat's review

emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Death

Minor: Sexism, Animal cruelty, and Torture

magnan1mouse's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Grief

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Bullying, and Medical content

Minor: Torture, Self harm, and War