Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - A Magic Steeped in Poison

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.

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nxpe's review against another edition

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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.

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passionatereader78's review

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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.

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danajoy's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.25

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trips's review

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adventurous challenging emotional slow-paced

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

2.5

This book had great ideas and the markings of an author who certainly knows how to tell a great story. I love the magic system and reading about the world itself was awesome.

However, there were unfortunately a lot of points I really think needed more time steeping before the book got publish.
-Some pretty big chunks of this book that didn't really serve much purpose in worldbuilding/character building/plot progression, they were just...there.
-the above point made it was hard to get a true gauge on the characters, they got a little muddled together.
-Many points in the book didn't make much sense?
-The instalove was boring. I can accept instalove in YA but make it fun!! It was just sad to me :(

I will read this authors next series however, because the author genuinely has decent worldbuilding and magic systems, and they will definitely grow as an author!!

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febber's review

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adventurous mysterious tense 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? No

3.75

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ms_sarah621's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

This is a very fun read with such an amazing magic. I absolutely love the tea making and the magic that comes from it. It’s fairly unique and had me wanting to learn more. Yet, there were a few things that were unexpected/basic about the story. The story started off very heavy with a romance, which I didn’t expect. This later fades away and becomes more about magic, politics, and competition. So, the beginning of the story is difficult to get through at times due to focusing so heavily on romance. Then, the ending, or the politics rather, become slightly predictable and basic in the idea of what is happening and going to happen. Besides that, this story was a fun read and definitely worth it. I will pick up the second one soon. Just wish there was more focus on magic and the competition to be considered more unique and exciting.

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decembermagpie's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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