Reviews tagging 'Murder'

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

51 reviews

kirstenf's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Classism, and Medical content

Minor: War, Sexism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Torture, Terminal illness, Confinement, Death of parent, and Death

monicalaurette's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Medical content, Death of parent, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Murder, and War

oakairi's review

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Violence

Moderate: Murder, Blood, and Grief

Minor: Torture, Vomit, and War

amberinpieces's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Classism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, and Sexism

Minor: Alcohol, Violence, Torture, Animal death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

solarel's review

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

I enjoyed the world, though the first half of it felt very similar to other books I’ve read. 

The ending was a cliffhanger but didn’t manage to give any sense of finishing to the story arc? That’s just my thoughts. 

Overall I think this was pretty middle of the road. It was a fun read, enjoyable and mysterious. But there were parts I found fell short of what they could have been. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, War, Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Police brutality, and Torture

jes_reads00's review

adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Vomit, and Death of parent

Minor: Blood

vixenreader's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

Despite some plot thread being left unresolved, and some overstuffing, this debut is impressive in its concept, sensitive protagonist, and strong female relationships. The tea has been spilled. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Animal death, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, War, Classism, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Medical trauma, Death, and Drug use

Moderate: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcohol, Excrement, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

There is a heavy amount of poisoning and a conspiracy theory driving the plot.

redpanda_reads's review

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

Moderate: Murder

decembermagpie's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent and Murder

duarshe's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

This was delightful to read. I found really enjoyable the world, the magic system and the entire book itself. It wasn't slow or boring and every chapter kept me on the edge and waiting for more.

Also, the story really gave me the vibe of Akatsuki no Yona meets The Cruel Prince, but Yona is a side character and Hak is a woman.

The only thing that keeps me from giving this a 5-star rating is that some descriptions were a bit repetitive for my like and I kept skimming over them.

Overall,  4.75⭐

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood