Scan barcode
e_flah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
A Magic Steeper in Poison had beautifully lyrical writing and a magic system unlike anything I've read before. As a passionate tea lover, it was so cool to see how Ning and the other shénnóng-tú performed a wide variety of feats using tea. This was an immersive world that really helped bring the story to life.
The biggest thing about A Magic Steeped in Poison that didn't quite work for me was the pacing. I found the beginning and the end to be compelling and fast-paced. However, the middle seemed to drag at times as plot points for the final act were set up. That said, this didn't keep me from enjoying the book as a whole and more patient readers may not be bothered by this.
This was a wonderful fantasy debut and I can't wait to see where the story goes next in A Venom Dark and Sweet.
The biggest thing about A Magic Steeped in Poison that didn't quite work for me was the pacing. I found the beginning and the end to be compelling and fast-paced. However, the middle seemed to drag at times as plot points for the final act were set up. That said, this didn't keep me from enjoying the book as a whole and more patient readers may not be bothered by this.
This was a wonderful fantasy debut and I can't wait to see where the story goes next in A Venom Dark and Sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence
nwara's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Grief, and Classism
kwkich's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The cover art is absolutely stunning and was the first thing to catch my eye but even better than the beautiful illustration is the world building and characters within!
The magic system and framework for the world is a mesmerizing mix of a Chinese mythology, ancient tea traditions and wuxia and xianxia influences. There’s such a beautiful lyricism to the descriptions and a haunting mystery just waiting under the surface. This is a world that is just bursting with layers upon layers of secrets, devious backstabbing and courtly intrigue. Dreams and schemes living alongside immense greed and growing fear all wrapped up around a magic-infused tea competition.
But beyond the politics, at its heart, this is a story about how far a young woman would go to protect and save her family. It’s a beautifully woven tale of perseverance and strength and familial devotion.
Judy I. Lin has crafted an absolutely brilliant debut novel that is sure to thrill and delight. Without a doubt, Lin is a new author to watch for and what I can only expect to be a rising star in the YA fantasy world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Physical abuse and Slavery
bookbrig's review against another edition
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
4.0
I received an ARC of this, and I'm excited to bring it to schools and discuss it with our teens. The writing is lush and beautiful, with mouthwatering descriptions of food and vibrant, tactile world building. There's mystery, danger, and twisting loyalties throughout. It's perhaps a dated readalike, but I think fans of Dhonielle Clayton's The Belles would love this as would readers looking for a fascinating magic system. As an adult reader, I wasn't the target audience for the often impulsive choices Ning makes, so the things that I didn't love probably won't be as much of an issue for our teen readers. One note, this ends on a major cliffhanger which is very rarely something I enjoy, and I didn't love it here. Still, highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Bullying and Terminal illness
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? No
3.0
Thanks to Macmillan for the free copy of this book.
- A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is gorgeous and action packed. The descriptions of the teas made even this tea hater want to try some of them.
- I did take some issue with the pacing in some parts, and didn't really understand and/or buy the motivations of some characters.
- However, if you're looking for an atmospheric, inventive read with a determined heroine, it's worth giving this book a try.
- A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is gorgeous and action packed. The descriptions of the teas made even this tea hater want to try some of them.
- I did take some issue with the pacing in some parts, and didn't really understand and/or buy the motivations of some characters.
- However, if you're looking for an atmospheric, inventive read with a determined heroine, it's worth giving this book a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
noyastan's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture, Violence, Vomit, and Death of parent
samisbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
“The more you ask of the magic, the more it takes, either from her one who casts or the one who receives.”
Judy I. Lin’s debut YA novel A MAGIC STEEPED IN POSION is the first book in an enchanting new fantasy duology. A deeply engrossing story packed full of rich descriptions of the prepration and magic of tea ceremonies, A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is a page-turning debut sure to delight fantasy readers of all ages.
Ning has lived her entire life in the agricultural province of Sù with her parents and her sister, Shu. But when Ning unknowingly brews a poisoned batch of tea for her mother and sister, her life as she knows it crumbles. Now, with her mother dead, her sister gravely ill, and her father deeply grieving, Ning takes it upon herself to figure out how to save the family she has left. The answer comes to her in the form of an invitation from the capital: there will be a competition to find the kingdom’s greatest shénnóng-shī — a master of the ancient art of magical tea-making — and the winner will receive a favor from the princess. Realizing that this is her only chance to save her sister, Ning travels to the imperial city of Jia to compete in her mother’s stead.
But with the culprit responsible for the rash of tea poisonings still at large and rumors of “The Shadow” and “The Banished Prince” sweeping along the countryside, Ning’s journey to Jia is a treacherous one. And once inside the capital’s walls — despite its pretense of opulence and comfort — Ning is faced with cut-throat competitors, bloody court politics, underhanded political scheming, and a potentially dangerous relationship with a mysterious (and handsome) boy. As she navigates this overwhelming new world in which everyone’s loyalties are unclear, Ning must learn to trust her own instincts and step into her power.
Packed full of adventure, family loyalty, and a breathtaking magic system rooted in Chinese mythology and tea-making, A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is a story you don’t want to miss. Lin’s debut is hitting shelves on 3/29/22! Thank you to @macmillanusa for the ARC.
(And can we just take one final moment to appreciate THAT COVER!?)
Judy I. Lin’s debut YA novel A MAGIC STEEPED IN POSION is the first book in an enchanting new fantasy duology. A deeply engrossing story packed full of rich descriptions of the prepration and magic of tea ceremonies, A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is a page-turning debut sure to delight fantasy readers of all ages.
Ning has lived her entire life in the agricultural province of Sù with her parents and her sister, Shu. But when Ning unknowingly brews a poisoned batch of tea for her mother and sister, her life as she knows it crumbles. Now, with her mother dead, her sister gravely ill, and her father deeply grieving, Ning takes it upon herself to figure out how to save the family she has left. The answer comes to her in the form of an invitation from the capital: there will be a competition to find the kingdom’s greatest shénnóng-shī — a master of the ancient art of magical tea-making — and the winner will receive a favor from the princess. Realizing that this is her only chance to save her sister, Ning travels to the imperial city of Jia to compete in her mother’s stead.
But with the culprit responsible for the rash of tea poisonings still at large and rumors of “The Shadow” and “The Banished Prince” sweeping along the countryside, Ning’s journey to Jia is a treacherous one. And once inside the capital’s walls — despite its pretense of opulence and comfort — Ning is faced with cut-throat competitors, bloody court politics, underhanded political scheming, and a potentially dangerous relationship with a mysterious (and handsome) boy. As she navigates this overwhelming new world in which everyone’s loyalties are unclear, Ning must learn to trust her own instincts and step into her power.
Packed full of adventure, family loyalty, and a breathtaking magic system rooted in Chinese mythology and tea-making, A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is a story you don’t want to miss. Lin’s debut is hitting shelves on 3/29/22! Thank you to @macmillanusa for the ARC.
(And can we just take one final moment to appreciate THAT COVER!?)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent and War
bookstarbri's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Okay, this book was really cool. The magic was by far my favorite aspect of it. I loved getting to understand the tea and how it was used to do so much. In this book, tea is tied to magic, but only a few can actually "conduct" it, so to speak. It was so interesting and more revelations of what the tea can do are shown to us literally until the end. It was unique and definitely kept me interested throughout. I also really liked Ning's character. She was the driving force of this. It was evident how toxic the courtly life was and we see the influence of that on her the longer she's there. The character growth is tied a lot to that surrounding and how she has to adjust in order to survive there, especially when so many want her dead.
The side characters were great, though I think I liked some of the lesser seen side characters more than some of the more prominent ones? There is a tiny bit of romantic feelings in here and I enjoyed the love interest. He was so interesting to me and I can't wait to learn more about him and his family's backstory in book 2 because they had some dark history that I wanted even more details on. Overall, this book was fun. For me, it got a bit slow sometimes with the challenges and I got to a point where I was antsy for that moment when things were going to really pick up, but luckily when things did pick up, they really got going and this book took off. It went in a direction I didn't expect, which I was grateful for as it kept all of the surprises and, yes, HUGE betrayals, that much more powerful.
Super excited for book 2!! Thank you to the author, Feiwel and Friends, and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
The side characters were great, though I think I liked some of the lesser seen side characters more than some of the more prominent ones? There is a tiny bit of romantic feelings in here and I enjoyed the love interest. He was so interesting to me and I can't wait to learn more about him and his family's backstory in book 2 because they had some dark history that I wanted even more details on. Overall, this book was fun. For me, it got a bit slow sometimes with the challenges and I got to a point where I was antsy for that moment when things were going to really pick up, but luckily when things did pick up, they really got going and this book took off. It went in a direction I didn't expect, which I was grateful for as it kept all of the surprises and, yes, HUGE betrayals, that much more powerful.
Super excited for book 2!! Thank you to the author, Feiwel and Friends, and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
More...