A review by kori_krc
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin

3.0

This gave me very strong "Spin the Dawn" vibes wherein a girl lies about her identity and background to enter a competition that is being held by royals for a position of power at the palace. That book happened to be sewing, this one with magic tea. The magic system is interesting, albeit, it probably could have been explained a little more. It appears as though our main character has the trope or the beginnings of the "girl who has more magic/power than anyone else". It was an okay story, I liked the competition. I'm not sure adding in a romantic interest between the FMC and the King's exiled brother's adopted son was super necessary and even if it was to add in some spice with the plot, the chemistry between the two was very "instant" and had no real progression. I wasn't really feeling their connection - especially since they didn't really know each other and every time they interacted they were both lying in some way, shape, or form. I'm interested in where the book left off, however it doesn't bode well for me that the 2nd book in the duology came out a couple of months after the first. Usually, for me, I find that the 2nd book could have just been cut short and pushed together within the first book but the publishing deal was for a duology and thus, a ton of things that don't really matter to the plot are added. I'm not sure if that is the case here, but I am looking forward to seeing where it goes. Right now it looks like it is following the "Unravel the Dusk" vibes where the FMC and her "strong special magic" are going to be going up against not only a tyrant/traitor, but also an evil magic trying to take over her home.