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

emotional hopeful mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.0

A Magic Steeped In Poison by Judy I. Lin (3⭐️)

> spoilers <

I love the plot. It’s a magic tea competition! I mean, need I say more? The plot twists were sometimes predictable but I loved them all the same. One thing I didn’t love was the instalove. It wasn’t even just the romance but every other platonic relationship was rushed. Like Ning and Lian spent every moment they can together since the day they met and I didn’t mind it that much. I love their friendship and honestly, it’s possible to befriend someone that quick. I’ve definitely done that. Lian was so likable that I kept thinking she would betray Ning but she didn’t. Lian’s just cool like that. There is a second book I haven’t read and you know… I’d like some angst between those two best friends or the sisters. Lian reminds me of Shu and I feel like both of them could have been better characters if we saw more of their flaws. While rushed friendship is excusable, rushed romance is a whole other thing. As much as I’d have loved Ning and Kang together, I kept thinking about how they just met. The first day they met, they were already catching feelings. Don’t get me started with the Golden Tea drawing them together. Please, God, no. I hate stuff like that. I hate magical things drawing a couple together instead of that something being the couple themselves, you know what I mean? It feels like forcing them together. Like their fated mates. I hate that trope. They were so good together. They didn’t need to be rushed. The book would be so much better if the romance was handled well and if the characters were more interesting. The plot is intriguing but I’m a characters girlie so I need some characters to really really love and connect to.