Hello Coven! We are really excited you dropped by; today our blog is the stop for the tour of A Magic Steeped in Poison (The Book of Tea #1) by Judy I Lin.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin Series: The Book of Tea #1
Published on March 29, 2022 by Feiwel & Friends
Format: ARC provided by Netgalley, TBR&Beyond
Pages: 384
Purchase Links*:
Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Epic, Young Adult Fiction / People & Places / Asia, Young Adult Fiction / Royalty
Judy I. Lin's sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.
I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother."
For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.
When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life.
But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.
Also in this series: A Venom Dark and Sweet
Also by this author: A Venom Dark and Sweet
This book was received for free from Netgalley, TBR&Beyond in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of this review.We'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley, TBR&Beyond for the review copy.
❧ Bookish Coven Rating
Magic Steeped in Poison was one of my most anticipated releases for 2022; I admit that having a gorgeous cover will most definitely put you in my radar #noshame.
So what do we have here? Brew a cup of tea and let’s find out…
One might read the synopsis of Magic Steeped in Poison, girl enters a high stakes competition to win, and think that this has been written a million times already. But dear reader, the execution for me was a complete win. It’s the little details that will make you stand out in the end: for example, you can read a million enemies to lovers stories, but at the end of the day, only a handful are memorable.
It was in every cup of tea she brewed, a ritual carried out with reverence. It was in the way she knew every single component that entered her tea – the origin of the water, the aroma of the wood that stoked the fire, the vessel the water was heated in. All the way to the leaves plucked by her fingers, steeped in a cup shaped by her own hands and fired in her own kiln. Distilled into liquid contained in the palm of two hands, offered as a blessing.
Here I am. Drink, and be well.
Now while I am not fond of first person narration, here I must make an exemption: Judy I. Lin gives Ning, the protagonist, such a realistic voice that stayed with me after that last page. I loved reading her thoughts and kept turning the pages to discover the intricate world the author weaves for us; a world with such rich traditions and lush mythology lore. From the details of tea brewing to court politics and deceit, you won’t be disappointed if you decide to pick this one up.
We are humbled by death, but we will not bow to it.
The sequel is already announced and I can’t wait!!
Book 2 A Venom Dark and Sweet is coming out later this year (don’t you just love it whenever we get a sequel releasing so soon??) and you can pre-order it already:
Amazon | Kindle | Book Depository
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About Judy I. Lin
Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist, and still spends her nights dreaming up imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughter. A Magic Steeped in Poison is her debut novel.
