A Magic Steeped in Poison
by Judy I. Lin
Pub Date- 3/29/22
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Tomorrow should be the end to my instajail restrictions. This month has not been my month with losing access to radusreads and still not hearing anything about it and being in restrictions this week with my new account. I just want to share books lol.
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This was a very magical and artfully descriptive read where Ning who is gifted in the art of tea-making, different combinations of leaves gives different magical results, comes from a small village to compete in a competition. She is already at a disadvantage to the other wealthy connected competitors in this competition to find the kingdom’s greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making.
But is this competition a cover for something bigger happening within the court. Is there a power shift or power play about to happen? Ning is trying to find who is poisoning the tea bricks randomly and her mother was one such victim. But her mother also has a past in this palace.
There was a lot of intrigue, betrayal, a little romance, lots of magic and tea making. The magic system in this book was very unique and I can’t wait to see where the 2nd book takes us cause it was a cliffhanger in a way but it stopped at a satisfying spot but we have a lot of work to do or they do. Lol I got invested.

Loved the Chinese and Taiwanese culture and royalty in the the story. This cover is amazing and the 2nd book that is releasing later this year has a just as eye catching cover.

Recommend if you are looking for a
🍵strong female lead and cast
🍵atmospheric settings
🍵 unique magic system and the food and tea descriptions 🤌


Thank you Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends and Net Galley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Synopsis:
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.