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vixenreader's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Animal death, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, War, Classism, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Medical trauma, Death, and Drug use
Moderate: Gaslighting, Police brutality, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Bullying, Colonisation, Confinement, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol, Excrement, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
There is a heavy amount of poisoning and a conspiracy theory driving the plot.xiggy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Murder, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
saratonin_stories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
encompasses the beauty of this book, from the magic of the tea, to the flowery prose, and the magestic
landscapes, Lin builds a world that captivates readers. The magic system was fascinating, and one of a kind; learning about the significance of tea and ceremony around it was wondrous. Definitely don't be fooled because the contrast to all this beauty is the dark rooted political games that lead to tenuous situations that Ning finds herself. Some of the relationship development between Ning and other characters was a bit clunky to me, but it didn't impact the story line significantly and ultimately the character relationships came to fruition.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Death, Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Child abuse, War, and Medical trauma
indeedithappens's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Medical trauma, Medical content, Blood, Gaslighting, Classism, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Grief, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Torture, War, Alcohol, Kidnapping, and Murder
rusereviews's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Ning's mother is dead, after drinking poisoned tea that she unknowingly brewed. Her sister, Shu, is terribly sick from the tea as well. In an attempt to save her, Ning travels to the imperial city to compete in a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi--masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making. The winner receives a favor from the princess, and Ning plans to ask to save her sister's life. It's a lot more than she expected, though, among the court politics, jerk competitors, and a mysterious--but cute--boy with a deeply hidden secret.
The worldbuilding in general is pretty tight for a debut. I really dig the magic system here, especially the parts tied to different types of tea! The author did a great job weaving in Chinese mythology and traditional medicines. Her prose is wonderfully lyrical.
The plot felt mostly like a typical YA fantasy story, and sometimes it didn't really feel like the stakes were very high.
All that being said, I read this book in basically one sitting and I definitely plan to read the final book in the duology. That cliffhanger though!
Also can we talk bout this cover! The artist, Sija Hong, did a phenomenal job.
Tropes in this book include: folklore retelling (Chinese mythology), secret identity
CW: death of a parent (referenced), grief, violence, medical trauma, torture, blood, emesis, poison, death, snakes, murder, attempted murder
Moderate: Torture, Death, Violence, Medical trauma, Vomit, Grief, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
bookishkale's review
- 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
I am kind of a fantasy snob, where if the book has any magical element to it, I am all for it. It has to be intriguing however, and this book hits it right on the head. This book is inspired by both Chinese and Taiwanese mythology, and Lin does an amazing job. Her writing is so magical and poetic. Any time Ning brews a cup of tea, the descriptions are so fluid and delightful, that I found myself craving a cup of tea any time I picked up the book. I was fully immersed in this world, and if this ever gets picked up by a production company, the only format that would do it justice is animation. I loved the descriptions of food, it made my mouth water every time.
I wasn't surprised by the plot in anyway, I felt like for the first time in a while a cover blurb actually did the book justice! The plot moves a bit slower than I wanted it too, however that doesn't mean it's bad at all. When it was moving, I couldn't tear my eyes off the page. Parts of me wishes the competition part of the book was longer, but I understand why it was wrapped up the way it was. I thought all of the rounds in the book made sense, with ample explanation as to why it was going in this direction. The book was very easy to understand, making sure that even people who don't understand Chinese and Taiwanese culture, or tea culture that well can still follow along easily. The plot twists make sense and add suspense without adding any unnecessary drama. There's a hint of a miscommunication trope, which I don't usually care for, but it does actually add to the plot so I am not upset about it. The end of the book moves a lot faster than the rest of the book. I wish it was either fully expanded upon and added another two-three big chapters, or we had a much bigger cliffhanger earlier and it was expanded upon in the sequel. I can look passed this since there is a sequel to the book, so I feel like anyone who reads these back to back won't feel that as much.
The characters are somewhat lackluster in some places, but I have a feeling that the second book will flesh them all out some more. I think as a whole, from start to finish there was a ton of character development. That to say, it's a bad thing, especially with another book in this series to expand on everyone. Ning has a lot of flaws, but it's not really the main point of the book, but it's not ignored either. She tends to get herself in trouble because she doesn't fully think through her actions. All Ning wants to do is save her sister, so she's focused on winning the competition to do so. Ning is an easy character to relate to and understand her motives. However, parts of her character do lack depth. Everything was about her saving her sister and avenging her mother's death.
Overall, highly recommend as good end of summer read, as the nights get longer again and the weather gets a bit chiller.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Classism, Confinement, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Vomit, Medical trauma, and War
bookish_afrolatina's review
- 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? No
4.25
Alsooooo I love a good glossary! This book has an elaborate one in the back so don’t miss it.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Sexual harassment and Torture
sambortle's review
- 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
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!?)
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Moderate: Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Violence
marywahlmeierbracciano's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Murder
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Death, Confinement, and Blood