~👑Special thanks to Netgalley and Fierce Reads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!👑~

I'm so happy with how this book ended.

Rating: 🫖🫖🫖🫖 4.3

That was sarcasm, by the way.

When I requested this ARC I was pretty certain that nothing was going to come of it. I've been rejected before on that subject, so I was ready. Well, I thought I was ready. And then... Natgalley and Fierce Reads (for the giveaway win *mom, dad! I actually won something other than failure!*) Actually noticed this fangirl screaming from the top of her lungs 'NO YEAH, TRY TO IGNORE ME. I CAN SING OFF PITCH IF YOU WANT TOO' and right now? I'm slightly giving them the side eye for not preparing me better for the journey I was about to embark on.

No umbrella for the fictitious tears.
No map for the jumble of emotions I was going to have to sort through.
No socks to embrace my cold feet when trying not to read this in hopes that it would stay as perfection in my mind and not as another hyped read that fell from the heavens to Tartarus.

Forget everything I said up there, thank you.
You still owe me therapy.
And a way out of post good book funkiness.
Also, chocolate.

Every page, sentence and metaphor in this book was infused with such meaning and complexity that I felt somehow equally aghast and puzzled as to how a person could so perfectly describe things like THAT.

A normal meal? Nah, let's describe it like it's the final thing someone would ever taste and then add ✨sparkle✨ to it as well.
I read past midnight, people. I cannot be eating at that hour. But I did with this book.

I am still trying to make sense of everything that transferred in this book, please bear with me.
no really, i'm pulling these thread from literal fangirlnism as I go

The plot was spell binding and bewitching for me to watch unfold. Honestly, I thought it was similar to books I'd read previously. In terms of the whole 'main character' is forced to go into a competition in search for a cure or vengeance, later falls for some forbidden love interest and has to choose between that person and their mission. Yet the way it was described, how it fell into place in a mist of poison and magic, was what truly made this feel unique to me.

*screams into load of pillows because she can't try to seem sane for more time*
*fixes her wig and proceeds to continue*

IT WAS A MAGICAL TEA BREWING COMPETITION, Y'ALL. Nuh-uh, I was doomed to resist from the start.
I just realized I missed the opportunity of drinking tea whilst reading.
I hate myself right now.

The pace was properly thought out, not too fast nor too slow. Considering all the details that were woven into the story, I am really thankful the author didn't skim over some things because those small pearls spread throughout the worldbuilding really added the spark I long for when reading fantasy books. I was literally drooling as the things that didn't make sense fell into place, the betrayal, the angst, the wonderful way the pages tore me limb from limb and called me uneducated in 56 languages.

Definitely that.
I obviously loved that last thing.

I'm pushing through with a nail at the edge of a cliff holding me up, I swear

I'm not even talking about the world building because there's so much to unpack, and I'm really not ready to faint again.
Okay wait, let me say one thing real quick.
HOW THE HECK DID THE AUTHOR SURVIVE SACRIFICING THEIR SOUL TO HADES--
That's it.

Then after all that, how can I possibly forget about the writing. The star at the end of the world, the supernova, the black hole that exploded after I had to put down the book (yet again) so I could properly breathe through my 'how is this so perfect, what is this, how can I ever write something like this, how can I ever FIND something like this'. Did it work, though? Pfft, of course not. I still felt like a cloud being carried unto Mount Olympus to rest beneath the gods, I still felt like my world was gluing itself to the words spoken and described. Even when I didn't understand the language (there was a glossary at the end, and I was ever so smart to not search for it until I read the Acknowledgements. I know, I surprise myself too) the sentences burrowed beneath my skin with the delicacy of a dagger cutting away tissue.
It was entrancing and poignant and powerful and UGH, I wish I could have a whole recipe book of every dish and tea in this story.

I wish I had the letters to put together, so I could properly die again and again over the writing.
Oh wait, I actually do, wait a sec.

*pulls out katana sword*
*starts calmly cutting off fingers*

The writing deserved them.
Also yes, the visual does help a lot, doesn't it? (I'm not evil, I promise)

The characters were well-developed, lush in their background stories. Holding a torch to my previous favorite characters (ahem, Cardan. AHEM, JACK HUNTER) is never an easy thing to do, and I can happily say that they held a bit more than a candle and for that, I am forever thankful.

That sounded salty but I meant it. *smile like you're not in pain because those favorite characters will never ever pay attention to you)

The main character, Ning, was a courageous young woman that had more personality than a dehydrated piece of cloth so I'm on a high mountain right now. My standards for YA MCs keep lowering, I don't know what else to compare it to. She was smart (ish), so kind and goshdarnit I wished to have seen a more multidimensional development, yet I know the second book will add more to her. I knew her, but I didn't KNOW her. You get me? I don't even get myself but okay, we'll go with it. *snort* I want to know the intricate workings of her mind, not only surface level. Honestly? She was an extremely likable character most of the time, and I had no idea how much that meant to me until now, when I'm finally sitting down to write this review that for sure will cost me some sleep as I try to push along.

Following her, there are the background characters. Look at me using actual words and not GYUIJNHBGTYGUHINJH. It won't last, but I'm proud, pfft. They added this sort of flair to the story, with the different stories and experiences. They weren't talking cardboards, yet I didn't get overly attached (thank goodness) and I'm not mad about that. Going into this, I needed something light and something that wouldn't hold my heart hostage until the sequel and I accomplished my mission.
Kind of.

The only thing I had a problem with was the romance. I know, I'm notorious for hating romances even when I crave for them on a daily basis. I love steam, okay? It warms my freezing soul. It was too connection type of romance, string in between lives, I'm-offended-he doesn't-trust-me-even-when-we-just-met type, in other words... the trope I dread the most.

Insta hatred. For myself, but for them, it's insta love. For me to hate and for them to bond over. So nice! I despised that aspect with a passion. Is it too much to ask for them to fall for each other gradually? Without a 'we just met, but I already feel like we've known each other our whole lives' and well, without the 'after meeting five times, let's kiss please'.

Am I ranting? Absolutely... not. Just kindly expressing the vitriol I would throw up on that goshforsaken trope of the devil.

All it needs to do is choke in poison.
That is all.
Really.
Just that.

On a closing note, if you don't mind the whole romance thing, I really liked this book! It was captivating, immersive, spine tingling with the food descriptions, haunting with the tragedy scent looming in the air of a coming war... I truly did enjoy every second of it. Even when I was gripping my heart in frustration at some dumb decisions some characters took, even when I ranted to one of my friends for about 15 minutes, even after all that. My breath is taken and for now, it can keep it.

Until I have the second book in my hands.

You thought I wouldn't lightly threaten people for the sequel? Oh darling, I may not be evil, but I still like to sharpen my claws from time to time.

On people who don't give me second books when THE FIRST ONE ENDS LIKE IT DID. EXCUSE ME NO. YOU GAVE ME THE WRONG BOOK-

From the first page, this book reels the reader in with its beautiful use of language and the artful way it paints a clear picture for the reader of what Ning experiences throughout the story. Ning is the perfect narrator as she is experiencing the riches and the splendor of the palace for the first time. She captures the beauty and the small cracks within the system in a way that introduces much of the world without feeling rushed. So much of this book feels like a love letter, only adding to the sincerity of the book.

The vivid descriptions of food and the tea served by the characters in this book were gorgeous and made me desperately want to sit down to eat with Ning and Lian. This book provided a great escape and I flew through its pages. It’s the perfect beginning of what I know will be an iconic duology!

Before starting this book, I highly recommend you replenish your tea collection as you’ll be craving a cup after the first page! If you’re a fan of tea, the inner workings of royal politics, and strong female characters, I highly recommend picking up A Magic Steeped in Poison!

✨4/5✨

I really enjoyed this story. Right from the word go, it was rich in imagery, culture, and language.

I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this. The story about being a shénnóng-tú who uses magic through tea is so imaginative.

The one complaint I have is there is other magic used, but never really explained. Especially with Kang.

Speaking of Kang, I love him as a love interest. Their story is so complicated, but done in such a believable way.

Of course I have to mention the main character, Ning. Ning only wants one thing, to protect and save her sister. She's strong, resourceful, and smart. We barely get a description of how she looks until maybe the end of the book and even then it's vague....which I kind of enjoyed.

The book ends on a huge cliffhanger so beware when picking it up. I definitely recommend reading this book! Book 2 comes out in August 2022, so not a huge wait.

Thank you to MacMillan and Judy Lin for giving me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Happy reading!

a MASTERFUL debut!!!
okay first off the cover is absolutely stunning,, like LOOK at those colors
and in conjunction with that this book is so pretty - truly enthralls the senses
loved the individual trials and the friendships that ning went through - i could feel all the emotions and really cared about her
every conflict was properly brought up and not forgotten which was very good
very nice themes and character development!!
however i will say some parts of the plot seem very leaning toward setting up a sequel and while yes that’s good i do like for each book in a series to have a pretty solid conclusion on their own
and a bit telling not showing at some parts but it’s a fantasy book needs some exposition
but all in all this book is very lovely spellbinding even and i’m so excited to read the next book in the series

A Magic Steeped in Poison is an absolutely beautiful debut novel. It follows Ning as she's reeling from the death of her mother due to a poisonous tea she steeped unknowingly. With her sister slowly dying from the poison, Ning competes in the kingdom's Shennong-Shi competition in hopes of winning to save her sister's life.

This novel features a magical competition like no other. From reading the description of the competition to each of the various trials, I felt myself wanting to be a part of it. As someone who heavily enjoys tea, I was in love with the different teas and their descriptions. I wanted to reach in and drink the Golden Key tea. To then see tea play an important role in whether Ning passes or not, I was in awe of how the author blends both magic and tea brewing together.

As someone of Chinese descent and a fan of Asian-inspired literature, this book blew me out of the water on how whimsical and majestic this world of. Inspired by Chinese mythology and history, this book creates a world like no other. Like I said earlier, I can't but not want to transport myself into the world.

I absolutely adore the cast of characters. From Ning to Kang to Lian, each character made me love them for who they were. The only thing I wished for was there more romance building between Ning and Kang. Their kiss scene felt a bit random and then afterward, it's kind of forgotten and then thrown back at us in our face.

Overall, I heavily enjoyed A Magic Steeped in Poison and am now extremely desperate to get my hand on the sequel. Thank you Netgalley for an advance reader copy of this whimsical novel!

This story is so beautiful and magical and it made me feel a lot of emotions and I couldn’t put it down. Please pick this up!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Feiwel & Friends for allowing me to read and review this title! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I went through this book a lot faster than I have ever read in my life. The writing is mystical and enchanting. I love Ning's journey and character development. Judy I. Lin's blend of Chinese and Taiwanese mythology is beautifully done. I loved the tea aspect, though I don't even drink tea... it kind of makes me want to. The atmosphere of the book is whimsical, fantastical, and poetic. There is court intrigue and great world building. The competition and journey Ning has to go on is adventurous and dangerous. There is a romantic plot line but it doesn't over-take from the storyline but adds to it. Ning has to try to save her sister's life while dealing with the fact that she had killed her own mother. There is backstabbing and betrayal and secrets to uncover.

I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading it's sequel.

5 stars

A Magic Steeped in Poison is a fantastic beginning to a new series, full of interesting worldbuilding, a unique magic system, and a great cast of characters. There's also a lot going on, but the plot isn't rushed or hard to follow. Ning finds herself in the capital after stealing her sister's invitation to enter the competition for the next shennong-shi (someone gifted in the magical art of tea making) to serve the court. Outside of competition, Ning finds herself involved in a power struggle for the throne and pulled into the plans of both factions, with no clues on who to trust. The idea of using tea as the magic system was so interesting, and allowed for a lot of variety in how the magic users operated and used their craft. There was plenty of intrigue, mystery, and action to keep readers interested and things end on a cliff hanger that makes me want the next one immediately.

With such immersive writing and world building it is difficult not to be drawn into this story. Ning's goals are clear right from the beginning and I was rooting for her to succeed right away. I was ready for a magical fantasy adventure but my expectations were quickly subverted. There was magic and adventure, but this quickly became a story of court intrigue with a good dose of mystery throne in, along with a dash of illicit romance. But the story continued to move at a quick pace, going from challenge to challenge without long pauses between.
The world building was lush, the story was quick and well plotted and the characters felt very real. I enjoyed every word of this book and I sincerely hope there is more to come.

This book is such a unique new fantasy, and I fell in love with the world! I'm so excited for the next book already! I love fiction with magic, and the importance of tea and its mystical properties was cool! I loved the Chinese influence, adding more diversity to the fantasy genre for readers to fall in love with!

A cross between Spin the Dawn and Poppy Wars, A Magic Steeped in Poison tells the tale of Ning as she explores the magic of tea. Competing against a bunch of other shennong-tu (tea magic apprentices) to become the princess' personal shennong-shi (tea magic master), Ning learns more about herself and her kingdom. I really loved how well Chinese lore were tied into the story, weaving an enchanting world where tea has mystical properties and mythical creatures roam.

My main qualm with this book, is how obviously the second half/last third seemed to be setting up for book two, BEFORE THE NOVEL ENDS ON A CLIFF HANGER. Don't get me wrong, the story was beautiful and something I definitely want to continue reading about, BUT I ABSOLUTELY HATE IT when a story ends on a cliffhanger. Especially when publishing time/turnaround is sooooo slow, I'm so mad that we have to wait FOREVER for the next part of Ning's tale to be revealed. Additionally, the book does include a casual info-dump here and there. From telling the story of the banished-prince through a puppet show, and other tales, I notice that sometimes the story is told, not shown.

However overall, I still really enjoyed this book, and found myself finishing this in almost one setting, since it was SO INTERESTING. Since this is Judy Lin's debut novel, Imma cut her some slack, but I have some high expectations for the sequel :D.

Beautifully written novel with lush imagery and dynamic characters. As an Asian reader, I was delighted to see how the book was inspired by Chinese culture but had a life of its own in the author's imagination. Beautiful sibling relationship (which is something I love in Young Adult) and a well fleshed out and explored competition that drove the plot forward beautifully!

This book has a fantastic concept in fairly well execution. I do feel like its target audience is the younger young adult range. That being said it’s still something that even adults and middle grade kids can enjoy. I hope to eventually be able to read this story.

Lyrical, sensory, beautiful, magical, stunning, warm, rich, aromatic, bright

A Magic Steeped in Poison swept me away in an aromatic and enchanting story. The very first thing I noticed after picking up this book was the beautiful writing matches the cover so perfectly. The writing is lyrical, flowing, beautiful, and steeped in stunning Chinese imagery. I found myself smiling to myself at small moments of calm and beauty. The way that the writing is entwined with tea is breathtaking and brought me so much joy. I have never read a book that weaves the central theme into a book so well as A Magic Steeped in Poison. It was really stunning.

After losing her mother to poisoned tea, Ning blames herself because she was the one who served the tea. Now she might lose her sister to the very same poisoned tea. In what feels like her last hope, Ning hears of a competition in the kingdom to find the greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making. Desperate to save her sister, Ning travels to the kingdom and enters the competition in hopes of winning a favor from the princess.

I love stories with magical competitions in them. They’re always so much fun and a real chance for the author to play around with the way that the magic works in the world they created. It creates an environment for competition and politics to get tangled in the plot in such a (seemingly) effortless way. A Magic Steeped in Poison does not disappoint in giving us a beautiful competition but also makes sure to add drama and intrigue outside of the competition. It gives the story the rich body and depth of flavor just like the central teas.

The writing and connections to tea are truly outstanding. The writing feels like flowers dried into tea leaves. The magic feels like steam rising out of hot tea. The magical connection between Ning and Kang feels like a calm afternoon reconnecting over tea when you have nowhere else to be, it perfectly encompasses the intimacy of sitting with an old friend over a cup of tea. There is not a single moment that doesn’t feel right at home with the tea theme. I was astonished by the entire book how every detail was brewed into the tea theme, not only in plot but in energy, aroma, and flavors. It is truly a sensory experience.

Summing it all up
A Magic Steeped in Poison is as beautiful as the cover. The book beautifully incorporates the tea theme into every single ounce of this book and makes it come alive, just like the magic system. Everything is so well-rounded that the entire reading experience feels like drinking a hot cup of tea.

This book is everything I love about fantasy: it's a lush, magical world that feels fresh and entrancing, yet with fun tropes like mysterious strangers to lovers to potential enemies. Inspired by Chinese history and mythology, this is the story of Ning, who enters a contest to become a royal tea magician in order to save her dying sister. While trying to master her untrained powers, she meets a mysterious stranger and becomes caught up in court intrigue and a fight for the empire's throne. I highly recommend this!

A Magic Steeped in Poison was such a fun and energetic story that leaves readers wanting more. The main character, Ning, is a young girl who is facing many hardships, making new friendships, and trying to become a master in the magical arts of tea making all while trying to survive in the imperial city.

The amount of description used for the tea ceremonies creates such beautiful illustrations in one’s mind. Judy Lin really knows how to weave the story and it leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next. No matter who you are, you’ll be wanting to read the next book.

This book grabbed me right away! As an avid tea drinker, I was intrigued by a premises of tea being full of magic. Of course I want to drink magic!! I thought this was a beautiful story with twists and turns. I also love a strong female character! I didn’t give this story 5 stars because it did drag a little in the middle. The beginning grabbed me and then the end pulls me in again. Just a little down time in the middle but not enough to fully pull me out of the story.

Judy Lin does a beautiful job writing this story. I can clearly picture all the scenery and imagery she is describing. Such a great debut and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This already has so many 5 star reviews and I can see why. Is it perfect? No, but it's darn close. The descriptions alone are a marvel and I loved the ingenuity of the character. I normally find stories with poison as catalyst for the magic system rather dull, but this subverted all my expectations. Please, please, please give this a try!

This is a great fantasy read that I’ll hand to fans of authors like Joan He, Leigh Bardugo, and Roseanne A. Brown. The cover is gorgeous! It grabbed my eye right away, and the description pulled me right in. This one did not disappoint.

A book about a magical tea brewing competition, inspired by Chinese history and mythology? Yes, please!

People are being poisoned by tea, it took Ning's mum's life and now her sister is sick. Determined to save her she travels to the imperial city to enter the magical tea brewing competition. The reason being because the winner will be granted a favour from the princess. Having a sister I'm close to I found Ning's loyalty and willingness to do anything for her sister relatable.

Once Ning arrives at the imperial city she is faced with court politics and prejudices. Despite this she rallies on and even makes a friend. Which brings me to my next point. Female friendships are sometimes lacking in the the books I read, so it was refreshing reading about Ning making a friend, as opposed to facing off with a mean girl.

The world building in A Magic Steeped in Poison is great for people who are new to the fantasy genre, because there's no info dumping. Instead the information is woven naturally throughout the story. As a tea lover I loved learning about the art of tea brewing, and I enjoyed the vivid picture she painted of the world.

I'm curious to see how the story concludes in the sequel.