First of all let me just says that the cover is so super pretty 🥺🥺😭😭.. this book was one of my anticipated release of the year.The tea, culture, magic system everything was so perfect 🥺😭😭. There were so many description about food and tea i was hungry all while reading the book. The way author written about tea brewing is so comforting (idk if that's makes sense). Characters were so well written. Our main girl Ning. She kind of annoyed me sometimes. I don't know what message was the author trying to convince to the readers through her. I am not really sure how I feel about Kang character. And the queen i am really interested in her. I really wanted to know more of her story. But my favorite was Lian. She is such a sweet girl and great friend. The cliffhanger left me devastated . This book wasn't my favorite but I will definitely read the next book.

In the interests of total honesty, I literally read this 3 days before my stop. Procrastination + mood reading *bows*

But yeah, another Asian rep book which was absolutely AMAZING!
I loved AMSIP so much, especially the gorgeous writing. I literally binged it in two hours because I couldn’t put it down.

Ning was a typical YA protagonist but as the book went on, we revealed some hidden layers which I liked. I also loved Lian because wholesome friendships are the best to see in YA.

The plot and pacing went really well, building up scenes, characters, etc pretty slowly. The main focus of the book was the tea competition but there was all the side plot treachery betrayal stuff too. And, of course, the romance 😏

The pacing picked up right towards the end, and everything got a lot more political, which was a bit confusing for me but it just meant I had to think more. But the real crime here was the cliffhanger! Ughhh I cannot wait for the next book, I need it now 😩

Anyways, enough of my weird rambling, go read this book if you like a mixture of fantasy, romance, political drama, and girlbossses.

Thank you for the free eARC of the book @fiercereads in exchange for an honest review!

Look, I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but how can you not expect the absolute greatest when the cover looks like that?? It just appears so full of potential, and I think it’s one of my favorite covers from 2022 overall.

In the end, this book also largely held up its end of the bargain. I was invested in the story and its characters and wanted Ning to achieve her goals and save her sister. I was intrigued by all the mystery surrounding the identity of certain individuals, and there was a lot at play regarding who to trust and who to avoid. My favorite thing definitely had to be the writing itself, generally, as the lush and evocative descriptions perfectly fit how absolutely stunning the cover was, and I could always picture events and backgrounds so clearly, every detail painted in crisp lines. This was most obvious whenever food was mentioned, especially in some of the later scenes, and I’ve honestly never wanted dumplings so badly before (and I absolutely adore dumplings!) It was honestly impressive how these foods just seemed to jump off the page, and it was real difficult to read this while I was hungry.

However, this book, like many others, just wasn’t perfect. Its main issue was how shallow some of the description/world building was in certain regards, especially the magic system. We honestly didn’t get much explicit description of how it worked, just examples of it in use, and a lot of techniques that Ning uses or knows don’t ever feel fully explained or worked through. It all feels very loose and sometimes hand-wavey, and it results in us, as readers, not truly being able to gauge Ning’s skill in comparison to other competitors except for the fact that she’s still in the competition or passing certain, difficult-seeming tasks. I don’t always need a magic system weighed down by a heavy system of rules and restrictions, but a bit more explanation here would’ve really helped overall with my understanding of what was actually going on. The pretty writing did a good job at sort of hiding how loose a lot of the magic really is, but I do just want to know more specifics!

This same comment kind of holds true for a lot else. Many other things would’ve benefitted from just a bit more time or explanation, like Ning’s relationship with other characters, especially Kang. I liked most of the main characters, but I never felt strongly connected to any of them (except for a few near the end, perhaps), since our time is so limited and divided over so many characters. Additionally, it’s definitely easier to be convinced of a friendship in fewer pages than a romance, and this is why the romance in this book didn’t fully work for me. There wasn’t enough space given to it beyond their initial meeting, and the spark I felt from their run through the city did eventually fade since it wasn’t maintained. I’m curious to see where this, and other relationships Ning has with those around her, will go in the second book, and I do really hope we get a bit more, of just about everything in there as well.

Overall, this book was a strong debut and Lin’s descriptive writing really blew me away at points, I just hope for a bit more depth in the sequel and in future books. I am really looking forward to A Venom Dark and Sweet, though, and I can’t wait to see where that book takes Ning!

I was anticipating this novel from the moment I saw the cover and read the synopsis because I couldn't possibly turn down a Chinese fantasy featuring tea artistry/magic.

I really liked the characters, but aside from the main character, they were rather two-dimensional. I wish we got to know more about them and their involvement in the plot. I enjoyed the premise of the plot and the competition elements, but I felt like the pacing was a bit uneven at times.

While I love a good romance, this one was too instalovey for me. Their relationship was rather undeveloped and didn't really have a foundation. I hope the relationship will be developed more in the sequel. The relationship between the princess and her assistant was also vaguely described. It was definitely hinted that they had more than a friendship, so yay for queer representation in that case(??).

Overall, A Magic Steeped in Poison was a fun Chinese fantasy novel to read. Despite its flaws, the plot was interesting enough to keep me reading and I think fans of YA fantasy would enjoy it as well. I do look forward to reading the sequel to find out what happens next.

I have loved the Asian reads that have been released the past couple years. This one really stood out as unique. It felt original after I have read many retelling recently which I love but this felt like a new adventure with Ning going through a range of emotions and complications along the way. I can not wait for the conclusion.

I don’t know what took me so long to read this book, but I’m glad I finally did. I had been taking a break from YA fantasy because I read so many, and this was the perfect book to get me back into it.

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.

Magic being based on the different kinds of tea was a unique and refreshing magic system. A competition is one of my favorite “tropes” in fantasy books, and I really enjoyed this take on it! I loved Ning and I cannot wait for the sequel.

Beautifully crafted East Asian fantasy—I enjoyed every minute of it. The descriptions were lush, the magic system and worldbuilding were unique and well-integrated, and the characters were compelling. I’m very excited to see where the story goes next. I bought the hard copy as soon as it was available.

I really wanted to love this book more than I did. It wasn't bad at all, and I did enjoy a lot of aspects of it, especially the idea of tea magic--how unique and exciting! This was actually one of my bigger disappointments, though, because the magic itself wasn't fully developed or explained, and I really wanted more of it. I thought the competition was interesting and I liked that Ning had a purpose and felt like a real character, but this relied pretty heavily on tropes that were a bit tiresome, especially the insta-love. It also skirted a little too closely to the ableist trope of a healthy character wanting to save the sick character with magic. Ning's sister isn't chronically ill/disabled and she's only poisoned, but it felt a little too similar to that for me to be comfortable with. This was realistically 2.5 stars rounded up because I thought it was creative, but a bit too similar to the same tropes that I'm already bored of.

I started this book on NetGalley, but decided to put it aside until I got the physical copy in my hands, so thank you NetGalley for the first 33% of this book 😂

This is a strong debut, perfect for YA fantasy fans! I was invested in these characters, and it’s hard to know who we can trust. This book takes you in lots of different directions.

The world building was done well, and the structure of the kingdom and the way magic is done was all explained well. Loved every second of it!

I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

This magical story takes place when Ning had no option to save her younger sister Shu and not end up like their mother. Ning's mother died and she was so sorrowful but she had to save her sister.

Then there was an opportunity she have to go to the Capital and register for a competition for Shennong-tu (a magical tea apprentice) the skills she had no confidence in and the legacy that her mother leave behind.

Now she has to participate in this competition in the palace( where everywhere is politics) and win and with this, she can save her dying younger sister. When she entered the palace she had not expected what awaited in the palace...

I was eagerly waiting for this book this year. This book exceeds my expectations😍.
When I read this book I was like I'm in a k-drama💞💞.
Well, I'm not a Tea person but when I read it like wow the way it is described and the food with the tea god🤤.
In this book, there are politics, so many twists and turns, and the plot is amazing literally Judy did amazing work💞.

I can't wait to read its sequel which is coming out in August I guess😍😍💞.

First , I just want to say how excited I’ve been to read this book! As a medicinal tea maker I immediately wanted to read this book. The plot line of this book is excellent and the characters are really intriguing. The added mythos/folklore is as right up my alley. Following the main characters grief and determination to help her sister is truly a great representation. Also i loved the included self reflection of how she felt around her family for example she played a role of the daughter and a family member but never felt like she was included or even a part of it. That is something I extremely relate to. And this is not about the book itself but i follow the author on Instagram and they’re really really cool! They say don’t judge a book by its cover but please do because the story is as amazing as the cover of not more! I can’t wait to read the next book!

I am a huge sucker for pretty descriptions AND a complex political drama, and if you like the same things, then check out this book! A Magic Steeped in Poison serves bitter court intrigue and slow-burning mystery in a dainty, beautiful serving that will have its readers both fulfilled and asking for more.

Right from the first page, one is immediately immersed in a worldbuilding that demands all of your five senses. Judy Lin transports us to Daxi with wondrous sights, tastes, and smells that leap off the page without being too overbearing or overly long. The tea, the music, the FOOD: everything makes me want to leave my boring room and be whisked away to this wonderland. However, the setting is not picture-perfect: discrimination, corruption, and injustice exist in this world. Lin creates a world that *can* be lived in and is every bit as complex as ours—one that carefully accounts for all the factors that shape the characters’ roles and place in society.

This luscious worldbuilding does take up a lot of space; as a result, the pacing of the plot is quite slow. But the author takes this time to gradually build the stakes of the conflict and introduces many aspects that shore up tension even more: the cruelty and corruption of local government officials, the discrimination towards people from provinces further from the capital, the crushing weight of taxes, the carefully woven revisionist history, the restrictions of palace life, and so much more. Instead of long exposition sections, each character embodies a piece of Daxi’s history. All the clues planted in every step of the story come back full circle, and though nothing is entirely unexpected or novel, the resulting actions still hit hard because readers have the fullest sense of the stakes involved.

The plot and the worldbuilding go hand in hand to highlight the best part of this book: its character arcs. No one here conforms to a cookie-cutter cardboard trope because even minor characters are given history and agency. You cannot deny Ning’s motivations for her decisions, nor Zhen’s restrictions in pursuing the truth. Yang, Minwen, and Lian are all very aware of their social status and that of their families. Though not as fleshed out, the loyalties of the ministers and other shennong-tu are clear and logical according to their backgrounds and affiliations. Everyone is acting in the only way they believe is right, and if you have ever been in a position that pushes you to pay a heavy price for your family, then you know how hard it is to judge others’ actions. I truly love the care Judy Lin puts into writing these characters, and the craft needed to pull this part off is amazing.

I also love how cultural icons are wielded in this world because they are shown at exactly the right context for them to have significance in the story, like Ning’s impromptu poetry recitation or Kang’s wistfulness for the art of his people. I wish I were more familiar with Chinese and Taiwanese culture to note all the callbacks and references, but as it stands, these narrative choices beautifully illustrate the escalating tension and emotional impact.

My only gripe in this book would be the romance between Ning and Kang. Although it is not insta-love, it still feels a little bit too fast-paced. It feels like I skipped too many scenes and got right to the highs, which is why some personal stakes don’t hit as hard. Still, the romance is still better written than some YA books I have read recently, and it does nothing to diminish the complex character arcs Ning and Kang individually go through.

On the lighter side of things, A Magic Steeped in Poison makes me appreciate the art of tea-making. Although I love tea, much of my experience with preparing it myself just involves heating hot water in a kettle and steeping a bag of Twinings or dumping a sachet of 3-in-1 cardamom karak in a mug. I don’t come from a culture with an elaborate tea heritage, and reading all about the intricacies of water, leaves, curing, and even storage makes me want to try non-instant tea.

When I started this book, I had a steaming cup of tea—a poor substitute for the wonders Ning describes, but tea nonetheless—refilled it with a fresh brew, then promptly forgot about my next cup because I was too invested in the characters. I can’t wait to read the sequel to see how all of these things will unfold, and I’ll be ready with better tea when it arrives.

This is such a fun read! I wasn't quite sure what to expect going in, despite the blurb, and I have to say I loved the mix of culture, mystery, and intrigue! The concept behind the magic teas was totally unique and it was so interesting to read about all the different things that tea could do in Lin's fantastical world.

With her mother dead and her sister on death's door, Ning has little choice but to enter the competition to become the next shennong-shi for the kingdom. She hopes to win and gain the medicine needed to save her sister's life. But there's a lot more at stake than just some friendly competition. The book is chock full of political drama and secrets, and people willing to do anything to win the competition. There was a lot of detail, and many twists and turns so you never have everything quite figured out (even when you think you do lol). I liked Ning's character - she's willing to do anything to save her sister, and she's so sweet and brave in the process. I really loved her friendship, and I didn't mind the romantic relationship as well, though it was verrryyyy slow burn. I'm hoping to see development in that area in the sequel/conclusion!

Overall, I think the writing style here is great, I think the plot is fun and unique, and I think the worldbuilding was very well done. I'm looking forward to seeing how this duology ends with that cliff hanger!

A Magic Steeped In Poison exceeded my expectations, as an Asian and someone who enjoys reading about Asian cultures, I'm satisfied with the representation+the writing style flows smoothly, its a quick and fun read.

Highly recommend to fans of Spin The Dawn, These Violent Delights, Jade Fire Gold! 🪄

A Magic Steeped in Poison has a unique plot, with a magic system like no other and a world steeped in Asian culture that made it rich. Perfect for fans of Elizabeth Lim's Spin the Dawn. I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

I really enjoyed this book and am looking for the sequel. The main character was a bit flat, though I enjoyed her drive to protect her sister. The romance was pretty adorable. I also liked a lot of the side characters especially the princess. The magic system was unique and interesting.

Thank you SO much publisher for taking on this amazing author and this book. Look at this cover - doesn’t it remind anyone of the artist James Jean?!! The book summary got me hooked. I preordered it within a day. Even though I got an e copy to read, I had to get a hardback copy too. It’s so rare to read about tea pouring as tradition or as an art form. This book has political palace suspense, budding friendship/romance story and a secret. Highly recommend this book to all readers of YA mystery fans. Definitely support Asian authors!

I have been waiting to read this book for a long time. For one, even though this is part of a duology (I hate cliffhangers, by the way), the sequel is only months away from being released. And it is all about the art of tea making and the magic brewed with it. That is something I cannot say no to. Glad to say that the story doesn't disappoint.
Ning is on a mission to save her sister from the brink of death. Her mother has already succumbed to the poison found in the tea leaves provided by the imperial coffers. Her only chance lies in winning the competition organised by the princess. Am I the only one here getting the 'Hunger Games' and 'Goblet of Fire' vibes? Well, don't expect something that nerve-racking; except for the last part, the story follows an even pace as soothing as the morning tea.
That brings us to the most interesting part: the magic of the shennong-shi, masters adept in the art of tea-making. In a palace riddled with mysteries where every step could lead to danger, the competition adds another layer to the political intrigue. Not everything or everyone is what they seem. As Ning progresses through each round we are introduced bit by bit to the beauty of this art and when the shennong-tu's hands wield the tea, all the chaos seems to recede.
The story explores the power of female relationships and thus all the major characters are women, except for Kang - the adopted son of the banished prince. His background is still shrouded in mystery, that is something to wait for in the sequel. Their sudden progress from friends to lovers might have taken me by surprise, still, I am rooting for this duo.
A beautiful story that will ensnare you from the very beginning. Drinking tea will never be the same anymore.

Favourite quotes:

"Grief has a taste, bitter and lingering, but so soft it sometimes disguises itself as sweetness"

"The nice thing about getting old is you realize everything circles back on itself"

"Human hands make mistakes, Ning, but they are the hands the gods gave us. We use them to make amends, to do good things"

"We all have people we care about, those we would give our lives for. It puts us in danger, or makes us dangerous"

"There is a difference between living the suffering and reading about it"

This is a fabulous new series. Immediately engaging, and I cannot wait to read the next book coming in the series! A definite addition to personal collections and libraries!

4.5 stars

This was an incredible YA fantasy read. The magic system was unique and elegant and I found myself wanting to discover the possibilities along with Ning. I appreciated the balance between having a character that is both incredibly talented and still a student. The competition was an excellent way for the reader to learn about the magic system. The challenges were unique and interesting and often wove in elements of the political turmoil. The unrest is a shadow looming over the story that slowly becomes more and more apparent culminating in a tense final scene that left me on the edge of my seat. I am incredibly excited to see how the magic and the turmoil expand in the next book.

The characters were also incredible. Ning was determined and strong. Kang was charming and shrouded in mystery. The princess and her bodyguard were particularly interesting characters to piece together.

As much as I loved the book I can't quite give it five stars. This book has quite a slow build-up with a lot of moments of waiting or contemplation for Ning. The second half really escalated the stakes of the story but we spent almost too much time in the build-up. I also wish we had gotten more distinct characters among the competitors. There was only the friendly one, the enemy, and the enemy's sidekick. There were hints of additional character development with one of the competitors at the end. But I would have liked to see Ning interact with her peers a bit more. As exciting as secret rendevous are I wanted more character interactions related to the competition. Now that the story has really taken off I am confident I will love the sequel.