It's bittersweet to see the completion of Ning's story!

This sequel was a stunning ending to Judy Lin's duology. All that I said about the first review remains the same: the prose, story, world building, characters, are so perfectly crafted and infinitely compelling.

What a stunning and heart-pounding conclusion to The Book of Tea duology! Poison was fun, but Venom raises the stakes and brings on the tension. We follow Ning on her journey to cure victims of the poisoned tea as she is haunted by the serpent god that now controls the kingdom.

The story is told in two POVs: Ning, our heroine, and Kang, the banished prince whose father is now emperor. Kang is tormented by the need to do good, but is ruled by the familiar desire to obey his father and make him proud by proving that he is deserving of his stolen title. Most of the plot happens in Ning's perspective but most of the character development happens in Kang's. I think both characters are strong in their own ways, but Kang was more fun to read because of his inner turmoil.

The story is reminiscent of The Blood of Stars duology, with tasks to find magical items in order to defeat the monster, but also just the general atmosphere as well. It felt like coming home for me.

Judy has such a beautiful way of writing, I found that I could not read at my normal pace because I wanted to absorb more of her words and the world she was building. Although Poison hasn't come out yet, I can't wait for even more books by her.

*Disclaimer: I have received a free digital copy of this title and it will not affect my thoughts of feelings towards it*
After the ending of the last book I was worried if Judy I. Lin would be able to make lightning strike twice. The answer to that I happily say is yes! This book does a great job expanding the world and making it feel like a place you could visit. The plot of this picks up right at the end of the last one keeping you connected to the story. The magic is done amazingly and really grows well due to the strong foundation set in the previous title. The book really shines with its amazing and lovable characters. Ning was as always a blast to hang out with and watch fully grow as a person. It was also nice to share sometime with Kang and learning more about his pass and seeing him being able to grow. The small new cast a characters were also a blast to meet and get to hang out with. My only problem with the book was the pacing 1/2 through was starting to slow down but picks back up 3/4 through. Overall a great conclusion to this duology that answers all the lose threads leaving you satisficed. 4/5 stars

A Magic Steeped in Poison was my first book on NetGalley. I am so happy that I was able to get the sequel as well, I could NOT wait to find out what happened! A Venom Dark and Sweet finishes off the The Book of Tea Duology in the most satisfying way. Ning continues to be one of my favorite characters in any book I have read in recent years and continues to grow into herself and her talents throughout this story. Judy I. Lin creates the most beautiful imagery that sweeps you away. I loved this book and I recommend it to everyone, we are absolutely purchasing this duology for our library when it comes out!

This was such a great read! I absolutely loved the main characters and the plot of the story. The author did a great job making the story interesting and keeping it moving. I loved how unique the story was and all that the author brought to it. Great book!

4-4.5 stars.

A satisfying conclusion to the duology. I really loved the magic system, the characters, and this story. The pacing was a *bit* off, and the conclusion felt a bit rushed, but ultimately I enjoyed this story.

Great for fans of: Spin the Dawn, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and Flames in the Mist.

Thank you, Feiwel & Friends, for allowing me to read A Venom Dark and Sweet early!

After finishing its predecessor so quickly, I was elated to find the second book in my inbox as well. I drank this book until the last juicy drop, savouring each and every sip with such gusto. I am extremely thankful for having had the pleasure of reading both of these books so early and I cannot wait to hold in my hands my own copies of the books and some to share with students!

First thanks so much to the publisher for sending me a requested copy for review. All opinions are my own.

This was definitely a very different book from the first one. While A Magic Steeled in Poison focused on palace intrigues, a magic competition, and mysterious poisonings, this book was more quest based. Ning must travel across the empire with her sister Shu and the princess Zhen to find a way to defeat the dark threat to the empire and reclaim Zhen’s throne. There’s a lot of travel and our groups get split up. We do at least get Kang’s POV in this book as he grapples with his place in his father’s coup and the strange dark power around the chancellor.
I enjoyed seeing more of the mythology and gods and magic system of the empire. Ning and Kang are often isolated in their journeys and I miss the camaraderie we got in the first book. The stakes are very high in this installment, and once again the action really picks up to a feverish pace at the end of the book. I do wish we had gotten more of a firm happy conclusion from the epilogue.
But overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read to conclude the duology.

(** not published on blog until July 22, 2022; a Goodreads teaser only will be published now)
Publication Date: August 23, 2022
My Thoughts:

This duology is the follow up to A Magic Steeped in Poison. Ning, the main character, went to Dàxi to compete in the tea/magic competition in order to heal her sister who has been poisoned like many other innocents across the country by poisoned tea bricks. She also befriended Kang and his cousin the princess, but she is scheduled to be executed just when she is so close to finding out the source of the poisoned bricks and the antidote that her sister needs to survive. Although she escapes with the princess and saves her sister, at the end of the first book she is betrayed by Kang, the princess is forced out by Kang's father and Ning is being hunted by real soldiers and an ancient yellow serpent that is able to track her when Ning wields her magic.

In this last book, the four girls, Ning, her sister Shu, the princess and her bodyguard/girlfriend Ruyi must travel the country to try and find allies loyal to the former emperor. A powerful evil is awake and Ning must decide who she can trust. She cannot battle the serpent alone and she needs help from those people she is trying to protect as well as those who have already betrayed her.

Readers will speed through these two books, especially if they like fantasy, mythology, magic, friendship and action. Teachers just need to be prepared to lead students to the next read. If they liked this duology, send the readers to Six Crimson Cranes or Spin the Dawn, both by Elizabeth Lim.

If readers are a little young for these books (violence, evil, LGBTQIA romance, death), they may want to try The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim.

From the Publisher:

A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust.

Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi—a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making—has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess' loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning's newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen's rightful throne.

But the golden serpent still haunts Ning's nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world.

This book was definitely different from the first one. Where A Magic Steeped in Poison revolves around court intrigues, conspiracies, and mystery, A Venom Dark and Sweet is much more of a hero's journey type of adventure, with the main cast fleeing the capital to seek out allies and a way to defeat their enemies. The mythology aspects are also much more important here, with mythical characters making their presence felt throughout the book. There's also a dual pov, with chapters alternating between Ning and Kang, with one basically on the run and the other back in the capital. The stakes are higher, with the source of the poisoned tea revealed and the danger of the serpent being reborn causing the cast to rush to try and save the kingdom before it's too late. I liked the mythology playing a larger role, and how the characters evolved by the end, particularly the princess and Ning. The end was satisfying, and I definitely enjoyed this book.

Full review will be up closer to release week on pop culturalist ! I absolutely loved the first book and this was so good. A Venom Dark and Sweet is a magical book. Princess Zhen is forced into exile and joining her is a loyal bodyguard and Ning’s sister.

This was a stunning conclusion to A Magic Steeped in Poison! I loved the turn that this story took in the sequel, and how the story was told in both Ning and Kang's POV's instead of just Ning's. I loved the growth in Ning's relationship with Shu and with Kang. The magic system in this book is also incredible, and I loved seeing Ning (and Shu) grow into their powers beyond just their shénnóng magic. My only wish is that the epilogue was more extended and had a stronger conclusion! Especially regarding Ning and Kang, after everything they had been through and shared, it felt strange that the book ended with them kinda being amicable friends.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book if you were a fan of the first book, or of books like Spin the Dawn!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC of 'A Venom Dark and Sweet' which is the next book by Judy I. Lin after 'A Magic Steeped in Poison'.

I couldn't pull myself away from the first book, and 'A Venom Dark and Sweet' was no different. The book starts where the last one left off, and things have gotten more serious for Ning, and the princess Zhen. There is danger for them at every turn as the general tries to usurp power.

Being able to see things from Kang's point of view in this novel was interesting. He played such a large role in the first book, and being able to see his perspective this time helped add to the intrigue - we as the reader are now able to see what the general has planned while Ning, the princess, and their companions are on their own journey.

I already told a few of my students that love fantasy about the first book, and I can't wait to be able to really talk about the second in the duo (and post a review) once it's closer to the release date!