A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON by Judy I Lin is another one of the debut fantasy novels I've been anticipating. Thank you Fierce Reads/ Feiwel and Friends for an early finished copy of this book.

This book has so many elements that work for me - the love for family, a competition, the making of friends/allies when it seems like the world is against you, a touch of romance.

I love Ning's determination to find the people behind the poisoned tea that killed her mother, and to find a way to save her sister from death. That she intercepts the invitation for all shénnóng-tú to head to the capital to compete to be the next shénnóng-shī and sneaks off. From the first moment of the competition, it appears that Ning is the target of someone, and is constantly sabotaged.

Another thing I loved - the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the art of tea brewing. That there are magical properties in the tea leaves selected, and how added ingredients in the brews work together. That the magic of the tea can help, heal, and be dangerous depending on its aim and the tea master.

This book ends on a cliffhanger, and I for one am glad that the second book in this duology, A VENOM SO DARK AND SWEET, will be released this summer (August), because I really need to know what happens to Ning and her friends.

The cover art is absolutely stunning and was the first thing to catch my eye but even better than the beautiful illustration is the world building and characters within!

The magic system and framework for the world is a mesmerizing mix of a Chinese mythology, ancient tea traditions and wuxia and xianxia influences. There’s such a beautiful lyricism to the descriptions and a haunting mystery just waiting under the surface. This is a world that is just bursting with layers upon layers of secrets, devious backstabbing and courtly intrigue. Dreams and schemes living alongside immense greed and growing fear all wrapped up around a magic-infused tea competition.

But beyond the politics, at its heart, this is a story about how far a young woman would go to protect and save her family. It’s a beautifully woven tale of perseverance and strength and familial devotion.

Judy I. Lin has crafted an absolutely brilliant debut novel that is sure to thrill and delight. Without a doubt, Lin is a new author to watch for and what I can only expect to be a rising star in the YA fantasy world!

I'm excited to bring this to schools and discuss it with our teens. The writing is lush and beautiful, with mouthwatering descriptions of food and vibrant, tactile world building. There's mystery, danger, and twisting loyalties throughout. It's perhaps a dated readalike, but I think fans of Dhonielle Clayton's The Belles would love this as would readers looking for a fascinating magic system. As an adult reader, I wasn't the target audience for the often impulsive choices Ning makes, so the things that I didn't love probably won't be as much of an issue for our teen readers. Highly recommend!

This is a gorgeously written debut fantasy based on Chinese folktales and fairytales (which what a nice change from the prevailing pseudo-Medieval European setting). Magic competition, delicious food and tea descriptions with a bit of swoon. And that cover is perfection! For fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

A Magic Steeped In Poison is hands down one of the best books of the year, one of the best books ever really.

The tea magic in this book was so refreshing to read about because I had never read anything like it and the way it was written was so brilliant, I loved every little detail and it made for some really stunning imagery!

I absolutely adored Ning and seeing her go on this journey to try and save her sister was so heartbreaking but I was rooting for her every step of the way. Her character growth was so amazing as well!

The ending of this book literally left me shaking, I cannot wait to see more of Ning's sister in book two and how the two will interact with each other.

As I read every page, I knew this book would be an immediate five star read! I have been recommending this book nonstop to everyone I know! I eagerly await the conclusion to this beautiful story in the sequel!

Lin has crafted a well-developed fantasy world with interesting characters and a unique magic system. Fans of Ghibli films and Avatar the Last Airbender will be intrigued!

Magic Steeped in Poison is an objectively great fantasy novel, but I just don't think it was made to be one of my favorites.

I blame that partially on myself, honestly. If you compare a book to Leigh Bardugo, I'll most definitely go in with far too high of hopes, and that's definitely what happened here. I also had the same problem as I did with All the Stars and Teeth, where I gave it four stars immediately after finishing, but two days later not a lot of it stuck in my brain.

I will say, though, that I enjoyed AMSIP from start to finish! The worldbuilding and little details were excellent, without bogging down the stories. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of the tea and food - they were mouthwateringly amazing.

Overall, this was a great story, and I'll probably pick up the sequel when it's released, it just didn't end up being perfect for me.

When a book pulls me in immediately like this one, I know it's going to be a good one. And I was right - this was an immensely enjoyable read from start to finish, full of action, full of atmosphere, and with amazing characters. And with the way it ended, the sequel might very well be even better. Lucky that I can read it immediately!

Beautiful, lyrical writing filled with history of the power and magic of tea ceremonies. Then, throw in political unrest, a young princess, Zhan, who we don’t know if we should be rooting for her or against, on the verge of ruling unless someone’s many attempts to stop her are successful. A mystery of poison tea that has gripped the lands and forced Ning to sneak into a magical tea competition to gain favor to save her sister.

Lian, a fellow competitor partners with her in the competition and in her quest to find the cure. Kang is the handsome stranger she meets in the town but who is hiding who he is.
He and Ning share a special connection, made stronger through Ning’s magic. Ning doesn’t know who she can trust as she navigates this mystery to save her sister and their kingdom.


This YA debut hit all the right notes for me. It was not romance heavy and romance was not the focus of our heroine. It’s the perfect book to read with a cup of tea and enjoy escaping into this magical world.

That ending, though! I need to get my hands on book 2 immediately please!!

Thank you to @Netgalley and @Feiwelandfriends for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up. Diverse authors writing fantasy set in their culture? I’m here for it!! Note: I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

This was a magical and fun debut from Judy I Lin and Macmillan’s Feiwel and Friends imprint. Poisoned tea has been traveling around the country and causing many deaths included the death of the mother of our main character Ning. The same poison is slowly killing her sister so she runs away to the capital to compete in a Shenong-shi (people who can weave their magic through tea) to get a favor from the princess to save her sister. The parts of this book that bugged me (young, at times impulsive characters and almost Insta-love) are likely due to me definitely NOT being the target audience. I was drawn in by the cover, and had a lot of fun with the story.

This book has a magical competition; although the competition was not as much of a focus as I expected it to be. The competition more serves as the catalyst to bring our cast of characters and launch us into the political turmoil present in this book. So just be aware of that going in. That being said, there twists and turns at the ending involving some deities that I can’t WAIT to see more of. The Chinese folklore and historical inspirations were so much fun to read about, and that ending leaves me desperate for book two. At least it comes out in a couple months and I can’t wait to check it out.

After accidently serving the cup of tea that poisoned her mother, Ning is guilt-ridden, and now that same poison is slowly killing her sister.

Desperate, she enters the royal palace’s magical tea brewing contest for a chance to win the princess’ favor and save her sister. However, bloody court politics and backstabbing competitors make this far more difficult that she ever imagined.

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin paints a lush world inspired by Chinese mythology and medicine. I really adored its poetic writing and how naturally the tea-based magic system blended in with the rest of the world.

However, this story could have benefited from further developmental editing since there are some logical inconstancies and careless character decisions that took me out of the story.

For instance, early on in the story, palace guards tell Ning that no contestant could bring in their own belongings due to the tea poisoning outbreak, and yet, the contestants in their very first trial are asked to purchase their ingredients at the market. This doesn't make sense to me. Wouldn't there be more consistent quality control if the contestants got to choose from the same ingredients? Wouldn't it make more sense to NOT risk poisoning the judges (who are the most important members of the court) since there doesn’t appear to be any royal taste testers?

On top of that, the characters are not-so sneaky and quick to divulge secrets, and honestly, I’m astounded they aren’t caught. If you’re looking specifically for court intrigue, Daughter of the Moon Goddess delivers better in that department.

Overall, I wish the story had spent a longer time brewing in order to create a stronger book because it had so much promise.

Okay, wow, I loved this. What a phenomenal debut in this magical, Chinese-mythology inspired story. First of all, let's acknowledge how freaking gorgeous this cover is, with illustration by Sija Hong. Truly stunning.

Now on to the main event. Ning is not technically a shennong-tu (tea master apprentice) but she risks discovery to compete in the competition to find the next shennong-shi in the royal court in an effort to gain some resources that might help save her sister, who has recently been poisoned. The same poison that took the life of their mother. While she is there, attempts are made on the princess' life, the emperor dies, sabotage is afoot.

If you like books with political machinations and court intrigue, this is for you. If you like books with beautiful, lush descriptions of food, and especially of tea, this book is for you. Seriously, the descriptions of the tea—tea helps channel the magic of the shennong-tu's—are swoon-worthy. I loved the magic system, which was so inventive and different from anything I've ever read before. I loved the coming of age feeling under pressure, and the friendships that were formed here. And that cliffhanger?! I totally understand now why they're only waiting 6 months to publish the second book in the duology.

There's a LOT going on in this book, and yet it never feels like too much. The characters are well developed, and the writing is artful, well-plotted, and confident. Looking forward to the second book, and whatever else we might get from Lin.

The one thing I could've done without is the bit of romance. It was not a focus of the book, by any means, but it made me feel the way I feel about the Newsies stage adaptation—it just didn't feel necessary to me. But that wasn't enough to impact my enjoyment. I can't wait to share this one with my customers.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for review.

I really enjoyed the central concept of this book! It's like one of those multi-week Food Network competitions but with magical tea and life or death stakes. Lin really nailed the mouthwatering food descriptions. The palace intrigue and romance were more standard YA stuff but still pretty fun. This is only part one of a duology, so be warned it does end on a cliffhanger.

This was beautifully written. I loved the magic element that our main character has an infinity for. The descriptions of the concoctions and then how it works was magical. There is a romance a brewing but it's not a main element. However, family is a big proponent that spurs this story. I really enjoyed the beginning and getting to meet our characters and interact. I felt that there was something lacking for me with the characters though. I don't know why I just never developed a deeper sense of them. I am intrigued and need to know how this story ends and hope that with the second and finale book that more of the depths of these characters are explored.

celebrating the release of "A Magic Steeped in Poison" by Judy I. Lin tomorrow (29.03.22), I'm pleased to bring you my thoughts in advance

first of all, the theme of the book, I love the description of her tea magic, the blend of all this immense culture, mythology, traditional medicines and magic - it's spellbinding
I was amazed by how many feelings emerged from her descriptions, the way you can actually feel the smells and tastes, hear the tea being poured, just by reading a few words on a page
[I should also reference that it's extremely important for you to take a look at the content warnings for this one!]

it all begins with...
"They say you can spot a true shénnóng-shí by their hands [...]
I used to look at my hands with pride.
Now, all I can think is, These are the hands that buried my mother."

the cover is beautifully done & the writing of the author is polished and engaging
you follow Ning in all her efforts to save her sister's life while going through a brutal tournament, without forgetting relentless contenders and political power plays that I love to read about
don't get me wrong, this is not a fast-paced book, yet the storie and the way it's told brings you to a world where you will get lost in
the fact I adore to learn and read about herbology certainly helped enhance my love for this book
like, it's a freaking magical tea brewing competition, what is there to not like?

so excited to read the sequel after this cliffhanger

special thanks to the publisher & netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

🍵 details:
▪️debut author
▪️east asian rep
▪️mythology
▪️tournament

This is an engaging read, with an enchanting tea-based magic system. It is the first in a series, and I have already requested an ARC of the sequel!

This book is absolutely amazing. A Magic Steeped in Poison is a fantasy story with a tea-based magic system which is super interesting and unique. I loved reading about the magic and how the tea ceremonies worked and the different things they could do with the tea. The way this book ends will leave readers dying to go grab book 2, that’s how I felt at least. Such a good cliffhanger and so many things left in the air. I can’t wait to find out how it all ends.

In this YA fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology, there is magic in the ancient art of tea making. Ning's mother is a local tea master who is tutoring Ning's sister to be her apprentice. However, poisoned tea blocks are cropping up all over the nation, leading Ning to accidentally poison them both, leading to her mother's death. When the kingdom announces a competition to find the best tea maker in exchange for a favor from the princess. Hoping to save her sister's life, Ning goes to the capital to compete by pretending to be her mother's apprentice.

This magic system was so intriguing I had to pick this up. We essentially have a magic system that is entirely based on making potions, where collecting ingredients is imperative. While the magic system was fairly original, I did not feel that the rest of this was. The setup and the characters are par for the course for YA fantasy; nothing really stood out in my mind. I wanted more from the worldbuilding and establishment of the magic system. No egregious mistakes were made, but nothing really engaged me and I found my mind drifting while reading. I think that this could really work for some readers, but this was underwhelming for me.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for a copy of this for the review!

This novel was a beautifully lyrical written story about a "nobody" in a tea brewing competition. When I first read the synopsis, I was intrigued with the premise and was not disappointed.

Although I rated this as a 3-star book - this is not a book problem; it's solely a ME problem. This book will delight any fantasy reader who enjoys a story about competition, intrigue, and politics. It is additionally exceptional in that it is an #ownvoices Asian-inspired story.

There's not much to gripe about here. We have intrigue, a bit of mystery, political power struggles, and beautifully described surroundings. We have angst, a bit of romance thrown in - all while competing!

My only gripe and why I found this difficult to read is the long descriptions - way more than my little eyes and brain could handle. I am a plot-driven reader, followed up by character arc stories. While the plot was there, it was prolonged and drawn out. I feel a lot of what we read could have been left out and still achieved the same results.
The characters, while endearing, were not as fleshed out as I wished them to be. Written in a first-person narrative which I love; however, there is a lot of repetitive dialogue. A few other characters shared the main spotlight, yet we just didn't get to learn much about them.
The cliffhanger at the end was WOW. I will be continuing this series as, overall, it is a beautiful story, and I want to see where Lin will take us next! Aside from my complaints, I realize this is a first in the series, so I'm hopeful we will see more character development in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I knew I would absolutely love this book since I first saw its GORGEOUS cover, and the inside is just as beautiful as the outside. Judy Lin's magic system that she created is just spectacular - I personally am obsessed with tea, so reading a book about a magic system where different types of tea leaves have different magical properties was exactly my style. The worldbuilding was fully fleshed out and enjoyable to read, and I loved all of the political intrigue and suspense involved with the competition. My only complaint was that the romance was not great.

I will definitely be reading the second of this duology, I'm looking forward to it!