3.25

I had a fun time with this book, but ultimately don't think this will be a new favourite of mine. This is partially due to the fact that this is written in first person present tense, which is honestly just not a narrative choice that I enjoy at all. I ended up waiting for the audiobook release to read this because that's really the only way I can read first person present tense without it actively bothering me. On that note though, I will say that the narration by Carolyn Kang was absolutely superb - she has a very calming voice that's not over the top at all, which I felt like suited both the author's prose and my own tastes very well.

In terms of the book itself, this is a YA xianxia novel, with court politics, political intrigue, a competition element, and what is sold as tea magic, though I would say it's also equally as inspired by Chinese medicine as it is by traditional tea ceremony practices. On paper, this has all the elements of a book I would love, but unfortunately, I just didn't fall in love with the characters or the plot the way I wanted to.

I definitely think that the strongest aspect of the book is the worldbuilding. I think Lin does a great job of painting a picture of what the world is like through sensory descriptions (the food descriptions!!!!), imagery, and the magic system. There's definitely a whimsical aspect to it that I think is a staple in the xianxia genre, and I think in terms of capturing the essence of the genre, I think Lin did a fantastic job.

As a result, I think I enjoyed the first half of this book far more than I did the second half. I thought that Lin took a lot of time and care throughout the first half building the world and setting up the story and the politics in a way that showed a lot of promise, but ultimately once we started focusing more on the plot and characters, it fell a little flat for me. I felt like the same amount of detail and nuance was not present in the character relationships in particular - I didn't really care for the romantic relationship, but even the friendships that Ning makes in the palace are not, in my opinion, all that believable, and I just didn't find myself caring about the characters at all. I thought the plot was solid, though the competition element felt like it dragged on a bit too much for me, and after the halfway point, I kind of forgot it was still happening until someone explicitly mentioned it.

All in all, I think this is a very solid debut, and I will likely still be continuing on and finishing off the duology, especially if Carolyn Kang will be narrating the audiobook. I really enjoyed Lin's prose and worldbuilding, and I do wonder what she could do in the adult SFF genre where I think she could really just go with the worldbuilding and just run with it (something akin to Nghi Vo's books where the worldbuilding and prose is at the forefront).

I love this book so much! I was fully immersed in the story. PSA that the book ends in a savage cliffhanger. I absolutely hate cliffhangers and this one was tough, but thankfully, the sequel releases this year! Honestly, I’m not sure how to write my review because I loved so many things about this tory. The magic, plot, characters, and magic were awesome.

The writing is lyrical and descriptive, but not overly flowery. There were so many lines in the book I tabbed. The descriptions made me feel like I could smell and taste all the different teas and food. The story was beautifully atmospheric.

Magic System
The magic is mesmerizing. Master tea brewers are called shennong-shi. Not everyone can be a shennong-shi just because they brew tea. It seems like they have to be born with the magical ability.

Ning’s mother was a shennong-shi and it says that Ning showed signs of the magical ability when she was young so she was taught the magical art of tea-making even though her younger sister was her mother’s official apprentice.

There are also levels of magic. Simple teas can imbue the drinker with courage or alertness. Shennong-shi can also do complex magic like healing, illusions, and even animate dead creatures. Specific teas along with the shennong-shi’s will allows them to connect with the drinker. The connection allows the shennong-shi to guide the magic. However, the magic takes from the wielder too. For example when the shennong-shi heals someone, they draw in the drinker’s sickness.

Characters
Ning is an awesome protagonist. She’s talented, smart, and street smart. I love how focused she is on her purpose. Her sole goal was to find an antidote for her sister. Her fellow competitor and friend Lian added some levity to the story. I loved their friendship. There is a romantic interest, which I won’t name due to spoilers. I liked how he pursued Ning first and his backstory. The romance was well-paced and believable. I hope there will be more development between them in the sequel.

Court Politics
The Daxi kingdom is on shaky ground as the ruler is ill. The princess and heir is hosting the competition to find a new shennong-shi who will be added to her group of advisors. As Ning moves through the competition, the political climate gets more intense. There are a lot twists and turns. I didn’t know who to trust. Characters have secret agendas. By the end of the book, I still have doubts as to who is a genuine ally to Ning and who is using her.

Overall, this is one of the top YA fantasies I’ve read this year so far and highly anticipating the sequel.

** Thank you to Fierce Reads for providing me with an arc to review.

This book is a STUNNER! This Chinese-folklore inspired YA fantasy novel features phenomenal, flowery writing and descriptive, mesmerizing prose. With steady pacing and a clear-cut magic system (I’ve never read about tea magic before!), A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON has the perfect blend of magic, a competition-centered storyline, and court intrigue. There is an itty bitty romance, but it doesn’t overshadow anything. I’m excited for the journey to continue in A Venom Dark and Sweet (already pre-ordered it, so you know it’s serious 🤪) and to see a deeper exploration the relationships and plot lines introduced in this book.

This debut novel from Judy Lin was so magical. An entire magical system created from different types of tea and the way they are prepared is so unique. I cannot wait for the next installment in this series! Judy is on my auto-buy list for sure!

Definitely more of a 4.5 but I’m rounding up.

This book has been on my radar since the first time I saw the title and premise and I knew it was gonna be awesome. Then came the stunning and colorful cover reveal and since then, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the release date so that I could pick it up. And I’m so so happy that I’m getting to participate in a blog tour for this book which wowed me all the way through.

I remember reading a three chapter excerpt of the book a couple of months ago and I was so impressed in just those few pages. The descriptions in this book are just ethereal. Whether it’s the gorgeous pavilions and gardens in the palace, the detailed art of making tea or the way tea magic works - every thing is described so beautifully that we can totally feel it happening right in front of our eyes. The plot itself is also so engaging because we know the stakes right from the beginning and as we gradually get to know more dangers lurking in the dark and don’t know who to trust, it just becomes all the important for us to know what’s coming next and that made me not wanna put it down even for a second. It also helped that I was alone in a clinic waiting room full of people for more than 6 hours and this book was the only thing keeping me awake and not irritated. The author is very talented at keeping all the cards close to her chest and I never could really guess who some of the betrayers were gonna be, so it was a very thrilling ride. And while I’m not a fan of tea at all, I was just so damn impressed by the whole intricate process and it’s corresponding magic and I wish we had coffee versions of it all so I could try.

And the characters… just wow. Ning is someone who I fell in love with in the first chapter itself. She loves her family so much and will do anything for her sister, her mother’s loss is still overwhelming but she sets it aside because her purpose is different. But her mother is always with her through her tea making and it’s magic and I was glad that Ning still had that connection to her mom. She also can be a bit impulsive but brave and gets into many tough situations but somehow manages to get out of them too. However what endeared me most towards her was that she will always stick to her principles and speak up when she gets a chance, even it might be detrimental for her personally. It’s hard not to root for such a wonderful girl.

The story is told exclusively through Ning’s POV, so we get to see the others through her eyes. Her spark with Kang is instantaneous and there were many lovely moments between them but their path is also forged on a heap of secrets and divided loyalties, so I’m very intrigued to see how it develops next. Kang did feel like a person who had good intentions but I also felt like he didn’t understand all the stakes well enough. The princess Zhen took some time for me to get invested in but she turned out to be a strong willed woman having to fight very tough odds. I hope we get more of her in the next book because I really wanna get to know her up close. But the one character we get most page time with is Lian, the one friend that Ning makes in the capital, her roommate and competitor and partner all rolled into one. Lian is the daughter of diplomats and she has a lovely cheerful personality and seems to make friends very easily, almost taking Ning under her wing and not letting her feel alone. I loved their friendship and I also wish we will explore their bond more in the rest of the story. We also have quite a few other characters who show up frequently and leave deep impressions and I can’t wait to see how the author weaves all of their arcs together.

In the end, this debut turned out to be as lovely as I was expecting it to be and I’m not at all surprised that it debuted at #1 on the NYT Bestsellers list. This Chinese mythology and Taiwanese tea making inspired novel is gorgeously written, very evocative, has characters you get feel invested in right from the moment you meet them, and enough twists and betrayals to keep you hooked throughout. And for a change, I’m ecstatic that we’ll get the sequel in just a few more months and I don’t have to cry waiting for it.

We follow Ning who has just travelled away from her family to join a competition that her bring her into a powerful position (the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi - a master of ancient and magical art of tea-making). She has joined the competition hoping that she can get the much rumoured cure-all, that the princess has used to keep herself alive despite the constant threats and attempt on her life, in order to save her sister who is dying from a poisoned tea. The same one that killed her mother.

Just as she begins the competition at the imperial city she meets Kang, a handsome young man who happens to also be vying, or at least his father, for the throne. She quickly falls in love with Kang only to begin to doubt him when his actions and words don't align. I thought the whole first-sight love was a bit out there. But there were main twists and turns that brought the characters to life, from the Queen-to-be to her love for her servant to the dark shadows in every corner. This book was court politics and threats done right. I also loved how this book explored class discrimination.

Ning might have gone to the palace to find a cure of her sister, she found a lot more than she was expecting.
I was very hesitant to write this review because I really don't know whether I liked this book or not. Le me start by saying that I enjoyed the story, I thought it was well thought out, well written had lot of great plot points, amazing characters and an ending that ensures that I will read the next book. However, this book did not stand out from other Asian inspired fantasy that I have read recently. This might be due to me just reading a bunch of them over a short period but it just did not stand out. This does not mean that the story itself is similar to other Asian mythology inspired fantasy like Daughter of the Moon Goddess or Jade Fire Gold but the plot progress was so similar that I almost got confused.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for making this book available to me via #Netgalley

Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group/Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of this magnificent book!

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

*4.75 stars*

There is only ONE reason I couldn't give this book 5 stars, and I'm sad I can't say I loved it. However, there are a LOT of great qualities to AMSiP that you should still check it out for. Let's get the bad part over and done with so I can talk about how amazing this book is.

First off, my biggest issue was the pacing. It was so fast at the beginning, and I honestly thought about stopping when I first started because of it. I wanted to get to know Ning more before she entered the plot. Until the end, there was also just something missing for me from the overall experience. Maybe it's because I have entered a reading slump, or maybe I've just had a lot on my mind, but I didn't feel entrenched in the world till the ending (which was KILLER, by the way! I need the next book now!)

What you can look forward to when you pick this up: a combo of Chinese and Taiwanese mythology, a sisterly bond, an intense competition, a mysterious love interest, a complex magic system (involving the art of tea making!), stunning worldbuilding, and bloody politics in the royal court. Oh, and did I mention so many twists that this book should be classified as a rollercoaster? It had that too. And the DELICIOUS food depictions will make you hungry as you cry because the writing (and story) is so beautiful (It will also make you laugh, in case you are wondering).

This book is definitely one of my top three reads this year, and I look forward to A Venom Dark and Sweet later this year (PRAYING I'll be approved for it as well)!

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

The writing style is beautiful. It felt very suited to the historical setting, and it reflected Ning’s meticulousness as well as the details imbued in the world’s food, architecture, clothing, and more. Plus, the magic system is just so intriguing. I knew that tea is associated with healing properties in many cultures, but I would never have imagined a magic system that draws on tea to heal, influence one’s thoughts, and even conjure illusions.

I also loved the themes of family and betrayal. Ning is first introduced as an accidental hero—her sister was supposed to enter the tea-brewing competition until Ning accidentally poisoned her (which, obviously, fuels many crises down the road). Throughout the novel, it was heartwarming to see the extent to which Ning would push herself for the sake of saving her sister, despite Shu receiving very little page time. Ning dedicated the same passion to preserving the legacy of her mother, a renowned shennong-shi, even as the condescension of other competitors and city residents highlights the prejudice toward people of Ning’s social class and rural upbringing. However, as Ning navigates the machinations of court and unravels the truth of her mother’s past, she asserts herself more and more; she stays true to her family while learning to forge her own path.

I do wish the pacing had been more even. While I do not mind flowery language, the plot did not pick up until the end, so, together, they made the book feel prolonged. For this reason, I found myself taking a lot of breaks while reading, and it was difficult for me to stay immersed. This is also because the characters fell a bit flat. They were easy to root for, but I never established a connection to their internal conflicts, only their external ones. Thus, although their conflicts drove the story, I would have liked to get to know the characters better—though I’m confident this will be accomplished in A Venom Dark and Sweet, the upcoming sequel.

Amazing! First of all the cover is so beautiful. I really enjoyed this story from the beginning. The magic system is so unique and incredible! This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint. I cannot wait to read the next book. If you love fantasy, magic, tea, and amazing reads then look no further.
*thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

At first, it took a while before I understood what's going on. The author places you directly in the world and there isn't much exposition on what or how everything works (thank goodness), only that the MC "may" have been someone bad? She poisoned her mother and sister, why did she do that?
It isn't until a few more pages that the reader understands what's happening. From the first page, there is mystery and action and it's all very exciting but confusing.

I'm loving Bo/Kang. I wish there was a bit more romance in this book, if not the sequel, they both really have some spark that I wish were explored more (I hope it will be in the second book, or I will be very, very sad).
I also like how descriptive all the foods are, I can picture all of them in real life, and they're all foods you can eat now too. I also love how the author actually kept the Chinese names of things; it's a way to learn about Chinese culture and vocabs at the same time.

The world of tea is so interesting and original. There hasn't been anyone else who writes about this, and the author really makes it a viable and interesting type of magic.
There's mystery, palace intrigue, politics, hidden secrets, hidden tunnels, hidden identities, prince, princess, loyal bodyguard, assassinations, this book got exciting really fast.

And that ending.... Thank goodness, August 2022 is fast approaching!

- A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is gorgeous and action packed. The descriptions of the teas made even this tea hater want to try some of them.
- I did take some issue with the pacing in some parts, and didn't really understand and/or buy the motivations of some characters.
- However, if you're looking for an atmospheric, inventive read with a determined heroine, it's worth giving this book a try.

This is one of those books that I’m going to classify as not for me. I like the story and the ideas behind it but I don’t love the way it is written. It is decidedly YA and doesn’t quite have that gritty dark edge I prefer. I found it hard to connect with the characters and didn’t understand a lot of the motivations behind their actions. I kept expecting more but it felt quite 2 dimensional. The story is the true strength of this book, and is what carried me along despite my reservations.

A grim circumstance, a handsome exile, and a threat to an empire. In Judy I. Lin’s debut novel, A Magic Steeped In Poison, we’re privy to the demanding trials Ning has to face in order for the chance to become a recognized shennong-shi, or divine master of the ancient and magical art of tea-making. If she succeeds, she will earn a favor from the princess. Will it be enough to save her sister’s life? Can she overcome the obstacles of not only the trial, but the dangerous events that unfold?

In an incredible feat from a first-time author, we are graced with not only A Magic Steeped in Poison, but a quick wait for book #2 of The Book of Tea series, A Venom Dark and Sweet. Normally I’m one to wait for a series to finish before diving in. (I’m overly patient because I’m impatient; I like to read one book after another when it’s in a series.) However, after stumbling across this book, I was compelled to get my hands on it sooner rather than later. Five months isn’t too horrible a wait. It doesn’t matter whether you wait to grab both in August or pick them up as they come, you should definitely add them to your list. Once the second one is out, don’t be surprised when you see a follow-up review from me.

So, how did Ning find herself in such a harrowing situation? The catalyst begins with a fateful brew, made by the hands of Ning herself. In a single sip, she loses her mother and finds her sister’s life at risk due to a poisoned tea brick. Though no fault of her own, and likely directly the result of the infamous and mysterious Shadow, it’s knowledge that plagues our protagonist and provides momentum to the story. Will Ning redeem herself and save a life most precious to her? What more is at stake?

I appreciate that we’re not jumping around or switching perspectives. It’s chronologically situated on a steady-moving timeline, so it never drags. Moments between characters are constantly perpetuating the narrative and don’t feel stagnant. Even when we encounter more simplistic action sequences (shopping at the market, lunch with other characters), we’re still being pulled forward in the story without feeling like it’s forcefully placed and fabricated. More eventful, dramatic instances aren’t jarring and out of place because of the consistent momentum we see throughout the book. The way it’s crafted feels almost like an honest retelling of events, not a story driven by the author’s need to expose the plot.

The plot itself is layered and complex. There’s a lot going on, all seemingly interwoven on a macro and micro scale. The empire is threatened by a shadowy figure seemingly to blame for poisoning the denizens across the land–including, perhaps, Ning’s family. There’s an air of deception and unrest throughout the empire with multiple assassination attempts on the princess, and threats to the current status quo that trickle down and instill a general unease nationwide. That unrest is mirrored in Ning’s own personal struggles of deciding who to trust with what information. As a result, I was nervously covering the tensest moments, so my eyes didn’t wander ahead in anticipation of the outcome.

This book is a gorgeous world to get whisked away into. Details unfurl like the dried tea leaves steeping in the cup I made myself every time I sat down to read. (It seemed an appropriate ritual.) It features vibrant depictions of smells, tastes, and color. Lin intentionally flavors every scene with the sights and smells that make you want to take in a deep breath as if they aren’t just words on paper. For you Studio Ghibli or Shokugeki no Soma fans out there, reader be warned–the way Lin describes food is reminiscent of these master food visualizers. I felt whole and connected to this world and lamented having to leave it (thank the gods for a sequel). It truly lives up to its beautifully evocative cover art.

If the details aren’t what keeps you thumbing for the next page, the charming relationships will. Along Ning’s journey, she interacts with a diverse spectrum of people–commonfolk, scholars, snively competition, fickle advisors, royalty. Even the rival interactions between persons of status or threat are intriguing and rewarding. It’s the kind of book you scrunch your nose and huff at or find yourself audibly chortling with a gleeful smile. Dialog between characters is endearing and leaves you wanting for the next interaction. Even the unspoken connections characters have with each other add a level of realness, making the story more and more enveloping.

Lin has a clearly developed voice that I find delightfully unique. I often find authors latching on to favorite words or stylistic choices and tropes, but I felt as though Lin couldn’t limit herself. Though that may speak more to the fact it’s her first published work, it’s really refreshing to read and I hope it’s a trend that remains in her writing.

Truth be told, it’s difficult to pinpoint things I’m not particularly a fan of in the book. The chapters are well-paced and I obviously care a lot for the imagery and world-building. I’m not entirely sure I have a specific negative critique and I generally rate this book very well. As always, my aim is not to spoil, so I’m not delving into some of the intrigue I’ve alluded to: i.e. that handsome exile. Instead, I implore you to discover that relationship as it’s relayed in the book, the author will do a much better job at it, I promise.

Overall: If you are interested in a magical tea competition, you may want to check this out.

Pros:
Magic Tea. A reason that I was interested and, thankfully, a reason I loved this because it was so unique.
Competition Element. This was absolutely a fun addition that I was not expecting somehow.
Writing Style. This was one that I absolutely vibed with and felt like it fit the mood of the story.

Cons:
Romance. One of the weaker elements in the story thus far is the romance, but as a first book, anything is possible.

I don't think people appreciate the art of making a proper cup of tea. I am grateful for this story because each strain of tea teaches the readers how to acknowledge the ingredients and their properties. The magical connections between the pourers and the consumers showcase an invisible thread that bridges everything and everyone. Lin never bragged about it much, but I think the main character Ning had a scarce ability to make these types of connections with people, which furthered her in the competition. Coupled with her drive to save her dying sister, semi-sleuthing to figure out who's poisoning the kingdom, and her awkward romance with the hot banished prince, we have an entertaining, faced-paced story that will have you rushing for Book 2!

"Judy I. Lin's sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo."
I couldn't see that praise and just decide not to request this, so here we are! Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. First off, the cover itself blew my mind so I had very high expectations going in, especially since this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. The beginning was a little slow and took a while to really get into, hence how long it took to get this review out. The characters and side characters were all very lovable though, and the whole concept itself was interesting to read about. This is one of those books that picks up in momentum the more and more you read through it, and by the end, I couldn't look away till it was over. Loved the ending, but I wish certain magical aspects were explained a bit further instead of rushed over in such a quick paced story. I saw the recent cover reveal of the soon-to-come sequel and am very excited to see what comes next in this series nonetheless!

MAGICAL TEA COMPETITION? Yes. Sign me up.

Ning’s mother was a Master and Ning is pretending to be her apprentice in order to travel to the Capitol and compete for a royal appointment in hopes to find a cure for her sister among the rare teas and mystical medicines kept in the palace.

THE OPENING:
The opening scene is a masterclass in tension building as we learn in THE FIRST CHAPTER that Ning holds herself responsible for having killed her mother and weakened her sister as she brewed the enchanted tea that poisoned them both. What a captivating premise. It hooked me from the first page!

WORLDBUILDING:
The amount of care and detail in the worldbuilding repeatedly made me forget that so much of this world and the properties of these teas are fiction. Every page contains such rich descriptions, it felt as if I could smell and taste all of the tea and food. (So much, glorious food. This book will make you hungry.)

Lin has crafted a unique and complex magic system for her shennong-shi - “masters of the mystical and ancient art of tea-making”, or as I like to call them, TEA MAGICIANS. Lin weaves the rich lore of the discovery and preparation of the many types of tea throughout the story, giving each blend its own mystical properties. My favorite moment is when the shennong-tu (apprentice tea magicians) competing to become the next Royal Shennong-shi, demonstrate the techniques unique to their region and school of tea-making.


**Light spoilers from here ** AKA, I don’t reveal major plot points or how characters end up but really just comment on things you could infer from the publisher’s summary.


THE CHARACTERS:
I found some of the characters to be a bit two-dimensional, but the reader is rooted in Ning’s first person perspective and I enjoyed how my perspective on the story shifted as the reader learns not to trust Ning’s assumptions. Without spoiling too much, I will call out that I always love wrong assumptions and seeing enemies becoming allies. (*Almost everyone is Ning’s enemy at the beginning of the book, so good luck trying to figure that one out.)

THE ENDING:
The ending didn’t quite land for me (hence the loss of 1 star), it felt a bit rushed, with the final scene between Kang and Ning feeling forced and irrational. However, upon further reflection, I can acknowledge that the suddenly brisk pace and high stakes drew me in and had me quite literally leaning further toward the pages by the end.

Finally, I loved that the competition lasted for the entire book! I get frustrated when the competition that first drew me to a book finishes within the first half of the book. ATTN authors: Do what Lin does!! The competition is the focus of the book and then if there is more to dive into afterwards, write a second book!

I will certainly be picking up book two, A Venom Dark and Sweet, (August, 2022) and drinking unhealthy amounts of tea while I do so.

Thank you to Judy I. Lin and Macmillan’s Children’s Publishing Group for the e-ARC.

the world building! the magic system! the cover art! i was done for from the beginning. i enjoyed my time in the world lin has built, but i can't help but feel like there is a lot here to resolve in the second book, and the frequency with which things were added as the book stretched on makes me wonder how there will be room in a duology to wrap things up in a satisfying way. great for fans of ya fantasy who enjoy worlds inspired by east asian culture, with some caveats.

What a cool read! Beautifully written, this story unravels slowly leading up to an action-packed ending.

A cleverer writer than myself could compare the pacing of this book to tea steeping - slowly becoming stronger as the seemingly separate flavors blend together into something delightful. Although it works out well in the end, I did struggle with the slower pacing at the start of this book. It's a much more thoughtful and careful book than I expected from a book centered around a magic-based competition. But while the danger in this competition is quieter and more strategic, it is no less risky.

One of the great strengths of this book is the political intrigue. Lin crafts an intricate web of interconnected characters and groups and the reader spends a lot of time wondering who we can trust, who has pure motives, who will betray who, etc. There are some excellent twists that I think readers will really enjoy.

I also have to applaud this unique, carefully crafted magic system. The premise is incredibly cool and I never tired of hearing Lin expand on it. This is also an area where the beautiful lyricism of her writing truly shines. Her descriptions of ingredients and the tea brewing process are incredibly vivid and draw on all of the readers senses. I look forward to seeing how she will continue to develop this magic scheme in the sequel.

Although it took me a while to vibe with the pacing and really become invested in the story, this is a beautifully written fantasy with a unique magic system, high stakes plots, and many cleverly crafted twists and turns. I will definitely be checking out the sequel.

Special thanks to Macmillan, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a stunning book, from page one until the end. I was highly impressed with the world-building and the magic. The magic system is different from any other book I’ve read. What I thought was interesting was how high the stakes are, but the writing completely put me at ease. While the pacing was slower than I anticipated, I was hooked from the first chapter.

The description of everything, from the tea brewing to the meals, was fantastic. The character development was great. The backstories were well written, and I felt like I knew each character. But Ning… she was my absolute favorite character. She was smart, brave and kind. I’m excited for what’s to come for her. There is romance, and I hope that gets explored a little more. (Perhaps in book 2?)

The lore and culture were beautifully written. The competition was interesting, and I couldn’t put the book down. Ever since “The Hunger Games” series, books with competitions will always have a hold on me. This was no exception. I enjoyed watching each character navigate the competition and the politics.

Overall, the magical world Lin has created with her beautiful prose will keep you enthralled with this book. So curl up with your favorite cup of tea and enjoy!