*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to read an arc of this book.*
Beautiful cover.
Interesting story, took a while to get going.
I was interested in the magic system, the use of tea as their form of magic was intriguing. The end of the book made me interested in getting the sequel.

As someone that loves romance with mythology infused into it (And as a fan of Tea Drinking)- I was intrigued by this as soon as I saw the beautiful cover and found out it was about magical tea brewing.
Many Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review:
Plot- So this seemed pretty standard plot wise, everything fell into place throughout and no big twists that left me reeling, but it was enjoyable to read. Pacing was extremely fast, which gave me whiplash at some points but honestly i'd prefer fast to slow.

Worldbuilding- This worked for the most part, but i felt the magic system in the tea side of it wasn't always fully formed/explained to the reader? When it was there it was great but it just never seemed to fully register with me.

Characters- They were all well rounded and developed so i actually quite liked them.

Overall:
Plot and pacing overall were pretty good, but the worldbuilding and the mythology mixed magic system didn't quite work for me at times

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin is a mesmerizing and well-crafted novel that deftly combines magic, mystery, and historical fiction. The writing style is evocative and lyrical, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to a mystical world of alchemy and potions. The themes of power, corruption, and redemption are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding depth and complexity to the story.

The novel's unique blend of magic and historical fiction is particularly noteworthy, with the author skillfully incorporating real historical events and figures into the narrative. The characters are well-developed and multi-dimensional, with their own personal struggles and motivations that add to the richness of the story.

Lin's exploration of the corrupting influence of power and the redemptive power of love and forgiveness is masterfully done. The novel is a powerful reminder of the consequences of unchecked ambition and the importance of compassion and empathy.

Overall, A Magic Steeped in Poison is an enchanting and thought-provoking novel that would appeal to fans of historical fiction and magical realism. The novel's immersive writing style and well-crafted themes make it a standout read that is not to be missed.

This had a unique magic system, based on tea and all the ceremony behind it, that I found really interesting and was described and researched really well. It added an element to the story that otherwise would have felt very generic, fantasy wise.

Which brings me to the mine issue I had with the book - the characters. They're all quite flat and one dimensional, and very stereotypical YA. Ning is 'not like other girls', who just seems to have this innate ability to heal. It all felt a bit far fetched. And on top of this the romance felt very superficial and not exactly healthy, with a fair few cringy moments.

Wonderfully imaginative magic system, but the overall story is let down by lacklustre characters and a pretty standard YA plot.

The first amazing instalment in a teen series! Full of twists and turns and I am so so exited to read the next when it comes out.

finally got around to reading this book towards the end of January in anticipation for book two and I quite enjoyed it but didn't love it.

The narrative was very easy to read, I probably got through it at twice my normal speed and I loved the Asian setting and the language, it didn't overpower at all.

I found the story itself was good but a little repetitive of other Asian inspired fantasies I've read lately. The tea inspired magic was perfect and I thought I would enjoy the court competition more but alas I was more interested in the potential forbidden love interest and his identity/agenda 👀.

I'm intrigued enough to read book two which actually says a lot - I hope it cements the duology as a yes from me. For book one though, I really enjoyed it while I was reading but as soon as I put it down I did find it quite forgettable.

This was one of the books that made me realise that I've aged out of YA fantasy, so I will try to be as objective as possible in my review; I didn't enjoy A Magic Steeped In Poison as much as I was hoping to, but I think for fans of the genre it should be a real hit.

A deadly competition full of intrigue; a mysterious handsome boy with a secret identity; a girl struggling to save her family in the face of an unfair society; interesting and evocative magic - this has all the ingredients for a perfect YA fantasy blend, and it's executed really well. The story is pacey and the writing pretty, and the tea descriptions are exactly what this book needed to set it apart from similar plots. Overall, this wasn't for me, but I think it deserves four stars for doing exactly what it ought to.

A Magic Steeped in Poison was so vibrant and luscious, and made my tea-loving heart so happy.
The characters felt very real, the politics were absolutely amazing and I loved the twist at the end, I cant wait to continue with the duology.

This was simply enchanting; the world, magic and characters were all really well written and I was immediately drawn into the story. I am eagerly awaiting the next and final novel as the cliff haNger ending was too much!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

the magic system is stunning and the writing is accessible. though i hoped the plot would give more -- even though i'm not complaining about the tournament, i loved that setup and wanted more out of it.

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC.

A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is the first book in an imaginative fantasy duology that turns tea into magic.

It is such a fun magic system! Depending on the wielder and the ingredients, a tea can force someone to tell the truth, heal them, poison them, or control someone's actions. There is a magical realm that can be accessed through tea and the competition gives the book lots of chances to show off the breadth of the magic.

As well as the competition and its magic, there is an undercurrent of political tensions. The country is still scarred from a coup attempt a decade ago and there is widespread inequality. Of course, most of the ministers couldn't care less about the poor but are looking to increase their own power and ensure that whoever wins is like them (aka not a commoner like Ning.) It gives the book a precarious sense of something gathering, a danger approaching but it hard to make out what form it will ultimately take.

There's mythology woven throughout the book. I'm not sure if it's all mythology from our world, there were a few stories that seemed familiar. I suspect at least some of it has been invented to fit the needs of the book but if that's true, it's been so seamlessly blended so that you can't tell which is which, which is pretty impressive world building.

One thing I really liked about this book was the focus on female relationships. Yes there is a boy love interest but he and the potential relationship do not get as much page time as Ning and Lian's friendship or the potential for a friendship with Princess Zhen (or the fact that I think she's in a relationship with her bodyguard Ruyi.) One thing I am looking forward to about the second book is that it looks like we'll get a lot more time when Zhen and Ruyi!

The second book is already out, and it looks like it's going to let us see a lot more of the country and delve deeper into all the political alliances.

I really enjoyed this book!

The entire magic system being based off tea is just AMAZING, especially as a huge fan of tea and Chinese culture. It was fascinating learning about Chinese customs and I'm so glad Judy Lin decided to incorporate these aspects into a fantasy novel.

Honestly, the blurb alone sold me on this novel though. The book itself didn't disappoint me one bit either! Both the characters and the plot were complex yet left me wanting more.

This was a beautiful tale, with writing just as gorgeous as the cover. The writing immediately drew me in, and as a tea lover I adored the descriptions of the drinks, the detailed brewing processes, and of course the tea-based magic. I love a good competition plot, too!

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan for this advance copy to review.

I love tea, and I love fantasy novels. Reading A Magic Steeped in Poison was a non-brainer!

This story follows Ning, who has lost her mother and believes it was her fault, as she was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her, and not threatens to kill her sister too. When Ning hears of a competition in the capital to appoint the greatest magical tea maker (Shénnóng-Shī), she travels to compete and win the favour from the Princess - the only chance to save her sisters life. But of course there are backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a boy with a shocking secret still to come. Is Ning’s life more in danger than ever before?

Lin has beautiful prose, and I was enthralled by the premise and plot of this story. SO excited for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGallery, the author (Judy Lin), and the publisher for an e-arc of this book in exchange for a honest review
This book idea of magic in different types of tea, is something that I feel is so different just seems so cool.
This book was a YA fantasy, blended with mythology and hints of romance. The main character was relatable and I loved reading her journey throughout this book.
Added bonus, the cover is beautiful!!!
Would recommend this book and can’t wait for the second one.

I was drawn by the cover, but stayed for the plot. Tea as a magical conduit is the realest thing to me and I loved it. Plotwise, this book held together well, and I look forward to continuing on with the series.

This is a well thought out book and the first I have read by this author and although the story wasn't for me I'll be on the look out for upcoming books by this author.

What an amazing journey. Love all the references to the traditional ceremonies and history. Keep me on the edge the whole time. The end was just perfect leaving you wanting more. Can’t wait to read the next one.

A brilliant read from Judy. I was so excited to read this book, the gorgeous cover pulls you in but the writing and the story itself makes you stay. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

No, it is not shallow to pick up a book just because it has a beautiful cover.

In this case the stunning artwork is coupled with a magical story, resulting in an amazing reading experience. Asian mythology, tea ceremonies, a palace with exquisite gardens, emperor and treachery, tournament, a pinch of romance and lots of tea magic. This book has everything I love about a good YA fantasy. The only negative thing I can say is that all that talk about dumplings, noodles, crabs and rice cakes made me crave Asian food all through the book.

The cliffhanger ending would kill me if I didn't have the sequel on my ebook reader already. I can't wait to see what's happening next.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for an Advance Review Copy.