How to characterize this book? It's like a dystopian YA novel, but set not in the far future, but in the far past, and not in a war-torn Europe/America, but in a magical, non-war-torn China.
Ning is a teenage Chinese girl whose mother has died after drinking poisoned tea, and her younger sister has also fallen ill from the effects of the same poison. So, the only way for Ning to save her sister is to go to the capital, where the royal house has announced competitions to find the "tea mage" of the new court. If Ning can win the competitions, she will gain access to the royal palace's medicine warehouses and thus save her sister.
Of course, the participants do not compete only on the tasks given by the judges, but also outside the competitions, without choosing the means and sometimes with the approval of their mentors. It's not easy for Ning because she has no mentor, no local supporters, but it wouldn't be a YA fantasy if she didn't find supporters and friends in unexpected places.
Competitions, tea, magic, friendships, court politics, secrets - this is an exciting story that is easy to follow, and finally a book where they drink tea :).
And that ending … next book please!!! :)

I really enjoyed this book, it was a really great fantasy story with a fantastic magic system, good characters, and an engaging political plotline.

The magic in this is easily the standout. Its such a unique and interesting way to have magic, with the shennong-shi able to use different teas for different things. I really liked the cultural aspect of the tea making as well, with each shennong-shi having their own way to brew tea for others, it added an extra layer to this magic system.

Ning was a really great main character, I found her motivations to be easy to follow and root for, and she definitely felt like a character who’s just out of her depth but forced to carry on for the sake of herself, and her sister. She gets caught up in a really dangerous situation, and you really feel her fear and how out of her depth she feels, only barely able to survive.
Another interesting character is Bo, who Ning meets when she is out in the market for ingredients for her first task of the competition. I really liked the back and forth banter they have initially, with both giving each other obviously fake names. Bo very much comes across as a young man who enjoys lots of the little things in life, and find life in the capital to be a bit much, which helps him and Ning bond. I do find his character to be interesting, as we see him over the course of the book theres definitely something else behind the mask of the boy at the market, and even by the end of the book you don’t quite understand his motivations. However, I do feel like he’s not given enough time on page for his character to be fully developed and explored, so you still have very little idea as to who’s side he’s on and what his goal is by the end of the book.

I think the biggest let down of this book is the pacing, particularly the way its balancing its two main plot threads. You have the shennong-shi competition, and then you have the stuff with Bo and the Princess that Ning finds herself caught up in, and the two only just manage to overlap, they do feel like separate storylines for a lot of the book, and I feel like the book was almost there with how to balance the action, character moments, and the two plot threads, but it just doesn’t quite hit the mark there, so I did find it hard to stay invested in some of the things going on because of that.

The plot is great though, I really liked the political stuff that’s going on, and the way it all gets introduced to Ning by different characters, theres the overarching mystery of who has been sending poisoned tea out into the country and causing unrest in the villages, theres the mystery surround the emperor, and the Princess is also an interesting character, I wasn’t sure how much of her we were going to see but shes actually a fairly major player, so it was good to see her make a few appearances. This is definitely written in mind of a duology, so a lot of this book is building towards the climax, and a lot of things left hanging to be tied up in the next book, so really looking forward to the sequel to see where things go.

Overall a great read, it has amazing magic system, some great characters, and a lot of mystery to get through. Its let down a little by the pacing and not being as tight as I like my stories to be, but overall really really great, am definitely going to read the sequel!

thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. when i started this book, i wasnt sure what i was going to think of it, but i really enjoyed it. its a fun read, and enjoyable in regards to everything, from the characters, to the plot, and how everything unfolds. it wasnt perfect, but i enjoyed every second i was reading it. taking this into consideration, i am going to give this book 4/5 stars because i really enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend.

This book both made me really hungry and really thirsty. The descriptions of food and tea was just amazing throughout. The magic system is absolutely magical, I love the combination of mythology and folklore, with horticulture and herbal medicine. A world where one sip can change everything. It can forge connections, show you the future and cure most ills. It can cause death to creep closer and illness to seep in. A world where gods speak through omens and taste. Where magic flows through little buds and well grown bark. A world where the Emperor and his people know little of each other, where politics and lives live far apart.
From a world of life, Ning must venture into this land of politics, of veiled threats and hidden alliances. To help her family, to save her sister. Ning knows the secrets of plants, and the secrets of tea, like the back of her hand. She learned their uses working with her mother - nurturing fields and trees, she knows their stories. Can Nings wildness and knowledge be enough ?

The best YA fantasy I’ve read in a long time. Fully realized world building, complex characters, a unique system of magic incorporating Chinese mythology and tea, lots of tea! I enjoyed this so much I’m willing to forgive that rude cliffhanger ending.

I’ve never been so excited to read a book but this one has been in my wish list forever and OH MY it was worth the wait! I LOVE LOVE LOVED it, I refuse to spoil it for anyone but you need to read this ASAP!

Thank you to Titan and NetGalley for this eARC of 'A Magic Steeped In Poison' by Judy I Lin.

I really did enjoy this, the world and the characters were like a breath of fresh air - unique but also familiar. The plotline was easy to follow which was amazing and overall I loved the story I was reading.

Of course, this is a duology so the sequel - which doesn't come out for another year for UK readers - is really intriguing to me. The ending was quite a cliffhanger but a cliffhanger that just makes me want to continue to finish this duology.

• a really clever idea which includes mythology and old practices.

• a lead female character who is trying to save her family .

• it took a little time for me to get into , but when the competition starts it gets really interesting.

• a good mix of characters who all have an impact on the story.

• beautifully written , great scene setting and character building.

•the romance aspect falls a little flat .. I can’t tell whether I’m routing for them or not .

Overall an enjoyable read but could of done with some more background on the tea making and the magic .

I would recommend.

I am really into Chinese mythology these days and this book was such a treat!
(THAT COVER? HELLO?)

To be fair, the book started off very slow and felt like it contained nothing new. But then the sub-plots started and AH I've never read anything like this before. It is truly an unforgettable read and I highly recommend this to everyone.

Excited to read the sequel!!

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.

I was swept away by this stunning and poignant novel. The way the author writes is simply beautiful, she has created such a rich and fascinating world that you can’t help but be drawn into it. The level of detail in this book is superb and gives the reader excellent visuals. I had no prior knowledge of tea ceremonies but the way this book describes them is mesmerizing. The plot has many twists and turns, it kept me guessing all the way through.

The cover art for this novel was gorgeous and was what immediately enticed me. I know there is a sequel in the works and am desperate to read it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Evocatively rendered, full of beautiful, lush settings and visually stunning imagery. A lovely debut!

An Asian fantasy novel about tea magic with a gorgeous cover, I think this will do very well with teens. I found the priorities in this novel a little skewed: it's high-paced, and plot-focused, but the writing style and characterisation and world building suffered a little.

First book of the duology "The Book of Tea" by Judy I. Lin, A Magic Stepped in Poison is a YA with interesting premises but which attracts attention for its delicate and intriguing magical system, as well as for that small work of art which is the cover made by Sija Hong.

Betrayals, court intrigues, a rebellion at the gates and a competition where mostly one stabs oneself in the back for victory.
A debut work that certainly picks up and does not differ much from the dynamics and clichés of fantasy YA, making the development of the story a little (too) predictable. The events are reminiscent in some ways Spin the Dawn or The Daughter of Moon Goddess for example.

We are not talking about a novel with a fast and pressing pace, on the contrary, above all the central part can be confusing at times and with a fluctuating pace. Added to this are an instalove that no one really felt the need for, some illogicalities and (too many) comfortable coincidences in the plot that make you turn your nose up a bit.

The novel, however, has the advantage of being smooth thanks to interesting primary and secondary characters and a magical system based on tea.
Also thanks to the style of the lyric author, sometimes dreamlike and romantic, but without being excessively dense and rich, the reading becomes much more sensorial and "dreamed".
I find that the winning element of the novel is precisely the conception of this magic centered on tea.

Perfectly inserted in the text, the author has created a magical system that gives strength to the story and that contributes to enriching the worldbuilding with mythological and cultural details. For example, each region has its own way of preparing tea, as well as different uses.

A magic stepped in poison is a rather solid debut, which manages to discreetly manage the plot of intrigue and the characters but which fascinates with the idea of ​​tea. She has her undeniable flaws but she does her duty to entertain and I'm curious to read the sequel A Venom Dark and Sweet!

Chinese mythology, tea magic, villains and poisoners, court intrigue and trials?

With such a gorgeous cover, this book immediately caught my eye and the description captivated my imagination,

AMSIP is the story of Ning, her guilt over aiding in the death of her mother and her sister’s illness, it’s also a story of her talent as a shennongshi and her part in the making — or breaking of an empire!

Lin’s descriptive prose is a feast for the senses, I remember feeling my hunger quite keenly after reading a few passages from the MC’s time working in the kitchens.

The only part where I felt as if the story fell short was in the promised competition aspect. We didn’t really get to see our MC go all out in competition against shennongshi apprentices from around China, our MC got unknowingly caught up in political machinations, which though were fun, took away from what could have been a really interesting aspect of the story.

We do get some time devoted to studying the various competitors and their specialties so it wasn’t all bad, it just wasn’t as big a part of it as I had expected.

All in allm I really enjoyed this one and with the cliffhanger ending I’m gasping for book 2!

A Magic Steeped In Poison stars teenage Ning, a physician's apprentice whose mother has recently been killed by drinking poisoned tea distributed by her province's governor. Now Ning is determined to take up the art of tea magic to cure her sister Shu, who was also poisoned and is now slowly dying. But to achieve her goal, she'll have to compete to become the palace's next shennong-shi - a master of tea-making. Once Ning arrives at the palace, though, she's drawn into political games that are much bigger than she anticipated.

Judy I. Lin's worldbuilding is elegant and convincing. She creates a fantasy world based loosely on traditional Chinese medicine and mythology that feels real without straining to convince. It actually reminded me a bit of Tamora Pierce's Tortall; there's an authority in Lin's writing that allows her to set out the politics simply without making them feel skimpy. And of course the tea magic is just beautiful. Where this YA debut fell down for me, sadly, was the characterisation. I liked the alliance of female characters forming by the end of this novel - which is the first in a duology - but frankly I could only tell them apart based on their roles in the story. And as others have said, the romantic subplot is both unbelievable and distracting - I found myself switching off from the story whenever the man in question turned up.

I'm not sure whether or not I'll be compelled to read the next book, but this was an escapist, enjoyable read. 3.5 stars.

I will post this review to Goodreads etc in September

A magic stepped in posin by Judy I. Lin, is the first in The Book of tea dilogy and lays the groundwork for a truly intriguing series.
Let me say one thing, however, nay, let me shout it out: THAT COVER!
I'm not a huge fan of pink, but I swear I completely fell in love with it in this one.
Now to the content...

Losing a mother is hard, but even more so to know that you unknowingly killed her with your own hands.
She did not think she would drink the poisonous tea that now, her sister, rushes in wanting to drink it.
Her sister Shu's life hangs by a thread, and in order to save her she is aware that she absolutely must win the competition to find the greatest shennonh-shi in the kingdom, that is, the one who can wield the magical art of tea-making with extreme skill.
The winner will receive a favor from the princess, and this may save his sister's life.
This competition, however, will not be easy at all; in short, everyone would like to win in exchange for a favor from the princess, but of one thing we are sure: you must always watch your back.

The basic idea of A magic stepped in poison is not bad, too bad that overall I was not very excited about it.
The romance part, in my opinion, prevails much over the fantasy part and this dampened the hype I had about this book.
I found Ning flat, without depth and boring at times.
On the writing style, nothing to say. I really appreciated the enrichment of the story, given precisely by the research done by the author on new and old Chinese medicine.
I am honestly curious to read the second volume, who knows what the author will have in store for us.

keywords- magic, Chinese mythology, romance, magic competition , kingdom themed, revolutions, political intrigue

In short- a beautiful written world full of magic and danger. Action packed with an enthralling emotional roller-coaster you wont be able to put this story down.

Full review

Judy I. Lin is a new author for me but she is now firmly on my favourite shelf on my bookcase.

Judy I. Lin introduces to the dazzling world of Chinese mythology and the magic of tea, from the very start I couldn’t put this book down. A magic steeped in poison te lls us the story of Ning, a young adult who has lost her mum via poison tea and who is about to lose her younger sister to the same fate, the only chance Ning has to save her sister is to compete in the shenong-shi trails which unknown to Ning will be the most dangerous thing she has ever done.

This whole story was exciting, heart-warming and suspenseful, the concept was very unique but is beautifully written and because the world and characters are completely fleshed out, its easy to feel everything is completely real and to become utterly lost in Ning’s emotional and physical journey.

I can not wait to see Ning again and to learn what happens after the suspenseful cliff hanger ending of a magic seeped in poison. If you read one book this year make it this one!

A Magic Steeped in Poison expertly blends a unique and intriguing magic system with characters you instantly adore into a YA fantasy novel full of love, family, and the determination to do whatever is necessary to protect them.

Ning is desperate. Her mother has been killed by poisoned tea leaves being dispersed throughout the kingdom, and her sister is deathly ill. Guilt-stricken by the fact she brewed the tea that caused it, Ning takes her sister’s invitation to the royal shennong-shi, a fierce competition amongst the magical tea-makers of the land to secure a position in the Princess’ household, and more importantly, a single request from the emperor. She is determined to request her sister’s treatment, regardless of what it costs her. However, Ning has grown up away from the scheming and politicising of the capital, and it shows; she must tread extremely carefully to ensure that she not only stays in the competition, but doesn’t put herself in mortal danger.

I adored the characters in A Magic Steeped in Poison. Just when I thought I had a handle on where everyone stood and their motivations, we would discover something else and I would have to revaluate all over again. The world was rich, and the capital described to us through the eyes of Ning who has never been there before, and is therefore both amazed and somewhat overwhelmed by the experience. The magic is amazing - every time we got to see another part of the competition, and hear about the beautiful magic the competitors performed with tea, I was delighted. I adored how each region had its own blends, preferences, and rituals, and how this effected the magic that was produced.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed A Magic Steeped in Poison, and eagerly await the sequel A Venom Dark and Sweet - luckily we only have a few months to wait!