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bookishpriest's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An engaging young adult (YA) fantasy novel in a setting inspired by imperial Chinese history. The magic system is fascinating and meshes well with the worldbuilding going on around it. The plot is surrounded and influenced by politics, court intrigue, and family secrets from more than one tree.
The characters are interesting, though both they and the resulting plot are frequently predictable. In the middle section of the book there were a few moments where the characters' motivation for their actions was unclear and I had to do a double-take to figure out why events were unfolding as they did, but none of it was derailing. Just a few speed-bumps. There was good 2SLGBTQ+ representation in the cast with characters who had personalities and roles beyond their sexualities while also demonstrating some of the necessary nuances of living as members of a minority group in this world.
Carolyn Kang does an excellent job narrating the audiobook, giving an easy to listen to performance with plenty of drama but never overtaking the story with her own personality.
Overall a very enjoyabler read and definitely recommended if you like mystery, tension, and a great fantasy setting.
The characters are interesting, though both they and the resulting plot are frequently predictable. In the middle section of the book there were a few moments where the characters' motivation for their actions was unclear and I had to do a double-take to figure out why events were unfolding as they did, but none of it was derailing. Just a few speed-bumps. There was good 2SLGBTQ+ representation in the cast with characters who had personalities and roles beyond their sexualities while also demonstrating some of the necessary nuances of living as members of a minority group in this world.
Carolyn Kang does an excellent job narrating the audiobook, giving an easy to listen to performance with plenty of drama but never overtaking the story with her own personality.
Overall a very enjoyabler read and definitely recommended if you like mystery, tension, and a great fantasy setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Gore, Medical content, Alcohol, and Classism
haylzno's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The most unique magic system ever.
TEA. BASED. MAGIC. AHHHHH
Loved the competition setting, the found family of sorts, and the mystery.
The ending left me BEGGING for more!
TEA. BASED. MAGIC. AHHHHH
Loved the competition setting, the found family of sorts, and the mystery.
The ending left me BEGGING for more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Violence, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
librarybookscene's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to B2 Weird bookclub, Fierce Reads and Feiwel and Friends for a review copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
4.5/5 rounded up! I need everyone to pick up this book immediately!
A Magic Steeped in Poison features a magic system based on Taiwanese tea culture! This story follows Ning as she navigates the grief over her mother's death and trying to find a cure for her sister who is deathly ill. When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi, she travels to the imperial city to compete in the hopes that winning will grant her a favor to cure her sister.
Between dark court politics, backstabbing competitors and the challenging contest, Ning has her hands full. Not to mention Ning wasn't actually her mother's apprentice, so her knowledge about the art of brewing tea is not as strong as other competitors.
I was swept away by the world building and amazing magic system. I loved seeing Ning navigate the challenges of the shennong-shi. Competition books like this are some of my favorite fantasy books to read. The competition is so fun and cool. I loved the various events, except the one that involved birds. Ning's skill and magic was so freaking cool. I loved that she could do so many things with tea and I need her to come over and make me so magic tea.
I loved Ning’s character. She was curious, protective and dedicated. I have a feeling we’ve only seen the tip of her magical abilities and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the sequel.
Chinese coded cast. Cis female MC, sapphic female side characters, achillean male side characters, various side characters are poisoned and terminally ill.
CW: Violence, bullying, grief, death of parent, classism, animal cruelty, animal death, death, attempted murder/murder, blood, medical content, injury/injury detail. Moderate: alcohol consumption, misogyny, sexism, terminal illness. Minor: vomit, confinement, torture, war.
4.5/5 rounded up! I need everyone to pick up this book immediately!
A Magic Steeped in Poison features a magic system based on Taiwanese tea culture! This story follows Ning as she navigates the grief over her mother's death and trying to find a cure for her sister who is deathly ill. When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi, she travels to the imperial city to compete in the hopes that winning will grant her a favor to cure her sister.
Between dark court politics, backstabbing competitors and the challenging contest, Ning has her hands full. Not to mention Ning wasn't actually her mother's apprentice, so her knowledge about the art of brewing tea is not as strong as other competitors.
I was swept away by the world building and amazing magic system. I loved seeing Ning navigate the challenges of the shennong-shi. Competition books like this are some of my favorite fantasy books to read. The competition is so fun and cool. I loved the various events, except the one that involved birds. Ning's skill and magic was so freaking cool. I loved that she could do so many things with tea and I need her to come over and make me so magic tea.
I loved Ning’s character. She was curious, protective and dedicated. I have a feeling we’ve only seen the tip of her magical abilities and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in the sequel.
Chinese coded cast. Cis female MC, sapphic female side characters, achillean male side characters, various side characters are poisoned and terminally ill.
CW: Violence, bullying, grief, death of parent, classism, animal cruelty, animal death, death, attempted murder/murder, blood, medical content, injury/injury detail. Moderate: alcohol consumption, misogyny, sexism, terminal illness. Minor: vomit, confinement, torture, war.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Torture, Vomit, and War
orchidd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Confinement, Terminal illness, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture and Vomit
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thanks to Macmillan for the free copy of this book.
- 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.
- 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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
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