A Magic Steeped in Poison

Judy I. Lin

Mar 2022 · The Book of Tea Book 1 · Sold by Feiwel & Friends

About this ebook

A #1 New York Times Bestseller!

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 used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother."

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.

But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.

Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:

A USA Today Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An ABA Indie Bestseller
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
An ABA Indies Next Pick

"Beautifully written, from the setting to the magic system, A Magic Steeped in Poison is sure to enchant both fantasy lovers and cdrama aficionados. I’ll be inhaling whatever Judy I. Lin brews up next." —Joan He, New York Times-bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find

"Ning’s unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. ... Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner." —Booklist, starred review

Ratings and reviews

I loved it A lot. This was a distinctive story with genre's full of fantasy, mythology and mystery. The book was written fantasticly. I was easily drawn to the wonderful book because of the cover, that sparked my interest and I stayed for the even more wonderful story that unraveled. We meet our amazing, bright and marvelous Ning. We follow her along her journey. As she joins a competition in the hopes of winning the reward money to heal her sister who was poisoned by tea. The writing style is addictive, quick and easy to follow. It was more like the book was reading me. The book cover easily wins the 2022 most gorgeous eye candy book cover award. The outstanding pinks, the astonishing fish, and the overall great and phenomenal design. Was and is so very pleasing to the eye. Simply said, it's quite wonderful and breathtaking to look at. The cliffhanger had me shook!

'A Magic Steeped in Poison' by Judy I. Lin is a killer blend of Asian mythology and tradition. Elegantly written, the prose is filled with just the type of lyrical language one would expect, and sprinkled with quotable lines. It's an excellent representation of the artistry and complexities of the cultures which help shape the story. Though I found most of the mystery to be predictable, the author still does a good job of leading the reader through the paces of discovery.. and if I'm being honest, I really feel like the tea magic is where it's at for this story. Lin's magic system is a fascinating departure from the usual in modern fantasy and her descriptions of Ning's specific gift of magic is probably my favorite aspect of the whole book. I enjoyed the way that due to the competition, we also got a glimpse of life in various provinces across the kingdom, rather than just the imperial city or Ning's own town. It made the world Lin created feel fuller, distinguishing not only between the citizens of the city itself.. but also shedding light on those very realistic kinds of regional biases one might see in a large country. The story itself has plenty of tense moments, romance, and enough political machinations to keep the pace moving at a steady clip.. even when the telling diverges from the main path. There are numerous characters that we experience only briefly, but they're textured richly and make their mark, adding more layers to Lin's already robust world-building. If you're looking for a tale bursting with creative magical elements, palace intrigue, and threat of heavy consequences.. this is the book for you. (I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)

Unique Magic System From the gorgeous artwork cover to the incredibly unique premise, this book was a must read for me and I loved every minute of reading time. Now I need book two and am delighted that I ONLY have to wait until this August to continue on Ning's journey. Ning is immediately a character to root for with so much already at stake right from the beginning; her mother has died from poisoning from an unknown source and her sister is riddled with fever and sickness from the very same poison. Ning's only hope to save her sister is to compete in a dangerous and possibly deadly tea competition to secure the finest physicians to treat her beloved sister. But using her magic always comes with a cost and learning how this magic system works as I read seemed flawless and so well thought out that I never even considered it wasn't happening. The writing is lyrical and feels like storytelling at its best. I'm amazed that this is the work of a debut author. This is more than just a fantasy; this is a story of family, sacrifice, secrets, friendships, loyalty, hints of romance, and so many unforeseen twists and deceptions.

About the author

Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Book of Tea duology (A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet), was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist and still spends her nights dreaming up imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughters.