A Magic Steeped in Poison: Was uns verwundbar macht

The Book of Tea #1

by Judy I. Lin, Rusalka Reh (Translator)

Früher betrachtete ich meine Hände mit Stolz. Jetzt kann ich nur noch denken: Das sind die Hände, die meine Mutter begraben haben.

Ning hat nur ein Ziel: Sie muss das Leben ihrer kleinen Schwester retten, denn nach dem Tod ihrer Mutter könnte sie nicht noch einen Verlust ertragen. Und so nimmt sie die Einladung zum Wettkampf der mächtigsten Tee-Magier des Reiches an, obwohl sie gar nicht für sie bestimmt ist. Denn wer diesen Wettkampf gewinnt, hat einen Wunsch frei.

Ning reist in die kaiserliche Stadt, deren Reichtum und Extravaganz ein Schock für sie sind, und betritt eine völlig neue Welt. Hier ist sie umgeben von Feinden, jede Runde ist ein Kampf auf Leben und Tod, und nichts als ein paar getrocknete Kräuter sind Nings Waffe. Nur ein Fremder scheint in ihr mehr zu sehen als sie selbst. Wird er ihr helfen, den Wettkampf zu gewinnen, oder ist er für sie die größte Gefahr?

»Golden Key« enthüllt die dunkelsten Geheimnisse.
»Silver Needle« kann die Wahrheit von der Lüge trennen.
»Hidden Autum« erlaubt dir, deine verborgene innere Stärke zu entfalten.

Ning ist nur ein ganz normales Mädchen, ein Lehrling in der Kunst der Tee-Magie - Wie kann sie den größten magischen Wettkampf des Reiches gewinnen?

Judy I Lin braut ihren Leser*innen in diesem Zweiteiler eine berauschende Mischung aus chinesischer Mythologie und Fantasy mit einer kräftigen Prise Wettkampf um Leben, Liebe und Tod. Die Lektüre ist ein Fest für die Sinne, der zweite Band heißt »A Venom Dark and Sweet - Was wir verloren haben«.

USA Today-Bestseller
Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Indie-Bestseller
Indies Next Pick
PEOPLE »Eines der besten Bücher des Sommers 2022«
"Herzzerreißend schön geschrieben, vom Setting bis zum Magie-System, wird A Magic Steeped in Poison sowohl Fantasy- als auch C-Drama-Fans verzaubern. Ich werde alles inhalieren, was Judy I. Lin als Nächstes ausbrütet."
- Joan He, New York Times-Bestsellerautorin von »The Ones We're Meant to Find«

"Nings unvergessliche Stimme und die üppigen, atmosphärischen Schauplätze werden die Leser*innen in dieser hochspannenden Geschichte über tödliche Magie verzaubern. Lin mixt chinesische Mythologie mit einem romantischen Krimi. Das perfekte Rezept für epische Fantasy."
-Booklist

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Mythology, Young Adult Fantasy, Magic

464 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2022

About the author

Judy I. Lin is the #1 New York Times-bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy and horror books for young adults, including the Book of Tea duology, Song of the Six Realms, The Dark Becomes Her and the upcoming Avatar Legends: City of Echoes. Judy 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.

Reviews

[Xiran Jay Zhao · Rating 5 out of 5]

The magic in this was SO COOL it's based on different types of tea?? Like different tea does different magic depending on the leaves and how you prepare it? JUDY, YOUR MIND-

[jessica yeung · Rating 4 out of 5]

the element that really sells this story is the magic in the ancient chinese art of tea brewing. i loved how everything in this book revolves around tea - it connects the characters through magic bonds, it provides the MC with a way to help her family through a competition, and it serves as the opposition as tea is being poisoned. tea is the life and heart of this novel. it was very cool to not only read about ancient chinese customs around tea making, but also traditional chinese medicine.

the thing that prevented me from going “oh, i quite liked this” to “i loved this” is how formulaic the story is. i guess for a debut, i really shouldnt be so critical of the narrative structure because its not terrible, but because this follows the set-up of any basic YA fantasy, i never really felt like the stakes were high or got super emotionally invested in the story/characters.

but overall, a more than decent beginning to a magically rich story/series!

↠ 3.5 stars

[zuza_zaksiazkowane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dobra, to było super ekscytujące

[Hailey (Hailey in Bookland)]

DNF @ 60%

I just couldn't get into this one. Felt a lot like other things I've read, but it wasn't bad! Just wasn't doing it for me. I might revisit this though when I'm in a less slumpy mood.

[Maditales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am an avid tea drinker and this book is purely about tea.

[Fanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blending threads of mythology with courageous heroines and hints of romance against a mysterious fantastical backdrop inspired by folklore has recently found a huge space on bookshelves, and deservedly so. Whether it’s the recent YA fantasy, The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh that retells a Korean folktale or the recent adult debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan that is inspired by the Chinese legend of the moon goddess Chang’e. It’s time to make space on the shelf for A Magic Steeped in Poison — front-facing, of course, for the stunning cover illustrated by Sija Hong deserves all the attention.

Ning, a commoner in a village of the homely Su province, will do anything to save her sister’s life, including competing in a brutal magical tea-brewing competition. But the art of tea-making — an ancient magic of Shennong — no longer brings pride to her, only grief. The pain of losing her mother to a tea that Ning herself unknowingly brewed with poisoned leaves is insurmountable, and the guilt of having threatened the life of her younger sister with the same tea leaves her desperate to fetch a chance of turning things around. So when she receives an invitation to compete in the kingdom’s tea steeping competition and potentially win a royal favour, the acceptance isn’t surprising. It is this fairly immediate and passionate response to saving her loved one that establishes Ning as a protagonist of this debut that the Taiwanese-Canadian author rightly once said has “girls ready to burn down the world for their families”.

Consider reading this review over on my blog.

Holding tightly onto hope and the magic in her hands, this determined heroine who is easy to instantly root for, travels to the rich imperial city of Jia. But with a rising rebellion led by an old banished prince wanting to claim the throne for himself and a heavy yet palatable dose of court intrigue and royal politics, the kingdom isn’t the easiest to navigate. Not to mention the betrayals, unethical tactics, and ruthless contenders that make the competition a high-stakes one. The backstabbing dynamics are evidently inspiration from Chinese dramas; the struggle against oppressive regimes reminded me of Jade Fire Gold by June C.L. Tan —in a good way because I love the trope and any number of books exploring it is less. And while the sabotages are thorns in Ning’s way to victory, an encounter with a handsome stranger further complicates her life.

These components impress even more when the prose paints each scene with a particular softness that almost reads like a marvellous dream. Intended or not, this praise even reflects in the lulling, romantic cover. The lyrical writing draws a sensory world with descriptions of cultural clues and infuses (pun very much intended) Chinese legends to build a detailed backdrop. Though, the aspect worth appreciating the most is the creation of a magic system based on ‘tea’ instead of the usual ‘chi’ that many fantasy tales based on East-Asian mythology are driven by.

It’s a relief to see the tea as a central force that consistently contributes to the story — whether when showcasing the diversity of regions within this world based on the different ways of brewing tea or when the magic system revolves around it: how you can relive memories or even break into someone’s mind through a magically brewed tea. Tea is truly synonymous to Asian culture so the refreshing and fascinating system of sorcery based on it definitely excites. In the midst of the competition, assassination attempts against the princess continue to intrigue; also greasing the plot enough for it to be a fast-paced thread that sits well with what is usually expected from a YA fantasy.

Judy I. Lin masters the act of not lifting the curtain all the way up. While various facets of the magic system and the major plotline are unravelled throughout this start to a duology that she says is “about leaving home to discover yourself, and finding the strength to continue even when the path is hard”, a lot will still make you crave resolution. This obviously translates into a cliffhanger that makes it almost impossible to not pick up the sequel, A Venom Dark and Sweet. Overall, this epic fantasy is lush in the word’s true sense —instead of as an overused adjective used to describe fantasy tales by authors of colour, but I digress— and unfolds in a beautiful world where treachery and betrayal brews in cups of aromatic magic.

Thank you, Feiwel & Friends, for the review copy!

➵ the author says it has 'girls ready to burn down the world for their families' and if that isn't the thing I look for in asian books, i'd be lying. also, this cover has won the best cover award so everyone can just leave now ok bye-

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had amazing luck picking 2022 fantasies lately and I’m so happy that A Magic Steeped in Poison has continued that streak. Maybe it’s because of my new strategy: only read things with elite cover art. ✨



Ning doesn’t have many choices left. After her mother died of the same poison that’s slowly killing her sister, she’s running out of options—and also time. Her hopes to save Shu’s life are now tethered to a competition in their kingdom’s capital. The princess has sent an invitation to all who study magical tea-making to compete for a chance to be the next royal shennong-shi. The odds are slim, but along with the title and prestige the winner will be able to ask the emperor for one favor. And what Ning needs more than anything is access to the best medical treatment in the kingdom for her dying sister.

The competition is brutal, though, populated by underhanded tactics and ruthless contenders. And with a number of power plays and political maneuvers being enacted behind the scenes, Ning will have to be careful not to step into the line of fire.

Judy I. Lin writes with a softer touch, even though the stakes are just as dire as other YA fantasies. But there’s something almost soothing about the description of her tea magic, no matter what is actually being depicted in the text. The blend of a cultural staple, like tea, with with traditional medicine and magic, is such an incredible way to incorporate real-world customs into fantasy, and I hope we see more of it. I’d love for tea magic to become its own its own sub-genre the way ‘wizard schools’ have.



This wasn’t as fast-paced as some others I’ve read recently, but it’s just as engaging as the best of them, especially by the end. The political components were fun to try to unravel. You think you understand who the major players are and where their loyalty lies, only for everything to be eventually flipped on its head. We’re left on a cliffhanger, not one that will totally destroy your life (All of Us Villains 😠), but one that will simply haunt your every waking hour. Probably even some sleeping ones, too.

If you love lush food descriptions, intricate and unique magic systems and fantastical competitions, you will enjoy A Magic Steeped in Poison. And luckily for us, the sequel in this duology, A Venom Dark and Sweet, is coming out only FIVE (5) months after the first one!!! If you’re not aware, this is basically unheard of for a YA fantasy series and I’m taking it as a blessing. 🙏


*Thanks to Fierce Reads for an advance review copy!

**For more book talk & reviews, follow me on Instagram at @elle_mentbooks!

[Nilufer Ozmekik]

I'm celebrating book's birthday with my hardcopy! I'm not sure if I read the book or eat the cover! It looks soooooo delicious!

[Jesse (JesseTheReader) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's always a bummer when a book you highly anticipated doesn't land well and that was the case here. I felt like we really didn't get to know any of the characters well outside of our main character and there was a major lack of depth with everyone we encountered. The plot is filled with convenience for our main character and things tend to just work out well for her without much struggle. I did enjoy the writing style and the bits of magic that we got to see, I loved. Outside of that I just didn't mesh well with it.

[Grace (irisroman & evajacks' version) ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was EVERYTHING I wanted in a fantasy book!! 😍😍 Such a cool magic system, stunning writing and a really entertaining plot. I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this! ☕💖

“Grief has a taste, bitter and lingering, but so soft it sometimes disguises itself as sweetness.”

A Magic Steeped in Poison follows our mc Ning, who is suffering from the grief and guilt from losing her mother after she unknowingly brewed a batch of poison tea- the tea that is now killing her sister, Shu, too. Then Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's best shennong-shi (masters of the ancient, magical art of tea-making), where the winner will receive a favor, she travels to the palace to compete, desperate to save Shu. But Ning is soon caught up within the bloody court politics and with a handsome boy with a terrible secret distracting her, her life may actually be the one in danger...

“There is a difference between living the suffering and reading about it.”

I've had my eye on this book for AGES (ngl, mostly bc of the gorgeous cover 😍), and have just put it off but ages- but I'm so glad I finally picked it up!! 💖 This was such a magical fantasy book that I just had such a good time reading it 🥰🥰

Starting with the characters- I really liked them! ✨ Our mc, Ning, was super easy to connect to and I really admired her willingness to do anything for her sister. Her development throughout the story was really well-done and I was rooting for her throughout the competition 💗💗 I also really liked our mmc, Kang- he was such an interesting character and finding out more about him throughout the story was so interesting. He's honestly so sweet, i love him! 🥰🥰

“How can I give another part of myself to someone else, when I already have so little to give?”

Next, the writing- which was absolutely stunning!! 😍😍💖💖 Judy I. Lin's writing is so gorgeous and descriptive and just has this magical quality that I adored 💗 It kinda reminded me a little bit of Stephanie Garber's writing- they're not exactly the same, but both create such a magical feeling which really drew me into the story! 🥰 I also loved the way Asian culture was woven into the story- Asian fantasy always has the most amazing cultural influences. There were tons of descriptions of the food and tea they were making, as well as the type of society they were living in, which really entranced me and made the story feel sm more interesting! 💗💗

I also really enjoyed the plot!! 🤩🤩 I think the author paced it really well- there was always something to keep me interested, whether that be action, the competition scenes or little sprinklings of romance 😏 The competition was super interesting to read about and kept me hooked. I also really liked the action at the end, which definitely left me wanting to pick up the sequel!! 💖

There was also a little romance subplot- which was super cute!! 😍😍 It's definitely not the best romance I've ever read, but I thought it was adorable and they did have some really good scenes. The chemistry was definitely there. There was a bit of drama between the couple in the end, so hoping we get more of them in the second book! 💗

“I'll rescue you ten times over if I will be kissed like that every time”

Overall, this was sooo good!! 😍😍 Would absolutely recommend if you want:

✔ Asian fantasy
✔ Beautiful writing
✔ Likable characters
✔ Cute little romance subplot!

I definitely want to pick up the sequel at some point!! 🥰🥰

~ 4.25 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was so so good!! 😍😍 Such a magical fantasy read that I thoroughly enjoyed ☕💖

RTC!

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars



Naturally the book with a beautiful cover, I don’t like….

I listened to the audio and at one pointy started skim listening as it wasn’t my cup of tea <— pun intended.

I loved the idea of tea and myths but it just bores me. I’m not much into competition books any more either. And someone’s review said there was animal cruelty which you know I hate but I must have missed it in my skimming

Either way, if you loved it great, if you didn’t, that’s great too.

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[hamna · Rating 1 out of 5]

i really tried everything to give this book a chance, tried to justify everywhichway all the problems i had with it just to give it a passing go, but this is just an impossible book to like. i wanted to dnf it countless(!) times, as is obvious since it took me a MONTH to get through barely 400 pages.
i don’t have clear cut problems here, just.. i’ve never read something so passive. so much happened here, from a personal pov, but also in the world and the empire itself, and yet? not a single part of it rang true, or ever actually felt like was happening. it seemed like a story you’re hearing from someone with no personal stake in it, who heard it from someone who heard it from someone who heard it from someone who, also, heard it from someone else entirely. no depth, no perception, no emotional weight.
the story flows by without a bump (which is odd, in and of itself) but more than that,.. it was like the author’s just trying to rush you from one plot point to another. there were way too many convenient coincidences, more plot holes that were thrown in(??) randomly for no discernible purpose and then just never mentioned again. all of this, and more, led me to never feeling immersed in the storytelling and cost me whatever interest i initially had in the book.
the characters were painfully underdeveloped,- 400 pages and i don’t know a single thing about them, truly. it’s like i’ve never come across them at all? ning, the main character, read like someone watching everything unravel in the sidelines and passing mild, uninterested commentary on it. (on her own life!) (spoiler: there’s a part where she’s trapped in the dungeons, about to be executed the next day, and yet, she managed to be offbeat and impersonal about that too! why? why are you about to DIE and still can’t provoke a single emotion in me?)
she was really disturbingly passive; a fish caught in the waters, and while i really do try to find parts of female leads i can like, even if i don’t like them, there was just.. nothing here to work with. none of the other characters had anything remarkable to remember them by, the romance was barely there, too.. up-and-down for two people who’ve barely just met, and have no real growth or intimacy together. i don’t care about them enough to care for the hurdles!

i’ll give that the premise of the book sounds good, but the actual grit of the story is very simple, already very overdone, and magic steeped in poison brought nothing new to the table. on contrary, it did the exact opposite,— managed to be surprisingly mediocre. and while the writing style itself is.. nice, i guess, it was entirely overwhelmed by weak characters and weaker monologues. rants aside, for me; there just wasn’t anything in this book worth any time reading it.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: —> 5 Stars

•RE-READ 08/23/22 in prep for A Venom Dark & Sweet !


Wow. This book definitely lives up to its cover!!! A competition? Mystery hot love interest??? THAT TWIST !!! And SUCH a strong female MC! I L O V E D this!!!
ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL CHINESE MYTHOLOGY BASED READ!!!


Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher—Fewel & Friends/ Macmillan, & Judy I. Lin for the e-arc!!!!



_____________

OMG HOLY MOTHER-COVER 😍😍😍
______________
Inspired by Chinese Mythology & history?! Thats all I need to hear— *slaps that want to read button*

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The magic system in this book is very cool but otherwise it’s standard YA fare.

[Joan He · Rating 5 out of 5]

a feast for the senses

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The more you give the magic, the more it takes.”

This book was so good! This was an enchanting and stunning fantasy full of Chinese mythology, magic, and political intrigue. Ning is a shénnóng-shi, a master of the art of tea-making. Her mother was her mentor and she recently died from a poisoned tea that Ning brewed. Ning enters a competition to decide who is the best shénnóng-shi in the kingdom and if she wins she will be able to save her sister who has also been poisoned. Eventually, Ning discovers that she may be in more danger than her sister because of competitors who try to harm her and soon she becomes tangled in deadly game of political intrigue.

The pacing in the beginning was slow but by the middle I was swept away by the beautiful world that the author created. The writing was beautiful and very descriptive, although it was a bit flowery at times. The world-building was amazing, I was blown away by the interesting characters and the unique magic. The book is told from Ning's perspective. I loved Ning, she is strong, brave, caring, and will do whatever it takes to save her sister. I really liked Ning's friend Lian, she is sweet, helpful, and brave. I liked Kang, he is handsome, mysterious, helpful and kind to Ning. I really liked the romance between Kang and Ning, but I was hoping for a few more romantic scenes between them. The side characters were all interesting and they each had their own unique personality. There were several surprises that I didn't expect. The ending was so good! I can't wait to read the next book!

[lydia ‧ ia · Rating 2 out of 5]

dnf at 48%

well, I guess... *clears throat loudly* this just... *shifts in seat* wasn't really... *lip bite* my... cup.... of.... *looks at cameraman* ✨tea✨

*MIC DROP*

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

I normally don't dnf books, especially since this one definitely wasn't horrible! It was cliche and trope-y and the writing and dialogues felt very stilted and there were plot holes and I didn't really care about the characters too much and the romance was insta-lovey and bland and there was people-hate and it was predictable and, um, where was I going with this? I had a point, maybe??

anyway, uh, I might come back to this, but I say dnf for now! *runs*

[☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

pre-read: the worst thing about this book is that it’s not out yet (update: ITS OUT! IM ON MY WAY!)

-

read: yay!!! magical tea!!

3.7 stars.

i’ll be honest- the beginning was a bit slow to get into. it all felt like something i’ve read before and maybe mildly enjoyed. but then the subplots start and we move along and the last 30% is good!! there are some really great lines in that 30% that legitimately boosted my overall rating (as good as the last 30% was, though, my rating will be based on the whole 100%).

yes, i appreciated the ending. yes, i will be reading the sequel. yes, i’m willing to accept an unedited half-finished word document of book two right now.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the world and magic of this one! It took me a while to warm up to the characters, but I got there by the end, and I also appreciated that this was YA that read like it was actually for teens. Will finish the duology

[Krysta ꕤ]

i need to start reading the books i actually own, so im giving this one a go 💗

[Kevin (Irish Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is so disappointing. I liked premise of this book, I mean tea based magic and cover is beautiful. But that's all goof I can say pacing is mess, romance insta-love, character are bland. I fell bad for rating but execution was so bad.

[S.T. 瑶瑶 · Rating 2 out of 5]

"There is a difference between living the suffering and reading about it."

⭐💫
1.5 stars

I read somewhere - likely on Twitter - that this book was inspired by The Descendant of the Crane. I certainly see it. The flowing prose, the vivid worldbuilding, the themes of family, betrayal and unravelling of difficult truths. I enjoyed The Descendant of the Crane, and for the same reasons I did like some aspects of A Magic Steeped in Poison quite a bit. Don't get me wrong - though I mention similarities, they are two different books that stand separately - firmly on their own strengths.

I just wish the pacing of this book wasn't this much of a mess. Sure, the writing flows so smoothly that I almost felt as if I'd been swept away by a stream, but it was as though I was simply carried from plot point to plot point, never once immersed. It was hard to follow the story for this reason, and even harder to keep myself from losing interest.

(The same could be said about the characters, even though I followed them for a greater part of 400 pages. It was as if I hadn't really met them at all? Ning especially - and she's the protagonist whose perspective we follow. It was like I thought I knew her, but she always acted the complete opposite of internal monologue. This could just be me - I was too distracted, fighting off my growing disinterest.)

A Magic Steeped in Poison contains all the ingredients for a wonderful story. And, as I've mentioned, the writing had so much potential. But I won't lie and say I wasn't disappointed. As it stands, I'm not sure if I will be continuing on with this series.

Still, I'm excited for the novel's debut. I'm absolutely certain that a lot of people will enjoy this. It was just not for me.

Big thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings: assassination, death, disease, poison, violence.

[Zala · Rating 2 out of 5]

If only the whole book had been as good as the last 20%. This is yet another ya fantasy where payoff is suddenly there without any of the necessary buildup - the side-characters and character relationships, including the romance, are half-baked, and we randomly find out new things about them as it suits the plot. I was so excited to read this duology because of the covers and the premise centering tea magic, but it ended up being a rather lackluster read.

[Sarah (berriesandbooks) (sorta back) · Rating 3 out of 5]

excuse me while i go drink 503729 cups of tea and pretend it gives me magical abilities and i have a cute golden retriever but also sassy warrior boyfriend

[— Massiel]

Y'all can I marry a cover? This cover is everything I ask for and didn't know.

[Laura Díaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me he quedado completamente enamorada de esta historia.
La trama engancha y hay tanto misterio y peligro que se mantiene la tensión activa todo el rato.
La prosa es poética y muy bonita, incita a disfrutar de cada frase.

Tiene algo tierno, tiene peligro, engaños, muchas intrigas y líos palaciegos, una pizca de amor, deber y honor, té y hierbas, magia y oscuridad.

China imperial. Una competición por ser el maestro del té del emperador. Una conspiración en el imperio y té envenenado.

Una premisa sin duda diferente y atractiva, pero si además le añades magia oscura, peligro, amor prohibido y un chico misterioso, el libro se convierte en imprescindible.

Nuestra protagonista debe luchar por su sueño, que no solo es convertirse en maestra de té, sino salvar a su hermana de la enfermedad causada por el té envenenado que ha sumido al imperio en un miedo constante.

Pero todo en palacio son intrigas y juego sucio en su contra.

He disfrutado intensamente esta historia, la forma de narrar de la autora y la excelente traducción me han permitido saborear cada página, cada frase. La bonita estructura de la magia, incluida en una ceremonia ancestral y llena de sentimiento han hecho que lo sienta totalmente real.

Este libro es un frasco de veneno, hermoso e inofensivo desde el exterior, pero hecho de una combinación de elementos que encajan adecuadamente entre ellos para componer algo tan perfecto como mortal.

Sin duda os lo recomiendo muchísimo, además la edición es en tapa dura y un formato muy bonito.

[kaz.brekkers.future.wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

FOUR STARS
Okay, this book was so beautiful.
Review to come

[Booktastically Amazing · Rating 4 out of 5]

~👑Special thanks to Netgalley and Fierce Reads for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!👑~

I'm so happy with how this book ended.

Rating: 🫖🫖🫖🫖 4.3

That was sarcasm, by the way.

When I requested this ARC I was pretty certain that nothing was going to come of it. I've been rejected before on that subject, so I was ready. Well, I thought I was ready. And then... Natgalley and Fierce Reads (for the giveaway win *mom, dad! I actually won something other than failure!*) Actually noticed this fangirl screaming from the top of her lungs 'NO YEAH, TRY TO IGNORE ME. I CAN SING OFF PITCH IF YOU WANT TOO' and right now? I'm slightly giving them the side eye for not preparing me better for the journey I was about to embark on.

No umbrella for the fictitious tears.
No map for the jumble of emotions I was going to have to sort through.
No socks to embrace my cold feet when trying not to read this in hopes that it would stay as perfection in my mind and not as another hyped read that fell from the heavens to Tartarus.

forget everything i said up there, thank you
you still owe me therapy
And a way out of post good book funkiness
Also, chocolate

Every page, sentence and metaphor in this book was infused with such meaning and complexity that I felt somehow equally aghast and puzzled as to how a person could so perfectly describe things like THAT.

A normal meal? Nah, let's describe it like it's the final thing someone would ever taste and then add ✨sparkle✨ to it as well.
I read past midnight, people. I cannot be eating at that hour. But I did with this book.

I am still trying to make sense of everything that transferred in this book, please bear with me.
no really, i'm pulling these thread from literal fangirlnism as I go

The plot was spell binding and bewitching for me to watch unfold. Honestly, I thought it was similar to books I'd read previously. In terms of the whole 'main character' is forced to go into a competition in search for a cure or vengeance, later falls for some forbidden love interest and has to choose between that person and their mission. Yet the way it was described, how it fell into place in a mist of poison and magic, was what truly made this feel unique to me.

*screams into load of pillows because she can't try to seem sane for more time*
*fixes her wig and proceeds to continue*

IT WAS A MAGICAL TEA BREWING COMPETITION, Y'ALL. Nuh-uh, I was doomed to resist from the start.
I just realized I missed the opportunity of drinking tea whilst reading.
I hate myself right now.

The pace was properly thought out, not too fast nor too slow. Considering all the details that were woven into the story, I am really thankful the author didn't skim over some things because those small pearls spread throughout the worldbuilding really added the spark I long for when reading fantasy books. I was literally drooling as the things that didn't make sense fell into place, the betrayal, the angst, the wonderful way the pages tore me limb from limb and called me uneducated in 56 languages.

Definitely that.
I obviously loved that last thing.

I'm pushing through with a nail at the edge of a cliff holding me up, I swear

I'm not even talking about the world building because there's so much to unpack, and I'm really not ready to faint again.
Okay wait, let me say one thing real quick.
HOW THE HECK DID THE AUTHOR SURVIVE SACRIFICING THEIR SOUL TO HADES--
That's it.

Then after all that, how can I possibly forget about the writing. The star at the end of the world, the supernova, the black hole that exploded after I had to put down the book (yet again) so I could properly breathe through my 'how is this so perfect, what is this, how can I ever write something like this, how can I ever FIND something like this'. Did it work, though? Pfft, of course not. I still felt like a cloud being carried unto Mount Olympus to rest beneath the gods, I still felt like my world was gluing itself to the words spoken and described. Even when I didn't understand the language (there was a glossary at the end, and I was ever so smart to not search for it until I read the Acknowledgements. I know, I surprise myself too) the sentences burrowed beneath my skin with the delicacy of a dagger cutting away tissue.
It was entrancing and poignant and powerful and UGH, I wish I could have a whole recipe book of every dish and tea in this story.

I wish I had the letters to put together, so I could properly die again and again over the writing.
Oh wait, I actually do, wait a sec.

*pulls out katana sword*
*starts calmly cutting off fingers*

The writing deserved them.
Also yes, the visual does help a lot, doesn't it? (I'm not evil, I promise)

The characters were well-developed, lush in their background stories. Holding a torch to my previous favorite characters (ahem, Cardan. AHEM, JACK HUNTER) is never an easy thing to do, and I can happily say that they held a bit more than a candle and for that, I am forever thankful.

That sounded salty but I meant it. *smile like you're not in pain because those favorite characters will never ever pay attention to you)

The main character, Ning, was a courageous young woman that had more personality than a dehydrated piece of cloth so I'm on a high mountain right now. My standards for YA MCs keep lowering, I don't know what else to compare it to. She was smart (ish), so kind and goshdarnit I wished to have seen a more multidimensional development, yet I know the second book will add more to her. I knew her, but I didn't KNOW her. You get me? I don't even get myself but okay, we'll go with it. *snort* I want to know the intricate workings of her mind, not only surface level. Honestly? She was an extremely likable character most of the time, and I had no idea how much that meant to me until now, when I'm finally sitting down to write this review that for sure will cost me some sleep as I try to push along.

Following her, there are the background characters. Look at me using actual words and not GYUIJNHBGTYGUHINJH. It won't last, but I'm proud, pfft. They added this sort of flair to the story, with the different stories and experiences. They weren't talking cardboards, yet I didn't get overly attached (thank goodness) and I'm not mad about that. Going into this, I needed something light and something that wouldn't hold my heart hostage until the sequel and I accomplished my mission.
Kind of.

The only thing I had a problem with was the romance. I know, I'm notorious for hating romances even when I crave for them on a daily basis. I love steam, okay? It warms my freezing soul. It was too connection type of romance, string in between lives, I'm-offended-he doesn't-trust-me-even-when-we-just-met type, in other words... the trope I dread the most.

Insta hatred. For myself, but for them, it's insta love. For me to hate and for them to bond over. So nice! I despised that aspect with a passion. Is it too much to ask for them to fall for each other gradually? Without a 'we just met, but I already feel like we've known each other our whole lives' and well, without the 'after meeting five times, let's kiss please'.

Am I ranting? Absolutely... not. Just kindly expressing the vitriol I would throw up on that goshforsaken trope of the devil.

All it needs to do is choke in poison.
That is all.
Really.
Just that.

On a closing note, if you don't mind the whole romance thing, I really liked this book! It was captivating, immersive, spine tingling with the food descriptions, haunting with the tragedy scent looming in the air of a coming war... I truly did enjoy every second of it. Even when I was gripping my heart in frustration at some dumb decisions some characters took, even when I ranted to one of my friends for about 15 minutes, even after all that. My breath is taken and for now, it can keep it.

Until I have the second book in my hands.

You thought I wouldn't lightly threaten people for the sequel? Oh darling, I may not be evil, but I still like to sharpen my claws from time to time.

On people who don't give me second books when THE FIRST ONE ENDS LIKE IT DID. EXCUSE ME NO. YOU GAVE ME THE WRONG BOOK-

..........................................

Y’all are really underestimating how murderous I can be WHEN FACED WITH A BOOODY CLIFFHANGER THAT LITERALLY DOES NOT HELP MY RAVAGED SOUL IN ANY SORT OF WAY.

WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?!? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?!

NetGalley? Right now I’m not liking you very much. Like, at all.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came for the poison (okay, tea-making competition with heroine who talks to plants also sounded good). I stayed for the plot characters romance Chinese food. This book was like a nostalgic foodie tour of my childhood: lion's head meatballs (no lions involved), bowls of warm soy milk with golden deep-fried savory dough sticks, grilled daikon cake, banana-leaf-wrapped rice and pork dumplings, cold noodles drizzled with peanut and sesame oil...

(My coworker, observing me warming up some bao for breakfast recently, commented, 'The only Asian thing about you is your tastebuds,' and she's not wrong.)

The background is great - knowledgeable, well-researched (an appendix has the Chinese characters that make up names and terms that are spelled out phonetically in the book, PLUS a list of the plants of traditional Chinese medicine including their scientific names - be still, my heart), and affectionate in a way that only an insider's perspective can be.

Unfortunately, the story and characters are pretty generic YA fantasy. There's the aforementioned tea competition, the requisite mysterious and handsome boy, a recent spate of poisonings to solve, and a mostly untrained girl who, a couple weeks later, is curing poison with her brain. The logic of the plot wavers at times. Protagonist Ning's mother and sister drank the same poisoned tea from the same steeping (so presumably around the same time), the mother made an emetic that helped the sister but didn't drink it herself (or it didn't work, even though if they drank at the same time, the poison should have been at the same place in their digestive tracts). Later, after Ning figures out how to treat poison with her brain, it would make far, far more sense to run back home to heal her sister (the whole point of entering the competition) than continue.

Also, scenes like this make me feel about 1,000 years old.

Kang reaches out and touches my cheek. Even though I should slap him away, scream and call him traitor, a part of me still longs to lean into that touch. Into the insistent tug between us that I do not know if I can blame on the Golden Key any longer. [...]

"My people have a blessing," he whispers, eyes as deep as sacred pools and mountain lakes. "May the sea be willing. May it bring you what you are looking for. I will never begrudge you that."

His hand falls back to his side, and it takes all my effort, all my strength, not to grab it, not to pull him close and kiss him senseless until all the words fall away, until none of it matters anymore.

But I don't.

Yeah, no. I skimmed a lot of these sections. Also, can we ban first person present tense narration yet?

The ending is a cliffhanger. I don't think I care enough to read on, but I definitely have been inspired to go to the Chinese supermarket this week and maybe even pull out my grandmother's steamer baskets. 2.5 stars, rounded up because of the plant appendix, even though Ning's ability to talk to plants is criminally underutilized.