A magic steeped in poison

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Title:

A magic steeped in poison

Author:

Lin, Judy I., author.

Hong, Sija, illustrator.

Series:

Book of tea ;

Series Number:

Summary:

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. -- Amazon.

Audience:

Ages 13-18. Feiwel and Friends.

Grades 10-12. Feiwel and Friends.

860L lexile.

General Note:

Series title from publisher's website.

"The more you give the magic, the more it takes" -- Jacket.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

364 pages ; 22 cm.

Genre:

Subject Term:

Princesses -- Fiction.

Magic -- Fiction

Author(s):

Hong, Sija,

Publisher:

Feiwel and Friends,

Publication Date:

2022

ISBN:

9781250767080

Publication Information:

New York : Feiwel and Friends, 2022.

Call Number:

YA LIN

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003643577	Young Adult	LIN	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

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

Author Notes

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.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 9 Up--In a kingdom in turmoil, Ning sees a chance to save her sister by competing in the royal shennong shi trials, a magic that uses tea to heal and protect that she was taught by her mother. Wracked with guilt over brewing the tea that unknowingly poisoned her mother and sister, Ning believes this is the only way to save her sister Shu, and that she must win the trial in order to ask the princess for a cure. A chance encounter with a boy in a tea shop almost proves to be her undoing when it is revealed that he is the adopted son of the princess's exiled uncle, but Ning proves herself worthy in the competition with her magic and her kindness. With so much to fight for, Ning has to balance court politics, the difficult tests, and romance as a dangerous plot surrounds the princess and threatens to tear the kingdom in two. Lush, descriptive prose sells the well-built magic system of this world, and every plot twist surprises and delights, making this a rich fantasy page-turner. As much a political thriller as a fantasy, this is a quieter, excellent companion to Xiran Jay Zhao's Iron Widow and Chloe Gong's Our Violent Delights. The ending will have readers begging for the sequel. VERDICT A recommended purchase for any collection with a large fantasy readership.--Stacey Shapiro

Publisher's Weekly Review

Lin's fast-paced, immersive debut, a duology opener, follows 17-year-old Zhang Ning, who is a shénnóng-tú, an apprentice of the magical art of tea-making. Something she once took pride in, the ancient magic of Shénnóng now only recalls bad memories of the tea that killed her mother and now threatens the life of her younger sister, Shu--a tea that Ning herself unknowingly brewed with poisoned leaves. When she receives an invitation to compete in the kingdom's tea steeping competition, whose grand prize is a royal favor that could save her sister, Ning travels to Jia, the rich and elegant imperial city that is a far cry from her village in the homely Sù province. But sabotage and bloody court politics threaten her chance at winning, and Ning's life is further complicated when encounters with a handsome stranger distract her from her goal. The Chinese mythology--inspired world captivates and enthralls, and Lin's lush descriptions--combined with Ning's calm yet determined voice--are a feast for the senses ("Memories slip from beneath the opened lid with a sigh, as if they've been waiting for me there in the tea-scented dark"). Back matter includes a pronunciation guide and an author's note. Ages 13--up. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (Mar.)