A Magic Steeped in Poison

February 1, 2022

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

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Starred review from April 4, 2022
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.

Starred review from March 1, 2022
Grades 8-12 *Starred Review* Lin's stunning debut follows Ning, who comes from a family of Sh�nn�ng magic-wielders with the ability to cure physical and emotional ailments with their meticulously and thoughtfully brewed teas. But the sh�nn�ng-shī, powerful as they are, are mortal, and when a mysterious chain of tea poisonings that is wracking the land finally hits Ning's house, she realizes she was responsible for pouring the fated cup of tea that killed her mother and poisoned her sister. Then, Princess Li Ying-Zhen announces a magic competition with an invaluable prize--a favor from the princess herself--so Ning takes it upon herself to enter the contest in the hopes that she can have the royal physicians save her sister from the poison. Ning's unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. As Ning grows more assured of her own abilities and more determined to unravel the mystery of the tea poisoner, an ominous figure called the Shadow, Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner, also exploring the nuances of Ning's grief and determination to set things right and save her community as she attempts to figure out who, if anyone, can be trusted.

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