The Magic of Tea

 

A Magic Steeped in Poison

The Book of Tea #1

By Judy I. Lin

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (March 29, 2022)

Hardcover: 384 pages

ISBN-10: 1250767083

ISBN-13: 978-1250767080

Reading age: 13 - 18 years

Grade level: 7 – 9

Publisher’s Blurb:

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.

 

My Thoughts:

As with so many young adult fantasy books, this one starts with a character who leaves home in an attempt to redeem herself. Ning feels responsible for the death of her mother and illness of her sister. After all, she’s the one who served them the poisoned tea. When the opportunity comes to compete for a boon from the princess, Ning seizes the chance as a means of saving her sister.

 

Of course it’s not that simple. She’s competing against people with far more experience at tea magic than she has. In fact, she’s not even technically her mother’s apprentice in the art—her sister is. And Ning is from a small province, and is ignorant of the ways of the court, so naturally she finds herself in trouble—more than once!

 

Add in a mysterious—and attractive—young man, and the plot gets even more complicated.

 

Ning’s ignorance and innocence, coupled with her need to save her sister, often cause her to trust the wrong people. She stumbles into court intrigue and ends up facing her own execution, only to be saved at the last minute.

 

I liked Ning as a protagonist. Her combination of self-doubt and determination was endearing.

 

I also loved the idea of tea as a conduit for magic. I don’t like tea—it’s just flavored hot water—but the magic system here was really intriguing. The book is influenced by the author’s Taiwanese culture and mythology.

 

This book is part 1 of a duology. While it’s not exactly a cliffhanger, it definitely leaves you wondering how things will be resolved. Good thing I already have book 2!

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Violence. Poisoning. A little kissing. Magic. A polytheistic society. Same-gender couples.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

If you like YA fantasy, I see no reason you wouldn’t like this book. If you like stories influenced by East Asian culture, that’s a bonus.

 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

 

A Venom Dark and Sweet

The Book of Tea #2

By Judy I. Lin

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (August 23, 2022)

Hardcover: 352 pages

ISBN-10: 1250767105

ISBN-13: 978-1250767103

Reading age: 13 - 18 years

Grade level: 7 - 9

 

Publisher’s Blurb:

A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust.

Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi―a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making―has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess' loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning's newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen's rightful throne.

But the golden serpent still haunts Ning's nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world...

 

My Thoughts:

Picking up from the previous book, this one is told in two points of view: Ning’s first person and Kang’s third-person. I like this, as it gives us the opportunity to see Kang’s conflict more clearly.

 

And he is conflicted. As the adopted child of his soon-to-be-emperor father, he yearns for his father’s approval. But he is not blind to the plotting that takes place to bring his father to the throne. He knows something’s up, and hopes earnestly that his father is not responsible for the poisoned tea that initiated the action of the previous book.

 

Ning is a little less naïve, but nonetheless earnest. Having healed her sister of the poison’s effects, she understands somewhat the evil force behind what is happening, and is determined to fight it, despite her relative insignificance.

 

This is a book of faith in the gods, that they will put a person in the right place to help achieve their ends in the battle against evil. Ning learns to have more confidence in her gifts and in the people she is with.

 

The resolution of the conflict is logical and pleasing as Ning works together with others to bring it about—even though the risks are great.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Magic. Multiple gods. Same-gender couples. Violence, none of it graphic.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

Those who like East Asian culture and mythology, fantasy in general.

 

Thank you to the publisher who provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my opinion.