A Venom Dark and Sweet

Reviews

Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:

A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A 2022 PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of Summer
A Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2022
A USA Today Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An ABA Indie Bestseller
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
An ABA Indies Next Pick
An Indigo Best YA Book of 2022
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022

“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

“[A] fast-paced, immersive debut … 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.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“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

“Blend threads of Chinese and Taiwanese mythology with a generous pinch of courage, a hint of romance, and a underlying note of mystery, then steep in a pot of court intrigue and serve in a bowl of evocative storytelling … Who could resist a fantasy about the magic of tea? In her remarkable debut novel, Judy I. Lin creates a world rich in folkloric magic, in which a young woman must stand up against the machinations of the powerful, centuries of protocol, and her own feelings of guilt in order to save a loved one.” —Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters series

“A breathtaking tale with a stunning magic system rooted deep in Chinese mythology and tea-making traditions. Lin’s originality truly blew my mind. Love and magic overflows past the brim in this work of beauty.” —Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow

“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 These Violent Delights. The ending will have readers begging for the sequel.” —School Library Journal

“Vivid descriptions of foods and scents of tea delight the senses, while cinematic prose captures the beauty of the landscapes … The magic system is unique, and the tea competition, with its well-established importance to the protagonist, adds tension. … This sophisticated fantasy is as refreshing as a freshly brewed pot of tea, and readers will eagerly await the sequel.” —The Bulletin

“Creative and compelling … Food as magic is a favorite trope of mine, and tea, with all its variations and real-life medical applications, is a very clever medium to focus on.” —NPR

“Blends traditional tea-making with familiar tropes about magic and medicine to create something that feels wonderfully new.” —Paste Magazine

“With intrigue, inventive magic, and the sequel scheduled for August, make reading this one a priori-tea!” —Buzzfeed