A Unique Magical-Contest Fantasy
A Magic Steeped in Poison is the powerful tale of Ning, a girl who only wishes to set right her greatest wrong. That is, administering poison (albeit accidentally) to her mother and sister. While her mother did not make it, her sister still has a chance, if Ning can win the favor of the Princess and gain access to resources. Ning decides to go to the capital to earn her place as a shennong-shi, a master tea maker, skilled in the magical sod elf tea making. If she can advance in the competition, she may be able to brew a tea to cure her sister.
What can I say? I LOVED this book. Ning is an admirable character who wishes to help her sister above all else, though she also envisions a better world. One where people are not taken advantage of; a world where threats of poison are taken seriously.
What really blew me away was Just Lon’s writing. Her prose is consistently beautiful, without feeling ~purple~. She illustrates the magic of tea brilliantly, and what an incredibly unique magic system it is! I truly enjoyed watching this competition unfold, and getting to see the myriad ways in which tea magic can be expressed. I found it truly I vent I’ve and refreshing.
I also enjoyed that the story delivered what was promised: a competition story with political intrigue. Some stories imply a competition is occurring, yet forget to clue the reader in on the competition. With AMSiP, the competition is integral to the story and the world building. I think we could have seen a bit more of the contestants, but really I’m so satisfied with what we got.
Final note: Lin has accomplished with her writing what Studio Ghibli has accomplished with their animation: making the food so utterly irresistible. It’s a true gift.
The book left off on quite the cliffhanger, so I’ll be eagerly awaiting the sequel. Which apparently won’t be a long wait!
What can I say? I LOVED this book. Ning is an admirable character who wishes to help her sister above all else, though she also envisions a better world. One where people are not taken advantage of; a world where threats of poison are taken seriously.
What really blew me away was Just Lon’s writing. Her prose is consistently beautiful, without feeling ~purple~. She illustrates the magic of tea brilliantly, and what an incredibly unique magic system it is! I truly enjoyed watching this competition unfold, and getting to see the myriad ways in which tea magic can be expressed. I found it truly I vent I’ve and refreshing.
I also enjoyed that the story delivered what was promised: a competition story with political intrigue. Some stories imply a competition is occurring, yet forget to clue the reader in on the competition. With AMSiP, the competition is integral to the story and the world building. I think we could have seen a bit more of the contestants, but really I’m so satisfied with what we got.
Final note: Lin has accomplished with her writing what Studio Ghibli has accomplished with their animation: making the food so utterly irresistible. It’s a true gift.
The book left off on quite the cliffhanger, so I’ll be eagerly awaiting the sequel. Which apparently won’t be a long wait!