Not Quite My Cup of (Magical) Tea
A big thanks to BookishFirst and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for sending me an early copy to read and review.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin is a YA fantasy debut that follows Ning, as she competes to become the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi, a master of magic and tea making. But things aren't quite as simple as slapping a a tea bag in a cup of water, as Ning has to deal with backstabbing opponents, boring court politics, and a classic love interest made of secrets.
I REALLY wanted to like this book, with how unique and amazing the world and magic system sounded. But I just couldn't do it. The author's wording was too frilly, and the descriptions of the food just went on and on and on and on. Which I know was the point of most of the book. Also I could not exactly follow some of the author's logic with some of the world building and character decisions.
Hate to say it, but the best part of this book was it's cover.
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin is a YA fantasy debut that follows Ning, as she competes to become the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi, a master of magic and tea making. But things aren't quite as simple as slapping a a tea bag in a cup of water, as Ning has to deal with backstabbing opponents, boring court politics, and a classic love interest made of secrets.
I REALLY wanted to like this book, with how unique and amazing the world and magic system sounded. But I just couldn't do it. The author's wording was too frilly, and the descriptions of the food just went on and on and on and on. Which I know was the point of most of the book. Also I could not exactly follow some of the author's logic with some of the world building and character decisions.
Hate to say it, but the best part of this book was it's cover.