This was such a fascinating YA fantasy. I loved the incorporation of Chinese mythology, with touches of magic mixed with competitions and court intrigue. The tea concept was so unique—I really wanted to learn more about the world and the rules of magic—and the writing was very atmospheric. The mysterious characters and the competition aspect had me hooked until the end; the story was well-paced and each reveal felt earned.
I really liked Ning and her strength and motivations when it came to her sister and father. I do feel like her grief with her mom could have been explored more, but she was a sympathetic heroine and I liked how smart she was. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the romance; it never felt like it was overshadowing the story or too cliche, and it played out very naturally. Overall, a very interesting read befitting of a gorgeous cover :)
I really liked Ning and her strength and motivations when it came to her sister and father. I do feel like her grief with her mom could have been explored more, but she was a sympathetic heroine and I liked how smart she was. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the romance; it never felt like it was overshadowing the story or too cliche, and it played out very naturally. Overall, a very interesting read befitting of a gorgeous cover :)