A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin -> Restarting April 18th, 2023

[Alaina]

udy I. Lin's sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison, first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.

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.

[Dr. Andy]

Heck yeah

[Dr. Andy]

ch 11 (view spoiler)[I’m so curious about tea magic! I can’t wait to learn more. I love the way brewing tea and magic are intertwined. It’s so beautiful and compelling. I’m angry on Ning’s behalf that the privileged are already cheating 😒 (hide spoiler)]

Ch 25 (view spoiler)[ehh I really could’ve done without the romance in this. I am not convinced. Also I feel like it’s taking away from all the other tension that was built in the story with everything else going on. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 39 (view spoiler)[I don’t get why she had that fight with Kang. Also now the princess is gonna marry him!? 🧐 I definitely thought she had something going on with her bodyguard. I’m nervous with the competition ending 😫 (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Wtf is that ending!?! How rude!! I need the sequel rn. I'm so glad the princess's bodyguard wasn't dead. Loved how everything was revealed, can't wait to see what happens next! (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 1-12 (view spoiler)[ I love that the tea has different magical properties! It's so freaking cool. I didn't really understand why some of the judges were angry at Ning's tea presentation. Seemed awesome to me.

Bo is an exiled prince? Ooh... (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Andy wrote: "ch 11 [spoilers removed]

Ch 25 [spoilers removed]

Ch 39 [spoilers removed]"

Tea magic is amazing!

[Aly]

Andy wrote: "ch 11 [spoilers removed]

Ch 25 [spoilers removed]

Ch 39 [spoilers removed]"

@Ch 25 I don't mind the romance, but I'd be fine without it too.

[Aly]

Ch 13-24 (view spoiler)[ I wonder if Ning's mom was purposefully poisoned or if she just happened to get the poison brick. And who really killed the Emperor? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 25-36 (view spoiler)[ I really like the competition parts. I felt bad for the birds though.

I'm not sure the princess can be trusted. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Andy wrote: "ch 11 [spoilers removed]

Ch 25 [spoilers removed]

Ch 39 [spoilers removed]"

@Ch 39 (view spoiler)[ Isn't he her cousin? I guess maybe not by blood since he's adopted, but still. And I thought she liked her handmaiden lol (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Andy wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

Is her bodyguard also her handmaiden? (view spoiler)[ the one who was infused with magic and rescued Ning from the cell? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Ch 37-End (view spoiler)[ So, is Kang on his father's side or not?

I'm glad Ning got out with the princess and back to her family. Super excited for the sequel now! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Aly]

Yay!

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[Had a feeling Bo would be a prince. Not mad one bit either./spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[The lady who yelled at them was their aunt right? Or is she just some rando? lol. Also, kind of mad with how certain people are treated in this. Maybe things will change. Maybe they won't. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[I like the bonding but could do without the romance. I also have lots of questions about what really happened with the poison. (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

Alaina wrote: "Ch 21-30: [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, it doesn't really add anything to the story

[Alaina]

Ch 31-40: (view spoiler)[Is anyone else on confused with some of the things that are happening? OR IS IT JUST ME? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 41-Finish: (view spoiler)[Well, well. Now we at least know some things. Still confused about Kang but whatever. Maybe things will make more sense in the next book? (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING FEBRUARY 8TH, 2023

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[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapter 1 - 4
(view spoiler)[I like how quick the beginning was as it would have dragged otherwise.
The first competition has been announced, but I'm a bit confused about the tea magic. If making the tea is how the magic happens, then why is the competition to make the perfect tea for a meal? How is that magic and what is the tea supposed to do?
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapter 5 - 18
(view spoiler)[I don't really understand how the tea works. For example, in the scene where Bo and Ning have tea, it seemed like the magic worked randomly as they both seemed to be shocked by what happened. Then there is another scene with the Silver Needle where it works how Ning wanted it to work. There is a lot of detail about Ning preparing the teas, but I wanted to see more detail about how the magic works.

I liked the pacing, but it's slowed down a bit and not much is happening. Lian is mostly in the background and Ning doesn't really interact with her. Kang appears occasionally, but there aren't many interactions.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapter 19 - 24
(view spoiler)[I don't like that Ning has promised to betray Kang to the princess.

I'm a bit confused with Kang's family. In ch24, he talked about his biological and adopted parents. Who is who? Are the biological parents the ones who have been banished?

Not much is happening in terms of the plot and I just want things to start happening.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapter 25 - 35
(view spoiler)[I'm kind of bored. There is a lot that creates tension and additional mysteries, but not much is being solved. It doesn't even seem like the characters are doing anything to solve the problems.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ela (Mouse333)]

Chapter 36 - 48
(view spoiler)[I didn't like how no one trusted anyone because everyone was lying. The chancellor was the traitor. Was Kang also a traitor?

I don't care to find out what will happen with the princess or the kingdom so I probably won't read the second book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Elizabeth]

If anyone wants to read the sequel, let me know! I'm interested in BRing it. I read this one last month.

[Haley]

I’ll be staring tomorrow! I’ve been a bit under the weather

[Haley]

finally getting around to this tomorrow and will update progress. I'm so sorry though, I'm not usually this far behind on buddy reads just had a rough week.

[Haley]

Mouse333 wrote: "Chapter 1 - 4.."

(view spoiler)[ I'm loving the pace of the book so far! I'm trying to follow along with the tea magic and why it's so important other than the fact that she's trying to heal her sister. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Mouse333 wrote: "Chapter 19 - 24
I don't like that Ning has promised to betray Kang to the princess.

I'm a bit confused with Kang's family. In ch24, he talked about his biological and adopted parents. Who is who? ..."

(view spoiler)[ I didn't like how she was put on the spot... I understand she didn't have a "choice" but I thought that the tea that made her see is intentions showed her he wasn't there for the reasons the princess was saying.

a bit slow in progress and finding myself taking a bit to get into the action. Although I'm liking the characters (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Mouse333 wrote: "Chapter 36 - 48"

(view spoiler)[ I had a FEELING the chancellor was the traitor! after the incident with "the shadow" and how he's one of the ones that knew about all the plans...

I feel like Kang isn't a traitor, but has no choice but to follow along with his father *adoptive father*

I'm intrigued to see how the next book plays out especially with how this one ended with Ning! (hide spoiler)]

thank you for buddy reading with me Mouse333!!

[Haley]

Elizabeth wrote: "If anyone wants to read the sequel, let me know! I'm interested in BRing it. I read this one last month."

I'M DEFINITELY interested!! I would have to purchase the book, but that shouldn't be a big ordeal :) let me know what date works for you

[Aly]

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RESTARTING APRIL 18TH, 2023

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[Agne]

Chapter 1-12
(view spoiler)[ I love the idea of tea magic. But I was so confused at the start.. But I guess I'm figuring it out slowly..

Bo is a love interest. For sure. Had a feeling that he will be some kind of long last prince...

And who is the Shadow? Shadow is the one who poisons people?

So far I like Ning. (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Chapter 13-24
(view spoiler)[Okay, so it took a turn to romace plot... I think I was hoping it will be more about tea magic. And while it is about it, last few chapters felt like it's politics and now romance... I want more of that competition, not just few pages here and there.
(hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Chapter 25-36
(view spoiler)[ I really love the magic part. I love competition. I think that's the most interesting part for me. I don't care about romance at all.

I wonder if Nings sister will survive. It looks like she isn't doing that well...

And I am really curious who is behind all the poisoning.

Can the princess be really trusted? (hide spoiler)]

[Agne]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I have to say I still have no clue what really happened... I really like the magic in the story, but other then that I don't really care about anything else... I have so many things I would like an answers to, for example: Is Kang a traitor too? What happens now to Ning?, but at the same time.. nah, don't care enough. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

starting tomorrow probably

[Kim]

Yea that didn’t work out. Still planning to read though. Rip buddy ready