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Recently, I finished the books A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin. I don't remember how I heard about the books, but I'm really glad I picked them up. They are a YA fantasy duology that was inspired by Song Dynasty China and have a lot of details about tea and food and life in the palace mixed in with action and intrigue in the midst of political upheaval. Here is the jacket copy for the first book, from the author's website:
I thoroughly enjoyed these novels. I enjoyed Ning's growth as a character. She's young and messy and strong. There's a little bit of romance throughout the stories, but it's nicely balanced with Ning's other concerns. And there's a background sapphic romance between the princess, Zhen, and her bodyguard Ruyi. I love the depictions of friendship and family. I appreciated how Lin didn't shy away from some really brutal moments that result from the political upheaval -- the details seemed period-appropriate, but Lin was also mindful of the target teen audience (and people like me who are a bit squeamish about violence) and didn't linger on the details.
I don't want to spoil anything here (although HMU if you do want spoilers), but I will say that book one ends on a terrific cliffhanger, so if you read them, have book two on hand because you will want to know what happens.
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.
I thoroughly enjoyed these novels. I enjoyed Ning's growth as a character. She's young and messy and strong. There's a little bit of romance throughout the stories, but it's nicely balanced with Ning's other concerns. And there's a background sapphic romance between the princess, Zhen, and her bodyguard Ruyi. I love the depictions of friendship and family. I appreciated how Lin didn't shy away from some really brutal moments that result from the political upheaval -- the details seemed period-appropriate, but Lin was also mindful of the target teen audience (and people like me who are a bit squeamish about violence) and didn't linger on the details.
I don't want to spoil anything here (although HMU if you do want spoilers), but I will say that book one ends on a terrific cliffhanger, so if you read them, have book two on hand because you will want to know what happens.
