Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Unique fantasy has intrigue, magic, and tea.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON is the story of Ning, who travels from her remote, rural home to the Imperial city to save her sister's life. Someone is poisoning the country's supply of tea, and Ning's mother recently succumbed. Now her sister is also ill from the poison, and fading before Ning's eyes. So she travels to the Imperial city to enter a competition at the palace to become the official master of brewing magical teas. If she wins, she'll ask for a magical cure for her sister as her prize. But chaos and discontent are spreading across the country, making the already politically treacherous Imperial Palace even more dangerous. Not to mention other contestants who'll stop at nothing to win, putting Ning in even more danger.
Is It Any Good?
This is a unique and vividly realized magical fantasy set in an intriguing and well-developed world. A Magic Steeped in Poison combines elements of political intrigue, family, friendship, romance, and more in a compelling story that keeps the pages turning.
Debut novelist Judy I. Lin is at her best describing the inner workings of the palace kitchen, the sumptuous food prepared there, and the sights and scents of the magical tea ingredients. Teens will relate to Ning as she learns how to navigate authority, friendship, betrayal, and a swoon-worthy romance. Fans will be eager for the next planned installment after the cliffhanger ending.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ning's character in A Magic Steeped in Poison. Is she a positive role model? What are her character strengths and weaknesses?
What about the violence? How much is too much? Is reading about it different from seeing it in movies, games, or videos?
Why are fantasy novels so popular? What do we love about them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Feiwel and Friends
- Publication date : March 29, 2022
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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