A Magic Steeped in Poison: The Book of Tea, Book 1
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Judy I. Lin's A Magic Steeped in Poison is a fantasy set in a world based on ancient China, in which a teen travels to the Imperial Palace to try to save her sister, who's slowly dying from poisoned tea. Violence in the real and fantasy worlds includes fights and torture that mention suffering, blood, and pain, but there's no gory detail. Fantasy animals are poisoned and cured as part of a competition. Romance includes a couple of kisses and some mild romantic dynamics. A teen drinks a small amount of wine, and a couple of times adults drink to excess and behave aggressively. Grief from parental loss and separation is a prominent theme. "Whore" is used once.
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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: Judy I. Lin
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
- Publication date: March 29, 2022
- Number of pages: 384
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
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