A Magic Steeped in Poison

A steaming hot cup of tea is one of my favourite things in the world, and Judy’s book features a magical tea master’s competition. The tea magic was utterly captivating and inventive.

This isn’t a cosy fantasy though. Ning runs away from home to enter the competition, to save her sister from a mysterious illness, but she quickly encounters sabotage, jealousy, and a mysterious stranger who may or may not be on her side. I also have a soft spot for stories about sisters, so this one really had me invested.

The first few chapters start off somber due to Ning losing her mother and dealing with her sister’s illness. Judy’s descriptions have struck a chord with me because it’s accomplished something I always seek in fantasy books: providing the escape from the stress of everyday life. As each character describes how tea is made, I’m taken on a new journey and excited about what’s to come, leaving me hungry for more. There’s something poetic and compelling about how Judy tells the story that forces the reader to listen. And once she pulls you in, you don’t want to put the… show more.