I am so excited to be back, after a LONG hiatus, with another tour stop for TBR & Beyond Tours! I loved A Magic Steeped in Poison, so getting a chance to read the sequel shortly after experiencing a cliff hanger was perfect! Make sure you check out all the other amazing stops on this blog tour!
“The bond of family is a kind of magic all its own.”
A Venom Dark & Sweet by Judy I. Lin
Book Review
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, A Magic Steeped in Poison, but I loved this book even more! It goes straight into the action and moves quickly! Seeing Ning grow and process what she’s been through, deepen her relationships with the other characters (I won’t specify who because I don’t want to spoil book one if you haven’t read it yet!) and learn how to trust others was amazing to see. This is all dispersed with incredible fight scenes, a new POV, more court intrigue, heart break, and a battle between good & evil. This book packs a lot into 350 pages and I enjoyed all of it and finished it easily in a little over a day! I highly recommend you pick up this duology and I am so excited read more books from Judy I. Lin!!
Overall rating: 5/5 stars
“To be human is to be vulnerable. To be human is to have more power than the gods will ever wield, Ning. Never forget that.”
A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. LIn
Book Synopsis
The enthralling conclusion to Judy I. Lin’s Book of Tea duology—A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet—is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.
A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dàxi. The Banished Prince has returned to seize power, his rise to the dragon throne aided by the mass poisonings that have kept the people bound in fear and distrust. Ning, a young but powerful shénnóng-shi—a wielder of magic using the ancient and delicate art of tea-making—has escorted Princess Zhen into exile. Joining them is the princess’ loyal bodyguard, Ruyi, and Ning’s newly healed sister, Shu. Together the four young women travel throughout the kingdom in search of allies to help oust the invaders and take back Zhen’s rightful throne. But the golden serpent still haunts Ning’s nightmares with visions of war and bloodshed. An evil far more ancient than the petty conflicts of men has awoken, and all the magic in the land may not be enough to stop it from consuming the world…
Content Warning: violence, fight scenes, witnessed torture, death, disturbing events (mutilation, body horror, forced suicide, possession, and fire)
Find this book on: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound
About the Author
Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist, and still spends her nights dreaming up imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughter. A Magic Steeped in Poison is her debut novel.
Find more about the author on: their website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
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