Science Fiction & Fantasy
![Judy I. Lin - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_judy_i_lin.jpg)
A Venom Dark and Sweet (The Book of Tea, 2)
The enthralling conclusion to Judy I. Lin's Book of Tea duology―#1 New York Times bestseller 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...
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...
Editorial Reviews
Praise for A Venom Dark and Sweet:
"Thrilling ... An immensely satisfying conclusion to this duology. ... Teens will be clamoring for more." ―School Library Journal
Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A 2022 PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of Summer
A Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2022
A USA Today Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
An ABA Indies Next Pick
"Beautifully written, from the setting to the magic system, A Magic Steeped in Poison is sure to enchant both fantasy lovers and cdrama aficionados. I'll be inhaling whatever Judy I. Lin brews up next." ―Joan He, New York Times-bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find
"Blend threads of Chinese and Taiwanese mythology with a generous pinch of courage, a hint of romance, and a underlying note of mystery, then steep in a pot of court intrigue and serve in a bowl of evocative storytelling … Who could resist a fantasy about the magic of tea? In her remarkable debut novel, Judy I. Lin creates a world rich in folkloric magic, in which a young woman must stand up against the machinations of the powerful, centuries of protocol, and her own feelings of guilt in order to save a loved one." ―Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters series
"A breathtaking tale with a stunning magic system rooted deep in Chinese mythology and tea-making traditions. Lin's originality truly blew my mind. Love and magic overflows past the brim in this work...
"Thrilling ... An immensely satisfying conclusion to this duology. ... Teens will be clamoring for more." ―School Library Journal
Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison:
A #1 New York Times Bestseller
A 2022 PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of Summer
A Cosmopolitan Best YA Book of 2022
A USA Today Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
An ABA Indies Introduce Selection
An ABA Indies Next Pick
"Beautifully written, from the setting to the magic system, A Magic Steeped in Poison is sure to enchant both fantasy lovers and cdrama aficionados. I'll be inhaling whatever Judy I. Lin brews up next." ―Joan He, New York Times-bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant to Find
"Blend threads of Chinese and Taiwanese mythology with a generous pinch of courage, a hint of romance, and a underlying note of mystery, then steep in a pot of court intrigue and serve in a bowl of evocative storytelling … Who could resist a fantasy about the magic of tea? In her remarkable debut novel, Judy I. Lin creates a world rich in folkloric magic, in which a young woman must stand up against the machinations of the powerful, centuries of protocol, and her own feelings of guilt in order to save a loved one." ―Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Sevenwaters series
"A breathtaking tale with a stunning magic system rooted deep in Chinese mythology and tea-making traditions. Lin's originality truly blew my mind. Love and magic overflows past the brim in this work...
Readers Top Reviews
Currant7
POV: first-person, Ning, the Shénnóng-shi, and Kang, the Banished Prince Tropes: Asian myths and legends buff, Fantasy readers, coming-of-age, royal family scandal, LGBTQ+ Top 5 Reasons to Read A Venom Dark and Sweet 1. Detailed world-building This book did not spare each detail to help readers get the most concise visual and emotional highs and lows encountered by Ning and Kang. I was enchanted and mesmerized by the fantastic places both MCs went separately, then later finally bumped into each other to share their individual stories. 2. Complex Plot: the multi-level conflicts and predicaments It was explosive to discover that this book goes beyond winning the tea competition and saving her sister, as mentioned in Book 1. There is a lot more going on with the story that encompasses everyone in the book, and it doesn't matter which side you are - Princess Zhen or Prince Kang. There is much more intrigue, deceit, and jaw-dropping manipulation tactics when the "pieces" all come together. Expect many more mystical discoveries and action with some angst on the side for everyone in the book. 3. Well-developed character maturity and personality I enjoyed the many-layered relationships for the MCs - each raw, genuine, and honest makes them believable. The progression between an untrained Shénnóng-shi and a reluctant soldier/prince was long and harsh. There were a lot of relationships tested. For Ning, it's her sisterly bond, friendships with many allies, and most importantly, her connection with Kang that led her to accept and respect the limitations of her art and magic. Note: it's not as immense and powerful as one would imagine operated alone. She is still very human and needs tea to access anything - that is, if anyone else will drink that tea with her. For Kang, it's his uncertain father-son relationship, his image as the Banished Prince, his relationship with his soldiers, and his relationship with Ning. He has the precarious position of seeing the carnage and destruction as a way to avenge the death of a loved one - which sometimes is NOT what it seems from the start. Both have doubts about who they are from the beginning (even in Book 1), but Book 2 dives further because after Book 1's ending, each realizes that things are more tenuous than they first appeared. They both grow and later accept the responsibility of the possible risks and sacrifices they will have to go through for the betterment of everyone. Failure is NOT an option. 4. Ode to Chinese folklore I relished the sprinkle of old folklore that further supported Chinese myths and legends like the Cowherd and the Weaver, the five gods of the tiger, the tortoise, the dragon, the crane, and the snake. Each one reminded me how much I love Chinese myth and folklore. It was good to be reminded of these stories again. 5. Epi...
sydnienovaCurrant
This series is well written, enthralling and just plain beautiful. I haven't read a book series with a similar world or magic system and it's originality had me in the high heavens. I was living for the dual POV in this installment and thought rounded things out nicely. It was so special to get an advanced review copy of this series and I am so thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to leave my honest review.
