A #1 New York Times Bestseller! Judy I. Lin's sweeping debut A Magic Steeped in Poison , first in a duology, is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo. I used to look at my hands with pride. Now all I can think is, "These are the hands that buried my mother." For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it's her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her―the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu. When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shennong-shi―masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making―she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning's only chance to save her sister's life. But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger. Praise for A Magic Steeped in Poison : A USA Today Bestseller A Publishers Weekly Bestseller An ABA Indie 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 "Ning’s unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. ... Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner." ― Booklist , starred review Gr 9 Up-In a kingdom in turmoil, Ning sees a chance to save her sister by competing in the royal shennong shi trials, a magic that uses tea to heal and protect that she was taught by her mother. Wracked with guilt over brewing the tea that unknowingly poisoned her mother and sister, Ning believes this is the only way to save her sister Shu, and that she must win the trial in order to ask the princess for a cure. A chance encounter with a boy in a tea shop almost proves to be her undoing when it is revealed that he is the adopted son of the princess's exiled uncle, but Ning proves herself worthy in the competition with her magic and her kindness. With so much to fight for, Ning has to balance court politics, the difficult tests, and romance as a dangerous plot surrounds the princess and threatens to tear the kingdom in two. Lush, descriptive prose sells the well-built magic system of this world, and every plot twist surprises and delights, making this a rich fantasy page-turner. As much a political thriller as a fantasy, this is a quieter, excellent companion to Xiran Jay Zhao's Iron Widow and Chloe Gong's Our Violent Delights. The ending will have readers begging for the sequel. VERDICT A recommended purchase for any collection with a large fantasy readership.-Stacey Shapiroα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. 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 Indie Bestseller An ABA Indies Introduce Selection An ABA Indies Next Pick An Indigo Best YA Book of 2022 A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022 A BookRiot Best YA Book of 2022 A YALSA Best YA of 2022 Selection A 2023 ALA Rise List Selection A Panda Book Award Nominee "Ning’s unforgettable voice and the lush, atmospheric settings will enchant readers in this high-stakes story of deadly magic. ... Lin blends Chinese folklore with a thrilling mystery. It's the perfect recipe for a page-turner ." ― Booklist , starred review "[A] fast-paced, immersive debut ... The Chinese mythology–inspired world captivates and enthralls, and Lin’s lush descriptions―combined with Ning’s calm yet determined voice―are a feast for the senses ." ― Publishers Weekly , starred review " 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 Seven