A Venom Dark and Sweet

by Judy I. Lin

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Pub Date 17 Jan 2023 | Archive Date 17 Jan 2023

Sci Fi & Fantasy

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Description

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...

Advance Praise

PRAISE FOR A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON

A #1 New York Times Bestseller

A USA Today Bestseller

A Publishers Weekly Bestseller

An ABA Indie Bestseller

An ABA Indies Introduce Selection

An ABA Indies Next Pick

★ "[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

★ "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 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 of beauty."—Xiran Jay Zhao, New York Times-bestselling author of Iron Widow

"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?"—Juliet Marillier, award-winning author of the Warrior Bards series

"With intrigue, inventive magic, and the sequel scheduled for August, make reading this one a priori-tea!"―Buzzfeed

"Creative and compelling ... Food as magic is a favorite trope of mine, and tea, with all its variations and real-life medical applications, is a very clever medium to focus on."―NPR

"Blends traditional tea-making with familiar tropes about magic and medicine to create something that feels wonderfully new."―Paste Magazine

"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 These Violent Delights. The ending will have readers begging for the sequel."―School Library Journal