Since you have all already seen how much I love A Magic Steeped in Love, today I wanted to do something a bit different. There are so many different moods and elements in this book that I wanted to recommend a different tea for each of them! I’m more of a only-buy-the-same-tea-forever person, so I’ve decided to go out of my comfort zone for you!
A Magic Steeped in Poison
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.
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Find A Magic Steeped in Poison on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
Tea Recommendations
A Magic Steeped in Poison is perfect for you if you love tea – that’s a no brainer – but also if you love dangerous competitions (like Spin the Dawn), court politics, sister relationships, and a MC who has to navigate danger. So here’s some teas to pair with your reading!
The dangerous competition definitely requires a bit of an edge. You’ll have to be on your A game and ready to think quickly. Naturally this means that you’ll need some caffeine! Not going to lie, I initially wanted to pair this Matcha Bubble Tea with the cover – because look at that color – but Matcha has some caffeine and has gotten SO popular!
I’m not sure why when I thought of a bubble tea to represent Ning’s sister relationship, I immediately thought of Taro Bubble Tea. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Taro except a good friend of mine suggested I try it and now it’s my favorite recent find that I associate with friendship. I also feel like it makes a great recommendation to already fans, and new drinkers – plus it’s purple!
For a bubble tea to represent court politics, you have to have the blackest milk tea you can find, ideally one like a Royal Milk Tea – because the name says it all doesn’t it? There’s a distinct edge where you will need the caffeine to outwit all the manipulation. It’s also a classic choice that you should be able to find everywhere – maybe even on the run?
For Ning, I decided to pair her with an Oolong milk tea. Not going to lie, this one is my favorite so I may be biased….but I also feel like Oolong tea can be a bit underhyped. That being said, I love Oolong tea because not only is it caffeinated – and I need that boost – but it also has such a rich taste which is always surprising to me? It’s my go-to order because of the complex profile.
And the bonus bubble tea has to match the stunning pinks. We already have a green and purple bubble tea, so I had to include this Strawberry Milk Tea. I’ve actually never had this tea – I had to order it special for the photo. But it’s lovely because it has a light fruit – strawberry – taste, and feels like drinking a desert!
Tour Schedule
| Blog | Post Date |
| Books, Films, and Tea – @booksfilmsandtea on IG, @romancereads on TikTok | March 27 |
| @elena.luo | March 27 |
| @fabledfolklore (Instagram) | March 27 |
| @nerdy_little_julith | March 28 |
| @thehireader | March 28 |
| @bookishbasma | March 28 |
| The Mind of a Book Dragon | March 29 |
| @mentallybooked | March 29 |
| @bookswithcaro | March 29 |
| Utopia State of Mind | March 30 |
| @bookishgirlmagic | March 30 |
| @toriandbooks | March 30 |
| @sarahs.thoughts.on.books | March 31 |
| @readingmypages | March 31 |
| @elle_mentbooks | March 31 |
| @azantareada | April 1 |
| @cossettereads (instagram + twitter); www.teatimelit.com (blog) | April 1 |
| @quilltreefox | April 1 |
| @bookwormbullet | April 1 |
| @readbytiffany | April 2 |
| jemi.so/bookishlyizzy @bookishlyizzy (IG) | April 2 |
| @cathsbookshelf | April 2 |
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.