Considering how much I loved A Magic Steeped in Poison, you know I had to read the sequel. And talk about a thrilling sequel! If you haven’t read this series and love the idea of tea magic and a competition, get on it now! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
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…
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Part of why I love the A Magic Steeped in Poison duology so much is Lin’s talent for world. Immediately after beginning, I sunk back into the atmosphere of Lin’s magical setting. While the action is A Venom Dark and Sweet is fabulous – talk about some serious consequences and adventure – what I loved most were the themes. It’s easy to get caught in the story, evil possibilities of magic, and the characters. But from the beginning, Lin examines the idea of necessary costs.
Being dual POV, A Venom Dark and Sweet explores what we think we have done and how we live with the consequences. Lin doesn’t let anyone off the hook. And so we become immersed in a sequel that asks us about the value of (dis)trust and what it means to earn it back. How silence in the face of danger and wrongs speaks louder than words. A larger, almost universal question, A Venom Dark and Sweet asks is if we can be more than what someone thinks of us – both good and bad.
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In addition to the themes, A Venom Dark and Sweet offers magical quests, fight scenes and sisters! I loved the evolution and development of Ning’s relationship with her sister. If you enjoyed A Magic Steeped in Poison, you have to read this sequel. Overall it’s about trust and second chances, disappointment and bravery. Find A Venom Dark and Sweet on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
Blog Tour Schedule
| Blog | Post Date |
| https://www.instagram.com/she_who_reads_ya_books/?hl=en | August 21 |
| @spinesthatshine https://www.instagram.com/spinesthatshine/ | August 21 |
| @bookishbasma | August 22 |
| instagram.com/readbymelissa | August 22 |
| @nerdy_little_julith | August 22 |
| @readingmypages | August 22 |
| @bookwormbullet | August 22 |
| @elena.luo | August 23 |
| jemi.so/bookishlyizzy @bookishlyizzy (IG) | August 23 |
| @mentallybooked | August 24 |
| Utopia State of Mind | August 24 |
| @johsjournal | August 24 |
| Tiktok: @limmadi8 | August 25 |
| @sarahs.thoughts.on.books | August 25 |
| @quilltreefox | August 26 |
| @azantareads | August 26 |
| @toriandbooks | August 27 |
| @bookswithcaro | August 28 |
| @bookishgirlmagic | August 28 |
About the Author
Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Book of Tea duology (A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet), 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 daughters.