Review by Booklist Review
Lin's Book of Tea duology concludes in this stunning sequel to A Magic Steeped in Poison (2022), which follows unlikely hero Ning, coming into her magic as a shénnóng-shi, whose powers manifest through the art of tea-making as she continues her adventures with Princess Zhen, her bodyguard Ruyi, and Ning's sister, Shu (whose healing was the focus of book one). As the quartet of talented young women accompanies the princess into exile, they watch in horror as the kingdom of Dàxi is overtaken by evil forces--the Banished Prince, whose rise to power and the increase in poisonings are no coincidence. Lin's atmospheric and high-stakes narrative will keep readers entranced as Ning and company face and overcome a host of new challenges, and it soon becomes evident that while the Banished Prince is an enemy to be vanquished, there are foes lying in wait far deadlier than any human who has ascended to the throne. As Ning's journey continues, this book presents a melding of genre elements for a broad audience: a blend of action-packed military scenes steeped in fantastical nightmares about suspicious venomous serpents, with a fresh take on magic systems, and, at its core, a swirling of intriguing interpersonal dynamics, among foes and friends alike, that will keep readers engaged until the final word.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--Fans didn't have to wait long for the thrilling conclusion to the "Book of Tea" duology. This sequel picks up almost immediately where the first book left off, with Ning and her crew on the run from Princess Zhen's uncle, with Ning branded a traitor for poisoning people at the last feast before everything went terribly wrong. Ning has managed to save her sister, but can she save all of Dàxi? The princess still doesn't completely trust her, and the boy she might love helped bring about the coup that unseated the princess. Ning must follow her own path to keep her sister safe and save the entire kingdom. In the capital, Kang struggles with following his father's orders, a father he barely recognizes anymore. He can tell something is wrong, but he doesn't know if he can find the courage to stand up for what is right, when all he wants is his father's approval. And he can't stop thinking about Ning and trying to find out the truth about the poison that made its way through the court. What he discovers will test his familial bond, and tug on the bond that the shénnóng-shi magic created with Ning. Though the switch to Kang's third-person narrator can be jarring, it is an immensely satisfying conclusion to this duology. Ning must test her own limits and mature beyond her years to ensure that everyone she loves is safe. VERDICT A satisfying conclusion to Lin's duology, and teens will be clamoring for more.--Stacey Shapiro
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