Think twice if…
- Content warnings: Animal abuse, Death of a parent, Gore, Terminal illness, Violence, Poisoning, Grief
A Magic Steeped in Poison
by Judy I. Lin
Book 1 in The Book of Tea
A tea-magic competition gives the book its hook, but Ning's grief gives it teeth. Every cup feels like a test: of skill, loyalty, and how far she will go to save her sister.
goodreads 3.81/5 36,928 ratings
storykind_community 3/5 1 rating
Quick fit
Is this story right for you?
A decision-first view of the reading experience.
Length384 pages
Series statusCompleted series · 2 books
Spice1/5 · Closed door
PacingMedium
Story profile
What the story promises
The strongest reviewed signals about romance, fantasy, and the reading experience.
Romance promise
- Slow burn
- Male/female pairing (M/F)
- Low
- Closed door
- Earned hope
- Mysterious stranger
Show more
- Forbidden love
- Tension / anticipation focus
- Addictive read
- Secretly soft
- Betrayal to trust
- Tension
- Longing glances
Fantasy promise
- Ya fantasy
- Hidden identity
- Royal court / palace
- Mythological
- Humans only
- Competition romance
Show more
- Competition / games
- High fantasy
- Games/trials romance
Reading experience
- First person
- Medium
- Mysterious
- Lyrical
- Moderate
- Survivor
Show more
- BIPOC MC
- Atmospheric
- Reluctant chosen one
- Asian MC
- Magical
- Lush
- Tense
- Immersive
- Melancholic
- Deadly trials
- Tournament arc
- Page turner
- Political intrigue
Similar stories
Similar in ways that matter
Matched by the most important shared story signals, with the tradeoffs made explicit.
432 pages Standalone
The Wild Huntress
Emily Lloyd-Jones
Similar because
Betrayal to trust · Melancholic · Competition / games
Different because
It is standalone rather than completed.
432 pages Completed
Fireborne
Rosaria Munda
Similar because
Closed door · Political intrigue · Competition romance
464 pages Completed
Thorn Season
Kiera Azar
Similar because
Mysterious stranger · Competition romance · Tournament arc
Book details
- Length
- 384 pages
- Language
- English
- Format
- Book