Name: Stephanie's review of A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin
Item: A Venom Dark and Sweet
Rating: 5
Author: Stephanie

Judy I. Lin

In this thrilling conclusion to the Book of Tea duology, a young tea-maker may be the only one who can stop an evil darkness from spreading throughout her homeland.

A Venom Dark and Sweet

The enthralling conclusion to Judy I. Lin's Book of Tea duology—A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet—is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo.

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...

Mary Carmona

It wasn't my fault my mother died. It was that...that scheming rat, Gongyu." 

He stares at me for a moment and then falls sideways laugh- ing. He almost loses his footing, and I yank him back by his sleeve, certain he is going to roll off the roof and break his head open just like his jar.

"Only you...only you...." he wheezes. "Only you would call the god of nightmares...a scheming rat."

Alli

He will never return to his village, to be reunited with his betrothed. His carving will remain unfinished. He will always stand on the other side of the broken bridge, forever separated from his lover…

We all believe we are the center of the universe, but we forget we are merely specks among the stars. Moving through the streams of possible futures, sometimes colliding.

Minnie Mazuera

Stephanie

I enjoyed this sm it was a fun book and the characters were fun to read and follow with. I loved nings character how fierce but compassionate she was to the people, i specially loved her  relationship with her sister Shu and with kang they were just so cute😭🩷. AND I LOVED THE SAPPHIC REP WITH ZHEN AND RUYI THEYRE WERE EVERYTHIGNT TO ME !!! Lowkey enjoyed seeing their dynamic and romance much more than the main couple (not that ning and kang are boring i just loved zhenruyi sm). Anyways yes a beautiful duology with amazing plot and characters loved this. 

Aisha 

not as engaging as the first book. having the story focus on existing characters and their connection to ning (as opposed to introducing them and getting to know them in book 1) means that the clinical/matter-of-fact writing style becomes so much harder to ignore; her relationships to the most important people in her life, kang, shu, ruyi, zhen, feel paper thin at the best of times. there's just no weight behind where this book is trying to punch, which is disappointing but again, points for a gorgeous cover (hhl, physical)

rin 🐇

While the writing is lovely and the tea-based magic system is so clever, I did not enjoy this duology sequel as much as book 1. The plot involves a lot of running around the kingdom and gathering relics (felt like a video game quest, honestly) and Kang’s POV didn’t add much.

Liz Griffin

Apiecalypse Jen

that was a BEAUTIFUL end to this duology. the first book ended with such a cliffhanger, thank God I had both books and didn't have to wait to dive into this book! I would've lost my mind! this book is a definite 5 stars for me!

Amanda

I really enjoyed this sequel to A Magic Steeped in Poison. I think I enjoyed the first book a bit more, but this one did not disappoint. I liked seeing more of Kang's perspective in this story, but honestly the romance aspect of the story felt a little forced. Not that it was bad or unbelievable, just unnecessary to the story as a whole. 
Overall, very readable, very enjoyable.

I forgot to write a review for this, so here I am doing it almost a month later. The first half, or so, was slow and boring to me. Honestly, I don't remember much. The ending was anticlimactic. I didn't feel any urgency despite the supposedly high stakes. I quite enjoyed the first book and this one went down a different path and felt different.

I have very mixed feelings on this. This book has more political intrigue and more lore exploration, but it lacks a lot of the charm from the first book. If you like romance with your fantasy--this book is not for you. 

I read the first book last month, and I still struggled to remember some of the details--this doesn't usually happen to me. I also felt as though some of the plot lines were under-utilized and underdeveloped, which was a shame. I honestly feel like this could have been better as a trilogy or as a longer book. 

There were still many interesting elements, and the overall story is good, but some of the execution just fell flat for me. Some of the characters from the first book barely show up here--narratively, it makes sense; however, I missed their presence.

Holly

I have very mixed feelings on this. This book has more political intrigue and more lore exploration, but it lacks a lot of the charm from the first book. If you like romance with your fantasy--this book is not for you. 

I read the first book last month, and I still struggled to remember some of the details--this doesn't usually happen to me. I also felt as though some of the plot lines were under-utilized and underdeveloped, which was a shame. I honestly feel like this could have been better as a trilogy or as a longer book. 

There were still many interesting elements, and the overall story is good, but some of the execution just fell flat for me. Some of the characters from the first book barely show up here--narratively, it makes sense; however, I missed their presence.

I loved this. It was beautiful and packed full of adventure, magic, and heartbreak. It did not disappoint and I felt like it was a great continuation from the first book.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Recommended For...: young adult readers, Chinese mythology, fantasy

Age Relevance: 14+ (death, murder, violence, gore)

Explanation of Above: There is death and murder shown in the book. There is violence due to poisonings and weapons. There is vomit and blood gore shown and mentioned in the book.

Synopsis: 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...

Chinese mythology Little confusing in beginning Picks up immediately after last book Multi POV I've lost the plot it gone I don't understand the necessity for this other POV I think this book would be better if you read it back to back with the first one but alone it is a confusing mess Quick paced

Review: This was a decent sequel to the first book. I loved the Chinese mythology used in the book and the book picks up immediately after the ending of the first one. The book is multi-POV and had great character development and world building. I also loved the ending and thought it did well to sum up the novels.

However, I was confused throughout the book because it had been awhile since I had read the first book, so this is definitely one you need to read the first book again to understand what’s happening in this book. I also lost the plot a couple of times in this book and I didn’t understand the necessity for the other POV outside of Ning’s. I think the book is decent, but it’s also a fast paced read that you need to enjoy with the first book to get the full experience out of it.

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

 

Book: A Venom Dark and Sweet

 

Author: Judy I. Lin

 

Book Series: The Book of Tea book 2

 

Rating: 3.5/5

 

Diversity: Chinese MC and characters

 

Recommended For...: young adult readers, Chinese mythology, fantasy

 

Publication Date: August 23, 2022

 

Genre: YA Fantasy

 

Age Relevance: 14+ (death, murder, violence, gore)

 

Explanation of Above: There is death and murder shown in the book. There is violence due to poisonings and weapons. There is vomit and blood gore shown and mentioned in the book.

 

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

 

Pages: 352

 

Synopsis: 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...

 

Chinese mythology Little confusing in beginning Picks up immediately after last book Multi POV I've lost the plot it gone I don't understand the necessity for this other POV I think this book would be better if you read it back to back with the first one but alone it is a confusing mess Quick paced

 

Review: This was a decent sequel to the first book. I loved the Chinese mythology used in the book and the book picks up immediately after the ending of the first one. The book is multi-POV and had great character development and world building. I also loved the ending and thought it did well to sum up the novels.

 

However, I was confused throughout the book because it had been awhile since I had read the first book, so this is definitely one you need to read the first book again to understand what’s happening in this book. I also lost the plot a couple of times in this book and I didn’t understand the necessity for the other POV outside of Ning’s. I think the book is decent, but it’s also a fast paced read that you need to enjoy with the first book to get the full experience out of it.

 

Verdict: It’s ok!

Lia Yuliana

wow i am blown away by how this sequel improved a lot of things from the first book

absolutely brilliant

full review to come august 26th!

Elizabeth Hagenlocher

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Venom Dark and Sweet is the fast-paced conclusion to the Book of Tea duology that all began with A Magic Steeped in Poison. After the courtly competition falls apart, Ning finds herself on the run with her sister, the princess, and the princess’ bodyguard/lover. Over their journey, Ning is plagued by a mysterious and threatening being she encountered when saving her sister’s life. Meanwhile, Kang is stuck in court trying to pick up the pieces of this broken empire and get to the bottom of his father’s sudden personality shift. He’s also trying hard not to think about Ning, and the mess they’ve found themselves in: infatuated, and on seemingly opposite sides of a power struggle. 

My feelings about this book are a bit complicated. I feel as though it suffered from a weak start, and while it eventually recovered, it felt like too little, too late. One of the major sources of the narrative imbalance was the shifting perspectives. In the first book, we almost excllusively experienced the story from Ning’s POV. She’s the character I fell in love with at the beginning. However, this book kicks off with Kang’s POV in a voice that falls a bit flat, and doesn’t have enough of a personality. This is compounded by the fact that Kang’s side of the story is told from a third-person lens, while Ning’s is told from first-person. Couple that with the present tense, and you get a very robotic and distant recounting of event’s every time we’re with Kang.

I think the story could have benefitted by starting where the reader’s interest was: with Ning. Folding Kang’s POV over time, in a first-person perspective to create some personality, would have strengthened the overall atmosphere.

Once I got to the mid-point of the book, I had the rhythm down well enough that it didn’t pull me from the story, and I was able to focus more on the prose. Ning was a strong character throughout the book, and when she had her chance to shine, she really shone. Her use of magic, her care for others, and her determination to do what she must are so brilliant. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the direction of the plot, in the end, and I’m happy with where we left these characters. I only wish the conclusion of the “big bad evil” of this book had been a bit more drawn out. In the end, it didn’t feel personal the way that it should have, and I truly think it lacked impact because the reader is kept at arm’s length from Kang and his experience. 

While I found there was some room for improvement, I think this was an enjoyable duology, and I’m glad I read it. I think I’d like to read both books in one go, next time.

First off, this series has some seriously beautiful covers. I literally have the first one faced out on my shelves because I’m just 

Unfortunately though, the second one didn’t pull me in as much as the first. I really loved the competition aspect of the first one, I’m a sucker for that trope, and the second book obviously didn’t have that anymore. I still enjoyed the world, and the originality of the tea having magic. It also had a very tidy ending which is fine for me but not as dramatic as a like a fantasy to be haha.

Overall, a really interesting and unique duology that I would recommend for any ya fantasy beginner!

Courtney Passio

First off, this series has some seriously beautiful covers. I literally have the first one faced out on my shelves because I’m just obsessed.

Unfortunately though, the second one didn’t pull me in as much as the first. I really loved the competition aspect of the first one, I’m a sucker for that trope, and the second book obviously didn’t have that anymore. I still enjoyed the world, and the originality of the tea having magic. It also had a very tidy ending which is fine for me but not as dramatic as a like a fantasy to be haha.

Overall, a really interesting and unique duology that I would recommend for any ya fantasy beginner!

Julie Rubens

Elaine

A great evil has come to the kingdom of Dast. 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...

Stephanie &
A Venom Dark and Sweet by Judy I. Lin

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