by Judy I. Lin
First published 2022
Ning stares at her hands and sees only death. She brewed the tea that killed her mother. The same poison now slowly destroys her sister Shu. Ning carries this terrible knowledge alone. She hears about a competition in the imperial city. The kingdom seeks its greatest shennong-shi, masters who blend magic into tea. The winner receives a favor from the princess herself. This might be Ning's only path to saving Shu's life. She travels to the capital to compete against other tea masters. The competitors scheme against each other. Court politics turn violent. A mysterious boy hides dangerous secrets. Ning discovers the competition threatens her own survival. She must navigate treachery and magic while racing to win the prize that could rescue her sister.
Genres: historical-fiction, mystery, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Imperial City
Period: 19th-century
375 pages · Kindle Edition · Feiwel and Friends
Content warnings: death