A Magic Steeped in Poison

“They say you can spot a true shénnóng-shi by their hands—palms colored by the stain of the earth, fingertips scarred from thorns, a permanent crust of soil and blood darkening the crescents of their nails.

I used to look at my hands with pride.

Now, all I can think is, These are the hands that buried my mother.”

What fantastic opening lines. I was instantly captivated.

Ning has not only just lost her mother, but, even worse, she must live with the fact that her mother died at her hands, drinking poisoned tea that Ning herself prepared. Her sister, too, drank the poisoned tea, and she is dying slowly from the drink.

Ning is determined to find the source of the poisoned tea and bring that person to justice. Then she hears of a competition to find the kingdom's greatest shénnóng-shi, masters of the ancient magical art of tea-making. The winner of the competition will receive a favor from the princess, and this may be Ning's only chance at saving her sister.

A fast-paced story filled with delightful twists and turns and stuffed with an array of fascinating characters. Plus magical tea.