Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family when she was a child. She now lives on the Canadian prairies and works as an occupational therapist. Her first published books form a duology.
Fiction (Young adult)
A Magic Steeped in Poison
New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2022.
Series: The Book of Tea ; 1.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
For Ning, the only thing worse than losing her mother is knowing that it’s her own fault. She was the one who unknowingly brewed the poison tea that killed her—the poison tea that now threatens to also take her sister, Shu.
When Ning hears of a competition to find the kingdom’s greatest shennong-shi—masters of the ancient and magical art of tea-making—she travels to the imperial city to compete. The winner will receive a favor from the princess, which may be Ning’s only chance to save her sister’s life.
But between the backstabbing competitors, bloody court politics, and a mysterious (and handsome) boy with a shocking secret, Ning might actually be the one in more danger.
Awards and Honours
2023 White Pine Award (Honour Book #2)
Fiction (Young adult)
A Venom Dark and Sweet
New York: Feiwel and Friends, 2022.
Series: The Book of Tea ; 2.
Forthcoming in August 2022.
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
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…
Links
Judy I. Lin personal website
Publisher Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group
Author Profile by Sarah Raughley in Quill & Quire website, posted 9 March 2022