The Talisman is a novel written by Stephen King and Peter Straub. It was first published in 1984 and has since become a cult classic in the horror genre. The story follows a young boy named Jack Sawyer who embarks on a journey to save his mother's life. Jack discovers that he possesses a special ability called "flipping," which allows him to travel between parallel worlds. In order to find a cure for his mother's illness, Jack must venture into the Territories, a dangerous and fantastical world filled with magic and monsters. Throughout his journey, Jack encounters various characters, both allies and enemies.
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.
Like, girl, did you not run away from home just so you can try your best to win a favour from a princess to save your sister who s on her deathbed and only able to hang on because of the experimental antidotes she ingests. Filled with beautiful imagery and rich depictions of Chinese culture , A Magic Steeped in Poison is the first book in a duology featuring a girl named Ning who can perform magical feats using tea, desperately trying to save her dying sister whom she accidentally poisoned along with their mother.
Throughout his journey, Jack encounters various characters, both allies and enemies. One of his allies is Wolf, a werewolf who becomes Jack's friend and protector. Together, they face numerous challenges and dangers as they navigate through different realities.
[Review] A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin
A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I Lin
Series: The Book of Tea, #1
Published: 2022 by Feiwel and Friends
Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 384
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250767080
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Filled with beautiful imagery and rich depictions of Chinese culture, A Magic Steeped in Poison is the first book in a duology featuring a girl named Ning who can perform magical feats using tea, desperately trying to save her dying sister whom she accidentally poisoned along with their mother. In an attempt to achieve this goal, Ning heads over to the imperial palace to compete in a competition where the winner is allowed one favour from the princess. However, things don’t go smoothly for her because of saboteurs and issues brought forth by her lack of awareness, knowledge and social status.
Despite all the aforementioned problems normally being what I enjoy reading about, I found myself feeling very lukewarm toward the book. Although reading A Magic Steeped in Poison was a practice in holding back my hunger and refraining from being tempted by the many delicious descriptions of tea and food, it also was boring because it took a long time for the interesting and crucial parts to develop. The pacing was really off because on one hand, we have a dying sister but then on the other, there’s this competition that’s taking weeks to progress and a lot of other events taking the tension and anxiety away from that sister’s impending death. Honestly, it felt like the story kicked off at the first page but only truly continued in the last few chapters. Everything else in between had filler vibes.
The romance also felt out of place as I thought it was too much for Ning to fall in insta-love with a stranger (attributing their strong attraction to the powers of the magical tea they drank together is questionable too) while her sister is dying. Like, girl, did you not run away from home just so you can try your best to win a favour from a princess to save your sister who’s on her deathbed and only able to hang on because of the experimental antidotes she ingests? FOCUS, please!
Other than that, I’m disappointed by the flat characters. There’s been a lot of care placed on the tea, the food and the culture but not enough of the same care was given to developing the characters into more complex ones. Sure, there were some internal struggles Ning had but they were too little and came too late. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic that it’ll get better in the sequel as there won’t be a competition limiting anything.
All in all, A Magic Steeped in Poison wasn’t a bad read, but it wasn’t entirely good either. I look forward to how everything develops further in the second book, though I’m not going to have high hopes—just in case.
Judy I. Lin was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada with her family at a young age. She grew up with her nose in a book and loved to escape to imaginary worlds. She now works as an occupational therapist and still spends her nights dreaming up imaginary worlds of her own. She lives on the Canadian prairies with her husband and daughter. judyilin.com
Jack also meets Morgan Sloat, a corrupt businessman who wants to use Jack's powers for his own selfish gain. Morgan becomes one of the story's main antagonists, constantly trying to thwart Jack's progress. As Jack continues his quest, he discovers that his fate is intertwined with that of another boy named Parkus, who exists in both Jack's world and the Territories. The two boys are "twinned," meaning that they share a bond that goes beyond their physical similarities. This connection becomes crucial to the story's resolution, as Jack and Parkus work together to overcome their obstacles and ensure their survival. The Talisman is a blend of fantasy, horror, and adventure, showcasing the talents of both Stephen King and Peter Straub. The novel explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and the power of determination. It also delves into the idea of parallel universes and the potential for multiple realities to coexist. Overall, The Talisman is a gripping and suspenseful read, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Jack's thrilling quest. With its memorable characters, richly imagined worlds, and intricate plot, the novel has earned its status as a beloved classic in the horror genre. Whether you're a fan of Stephen King, Peter Straub, or simply enjoy a good supernatural adventure, The Talisman is a must-read..
Reviews for "The Talisman: Unveiling the Secrets of Parallel Worlds by Peter Straub"
1. Mary - 2 stars: I found "The Talisman" by Peter Straub to be quite disappointing. The story seemed to drag on and lack any real excitement. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it hard to relate to or care about their journey. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unengaged throughout the book.
2. John - 1 star: "The Talisman" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The plot was convoluted and seemed to go nowhere, making it hard to stay invested in the story. The main character was annoying and I couldn't connect with him at all. The writing was over-detailed and dragged down the pace of the narrative. Overall, this book was a complete waste of my time and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: I had high hopes for "The Talisman" but was ultimately let down. The story had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was slow and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The supernatural elements introduced felt forced and didn't add much to the overall plot. The writing style was also quite dry and lacked any real depth. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not read another book by Peter Straub in the future.
4. Michael - 3 stars: "The Talisman" wasn't terrible, but it definitely fell short of my expectations. The concept was intriguing, but the execution left much to be desired. The story felt repetitive at times, with the characters going through the same obstacles over and over again. The writing was decent, but it wasn't enough to make up for the lackluster plot. Overall, I was left feeling somewhat disappointed with this book.
5. Emily - 2 stars: I was excited to read "The Talisman" based on the promising premise, but it ultimately failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it hard to stay engaged in the story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, which made it difficult for me to care about their journey. The writing style was average at best, and I struggled to connect with the overall narrative. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with "The Talisman" and would not recommend it.