To prevent her sister‘s death, Ning has no choice but to participate in the kingdom‘s competition to find the best shennong-shi-master of the kingdom. But the magical art of tea-making won’t be her only challenge.

This novel made me realize that I am slowly growing out of YA. I felt like I’ve read this story before in a different variation.

The one storyline that felt very typical for a YA book and that I couldn‘t care much about was with the MC and that one boy. They meet early, trust is built, sparks of love, etc.

However: While reading I did feel how much the author cares about her culture and the role tea has in it. I really enjoyed those moments and would love to learn more about it. In the second book as well as further research done by myself.

So, I was a little sad when the MC couldn‘t perform her tea magic as often as I wished. I would‘ve loved to read more about that and be enchanted by it.

Over all I’d still say I liked the book. And the covers are just gorgeous! So beautiful.

Someone else who is closer in the target age range might like this book even more.

(side note: who was responsible for the german secondary title? horrible. it makes me mad)