I wanted to take a moment to discuss a topic that has been on my mind lately: the decision to finally leave hanxex magic cards. For many years, I have been a dedicated collector and player of hanxex magic cards. These unique and beautifully designed cards have brought me countless hours of joy and excitement. I have spent countless dollars and countless hours searching for the rarest and most powerful cards to add to my collection. However, as time has gone on, I have come to realize that my obsession with hanxex magic cards has become overwhelming. It has taken a toll on my personal relationships, my financial stability, and even my mental health.
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.
It has taken a toll on my personal relationships, my financial stability, and even my mental health. I have found myself constantly chasing the next card, spending every spare moment and every spare dollar on my collection. I had convinced myself that owning these cards brought me happiness and fulfillment.
[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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Book Depository
Kinokuniya
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
I believed that they defined who I was as a person. But in reality, they were merely objects. They were pieces of cardboard with pretty artwork on them. And yet, I held onto them with such fervor, as if they held some sort of intrinsic value. But recently, I had a moment of clarity. I realized that my happiness does not come from owning these cards. It comes from the experiences I have and the relationships I cultivate. It comes from pursuing my passions and living a life that aligns with my values. So, I made the difficult decision to finally leave hanxex magic cards behind. I sold my collection and used the money to invest in experiences and relationships that truly matter to me. I have reconnected with old friends, pursued new hobbies, and rediscovered the joy of living a more balanced and fulfilling life. Leaving hanxex magic cards has not been easy. It has been a process of letting go of something that once consumed so much of my time and energy. But it has also been liberating. It has allowed me to step back and reassess what truly brings me happiness and fulfillment. In conclusion, I want to encourage anyone who may be in a similar situation to reflect on their own lives and priorities. Are the things you are dedicating your time and energy to truly bringing you joy? Are they aligning with your values and enhancing your overall well-being? Sometimes, it takes making difficult decisions and letting go of certain things to create space for more meaningful experiences..
Reviews for "Adventure Awaits: Embarking on a Hanxex Magic Cards Campaign"
1. John Doe - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Finally left hanxex magic cards". The cards were poorly designed, with cheap and flimsy material. The artwork was also subpar and lacked the attention to detail that I expected. On top of that, the instructions were confusing and poorly written, making it hard to understand how to play the game. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this product and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Finally left hanxex magic cards", but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The quality of the cards was decent, but the gameplay itself was lacking. The mechanics were not well thought out and the game felt repetitive after a few rounds. Additionally, the game did not provide enough variety in terms of strategies and options, making it feel one-dimensional. I was hoping for a more engaging and immersive experience, but this game fell short.
3. Mike Johnson - 1 star
I regret purchasing "Finally left hanxex magic cards". The cards arrived damaged and bent, which was incredibly disappointing. The packaging was flimsy and did not protect the cards properly during shipping. Beyond the physical issues, the game itself was not enjoyable. The rules were convoluted and poorly explained, making it difficult to understand how to play. Overall, I would not recommend this game to anyone due to the lack of quality and enjoyment.