A Venom Dark and Sweet: The Book of Tea
#2 of 2 in The Book of Tea Series
on Goodreads (13,650)
What’s inside...
The enthralling conclusion to Judy I. Lin's Book of Tea duology—A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet—is sure to enchant fans of Adrienne Young and Leigh Bardugo. 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...
Character compass
Ning
Princess Zhen
Kang
Lady Xue
Discussion points
How do you think the characters felt when they faced challenges, and what would you do in their situation?
What did you learn about the importance of bravery and perseverance from the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to work together with someone else to solve a problem, like the characters in the book?
What do you think is the significance of tea in the story, and how does it affect the characters' lives?
If you could ask the author one question about the book, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences. This can help deepen their understanding and empathy for the characters.
Focus on the moral lessons in the book. Discuss how these lessons can be applied in real life, promoting critical thinking.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next after the end of the book or what they would change in the story. This encourages creative thinking.
Read together or take turns reading. This shared experience can boost your child's confidence in reading and offers an opportunity for bonding.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part or character. This allows them to express their thoughts and feelings about the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: The characters in 'A Venom Dark and Sweet: The Book of Tea' face numerous challenges, yet they continue to persist and overcome these obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to remain resilient when facing difficulties in their own lives, whether it’s in school or personal matters.
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must collaborate and work together to achieve common goals, emphasizing the value of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to value and actively seek teamwork in group activities or class projects.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing differences
Explanation: The story showcases a variety of characters with differing backgrounds and perspectives, teaching the importance of diversity and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this understanding by embracing diversity in their peer groups and learning to respect each individual’s unique traits.
Example Lesson: The power of integrity
Explanation: Characters in the book who stick to their moral convictions often find better outcomes, showing that integrity is crucial.
Real-World Application: In everyday life, this can teach children to uphold their own values and do what is right, even when faced with difficult choices.