Full review and links to social will be posted as soon as possible.

I'd like to thank the publisher Macmillan and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[4.5/5]

A Tempest of Tea is an absolute gem. It’s got that Six of Crows vibe with its clever crew, high-stakes plot, and dark atmosphere, but it still stands strong as its own unique story.

Hafsah Faizal’s writing is gorgeous — descriptive and immersive without feeling too heavy. The worldbuilding is fantastic, with a city full of rich history and intriguing lore. I loved the whole “revolver-in-the-stone” twist — like a classic sword-in-the-stone scenario but way cooler — and the vampire mythology was such an interesting addition. The tension between humans and vampires added so much depth to the world, making it feel dark, gritty, and completely captivating.

The characters really shine here. Arthie was a standout — strong, sharp, and determined to get her revenge (we love a powerful lead). The whole crew had amazing chemistry, and their banter and interactions made them feel like a proper-found family.

Plot-wise, it’s fast-paced and packed with action, betrayal, and twists. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, something else would surprise me. And then there’s that ending — a brutal cliffhanger that left me desperate for the sequel.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. I think the book is at it's best when it discusses how colonialism has affected our main character along with the wider world, and how that need for vengence drives her actions. I'd say out of all the relationships, it was actually Arthie and Jin's sibling dynamic that I found the most compelling. I will say that I felt the book had something missing that prevented it from being a 5-star read, it just needed to give me a little bit more, but I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes in the second book.

I was super excited for this book!! The cover was fabulous and the synopsis sounded like so much fun and honestly the book didn’t disappoint!! I really enjoyed the characters and the plot and pacing was pretty fast which was a huge relief since I was going through a reading slump! This was lots of fun though!

One day one of your favourite authors is going to disappoint you, and it’ll ruin your entire year. Both my most anticipated and most disappointing read of 2024. Heaven wept.

I have a lot to say, but I’ll start with the way this book sells itself: King Arthur meets Peaky Blinders meets Six of Crows, with vampires. From the start it sounds ambitious, but I was hopeful! I could see the vision! This is Hafsah Faizal we’re talking about! But that’s a lot to live up to, and unfortunately it didn’t really achieve any of what it set out to deliver. Most of the comparisons are surface level and felt incredibly underdeveloped within the book. The world building amounted to Fantasy England with different names; Arthie Casimir (Arthur of Camelot) owns a magical pistol named Calibore (Excalibur), lives in Ettenia (England) along the River Tamesis (River Thames), and was affected by the East Jeevant Company’s (East India Company’s) brutal colonisation. Even with the side by side comparison with England and its colonial history, this book fails to say much of anything about it. Ettenians are bad because they’re colonisers — well, yes, of course they’re bad! They’re being directly compared to a brutally violent imperial power, but we never delve deeper than that. The comparison to Peaky Blinders amounted to Arthie being the leader of a gang we don’t get to see and owning a teahouse we also don’t spend much time in. Even the vampires felt out of place! In a story about vampires! Everything felt thrown together, making for a difficult experience connecting with the characters and their stories.

The characters themselves felt incredibly one-dimensional; there was hardly anything to them, as much as I tried to make myself believe that there was. I really wanted to love them, but I felt no connection to Spindrift despite its clear importance because I 1) did not care about the characters and 2) couldn’t tell whether they cared about it, aside from constantly being told that they did. There was a huge issue of being told rather than shown things. And don’t even get me started on the romance. A love triangle but you don’t like any of the corners? What the hell, sure.

Through all this, I was still hoping against hope it would get better if I just kept reading. I adore Sands of Arawiya, Hafsah Faizal’s writing is gorgeous, and this was one of my most anticipated releases. But, unlike in her previous books, I didn’t feel transported at all, the characters never felt like anything other than words on a page, and the writing itself felt like a downgrade from what I’ve read before. It didn’t help that the plot itself was nonsensical most of the time.

And that brings me to the dreaded Six of Crows comparison. The Heist. What was the point, truly? It hardly served any kind of narrative purpose and was terribly executed. By the end of the book you realise that the heist itself was kind of unnecessary, and you’re sat there wondering why you just read 300 pages of planning for something that didn’t even need to happen.

Perhaps it was my insanely high expectations that led to this falling short, but I don’t know. I had huge expectations for We Free the Stars and that remains one of my favourite sequels to date. I’ll still read A Steeping of Blood mainly because I love Hafsah Faizal but I can only hope it’s an improvement on A Tempest of Tea. I really do think this story has the potential to be great.

A Tempest of Tea follows a group of teenage outcasts as they struggle to find connections to each other and to the their place in the world. Ostensibly a heist novel, Artie and her gang have only a few days to save the tea shop that serves as both a vampire haven and the base of operations for her gang.

If this all sounds similar to another popular book, with morally grey teenagers keeping secrets from each other and ultimately finding the only family they have is each other... well.

Although the characters find themselves frequently moved along by the necessity of the plot, a lot of the development is actually structured around the revelation of secrets between the characters themselves. It's a shame, therefore, that it's so hard to connect to the characters for the first third of the book. As a result, I felt no real romantic chemistry between any of the characters, and was sadly disengaged for large sections of the book.

The action scenes, however, are excellent: pacey, and driving both plot and characters along nicely.

A Tempest of Tea is the latest addition to the fantasy YA heist novel sub genre, compared to Six of Crows and The Gilded Wolves.

It's a fun, pleasant read that took almost no time at all to devour. Perfectly paced, with a polished plot, a solid twists, and some pulse-pounding action and romance.

The book did fall short of my expectations, however, as it runs a bit too closely to the story stakes and structure of Six of Crows. The ownership of the main character's establishment (in this case a tea house rather than an inn) is under threat and a ragtag group of criminals must come together to pull off a heist that will save it. There are even flashbacks to character's traumatic pasts.

I'm sure there will be plenty of readers that will love this, but for me, while sharing similarities to the books I mentioned, this just didn't share the same depth in world building, atmosphere and character work that both Leigh Bardugo and Roshani Chokshi infused their writing with

4.5 stars

I am pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed A TEMPEST OF TEA. I'm feeling rather vampire-d out and also didn't do too well with the author's debut duology, but thought I ought to give the author another chance - and I'm glad I did.

On the vampire side, this is the 14th vampire book I read in 2024 but the least vampire-y of them. It's not a big part of the book really, more like another element of the world building. It does become important toward the end, but it's not the focus of the book - to the point that I could forget they existed for stretches. I liked this as it was very different to other vampire books.

I really liked the world. It's sort of Victorian/Edwardian (there wasn't enough technology mentioned for me to pin it down - I'm going mostly off clothing vibes here!) It felt on the cusp of an industrial revolution with a slowly growing middle class. I liked that it wasn't the corset-filled, steampunk version of this time period, instead feeling more suit and tie working man.

It's also got a heist in it. It's not quite as big and elaborate as I'd usually expect, but this did feel more realistic for being relatively simple (compared to others! Still needed a lot of clever planning!) It also means the book has a crew. It's a small one - three core (the POVs) and two additional members. The dynamics are full of tension and the very small cast gives the book more space to explore them.

In short, I really liked this book and I will be reading the next one.

A darkly enchanting fantasy, blending magic, heists, and a richly atmospheric world inspired by Victorian London. Following a cast of morally gray characters led by the fierce and resourceful Arthie Casimir, Faizal crafts a tale of ambition, power, and loyalty, all steeped in the shadows of an underground tea house where secrets—and betrayals—brew. The novel’s immersive world-building and tension-filled plot make it hard to put down, with Faizal’s lyrical prose adding depth to each twist and turn.

Wow, this took me so much longer to get into than it should have. Faizal's world building is beautiful, and her characters are complex and hurt people. It's a simple enough heist plot with enough twists at the end to keep the pages turning. I'm so grateful to have finally read this and I can't wait for the sequel.

If you’re looking for a new fantasy world to get lost in let me introduce you to A Tempest of Tea ☕️🫖☕️🫖

If I had to sum up the plot of this book in one sentence it would be a heist story set in the world of Peaky Blinders with vampires. If thats not enough to sell it I don’t know what is. The book starts at the prestigious tearoom run by Arthie Casimir - it’s a tearoom by day and bloodhouse at night. When her business is threatened Arthie joins unlikely forces to arrange a heist on the vampire society

I loved this so much more than I expected. This was such a fun story and I absolutely loved the world and characters. I listened to the audiobook which was so well narrated but honestly they were a great cast however you meet them. There was a real mix of personalities and backgrounds meaning there was a little bit of everyone in this motley crew. I also loved the found family element and the budding romantic relationships which started to develop.

I really hope the second instalment is brewed soon as I cannot wait 🙌🏼🙌🏼 (see what I did there)

Hafsah Faizal's "A Tempest for Tea" is an intoxicating blend of mystery, magic, and forbidden love. Set in the gritty streets of White Roaring, this novel takes readers on a thrilling journey into a world where vampires lurk in the shadows and secrets simmer beneath the surface.

Arthie Casimir, our cunning protagonist, runs a prestigious tearoom that moonlights as an illegal bloodhouse after dark. The tension is palpable as she navigates her dual life, catering to the very creatures feared by society. But when her tearoom faces imminent danger, Arthie strikes an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary—one that will change her fate forever.

The character dynamics are electric. Arthie's ragtag crew of outcasts brings a refreshing mix of skills and personalities to the table. As they infiltrate the glittering vampire society known as the Athereum, alliances shift, and loyalties are tested. Faizal weaves a web of intrigue, leaving readers guessing until the final revelation.

The romance is equally captivating. Arthie's chemistry with her enigmatic counterpart crackles off the page. Their forbidden attraction adds an extra layer of tension, making every encounter pulse with anticipation. And let's not forget the magic weapons—because what's a vampire heist without a touch of the supernatural?

In summary, "A Tempest for Tea" is a delightful concoction that will leave readers craving more. Faizal's lyrical prose and intricate world-building make this a must-read for fans of Leigh Bardugo's "Six of Crows." So grab your favorite cuppa, settle in, and prepare for a tempestuous ride through the shadows. ☕🌙

Highly recommend for younger readers! If your a fan of Six of Crow but wish there were Vampire then this is the book for you

In A Tempest of Tea we join Arthie who runs a tearoom that turns into a bloodhouse at night for vampires. When her tearoom is put at risk, she uses her criminal skills and teams up with some other interesting characters to try and save it. This involves gaining assess to the Athereum which is a vampire society which brings it's own problems.

I was very excited to read this but it just didn't quite hit where I hoped it would. The characters were interesting enough but I would have liked to go to to know some in more detail given the length of the books. I feel there was a lot of build and not a lot of action. If you like a bit of a slower fantasy with the criminal element then great but just wasn't for me I'm afraid.

Hasfah is such a wonderful storyteller. Such unique world building and characters. And one of my favourite tropes of found family. I can not wait for the next book!

Huge fan of Hafsah Faizal and her writing so I did go into this with pretty high expectations and boy does she deliver.

Vampires, Found Family and Heists - an absolute triple threat combo, I loved it. I truly enjoyed Arthie and Jin and their relationship (I'm a sucker for a good found family trope). All in all, amazing read and I'm so excited for the next book.

"Imagine falling in love with someone and learning they make tea the colour of bone."

In White Roaring, a revered and renowned tea room sits by day, but transforms to an illicit blood house for the shunned vampires of society by night. At the heart of this operation is criminal mastermind, Arthie Casimir.

Arthie thrives off the secrets of society, creating an untouchable and renowned crew, she's driven by one exasperating and visceral thing.... the one thing that's kept her alive and thriving despite it all... vengeance. Having her homeland colonised and her family murdered in cold blood by the brutal and savage monarchy of White Roaring, Arthie has learnt how to bide her time, preparing herself to perform the most devastating, ruthless and satisfying vengeance plot. She's a bad-ass whose exceptional talent, cunning, and wit had me gasping, continuously underestimated purely for the colour of her skin, she fights tooth and nail in quiet but impactful and powerful ways to slowly take the power from the monarchy who took everything from her. Driven by feminine rage Arthie knows her way around getting the information she needs through her astounding intimidation tactics, she's small but mighty. She manages to keep her unflappable and aloof façade, even in the most dire of circumstances, eliciting such an inspiring power that I immediately adored her, and just wanted to see her enact her vengeance in the most brutal and punishing ways.

However, when The Ram threatens her establishment, Arthie must team up with the most unlikely of foes to save it. Tasked with creating an unbeatable crew of the most skilled outcasts the city has to offer, Arthie and her new rag-tag crew including; a famous painting vampire, a horned guard set on bringing down The Ram, a naïve forger, and her mischievous and devilish best friend must infiltrate the deadly elite vampire society 'The Athereum' the collect a damning artefact, sure to stop The Ram in their tracks.

Jin, the gorgeous, unrelentingly handsome, and mysterious yet impish best friend, and for all intents and purposes, adopted brother of Arthie. Jin comes from a prestigious and elite family who worked their way up from nobodies to favoured by the previous monarch. However, with the new monarch in power, Jin's world is suddenly turned upside down. When he finds his home burned to cinders and his family no where in sight, he's saved only by the kindness of a young immigrant girl, who just so happens to be one of the strongest and most resilient people he's ever met... Arthie. Since then, he's spent his life diving head first into project after project, getting himself into dangerous situations to feel alive, and forever having mischief chasing in his wake. I adored him with my whole heart, he has a sense of humour that is so endearing, and boy does he know his way around a good flirt. He's also got this darker more intense side to him that was glorious to see unfold, he harbours a deep resentment and thirst for vengeance towards The Ram, that the tries desperately to bury.

"Now that we can see eye to eye, listen well, she-" he pointed at her with his umbrella "is under my protection. Touch her, and you will all die. Have I made myself clear?"



Flick is the adopted daughter of one of the biggest white colonial companies in White Roaring, a talented forger, her skills are often called upon by Arthie and her crew, but lets be honest, if Jin was around... would you really say no? Exactly. However, after her last forgery led to a scandal breaking in the papers, she's struggled to reconnect with her mother, and beg her forgiveness. Perpetually naïve and plagued by guilt, she feels everything in such a raw and real way. Flick endeared me to her despite her desire to betray Jin and the crew to her mother in the hopes of earning her love and forgiveness. I wanted to simultaneously hug and slap her, she is so desperate to feel unconditional love, and affection that she will go to extreme lengths if she has the smallest hope of it happening.

Matteo...


PHEW this vampire absolutely gagged me with his charm, wit and impeccable banter. He knows how to get under Arthie's skin and boy does he absolutely REVEL in it.

"I don't take well to being stared at. I believe I'm called exotic in your tongue, if you didn't know."
"My tongue is quite capable darling, and I'm more than happy to demonstrate."

Laith on the other hand, is a light-stepping, kitten loving, horned guard whose determined to bring down The Ram. Stubborn and stead-fast, Laith is immoveable in most discussions, and his taunts and jibes with Arthie were giddying, but he has a surprisingly gentle and warm side to him.

The tensions and chemistry between the characters was seamless and deliciously electrifying. Jin, Matteo and Laith had my jaw on the floor, their wit and flirting was top tier, and utterly delicious. I was giggling, kicking my feet and blushing, I couldn't get enough of their flirty taunts. Jin particularly has a special place in my heart that man can flirt circles around any man and look good doing it. These men had me absolutely FERAL

'A Tempest of Tea' is gritty, dark and deliciously charming, it had me bewitched from the first page. Bursting with vibrant characters, electrifying tension, thrilling action, whilst also touching on some poignant and moving themes, especially about the irreparable damage, trauma and pain as a result of colonialization, discrimination and racism.

This is a beautifully complex, character driven story that's deeply evocative and impactful. Set in an intriguing and uniquely refreshing world that was built so beautifully and vividly it felt like watching a movie. The plot twists?!?!? The betrayals?!?!? They had me bolting upright and repeating 'what the fuck' several times... I'm astounded and amazed by this story and the plethora of remarkable and unforgettable characters , but please... prepare yourselves because the last 10% of this book ripped my heart out of my chest, stomped on it for good measure and then pushed the pulp back in. My heart is broken, and you'll find me pacing the room until next year... please respect my privacy at this time.

"Family isn't who we live with but those we die for."

Thank you to Macmillan and Hafsah Faizal for granting me a digital ARC of A Tempest of Tea to review in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Three words sold this book to me – tea, vampires, and heist. Sounded like the perfect blend of components to brew an exotic, exciting story. I’d never read anything by Hafsah Faizal, but I’m the type of reader who likes to leave the safe waters of the writers I know and love to pick up books full of the unknown!

Hafsah is a talented writer; she can weave such an evocative world rich in heritage and culture of the incredible setting of A Tempest of Tea, featuring a gang of lovable misfits and morally grey characters. Her writing is luscious and compelling, sweeping you into a dangerous, magical, immersive world. I was distracted by all the POVs telling the story. The pacing is like the up and down of an extreme roller coaster – there are a lot of heady climbs and fast falls with the twists and turns of the plot.

What struck me about the plot most was it tried to do too much. The plot and characters aren’t working together to propel the story forward in a rewarding and satisfactory union. Both demand the reader’s attention to show off an action-packed plot around pulling off a heist to save the world, featuring overpowering characters who are soulful and powerful presences on the page. I never find the perfect counterbalance for me – it tastes a bit bitter or too sweet. It is not my perfect cuppa of teddy bear brown-colored English breakfast tea (splash of milk and a little sugar).

I enjoyed reading the dynamic range of personalities shared by the character cast. Great care has been taken to create unique individuals with various backstories, life experiences, and a melting pot of desires, deep wounds, torn loyalties, and secrets that might destroy everything they hold dear. The crew of characters embroiled in the heist are unique and gel together with great witty banter and lots of tension. I enjoyed chapter POVs from Arthie and Jin, who were the sweet spot for the story-telling. I won’t lie; I thought too many POVs were telling this story.

While not quite having the perfect union between plot and character arcs collaboration, I liked reading individual components of A Tempest of Tea. I wonder if the hype around this book made my expectations very high around the heist featured in this book. I feel the heist plot was a little oversold. It’s more of a sub-plot element binding together the characters than the core plot of the story. For me, the main plot is driven by individual character arcs and development over the cost of the events that threaten what they love and their secrets. I’ll read the sequel to A Tempest of Tea to see where the story goes.

A Tempest of Tea was a delicious blend of vampires, romance, steam-punk, and secrets, and I absolutely devoured this book.
Arthie is the owner of a prestigious tearoom (by day) and an illegal bloodhouse (by night) with her closest friend and brother (not by blood). Jin.
Arthie is strong, independent, and bad ass and I loved her character from the first few pages. When her tearoom/bloodhouse is put in jeapordy, Arthie won't let anyone or anything stand in her way and take the one thing she has left, taken from her.
Jin and Arthie have been close friends since Arthie took him under her wing as a child after the death of his parents, and the pair have built a family of sorts within the walls of the teahouse.
When Arthie puts a plan together to save her teahouse and extract revenge, as well as expose and bring down the person posing the biggest threat to them all - she puts together a crew of misfits and criminals from all walks of life.
I adored Jin and Flick and felt so sorry for each and every character with their pain and heartbreak either from their past or during their present. I honestly can't wait for book two and will be reading it as soon as I get my hands on it!
This book is perfect for fantasy lovers, vampire fans, lovers of the found family trope, and SixOf Crows fans!

I was sold as soon as i heard it was vampire related!
Very strong vibes of six of crows and the Netflix show Money Heist.
Very well written, great characters and i honestly couldn’t put it down