Rating - 4.5⭐️

I knew this book was going to break me but I wasn’t prepared for the torture I experienced😭😭😭😭 BUT DAMN THAT WAS SO GOOD, my heart broke in the best way possible. I sort of knew what would happen in the end from the very first interaction between particular characters and I already embraced my fate of suffering a heartbreak but I’m so happy with the way Hafsah Faizal figuratively stuck a knife through my heart.

This is very character driven which I love in a multiple pov book. Specifically, there are 3 POVs. Majority of the characters that we were introduced to already had an established relationship with each other which made it a little bit harder for me to grow an attachment.

I liked the plot twists and they made me genuinely gasp. There was one particular plot twist that was my favourite though and I enjoyed reading that scene a lot with my jaw on the floor. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning but it picked up really quickly after 30%.

I don’t really like vampires in books that much but this one was definitely an exception because I liked the way it was added to the story.

Narration:
Loved the accent choices for all the characters but it was a little confusing for me to decipher between the narration for Arthur and Jin. And it was especially difficult to differentiate between which character said what when they were all in a room together. I absolutely loved Laith’s distinct voice though.

This book is the first in a duology, and I can't wait for the next one. This book has vampires, heist, found family and so much good stuff.

I struggled with the beginning of this book, but that was all me, and not the book. That is also why I'm already excited to Reread this book. I also think that my Reread will push this up to 4 stars.

I liked the characters, and the story was fun and interesting. I just struggled to stay focused at times, and even though that is a me problem, it did make the book not as enjoyable as it could have been. That being said, I need book 2.

The narrator in this book really did a great job. A good fit for the story, and was easy to listen to.

3,5⭐️

I really really enjoyed this one! The narrator did an excellent job!

I did find the audiobook slightly tricky to follow by itself, but it all would have made sense if I have had the words in front of me as well. Sometimes my brain needs both when reading fantasy.

I was entertained the entire time and I loved how it all played out and ended. A slight cliffhanger but not too bad!

The moment I heard heist novel with vampires, I was all in and I'm happy to be able to say this didn't disappoint. It's rich with tension, high stakes and intrigue. The characters were well developed and compelling and the world building equally so. As fun as this story was, it also brilliantly interwove conversations surrounding the brutality of colonialism and its repercussions. The dialogue was quick witted and endearing and Hafsah's writing style overall was a joy to read. It was fast paced, beautifully flowing and made reading each page feel effortless.

All in all, this was a fabulous example of an action-packed heist novel with substance and I had a huge amount of fun with it. Bring on book two!

I can say one thing for sure about this book, and it’s that Hafsah Faizal knows how to write relationships, pining, and slowburn. In that regards, those who loved her writing in The Sands of Arawiya will undoubtedly love A Tempest of Tea. But there’s also so much more to this story. Hafsah Faizal whisks us away into a wonderful new world where Arthie Casimir runs a teashop unlike any other, for this one caters to both humans and vampires. With her brother, Jin, she leads her business with a skilled hand until the Ram threatens her teashop. Threatens her, her family, and her crew. Armed with a dangerous plan to take him down, Arthie and her mismatched crew must infiltrate the elite society for vampires, or they might lose everything.

Filled with rich worldbuilding, much appreciated nods to Arawiya, and a scalding commentary on colonialism, A Tempest of Tea truly is a tempest of a story. Perfectly-paced, lead by a cast of complex and compelling characters, it is undeniably different from the Sands of Arawiya, yet Hafsah Faizal stays true to herself and to her writing. I lived alongside the characters with delight during the ten hours the audiobook lasted, which was very pleasantly narrated. I felt with them, tensed during hard moments, rooted for them all throughout, and melted during the scenes focused on relationships, which were written with a skill I’ve rarely had the pleasure to enjoy.

Hafsah Faizal’s second series is a success, and I look forward to reading the second book and discovering how the plot will unfold. I do not doubt those who loved the Sands of Arawiya series will love this one, and that those who love fantasy novels mixing action, character-lead plot, and a side of romance will adore this book as much as I did.

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for this audiobook ARC of A Tempest of Tea. All opinions presented above are my own honest ones.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I admit - I screamed when I got this ARC. Hafsah Faizal is one of my favourite authors, and when I heard about her new book, I was truly excited.

A Tempest of Tea is a mix of all the things I love in a good story: found family, that love each other, but still keep secrets; criminals with hearts of gold that do a heist for greater good; heartbreaking examples of both colonialism and manipulation in close relationships. There is a good balance between romance and adventure, so the story kept me hooked. Also, we have VAMPIRES! Which aren't just bloodthirsty monsters.

This was a solid 5 star read and I'm planing in getting a physical copy too! Recommended to people that like amazing worldbuilding and interesting plots

I was really excited for this book since the first time I heard about it. King Arthur + Peaky Blinders and adding vampires into the mix definitely is something that I’d enjoy. The city of White Roaring, it’s population and political complexities, are well written and fascinating. The characters are colourful, diverse, and with interesting backstories. Unfortunately, I seem to have a hard time truly connecting with the characters. The heist, which I was a really excited for, was not as elaborately planned and complex and seemed to be at some point pushed into the background. The focus tends to shift towards the tension and romance between the characters (I mean, okay I get it, the men are gorgeous). The romance also was a bit strained and forced, in my opinion. The story did pick up and was a lot more interesting in the last few chapters.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan UK audio for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Such A Solid 4 Star Book! This was great and I can't wait to 1. own my own physical copy and reread it at some point and 2. for the final book in the duology to come out and have these things concluded!

So on the note of how I read this I read it via and arc of the audiobook, so thank you to @netgalley @panmacmillan and @bookbreakuk for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The only reason this is 4 stars rather than 5 is because I found all of the reveals very predictable, unfortunately nothing surprised be including the bigger character reveals we had. We do end the book with a cliffhanger and initially part of that surprised me, however the more I've thought about it the more I think I do actually know, but I guess I'll have to wait for book 2 to find out if I'm right.

The characters really made this book for me and I really enjoyed getting to read from so many perspectives. It was super interesting to see how characters are viewed and interpreted from the different peoples perspective too, especially how different people including herself view who I would view as out main character Arthie.

The world was so good, and set up to be so vivid and easy to imagine. I would say if you do decide to only listen via audio I would have a quick google and have a look at a map which is what I did as I also feel like you get to know where things are in relation to each other. The world feels so gritty and whilst it is often described in a way that feels dark there are also moments of beauty. I especially loved the actual descriptions of the tea rooms themselves they just sounded amazing and I felt like you could see the importance of them to the characters based on how they're described.

The plot itself and what we have to get up to in this book was so full of intrigue and the constant suspense of what's going on, plans being made, getting this crew together and then building up this plan whilst also having it be multiple point of view and seeing all those different things worked so well!

The pacing also really worked, it was slow to start and we were introduced to everyone and the world slow enough to keep track of it all, then at the 59% mark I was like okay I'm all good now I'm ready for this to take off and within the next couple of chapters it did, the pacing really changed and adapted to match the intensity and ungancy of what was going on and I really loved it!

It also says and shows so much about colonisation and the discussion around this was so important and especially with this being aimed at a YA audience, this could be a way for children to really understand how bad this is and start discussions.

So yeah with all that being said I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely continue with the series!

I was really excited for this book and it definitely didn’t disappoint! Fantasy heists are one of my favourite things and this one was clever, with high stakes (pun not intended) and plenty of danger. Full of small and big twists, a few betrayals and difficulty knowing who to trust, I was hooked throughout and loved all of the characters that made up this rag-tag bunch of criminals. The story dips into the past to give more backstory to the characters and to their relationships with each other and these occasional glimpses are woven seamlessly into the story. I love the found family sibling bond between Arthie and Jin, and the mini criminal empire they’ve created together in Spindrift. They’re cunning, ruthless and wildly clever, and they have each others’ backs.

The story is told by three of the characters - Arthie, Jin and Flick. They each have distinct personalities and different motivations, and Flick in particular is struggling with her loyalties. The romance in the book is definitely a background element, as we primarily see some flirting between certain characters whilst they work together to plan the theft but I was totally here for it (Jin in particular has a very rakish vibe that I enjoyed).

I thought the audiobook really brought this story to life, and I loved the accents and voices of the different characters. It really helped to draw me into the world of White Roaring.

All in all, this was a great read and with some big reveals towards the end I’ve definitely been left wanting more. This was my first Hafsah Faizal book but it definitely won’t be my last, and the sequel can’t come soon enough!

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

sadly this wasn’t for me. I really liked the synopsis and few of the characters, but I didn’t get warm with the story and the writing style.

4⭐️

this book was so adventurous and fast paced! always something was going on, some action, some mystery, betrayals.
I'm blushing reading this book from all the emotions and excitement.

A Tempest of Tea is my first Hafsah Faizal book, Sands of Arawiya duology has been on my tbr since forever, but I need to correct that immidiately. Reading We Hunt the Flame asap, I swear.

strong six of crows vibes, but with vampires??? slay. I'm sold. Heist, many povs, blood drinking skskjsjsjsj, loved every second of this book. the main characters were great, badass, interesting.

for sure will do reread when it cames out!

Thank you Netgalley for providing digital advanced copy in exchange for honest review.

This is a to a new-to-me author and I was pulled in by Spindrift, a teashop by day, and a bloodhouse for vampires at night.....with gangs!

I listened to the audio and the narrator was fab.

So....introducing our band of misfits:
Arthie: basically a criminal mastermind,
Jin: Arthie's brother in all but blood,
Laith: guard and unlikely companion,
Matteo: pretty, artistic vamp,
Flick: master forger.

After Arthie has to take drastic action to save her teashop, a heist is planned (I do love a heist!)

What follows is just what the blurb promises: dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy!

The banter was great, the world building sublime and the tension, including romantic, was off the charts!

Although Arthie and Jin's sibling bond was so, so strong, my favourites were Jin and Flick - my heart!

That ending was explosive! I need that next book!

This was such a fun ride! And a rare book that lives up to its blurb and comparators. The description of this book being a mix of Six of Crows and Peaky Blinders have captured the heart of this book. I love the world, and it has made me so excited to go back to read more of this authors work set in the same world. We have a diverse and interesting cast of characters, with a fast paced plot peppered with suspense and tension. Overall, such a fun read and I can't wait for the next book in this series!

I’ve been enamoured with Hafsah Faizal writing since I’ve read We hunt the flame, so when I got an arc for a Tempest of tea I almost cried. I need to preface my review with that because I won’t be objective or coherent. I loved this book and I’m obsessed about everything in this world.

A tempest of tea is set in the same world as we hunt the flame, it can be read without having read the duology first, but why would you pass on reading this masterpiece?
Anyway.
There are three pov throughout the book, Arthie, Jin and Flick. And all of them are my babies now, all of them. (But especially Jin).
They’re a bunch of morally grey characters doing whatever they can to survive in a hostile world. Jin and Archie are the owner of a teashop specialised in a very particular brand of tea, a bloody one if I might say. They both decided to capitalise on capitalism, we have to stan.
Flick, the third mc, is a sheltered young girl, she’s also a super talented forger. Her whole arc throughout the book is one of the most interesting, she’s the one who grows the most!

The other two characters don’t have pov but they’re equally important, first we have Laith, he’s from Arawiya and a Hashashin, he’s also Arthie enemy. He baby. AND he has a cat.
Then we have our resident vampire, Matteo, love of my life. He’s so smooth. So dangerous. I LOVE HIM.

They all come together to form a sort of alliance and rob their government. A VAMPIRE BOOK with A HEIST. What’s not to love.

Add to that a delicious prose, a rich world building and a lot of banter between the characters.
SOME ROMANCE TOO. And a found family I am obsessed with. Preorder this and add it to your tbr asap.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc, I’m eternally grateful I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal, the author of the TikTok sensation We Hunt the Flame (Blood and Tea), is an absolute must-read YA fantasy of 2024, set to release on February 22nd.

Imagine a captivating blend of King Arthur and Peaky Blinders, infused with vampires and swoon worthy romance, all set in the enchanting world of Ettenia—a place that seamlessly merges the essence of 1920s and Victorian London.

The story revolves around a brilliant and chaotic ragtag group that come together to execute a spectacular heist. I was captivated by the well-developed characters, engaging dialogue, thought-provoking commentary on colonization, and the perfect blend of humor and shocking twists and turns. Hafsah's writing is nothing short of phenomenal. I found myself completely invested in the characters, the prose, the compelling plot, and intricate world-building. Highly recommend! But brace yourself, as the ending will undoubtedly blow your mind!


Re: audiobook - the narrator is a ok but not quite right for the voice of the story. I struggle a little to engage with her. Nevertheless, the overall book made up for it. Thank you Netgalley & PanMacmillan for my arcs.

This was a very fun, quick read! I loved the whole team of characters involved in this heist story, and I am always ready to read about vampires. The writing style was very easy to read, and I very much enjoyed how fleshed out the characters were. I am so excited to read book 2 when it comes out!

Having previously reviewed the ebook version of this title I want to express my thanks for being given the opportunity to experience this novel in a different format. The narrator was the perfect choice for this narrative and really brought White Roaring to life. The novel is brilliant, I am absolutely excited to see where Faizal takes this in book two. The world building is incredible, the lore is fascinating, and the characters are all so unique and enthralling. This is a brilliant YA novel for teenagers and adults alike.

"She was, simply put, a tempest in a bottle. Tiny and simmering. And ready to obliterate."


I've never read a Hafsah Faizal book before, but based on what I've heard of her work, I'm not surprised this book is so spectacular. It's such a stimulating and captivating story. It's a combination of vampires, Six of Crows, Peaky Blinders, and King Arthur's Legend, and yes, it is as good as it sounds. It has heists, revenge, betrayal, found family, and a love triangle. I don't need to say more, do I? Also, the world-building, especially the vampire lore, is fascinating and well-thought-out. The story is full of surprises and shocking revelations as well, and that ending left me speechless. Sufficed to say, I need Book Two as soon as possible.

Furthermore, Arthie Casimir is the super scary badass female protagonist. She gives off a strong Kaz Brekker vibe that made me like her right away. She's full of rage and hellbent on exacting revenge on the white supremacists who colonized her country and killed her parents. Despite being small in stature and a teenage girl, she can make even grown-ups feel uneasy. Her brother (not by blood), Jin Casimir, is this charming and handsome young man, and Arthie's most trusted partner in crime. He is apparently so handsome that all the ladies fantasize about him when they're alone at night. I love it when a character is so pretty that it haunts people. He and Arthie have been together ever since he lost his family and his home in a fire. The relationship between the two is so wholesome. They care about each other so much and their bond is so much stronger than any full-blooded siblings.

In addition, Felicity, also known as Flick, is a member of Arthie's heist plan. She is the adoptive child of a female government official who only cares about her public image and seems to be tired of her daughter. Regardless of Flick's high status, she is very talented at forgery, which she has put to use numerous times. Even though she is constantly surrounded by criminals, there are still some high-class manners she hasn't been able to shake, and in many ways, she is still an innocent young girl. Yet, she is an invaluable member of the team and forms a bond with the Casimir siblings, more so with Jin. In fact, all the interactions between her and Jin are delightful. The tension between them is so high I actually wondered for a while if this book is as YA as I thought. It is, unfortunately, but I know I'll still have fun.

Finally, Matteo and Laith are the two gentlemen who stole my heart as soon as they appeared on the page. Matteo is the pretty, rich, and artsy vampire of the heist team. He is a total charmer and a shameless flirt and has a delightfully obvious crush on Arthie. Although she refuses to encourage him in any way, she is clearly affected by his presence. However, Matteo is not the only boy who messes with her head. Laith is a high guard, the complete opposite of Arthie's profession, and the unlikeliest member of their group. He is as charming as the other boys in this book, and quite the gentleman. He is also mysterious which makes Arthie uneasy as much as it attracts her. It is a bit unclear which of the boys is endgame, although there are some definitive hints, especially towards the end.

I liked this somewhat. At the start it seemed pretty cool, then I lost investment and didn't really get it back. This is a bit of a more YA version of Six of Crows (which I loved) but just didn't hit it for me. I love the cover though and think a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy it.

Let me preface by saying that Hafsah Faizal's writing is beautiful and I'd read her grocery list.

This book is great if you like slow-paced, found-family with vampire lore novels. The characters are very intricate and the relationship are intresting but I'd like to have read more about the dynamics between each character. I rated it 4 stars because I wished for more vampire based plot, while it was more of background information, however it's probably because this is the first book and therefore more character lore needs to be introduced first. I also personally prefer faster paced books, so it felt like a lot of standing around rather than actually doing something. But I am looking forward to read the second book!