While I loved the start of this one, I have decided to DNF by 42%. The bottom line is I think it’s just too YA for me; the characters never really fully pulled me in, and the main plot is a heist which isn’t my favorite trope (I prefer more pulling me along than just, will they pull it off?). This one may be a great choice for younger readers, or readers of any age who love a very YA feel, so definitely give it a try if you’re inclined. But I don’t think I’m invested enough by almost halfway to continue, especially knowing there will be a second book.

Hafsah Faizal, you incredible genius!!! She can do no wrong in my eyes and this story is somehow even better than I imagined it to be. Arthie is such a cool character and I fell in love with her from the very beginning of the story. I loved the vampire lore in this one and I especially loved the full cast of characters. Each of them had their really distinctive characteristics and vibes and it created such a good found family in the story. I'm such a fan of Hafsah's writing as well and I truly can't wait for the next book in this series!

Tempest of Tea by Talia Hibbert is a delightful and engaging fantasy that seamlessly blends magic, mystery, and romance. Set in a vibrant world filled with richly drawn characters, the story follows the spirited protagonist, who must navigate the complexities of her magical abilities while uncovering family secrets and facing formidable adversaries. Hibbert’s writing is sharp and witty, infusing humor and warmth into the narrative, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

The diverse cast adds depth to the story, and the relationships—whether friendships or romantic entanglements—are beautifully developed, showcasing Hibbert’s talent for portraying authentic emotions. The pacing is brisk, with twists and turns that keep readers on their toes. As the protagonist grapples with her identity and the weight of her lineage, themes of empowerment and self-discovery shine through. Tempest of Tea is a captivating read that will leave fans eager for more adventures in this enchanting universe.

The planning and development at the beginning of this book sets up with a slow start but I think there is an interesting mix of characters. Mainly Arthie was a favorite, but Jin added moments of humor that are often needed in this story that explores colonialism and a lot of tragedy, but with vampires! Oftentimes I wished there was more romance as I lived for every moment of flirtation I could find, but by the end I was hooked.

I see a lot of comparisons to Six of Crows, but as someone who has not read that yet I thought this was a high-stakes heist that stood all on its own. The pacing was a little off but the ending made up for it. I’m just wishing for a little more Matteo and Arthie, and with that cliffhanger I can’t wait for the next book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

The writing style was not for me. I found myself not being able to connect with the characters. I would still try reading another book by this author though. I think the vampires weren’t for me but her other fantasy work may be a better match.

This captivating fantasy from Hafsah Faizal brilliantly weaves romance, intrigue, and revenge into a compelling narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Arthie Casimir is a wonderfully complex protagonist, a resourceful orphan navigating a world fraught with danger and deception. Her transformation from a criminal mastermind to a leader striving to protect her self-made kingdom is both thrilling and inspiring.

The dark atmosphere of White Roaring, coupled with the alluring yet dangerous vampire society of the Athereum, creates a vivid backdrop that draws you in. The stakes are high, and the twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing, making it difficult to put the book down. Faizal's skillful world-building and richly developed characters add depth, making you invested in their journeys.

The tension between Arthie and her adversary adds an exciting dynamic to the story, and the chemistry between characters is palpable. The themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the fight for survival resonate throughout the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

3.5 I must admit it took me just a bit of time to get into A Tempest of Tea, but once the ball started rolling there was no stopping it. I mean with vampires, hints of a King Arthur retelling, found family, and heists what's not to like. Being a fan of her other work this one was a no brainer for me. The plot twist was a jaw dropper and the cliff hanger was cruel, in the best way. Full of twists and turns and just enough so that it wasn't over the top. I am really looking forward to the next installment!!!

I am a huge fan of period dramas, and this book gave me the same vibes. I loved it so much. Arthie is a great protagonist. The setting was phenomenal, and Faizal did a fantastic job bringing it to lift. I enjoyed this beginning to end and cannot wait to read more by this author.

Hafsah Faizal can do no wrong....except ending Tempest of Tea the way she did. I practically threw this across the room screaming and instead made my mother read it immediately. I love tea, vampires, and a good heist and this was PERFECT. I need the next one now - yesterday would have been great.

"The streets of White Roaring grew fangs at night. When the moon dragged a claw and the shop fronts cut dim and those who craved blood walked bold. Arthie Casimir couldn't be bothered. By the cold, by the dark, by the vampires. Business never stopped."

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, and I'm pleased that I enjoyed it so much. Although A Tempest of Tea has a slow build, the second half of the novel is a never-ending series of high-stakes events culminating in a nerve-wracking cliffhanger. It really picks up once you get through about a third of the novel. I will say that I expected Spindrift, the tearoom mentioned in the blurb for this book, to feature much more heavily than it did. Spindrift really only appeared in one or two chapters, which I'm a bit disappointed in as the concept of it sounded so fascinating. However, the heist and the plot really captivated my attention, so I'm not too upset that there wasn't more time to spend on Spindrift.

Faizal has managed a feat I didn't think was possible or easily accomplished: she has found a new way to write vampires. Vampires are such a classic literary staple that it's hard to create a "new" (or at least different and exciting) way of depicting them, but the vampires of A Tempest of Tea are exactly that. I enjoyed the concept of vampires being forced into the light of day by a Jack the Ripper-esque figure, and how they adapt to this. Spindrift, the Aetherum, and the vampire characters were all very fun to read about. Arthie, Jin, and Flick were all delightful POV characters.

This might not be the book for everyone, especially those just wanting another Six of Crows, but I really liked it. Easily one of my top books of the year.

4.5/5 stars
includes: vampires, unique world-building, a heist, and found family trope
similar recommendation: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (for a heist) and A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin (for more tea-related fantasy)
song recommendations: Bloodletting (The Vampire Song) - Concrete Blonde, No Time to Die - Billie Eilish, A Drop of Blood - Tamino, and A Vampires Heart - Peter Gundry

OH MY GOD??????

I knew I would love this after having read Hafsah Faizal's gorgeous Sands of Ariwiya duology, but I didn't know I would devour this book in one sitting (minus one time I got up to pace when we find out Arthie's secret [no spoilers!])

CANNOT WAIT for the next one in the series because that ending!!!!!!!!!

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I requested this because I was excited about a book with found family and a heist, and that was not what this book turned out to be. I found all of the characters extremely lackluster, I wasn’t invested into any of their stories. The writing felt convoluted and choppy and on top of that, the plot wasn’t anything special to me. I didn’t feel any stakes in the plot and had a hard time caring since I didn’t enjoy the characters.

Romance, revenge, chosen family. I need to give this a re read as I was not prepared for this to be an attention grabber but it definitely was. I did get tired of it near the end. I feel this could have been a shorter book. Reminded me of Six Of Crows. Great book just needed something big near the end for a wow factor.

From the New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated fantasy teeming with romance and revenge, led by an orphan girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her self-made kingdom.

On the streets of White Roaring, Arthie Casimir is a criminal mastermind and collector of secrets. Her prestigious tearoom transforms into an illegal bloodhouse by night, catering to the vampires feared by society. But when her establishment is threatened, Arthie is forced to strike an unlikely deal with an alluring adversary to save it—she can’t do the job alone.

This was a book I was very excited for. The gorgeous cover alone was reason to pick up this title. The premise was intriguing and the setting was imaginative. MC, Arthie Casimir, navigates the criminal underworld, while also hiding her tearoom's secret as an illegal bloodhouse for vampires. The plot was multi-faceted with a mix of fantasy, heist, and romance. However, the pacing felt uneven at times and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Also, the large cast of characters often left me distracted. Overall, Faizal's storytelling and rich descriptions make this novel a good read, especially for fans of supernatural adventures.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, & Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book and read it one day! It kept me so entertained! I loved the vibes of this book and the heist was so fun. It was such a fun fantasy and the writing was so vivid I loved every moment of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this title. This one was top of my 2024 new releases and I was beyond excited to a chance to read this early. It causes me actual pain to have to say, but this book ended up being a DNF for me. I even tried the audio hoping to get through it but I just could not stick with the story any longer. For as far as I got into the story, it feels very unpolished and the pacing is excruciatingly slow. This felt like a book that didn't know if it wanted to be a low stakes, cozy read or a thriller. I had a hard time keeping track of all the main characters and wasn't particularly drawn to any of them. I think in the end, what finally convinced me to give up on the book was how slow the story moved.

This is giving Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows plus vampires, plus so many other things all wrapped into one and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I can’t Wait for the next part!

I picked this up when I was desperately in need of a book that felt like Six of Crows or The Gilded Wolves, and I was very much not disappointed. Heist-gangs are always one of the best types of found family fantasies, and I was very much content with that aspect of A Tempest of Tea. I think that this book was exceptional particularly in its skill in world-building. The vampire concept for this book was relatively fresh, and I enjoyed the more magical elements of the book. Really, this book was intensely character-driven, and did lean in to class and colonizer warfare, which may not work for all readers, but worked well for me. I do want to see more of the tea elements in the second book in the duology, but I am waiting (quite impatiently) for that second book.