Arthie Casimir owns and operates Spindrift, a tea house in White Roaring. Spindrift has two sides—an exceptional and popular tea house during the day and a bloodhouse for vampires at night. Arthie runs Spindrift with Jen Casimir, her partner who has been with her since she rescued him from his burnt-out home after an arsonist attempted to kill him and his family.

They receive information the ruler of the country wants Spindrift shut down. There is a way to save it. They may need to call in some markers, threaten to publish some embarrassing secrets, and pull off the heist of a lifetime with a minimum crew and time to plan.

That's the simple set-up for the plot. The chapters alternate among Arthie's, Jen's, and Flick's points of view. While that would seem to allow the story to go forward in a straight story arc--it doesn't. There are a lot of flashbacks to earlier periods in the characters' lives. Everyone has secrets and those secrets drive them in their decision making but the reader has no idea what is going on most of the time.

Honestly, the plot appears straightforward. Gather intel and plan the steps necessary to succeed. Execute the plan. Except ... secrets. Everyone is playing their cards close to the chest. Some information is available to the reader but most isn't. Several of the characters are finally finding someone they feel they could love but never trust, but most seem not to recognize their feelings for what they are or know how to deal with them.

I read the entire book and I'm still unsure about who was dead and who was alive at the end. Or even if they succeeded, or not, in achieving the goal of saving a version of Spindrift.

An interesting set of characters in an interesting world where vampires and maybe witches or an equivalent exist. There also seems to be magic and science or a mix of the two ... maybe. There was the EJC which appeared to be this story's version of the worst aspects of our world's East India Tea Company. There was a side thread about coconuts that was only partially explained in the last few chapters, but with a lack of solid information didn't make sense.

All in all, an interesting concept with an exotic cast of characters in a world that doesn't seem to work. It dragged in parts and was frustrating in others but did have a resolution to the major plot arc, although that resolution raised more questions than it answered. If you love stories awash in ambiguity this may be the book for you.

Faizal has done it again! A Tempest of Tea is an excellent fantasy heist for fans of Six of Crows. The plotting was incredibly well done, the characters are fleshed out but still have room for development, and the imperialism connotations add an excellent layer of depth. Definitely a first tier recommendation and readers will be anxiously waiting for book two.

Mixed feelings on this one!!

“The girl who was doomed to greatness.”

I ADORED our protagonist. Arthie (King Arthur retelling vibes?? There’s even a magical, modern version of Excalibur… I can’t remember enough about the rest of the lore to make further connections) was so, so cool. I have nothing more to say!!! She took no shit, she was determined, loyal, and hated the colonisers with the passion of a thousand suns. I adored her!!! She absolutely gave Kaz Brekker vibes - dealt in secrets, plus she was the leader of an elaborate heist… oh she was brilliant.

“The peakies eat it mostly raw as homage to the cannibalistic carnage they commit throughout the world.”

I also thought the worldbuilding and plot was quite interesting - it was a heist book, but with the addition of vampires?? And massive down-with-the-colonisers vibes. A very intriguing combo, but very fun, because those three plots always bring on a good time!!
I did think the heist aspect was slightly lacking - maybe I just compared it a bit too much to Six of Crows, but there were less dramatic plot-twists and daring feats than I hoped for, which had me a bit less captivated. I also did find that I guessed 90% of the plot-twists throughout the book - they just seemed slightly basic, and fairly predictable.

“We were made for trouble, you and me.”

I did love precious Jin though - he’s a little sunshine flirty ball of love and preciousness, and him and Arthie had the BEST platonic bond. I’m a damn sucker for a strong platonic bond, and this gave me alllll of that. I wanted more of them, honestly!!!

“He could lose Spindrift a thousand times, but he could never lose his sister.”

But the rest of the characters… I just wasn’t convinced. Unfortunately, I did not get the found family vibes that I dreamed of (except for Arthie and Jin, of course). The characters just didn’t seem to get enough bonding time together, or actually have conversations with each other outside of planning the heist??
Flick irritated me a little - she was soft and precious, but just… I’m not sure, but her naivety just made my eye twitch a little. Also she was kinda boring. But I did think her development was brilliant, and I hope to get more of her new (and improved, in my opinion) self!!

“Every good love story starts with a bullet to the heart.”

Then the members of the love triangle… hmph. I’m not a fan of love triangles at the best of times, but add in the lack of development with either love interest, and the vague insta-obsession with the LI I liked LEAST, and I was not a happy camper. I did think that Matteo was a cutie patootie (I like the flirts, I don’t know what to tell you) but we definitely did not get enough of him!!! More Matteo content please!

All in all, this was certainly a really interesting story with some BRILLIANT characters (and some less brilliant ones…), and while I was disappointing by some aspects, it was a promising start to the series. I’ll be keeping an eye out for book 2! Thank you to the author, publisher, and TBR & Beyond Tours for the ARC copy!!

Oh. My. Goodness. There’s a reason this was one of my highest anticipated reads of the year. King Arthur meets Peaky Blinders with a heist and vampires? And tea, of course. I ate it up. The characters were lovable and it was such a page turner that once I finished the first act I knew I was staying up all night to finish the book. And it does really pick up after the first act. It starts off slow but that’s because the author does a lot of the setup in the first act, and then the action kicks in.

At first I was surprised that it was in 3 povs, but considering the character development between the three characters it totally made sense. The other members of the group, while present, don’t get as much development and backstory. I’m hoping that changes in the next book. I also like how dynamic the pov changes are. It’s like whatever is happening in the story is told from the perspective of who it makes the most sense to be with at the time. And it’s not balanced. The perspectives jump around, and some get more than others. It’s unique, and I liked it a lot.

One end reveal in particular took me by surprise, and I still can’t believe so much happened in those last few pages. This book filled the void that’s been in my heart since Six of Crows. So often I see a book promise to be like Six of Crows, and it just doesn’t compare. This one finally did. I am going to be so impatiently waiting for this sequel.

It's got tea - along with gorgeous descriptions of the tea - and vampires...and it's a duology! I love duologies! Okay, but seriously, I have recommended this book to the teens at my library and they loved it.

I’ve never read anything by Hafsah Faizal before this. Her duology that starts with “We Hunt the Flame” has been locked into my TBR for quite some time, and I definitely still want to read it. With that in mind, I’ll say that I really enjoyed “A Tempest of Tea,” but I didn’t love it. But that’s okay! Because I’m locked and loaded for book two.

Just from reading this one book I can definitively you what Hafsah does best: drama, action, romance, and character dynamics. The rapport between the characters, the snarky back-and-forth, the intensity burning underneath the surface of the relationships—both established relationships and entirely new ones—is absolutely the strongest part of the story.

If you enjoy a good heist, you will most likely enjoy this. It delivers on all the typical elements that come with that: scheming, subterfuge, high stakes, a cute little found family crew. All of that is here and accounted for, and I thought it was pretty well-done.

I think what kept this story from going to the next level for me is that I felt like there was a lack of development. There’s absolutely no shortage of excitement, but when it comes to the twists that story takes, I found them to be more jarring than effective, because it feels like we were blowing past the groundwork and going straight to the fireworks. So the pacing was a bit off for me. The world-building I didn’t always find effective either, because we got a lot of it in these info-dump sections. Which again, is perfectly serviceable, but not necessarily to my taste.

I do think the final act is especially effective and really sets the stage for book two in a deliciously dramatic way. I want to see what happens next!

Long overdue review because I kept meaning to pick this one back up but just never did. I tried to read it twice, and made it halfway through the second time. Not going to give it a third try. I was so excited for this one, too. It sounded like everything I love, but the execution was lackluster and I didn't care about any of the characters or feel I'd been given enough information to have a solid grasp on what was happening or who to root for by 100 pages in.

It took me this long to write a review because I thought for sure I'd have time to give this another try. But now that there's only a few more days left until the new year I think it's safe to say that this is officially a DNF.

I can't even remember what exactly went wrong. It has been months. But I had such high expectations, and I feel terrible that I didn't end up loving this. I'm a huge fan of We Hunt the Flame and I hoped that I would feel the same for this one.

This was absolutely incredible. Faizal's writing style is immersive and captivating, and I couldn't put this book down! Arthie is a very fun protagonist and the heist plot is very engaging. A fantasy full of vampires and criminals, this is a great pick for teens who want something fresh and darkly fun to read.

I loved we hunt the flame duology but had to DNF this one unfortunately. I needed more worldbuilding, more exposition, more depth in the characters' relationship dynamics. The love triangle also didn't feel properly set up. I'm hoping to go back and read this again and see if I could like it another time.

Once again, Hafsah has transported me into a world of richness and fullness! I have been looking forward to this book for a long time and loved all of it! Absolutely looking forward to the next one!

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended.

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.

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.