First I would like to thank Netgalley and Macmillan publishers for approving this arc for me to read, in return for an honest review.

The premise, the characters, and storyline really intrigued me and pulled me to read this book, as well as my familiarity with the author's previous duology. At first the book took a while for me to get heavily into, as much as I loved the idea of the story, it took me awhile to finally start enjoying the story. All the characters, setting, conflict with each character was stellar, it just took awhile for the action in my opinion to start up, and so I often put the book down to read again. I quite enjoyed the story, and I am really glad I finished the book, as enjoyed the rest and overall the whole book.

'A Tempest of Tea' by Hafsah Faizal is a literary masterpiece that takes readers on a breathtaking journey through vibrant worlds filled with intrigue, romance, and the allure of tea.

The characters are exquisitely crafted, each with their own depth and complexity, making them feel like old friends by the end. The intertwining of culture, tradition, and magic is expertly woven into the narrative, adding layers of depth and authenticity. From the first sip to the last, 'A Tempest of Tea' captivates with its spellbinding storytelling and leaves you craving for more. A must-read for any lover of fantasy and adventure!"

What a let down. The premise for this book sounded so promising that this quickly became one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2024, but it just didn't work for me on so many levels.

Here's why:
-The plot moves slowly, but the character work isn't strong enough to carry the story in the meantime. All the comps for this book focus on the crew dynamic and gives everyone time to breathe and become a fully fleshed out character, but I only felt like we really got that with a couple characters here. Not every member of the crew was given the page time or the space to really matter much at all?

-The heist was incredibly anticlimactic and didn't seem as important to the overarching plot as we were originally led to believe??

-There are two romance subplots - one of them feels forced and cringe and the other is unbelievably flat and lacks any chemistry whatsoever.

-For a vampire book, I just wanted more vampires. It feels weird to pitch this as a story centered around vampires and then just have them casually existing in the world and their vampirism not being a key factor? I will say that this aspect picks up closer to the end of the book and I found that section more enjoyable, but it took a really long time to get there and at that point I had already checked out of really caring about anything.

-I hate to say this, but it did feel like this was trying too hard to be like other similar books. There were very specific nods to various mannerisms or identifying characteristics that felt a bit too exact to be coincidence. And while a nod to other inspirations or source material can be a cool thing, it ends up being disappointing when it's one of the sole defining things about that character.

I expected a lot more and I'm so bummed after how much hype this book received. Still very grateful to Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Hafsah’s writing is so savory and magical. I was enthralled from the very first page
Her ability to write complex yet endearing characters is one of my favorite things about her! Another masterpiece that slowly creeps in on you and makes a home in your heart

Overall really enjoyed this book. This is my first read by the author and I’m intrigued to read the next one. A Tempest of Tea is set in White Roaring, seems like a version of London, and the two main characters Jin and Arthie run a tea shop. Well, it’s a tea shop/parlor during the day, but at night it’s a safe place for vampires to come socialize. We have multiple POVs because a third, Flick, is added. I just have to say I hate that nickname. But of course imperial colonizing governments love control and in this world, they don’t like what Jin and Arthie are doing/the business and clients they’re serving. This is a heist story because their business is threatened and they need to steal an important document. But it turns into more than that. We do see them prep for the heist and the heist itself but there are many revelations that come about. Can they trust the people involved in the heist? Can Jin and Arthie trust each other? There were come good reveals and twists and overall, I liked the pacing. I don’t feel super connected to any character—Altho I do like Jin a lot. There is the found family element but it wasn’t fleshed out enough? Still a good read, will read the next one

The book started a little slow for me. I forced myself to power through to at least the halfway point and I'm glad I did. The story is light on plot and mostly character driven, so it's good that Faizal is able to create such compelling characters, the strongest of which is definitely Jin. You learn about his past and his trauma and how he's rebuilt himself. He is fully fleshed out, giving him the best romance in the book too. Arthie falls a little flat. She is supposed to be feared and respected as this mastermind, but we don't really get to see that. I'm hoping with her secrets revealed by the end of the book, she'll open up more, but from what I saw from her was very compelling and left me wanting more. I cannot wait for the sequel!

I've been excited to read A Tempest of Tea, and it did NOT disappoint! In retrospect, I should have seen the twist coming- but isn't that the definition of a good twist?

Spindrift became one of my favourite fictional locations. The crew is awesome, and funny, and this book does found family right 💜

But at its core, A Tempest of Tea is a story about the evils of colonialism, and it does an amazing job of letting it drive the story. I can't wait for the sequel!

I really wanted to love this book but it's. so. HARD.

the writing felt really fancy, just like the Sands of Arawiya series but without the Arabic terms. But i think i'm too stupid to understand every word & every sentence... even the heist-in-action confused me, like I don't know what to imagine here excuse meee?

on the other note, the main casts were interesting, each have distinct personality. especially Jin with his easy charm (Flick... I understand you). Arthie felt like Kaz Brekker in different font. no actually tho whole book reminded me of Six of Crows, which was cool.

I was about to give this 3 stars but thanks to the miltiple twists at the end, it got additional 0.5 star. woohoo. but definitely going to read the sequel when it comes out!

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

A Tempest of Tea was a wonderful YA heist story, made complete by a tea shop, found family, and vampires. What more could you want? A very strong follower to Hafsah Faizal's Sands of Arawiya series, this book takes place in the same world as We Hunt the Flame, but on a different continent. Woven into the heist are themes of colonization and how to move on after grief, which I thought were handled wonderfully. The characters are are unique and fun and are the perfect sort of rag-tag crew for a heist story. I hope there will be more in this series because, while this story mostly stands alone, there are plenty of opportunities to continue the characters' stories, and I hope it's not the last we see of any of them.

I think this was more of a book not meeting my personal preference. It was 2.5 for my enjoyment but maybe a 4 for the general plot and writing. I just never felt excited to pick this up and it took me way too long to get through this.

I can see that there is an exciting story here. The characters are interesting, the plot is intriguing. But it just felt like it was lacking something. Everything was kind of shallow? Like I didn't believe any of the relationships except maybe Arthie and Jin. It was more telling than showing and I felt like I had to re-read things to understand what was happening exactly or to remember whose POV we were in. There was a lot of setup and then the actual heist seemed very quick. But the ending had so many reveals and twists that my attention was finally grabbed in the last 20%.

So it faltered, but ultimately Faizal is setting up a unique story. I'm still torn if I'll read the next one.

Also - maybe this is my adult brain talking - but this is literally about a 16 year old girl who owns and operates a whole business?? Like what?? And then that girl is so scary and intimidating that she has most of the equally scary and violent adult men in this city afraid of her? Even if she was aged up to 19-20 it would make a little more sense.

A Tempest of Tea was such a fun time, I just flew right through it. It contains a rich blend of historical fantasy, twisty heists, gritty streets teeming with crime, vampires, and a found family that you will adore. I know that fans of Six of Crows and The Gilded Wolves will absolutely adore this book as much as I did. I fell right into the world and this story, and loved having the opportunity to grow to love these characters. I cannot wait until the second book (seriously cannot wait I mean that ending!!!) and I definitely would recommend this one to everyone!!

I have not read anything else by Faizal, or Six of Crows, which I see many comparing this to.
The story takes place in a sort of alternate British Empire (all the names have been changed, but we know which is which) of the haves and the have nots, and humans and vampires. Arthie and her business partner Jin own a tea by day/ blood by night establishment where most of Arthie's profit comes from the secrets she gathers there and knows how to use. When the Tearoom becomes threatened, Arthie pulls together a group to steal a mysterious ledger at an event at the Athereum, the tightly protected center for vampires. Things do not go exactly as planned.
As many have said, the story is definitely character-driven and travels between the points of view of Arthie, Jin and Flick, a young master counterfeiter. There is attraction between many of the characters, which builds up a little suspense throughout. Introducing the characters and the setting take up all the air in the book however, the plot just sits there for quite a while and doesn't take off until the end. So occasional slow going. The characters are intriguing. The cryptic ending is less so, but this is first of a series, so eventually all should be made clear.

Thank you NetGalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), and Hafsah Faizal for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’m really sorry to say that this book isn’t for me. The premise is interesting and reminded me a lot of Six of Crows, but I tried reading it three times and never got more than 30% in. I think others may enjoy it more though and I still recommend it - but maybe for people who prefer slower-paced reads.

I am oddly torn about this one! I loved the world that the author created and the characters that live in it - but something about the writing and the way the plot unfolded felt strangely disjointed. I could not immerse myself like I normally can and want to when it comes to fantasy books - but there was so much potential! I loved the heist and the various twists throughout. I think the ending was the perfect level of cliffhanger and left me thinking I know an answer which will probably have me picking up the second book when it comes out. Overall I enjoyed it but didn’t love it.

Thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me wi to an eARC!

This was my number one most anticipated read of the year and it did NOT disappoint. Of course, I’m already biased because I love Hafsah Faizal and I will automatically love anything she writes. But this book was absolutely insane!

The vibes are almost identical to Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (an all time favorite of mine). With messy teenagers in business suits and with a supernatural twist as well! I adored all the characters so much. Jin was my absolute favorite and I can’t wait for more of him and the rest of the crew.

The book is rich with prose, imaginative, fantastical, and just beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone who loved the Grishaverse and We Hunt the Flame.

A gritty team takes on a vampire-related heist! Major Six-of-Crows vibes! Tragic backstories and tension-filled romance!

This was a majorly anticipated read for me and super engaging. I loooooove the coming together of characters with different histories, interests, secrets, and ambitions to complete a quest (of whatever sort) and A TEMPEST OF TEA has this in spades. Would have loved more wordbuilding, but overall, a really solid and readable story.

It definitely set itself up for a second book and I'm really excited to see where a duology takes the characters and this dark, complicated universe of vampires and secrets.

Thank you to and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. A TEMPEST OF TEA is out now!

It was no surprise at all that I absolutely loved this book. I mean what’s not to love? Peaky Blinders meets Tea House meets Vampires?! I mean seriously, a book couldn’t have cooler elements if it tried. Also, Hafsah Faizal’s writing is top notch. AND, did I forget, there’s a tie in to the world of WE HUNT THE FLAME?! Because that was perfection! The ending of this book destroyed me and I NEED the sequel immediately.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, not only because of plot, but because there are some big names (whom I love) singing their praise on the back blurbs. But unfortunately this just fell a little flat for me.

You hear vampires, heists, romance, and you expect this action packed read, but it’s far from that. This entire book revolves around one heist, which is completed with little to no issues. All of the big plot twists/conflict happens in the last 5% and while good.. the book is over lmao.

Now this is the first of a series, so I can see this all being a lot of set up for what is to come. But to be honest, thank goodness this was only 340 pages because I was bored 🙈

This just needed more of everything. More vampires, more heists, more action, more romance, etc. Anything of interest or emotional impact took place in the past and was talked about in the past tense. It’s almost as if this entire book was meant to tell the backstory of Jin & Arthie, our main characters.

This ended on such a cliffhanger that I am intrigued enough to read the second book. But this one was just ok :/

Rating: 3.5/5 ✨

A big thanks to NetGalley, BookishFirst, and MacMillian for providing both an eARC, advance audiobook, AND an advance finished copy in exchange for an honest review.

I seriously needed this book after finishing Assassin's Creed Syndicate and Six of Crows. And I blame it on the vibes alone.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal is a YA fantasy novel that is comped as Peaky Blinders but with vampires and tea. 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. Calling on some of the city’s most skilled outcasts, Arthie hatches a plan to infiltrate the sinister, glittering vampire society known as the Athereum. But not everyone in her ragtag crew is on her side, and as the truth behind the heist unfolds, Arthie finds herself in the midst of a conspiracy that will threaten the world as she knows it.

This book is literally everything. I loved every second of it. And now I can't wait for the sequel. I will gladly read and love everything that Hafsah Faizal puts out. No matter what it is.