While the concept of this book comes off slightly strange: a Peaky Blinders/Oliver-esque book set in a teashop with vampires and a heist, it works so very well. This was my first step into the writings of Hafsah Faizal and I can honestly say I can’t wait for more. This book had political intrigue and amazing romantic tension that had me highly invested. I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. It is well done and really captures the spirit of the characters and the urgent pace at which everything happens. With further themes of found family, colonialism, immigration, and the will to do anything to save your way of life, this book encompasses so much in a short time.

Our characters are unique and fun, Arthie Casimir is a ringleader of a band of misfits who run the teashop known as Spindrift. By day, they are reputable, but at night, they cater to the undead and their activities, all sanctioned by the shop and everyone inside. Arthie is ruthless and not afraid to threaten a person in order to get what she wants, and she does so routinely. Her counterpart is Jin Casimir, who can sweet-talk his way into anywhere and with anyone. Together, they make a nearly unbeatable team, keeping their teashop, the life they have created after helping each other through much of their personal lives as adoptive siblings, alive.

As far as the plot goes, it was well done and kept me turning the page (metaphorically since I had an audiobook), and when it comes to plot twists, I haven’t read a book with so many in a while. While the first few were more predictable, the rest were more surprising and interesting than anything else. The major downside for me honestly parts of the romance, I felt as though the pining went on longer than needed to be but this is also a personal preference, I’m not one for extended descriptions of pining.

Overall, this book is a success and the sequel is high up on my anticipated reads for next year. I can’t wait to re-enter this world and learn what is to become of Arthie and Jin! 4.5 our of 5!

Finished this book last night & still on a book high! Woah the last 80% had so many twist and turns that I didn’t see coming!

First off, let’s talk about the narration. It’s like your BFF is telling you the coolest story ever, with all the drama, humor, and heart you could ask for. Seriously, the characters come alive in your ears. I absolutely fell in love with the whole cast of characters. Narrated with exquisite precision and depth, the audiobook captures the essence of each character, painting them with vibrant hues that leap off the page.

In a Tempest of Tea, you're in for a wild ride packed with high stakes, vampires, a cast of intriguing characters you'll be cheering for, and of course, some epic rebellion against the system.

I absolutely adored the richly crafted world and captivating prose of this book. The theme of found family really resonated with me, and I appreciated how it was woven throughout the narrative. Plus, the inclusion of two intriguing romantic subplots added an extra layer of depth and excitement to the story.

This book has left me wanting more in the best possible way & book 2 can’t come soon enough!

Thank you to NetGalley & macMilllan audio for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

DNF @ 28% - so bummed because I enjoyed Hafsah's first duology! While the writing was beautiful, the plot and characters did not grasp me at all. Almost 30% in and I couldn't focus on anything and was so bored. Maybe i'll pick it up again down the road, but for now, I just know this isn't for me.

A tempest of tea, narrated by Maya Saroya, is a historical fantasy fiction novel, follows an orphan girl and her group of misfit friends who embark on a heist. Set in high society in a prestigious tea room turned illegal blood house for vampires by night.

With comparisons to six of crows and the mention of vampires, I thought this would for sure be a hit, but sadly I found myself not able to get into the vibe or relate to any of the characters.

Although the narrator had the perfect voice for this kind of era setting, I found the characters lacking distinctive personalities which was enhanced by the narrators inability to distinguish between characters, and as a result not bringing them to life in a way that was entertaining.

The overall plot and characters I found to be very surface level and as a result I became distracted and losing attention to the dialogue.

What I did like about the book was the way it had a timeless feel, taking you back to some sort of fictional moment in history that feels like it existed but you can’t pinpoint exactly what year it would be. I also liked the atmosphere and visuals to the location setting to the story.

This book may be ideal for a YA audience who are just getting into fantasy and alternate genres but I wouldn’t be able to recommend for my older audiences who are looking for something with more depth.

2.5 rounded up. Publish date: available now

Thank you to Macmillan audio, Hafsah Faizal and NetGalley for an ALC.

Heist + Vampires + Tension + Tea, what more could you ask for??

When their beloved tearoom, Spindrift, is suddenly in danger of closing, Arthie and her crew work to steal a valuable item to save it. But not everyone has the same agenda in mind...

Arthie was SUCH an enjoyable character, both her and Jin. I love a strong platonic relationship and I feel like there isn’t enough in books. Trading between both POVs was always a treat, Flick’s was not as engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the bits of romance in the book, and I felt it elevated the story. I look forward to the next installation!

The audiobook narration was FANTASTIC, handling different characters, POVs, accents, and Maya Saroya did it with such talent and grace. It made the experience that much more immersive.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

“We all have our secrets, or the world would be out of currency.”

This is a YA historical fantasy with a web of secrets, tea, coconuts, vampires, and a desperate heist. Not to mention one very interesting weapon. I thought it was a very engaging read. The heist was intricate and well planned, but this is so much more than a heist story. I liked the emphasis on found family, owning your own identity, and choosing your own path. I really appreciated the multiple POVs. Although it’s clear that Arthie is the main character, the others have unique paths and perspectives that add depth to the story. Then, of course, there’s the whole vampire aspect. I’m eagerly anticipating the next book!

The audiobook is narrated by Maya Saroya. She did an excellent job, but for a book like this with so many POVs I would have appreciated an additional narrator or two to help differentiate characters. I liked the intro/outro bell soundtrack and felt it set the tone of the story nicely. There’s also a bonus conversation at the end between the author and her husband.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
5/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

•••Spoiler free review below•••

Set in a magical world of vampires, heists, and tea, I went into this read with high expectations that were exceeded! I loved every second of this story and cannot wait for the sequel.
We follow a group of outcasts and orphans who run a tea house by day and host the vampires of Ettenia for cups of blood by night. When vampires begin disappearing and violent attacks happen, our found family of characters is determined to find the monster responsible.
Full of blackmail, vigilantes, and romance, A Tempest of Tea with have you hooked from the very first cup.

Read this book if you like:
-vampires with manners
-found family
-Victorian London vibes
-heists
-romantic writing

A Tempest of Tea is out NOW and if it is not already on your tbr, it should be!
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.
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Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

2.75⭐️

First i want to say a thank you to netgalley and the author for giving me the audio arc of this book!

I loved we hunt the flame so when i heard about this book i was fairly excited. I was promised vampires, heist, romance; basically something similar to Six Of Crows. I was let down.

If you read this book expect more of a character driven book with vampires rather than a vampire heist book. I was uninterested in the beginning if i’m going honest nothing really hooked me. I enjoyed the romance; they had GREAT tension. The plot itself… kind of went off track i guess?This books is 95% character driven. I liked the premise when they started talking about fake artifacts and the action i was intrigued but we didn’t get that the whole time. The heist plot line kind of took a backseat and when we got to the actual heist, plot twist and all it kind of fell short for me.

As for the audio itself it was good i loved the lady that was narrating, her voice fit nicely. i think all books with multiple povs should have multiple narrators which we didn’t get here but overall the audio itself was great!

I had yet to find a heist story that made me as excited as “Six of Crows”, but I’ve finally found it with “A Tempest of Tea!”

The standard heist story is brought new life in this world of magic and vampires, and I came to love the tearoom by day, bloodhouse by night of Spindrift as much as our crew. Hafsah’s ability to give luscious layers to our found family’s relationships brought this story a step above the rest, turning what could have been a cookie-cutter heist story into a character-exploration of vampire lore, colonialism, magic, and vengeance. In particular, Arthie and Jin’s sibling dynamic and its ebbs and flows throughout the work really hit home and I found myself falling for our vampire co-conspirator.

The audiobook was a wonderful adventure, and the narrator Maya Saroya did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. I’m already looking forward to the next adventure in this world, but I’m also eager to re-read this book. There are so many moments of subtle details and great world-building that I know the world will have even more color after each read.

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillain Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This book wasn't my cup of tea, no pun intended, but in saying that the story is amazingly written and has wonderful cast of characters.

Arthie, our protagonist, runs a tea shop by day that's kind of a vampire hangout by night. When he establishment gets threatened she decodes to handle it with the help of an unlikely accomplice.

So although I didn't overly enjoy the book I can definitely see why it's an amazing read for people who enjoy vampires and heists!

A Tempest of Tea is easily my favorite Faizal offering thus far!!

I am an atmosphere junkie at heart and I found the "teahouse" setting oh so satisfying. It was such a brilliant backdrop for all the shenanigans, found family, and romance offered in this story. The story is riddled with some of the best YA tropes and they are done well enough to remind readers that a troupe can be a good thing! YA readers will feel at home in these pages and be left clamoring for more!!

I really did enjoy this high story. There was emotional turmoil that had my full attention. I never wanted to put this book down and by the time it was finished I knew that I needed the next one.

I seriously enjoyed A Tempest of Tea and think it's a perfect read for lovers of Six of Crows. I particularly loved reading this as an audiobook and found the narrator's work to made this a super immersive listen.

I was thrilled to be able to promote this book on my tik tok and instragram and will share links below:

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hannah_fink_/video/7337687178622946603?_r=1&_t=8k2t3xVhi8I

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3k4f8Ir1zu/?igsh=MXYyc2themZuemh5ZA%3D%3D

Summary: Arthie and Jin Casimir are well known in White Roaring for their prestigious tea room that transforms into an illegal bloodhouse when the sun goes down to cater to vampires. But when Arthie and her found family are at risk of losing their home and establishment, the criminal mastermind must come up with a plan to save it. Striking deals with unlikely allies and an adversary, Arthie devises a plan to infiltrate the Athereum, the vampire society, to find what they need to achieve their goals. As the heist begins to unfold, conspiracies, secrets, and betrayals lurk in the shadows, and Arthie and her crew are forced to be prepared for the world as they know it to be turned on its head.

Ahhhh this book!!! I was able to have an ALC of this book and the narrator, Maya Saroya, did a fantastic job through her use of different voices for the characters. I got hooked from the very first chapter. Arthie and Jin's sibling relationship was one of my favorite parts since they do anything and everything for each other, but I did love how Jin always brought the comedic relief to the story. The support they gave to one another was so special to read about and seeing the success they've had since they first met shows how their chosen family means the most to them. I loved the aspect of a heist throughout this book, but with a twist in a world of vampires. One vampire was my absolute favorite, making me swoon with his flirty banter. I loved being able to put the puzzle pieces together to see which of my theories were correct by the end. All in all, I loved this book and need Book 2 Today!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book!

📖 𝘼 𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙚𝙖 𝙗𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙛𝙨𝙖𝙝 𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙡
🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙖 𝙎𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙮𝙖

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵." 🔥

Arthie Casimir is the leader of a band of outcasts. She has built the Casimir name into something infamous. Together with her found brother, Jin, they run and maintain Spindrift, a tea room that doubles as an illegal bloodhouse for vampires after dark. Everyone knows the leader of Ettenia, The Ram, would like nothing more than to shut them down but has lacked evidence against them. Arthie and Jin both have their own dark paths and traumas caused by the Ram and politics of Ettenia. When the Ram pressures the building owner to evict Arthie and her crew from Spindrift, they must work together along with a band of misfits to break into the Athereum, the center of vampire society, in order to steal a ledger that can condemn the Ram.

Tropes:
🩸Vampires
💰 Heists
🫶🏼 Found Family
🗺️ Fantasy
🕰️ Historical Fiction
🪴 Young Adult

This story was amazing. The multiple POVs and world building in the beginning of the story definitely felt like it caused the start of the book to be a little slow, but once everything is established, the pacing skyrocketed! The Teahouse turning into a Bloodhouse is amazing! The physical description of the building really makes you feel like you just got invited in.

The multiple POVs help you to feel a connection to each character. Once they start planning the heist, everyone’s perspectives are amazing for building up the story and the suspense. Everyone has secrets, and I truly did not see the ending of this book coming! Beware of the cliffhanger at the end! 😅

I need the second book ASAP! I have been thinking about this story everyday since I finished it. I keep remembering tiny details from the beginning of the book that make so much sense now that I KNOW. I keep rehashing the ending with one of my book friends. There’s just so much to unpack with that dang ending!

I highly recommend this story to all lovers of mystery, fantasy, heists, the underdogs, and vampires! Overall, I felt the vampire aspect of the story is definitely minimal, and that may change in the next story.

The audiobook was so well done! 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙖 𝙎𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙮𝙖 had a unique voice for every character and it really added to the story and their personalities. If you prefer audiobooks to physical copies, I can definitely recommend this one! Thank you to NetGalley for my ALC so that I could share my honest review! 𝘼 𝙏𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙚𝙖 is available NOW!!

Loved this book a little too much. Vampires, heists, found family, WOW. Literally yelled when it ended because I did not want to leave this world. I will be IMPATIENTLY waiting for the second book!!

3.5, but even that feels too low so maybe a 3.75 but I also feel that it’s 4 star worthy and that it’s in the 3’s because I read it in the wrong format. Anyways, this book was wonderful as is all her books. It was such a treat. All the characters were so well-rounded that each feels so distinct from each other and those distinction is what connected them. Cannot wait for book two!!

DNF at 30% - Truly nothing against this book but I think it's one I need to read with my eyes. I kept getting lost and not knowing who was who or what POV I was in. I will definitely try it again via ebook/physical though!

I liked the narration a lot though!

Two chapters into this book and I was utterly obsessed. The attitude and aesthetic of the writing is perfection. The commentary and ideals enveloped in the world building? Everything I could have hoped for and more. This is hands down the best YA fantasy I’ve read in a long time.

There’s a lot of parallels to be drawn between ‘A Tempest of Teas’ and ‘Six of Crows’, this will be an easy sell for fans who’ve been looking for something in the same vein. Make no mistake though, there’s plenty to set it apart. The characters are all utterly unique. And while inspiration is drawn from many different sources, King Arthur to ‘Peaky Blinders’-esque criminals. it all combines to be a story and setting all its own.

Audio 4/5 - the performance itself is really well done, excellent voices and accents in particular. However when it comes time to reread this (and I’m sure I will eventually) I think I’ll opt to go for a physical copy, there were lots and lots of lines that I think could’ve been read many different ways, and it could easily change the impacts and undertones of a few scenes. A wholly different experience and one I think well worth the time for this book!

Arthie and Jin Casimir are well known in White Roaring for their prestigious tea room that transforms into an illegal bloodhouse when the sun goes down to cater to vampires. But when Arthie and her found family are at risk of losing their home and establishment, the criminal mastermind must come up with a plan to save it. Striking deals with unlikely allies and an adversary, Arthie devises a plan to infiltrate the Athereum, the vampire society, to find what they need to achieve their goals. As the heist begins to unfold, conspiracies, secrets, and betrayals lurk in the shadows, and Arthie and her crew are forced to be prepared for the world as they know it to be turned on its head.

THIS BOOK! First off, the narrator did an excellent job, and I loved the slight differences that she used to be able to tell the difference between the POVs. From the first chapter, I was hooked. I loved the ride-or-die sibling relationship between Arthie and Jin. Their chosen family is incredibly important to them, and I couldn't get enough of how they supported each other. Following the separate steps leading up to the heist was like putting a puzzle together that had a twist waiting around every corner. Without saying too much, there was one vampire, in particular, I swooned over with his flirty quips, which has led me to several questions and a half-dozen theories about what will happen next. Suffice it to say, I need the sequel TODAY.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this audiobook!