Title: A Tempest of Tea Hafsah Faizal
Publication Date- 02/20/23
Publisher- Macmillan Audio
Overall Rating- 3.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up on Goodreads)

Review: Review copy given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This was a highly anticipated read for me this year as it is for many. I want to start off by saying I gave it a 3.5 out of 5 but I don’t exactly feel let down. This is a YA fantasy so I did take into consideration the YA age group into my rating. Before we get into the story aspects, the audio is very good and I would highly recommend it. I am thankful I had the audio because I’m not sure I would have finished it otherwise. I really enjoyed the narrator's voices, they made the characters come to life.

A Tempest of Tea is set in a dark and gritty Victorian-esque world. At the start of the book I thought this is what I wanted Six of Crows to be like, I still think this was better but I’m not a fan of SoC. I think fans of the SoC franchise will eat this up and love it. The first 20 percent really stuck out to me. We had vampires, tea, secret meeting rooms and badass characters. Over time, I lost the plot. I mean I wasn’t really confused, I understood the gist of what was happening but I felt like the story lost a lot of the exciting elements it started with. I think I will be in the minority for this but I am an honest reviewer.

The relationships throughout the book and found family aspects were the strongest of the story. The worldbuilding started off as I said above, really interesting but overtime didn’t feel like it was part of the story anymore. Instead, the found family and background stories of the characters took over as well as a heist. I did enjoy those elements but I feel like if they had the interest that the beginning of the story had this would have been a 5 star read and possibly a new favorite.

Again, I don’t really feel disappointed, there were just aspects I wish continued to stay strong throughout the story. The relationships between the characters are the only reason I didn’t DNF. Also, this is a vampire story, there are elements of vampirism throughout but it’s not really the main point of the story and that’s another area I hoped would have been stronger.

With that being said, I think people will rave about this throughout 2024 so get on the hype!! Form our own opinions but I recommend giving it a shot especially if YA fantasy is your cup of tea ;)

This book is very well done, nice setup for a series. I am not a vampire person, but I was able to get through this book and enjoy it. The description of characters and I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the club, I was able to "see" the environment, which is very helpful when reading "fantasy" for me at least.

I wanted to love this book, the cover is beautiful, and the synopsis sounded intriguing, but it just did not do it for me. It is very slow paced, and it lost me throughout the story. The narrator had a pleasant voice but I think the story just did not keep me interested. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillen Audio for a listening copy of this book.
2.5 star

A Tempest of Tea invites readers into a meticulously constructed world where vampires and tea are merged together. Hafsah Faizal showcases incredible skills in world-building, providing a vampire heist book. The characters, richly developed, carry a relatability that invites readers to see facets of themselves mirrored in the story.

Yet, this is a narrative that cleaves opinions; a love-it-or-leave-it kind of story. Unfortunately, I found myself leaning toward the latter sentiment. The pacing felt sluggish, and my connection with the characters never happened

While the story may not have resonated with me, it's important to acknowledge its potential to capture the hearts of a diverse audience. The strength of the world-building and the intricacies of the characters will likely appeal to readers seeking a unique take on the heist genre. Therefore, despite my personal reservations, I would still say others should dive into A Tempest of Tea as it is a well written book

3.5 stars
Review will be published on my site and socials release week!

DID I OVERHYPE MYSELF?

I’ve been really excited about this book y’all. After loving the conclusion to Faizal’s previous duology I knew I wanted my hands on this. But it wasn’t quite what I was hoping.

Audiobook notes: I thought the narrator did a great job, I don’t have any issues there at all. I do wish there would have been a second or third narrator for the other POV’s. There’s three POV’s in total and I continually found myself confused as to whose I was reading at that time.

The story was intriguing, and the pacing was slow. I looove found family, and I do think that was presented well. I love the mash up of personalities and loyalties and connection that this trope brings. There’s even some romantic plots brewing, I was kind of into them? I’m hopeful for book two expansion on this and some more tension.

I found myself easily able to put this down and never felt like it was grabbing my full attention. There were some good scenes and I did enjoy what we got of the characters. I loved that this was set in the same world as We Hunt the Flame too. I could definitely feel those vibes.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: low
Romance: kisses
Violence: moderate

I really wanted to love this book, and I'm disappointed that I didn't. That was to be said of the author's previous duology as well. I did enjoy parts of the story but I cannot quite put a finger on what wasn't syncing up well. If it was the audiobook narration or the pacing of the story but it felt off- There would be richness of description but a blandness of character.

This as such an easy and enjoyable read. I thoroughly dived into this world with these characters and their compelling backstories, their bonds and vulnerabilities, how they fought to find and make their own way in a world where they are not accepted for one silly prejudiced reason or another. Arthie is loyal to those closest to her and will do what it takes to protect them. While fighting an attraction and building heat to an assassin turned enemy guard and the seductive pull of a vampire, she must pull off a heist that could turn their fortunes.

The pacing was fast and I could not stop reading just to spend more time with Arthie and her crew. Everyone's personality is clear to uncover and heps the reader form opinions and bonds of their own. The danger and betrayal that looms near is palpable and we are waiting for the axe to drop. I cannot wait for what comes next.

I adored this.

The audiobook was incredible. The narrator did such a good job of voicing the atmosphere and mood of the book, along with the characters and giving them compelling personalities.

The story itself was so good and refreshing. I adored the characters and the plot line, as well as the conflicts. This is a story that you absolutely cannot put down.

The atmosphere is likely my favourite part. I loved the vibe and the moodiness of the setting—I really thought it added such an interesting aspect to the story.

I also really enjoyed the authors interview at the end! It gave a lovely little insight into her writing and the story.

Overall, this is definitely a new all-time favourite, and I will be anticipating part two.

I 100% recommend this novel and this audiobook, as it was an incredible time. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the chance to read this lovely book.

I DNF’ed We Hunt the Flame because I had issues with its pacing, but the premise of this book sounded so amazing that I was really looking forward to reading it. And the book did open with a bang. Arthie was a firecracker of a protagonist, and the lush, vivid writing brought the streets of White Roaring to life.

But past 20%, I found myself growing…bored. At first, I thought it was because the narrator lacked energy, but it must have been more than that. I still wish I could pin down exactly why this book didn’t work for me—too much time spent on sexual tension among couples I was indifferent to? Action set pieces that didn’t capture my attention (why was there a random warehouse with gunpowder scattered everywhere)? Not enough tension to set up the twists of the book, so they left me lukewarm? Maybe a combination of all of the above?

I also felt like certain characters weren’t set up properly. Penn should have been established earlier; he was introduced far too late for me to feel anything for him. And the Plodders seemed to come out of nowhere in Part 3.

I wish I enjoyed this book more than I did. Maybe this author is just not for me.

A Tempest of Tea promises a thrilling heist with mystery and vampires, while the concept and setting are interesting, it was unsuccessful in delivering a memorable story.

Unfortunately the audiobook narration was very monotone and simple. I was hoping for a larger difference between characters’ voices because, along with the British accent, much of the dialogue blended into itself and the background, making the characters dull and very flat. I found myself drifting away from the plot and couldn’t retain the information spoken.

The writing itself was good although overflourished and over complicated. The book has a very beautiful cover but ultimately failed to keep my attention.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy to review.

When I first saw this synopsis my thought was, six of crows with vampires? YES PLEASE.

I read it the DAY I was approved for the ARC and DEVOURED it, and honestly I am so sad that i did.

It was absolutely six of crows with vampires plus Peaky Blinders and a little arthurian vibes and some Oliver twist in there as well. The multi POV was done beautifully, the characters were all given time and space to be fleshed out, and the world felt rich and fully developed very quickly.

There were multiple twists that were done so well, I haven't been fully surprised by a twist in a book in ages.

and the ending...that is going to haunt me until book 2 comes out.

An audiobook a day keeps the doctor away, or at least I tell myself that.

I am so grateful for WFH life and being able to listen to audiobooks while I work!

I'm really into my fantasy kick and when its YA even better. I'm still learning to master adult fantasy which I am not ashamed to admit takes me a long time to read because I have to keep re-reading for comprehension.

This book was pretty easy to follow, and even though it was an easier read, I really enjoyed the world building in this. I also appreciate that this is a duology rather than a trilogy or more as I need to be able to get to other books on my TBR.

I absolutely love a good heist and loved that the characters she heisted were outcasts. Such a fun cast of outcasts. Hopefully book 2 comes out very soon!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This cover is beautiful!

This book was so awesome and I lo very it. This is not my usual genre but I am si glad I requested it! Archie was my favorite character in this book.

I wish we would have gotten Archie's thoughts in the book! Sometimes the book was slow but I really think it had to be so you got the character build in the book.

The ending was a surprised and wasnt expecting! Cannot wait for book two!!

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review

4.5 stars

A Tempest of Tea was so much fun! I really loved the world building and lore in this one. Faizal shines when it comes to her characters. Everyone was so well fleshed out and I truly adored this cast. Arthie was my favorite. She is a badass and I love her so much. I love a heist plot and I think this one really checked off all my boxes. I do wish we got a little more insight into Arthie’s thought process here. I struggled a bit with the pacing at times, especially leading up to the heist and right after, but I understand that things had to slow down to ramp back up again. The ending had me looking like the surprised Pikachu picture and I absolutely cannot wait for book two!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Even though I wasn’t a fan of her first duology the hype for this one got to me and I couldn’t help but request it! The blurb about a heist and the cover really got to me too! Unfortunately, it started slow and never got better for me.

My biggest gripe is that everything felt so bland. The characters were bland, the vampires were bland, and even the heist was bland. There is so much that the blurb offers when it comes to the tearoom and heist, but I never got anything out of those two things. The tearoom was really only discussed. I think they were there for one scene and that was about it. I wish that since some of the characters owned it that it would be more prominent to the story. Give me it as a setting!

The same could be said for the vampires. We meet a few and hear about their mysterious disappearance all the time, but there wasn’t much that was expounded upon. I think this also leads into the problem of world-building. There wasn’t much to go off of.

For the heist, there was more talking about it than doing. The blurb made me think this would be a book that was fast-paced but it was very slow and I lost interest quickly.

The positive is that I did like the narrator. She did a great job!

Overall, this was okay but wasn’t for me. I really wanted to give this author another chance as I tend to do but I think it’s time to call it quits.