A Tempest of Tea

Thank you to Netgalley, Hafsah Faizal, and Macmillan UK Audio for providing the audiobook copy—though all opinions are my own. I purchased the physical copies with my own hard-earned money. It took me a bit longer than expected to finish the book as I alternated between the physical copy (which I ended up with two of—so stunning! Check out my Instagram for pictures) and the audiobook, and occasionally used both simultaneously.

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About

Genre: Fantasy, YA

Series: Blood and Tea #1

Pages: 338

Publication date: February 20, 2024

Author

Hafsah Faizal is a #1 New York Times and internationally bestselling author, celebrated for her Sands of Arawiya duology. A Tempest of Tea is the first book in Hafsah Faizal’s new fantasy duology, Blood and Tea. A Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, Faizal divides her time between writing, designing, playing video games, and exploring the world. Originally from Florida and raised in California, she now lives in North Carolina with her husband and a library full of books waiting to be read.

Synopsis

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 dark, 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—and 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.

(Synopsis from Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I was really excited about this book—vampires, tea, and a dark, mysterious atmosphere are exactly my cup of tea. With comparisons to Peaky Blinders, I had high hopes for the vibe. The setting of the tea-slash-blood house, Spindrift, offers a unique atmosphere and intriguing lore. I found myself wanting to spend more time in this fascinating place, exploring its mysteries and getting to know the characters who frequent it. The world building was good, but I wished there was more of it.

The characters were where things got a bit tricky for me. With multiple protagonists to follow, it felt like there wasn't enough time to really connect with any of them. I ended up feeling a bit detached from their journeys, not really getting to know them and I kept getting them confused. Each character had potential, but their stories often felt scattered, making it hard to get fully engaged.

The central heist, which I expected to be the book's big, exciting moment, didn't quite hit the mark for me. The concept was exciting, but I struggled to keep up and got confused about the stakes and the characters' motivations. I had a hard time keeping track of what was happening and why, but maybe that's just me! Despite these issues, there were some great elements in the book. The political intrigue and scheming added an interesting twist, and there were plenty of moments with genuine wit and charm. The author's playful spin on the traditional vampire story, mixing a cozy tearoom with a dark, underworld vibe, was a real delight.

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Have you read it yet?

You made it to the end! Thank you for reading my review of A Tempest of Tea! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share them in the comments below (please!). While my experience with the book was a bit of a mixed bag, it might still be a great fit for you. If you’re into a blend of cozy tea culture with dark vampire elements and enjoy a good heist, plus don’t mind multiple points of view in a YA setting, this could be the perfect read for you!