Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Macmillan Children's Books (2024), Edition: Main Market, 352 pages
Description
Arthie Casimir, a criminal mastermind, transforms her tearoom into an illegal bloodhouse for vampires, but when her establishment is threatened, she forms an unlikely alliance and assembles a misfit crew to infiltrate vampire society and uncovers a world-threatening conspiracy.
User reviews
LibraryThing member oceancat
A Tempest of Tea ended up being so much more than I expected. It is about Arthie, a nineteen year old who runs her own teahouse with her adoptive brother Jin and a motley crew of friends/family/fellow outcasts. It is an open secret that the teahouse turns into a bloodhouse for the local vampire
There is so much topical, hard hitting stuff in this book, about colonialism, racism, classism, the list goes on. It handles the heavy topics well, Arthie is angry, so so angry, but she is using her justifiable rage as fuel to succeed in a world against her. The writing is lush and the pace is fast, and the setup to the ultimate climax is well done, there are things that happen which I did not see coming but looking back, I can see how they were hinted at and built up throughout. The book ends on a cliffhanger which I always find frustrating, but there is enough resolution that it didn't take away from my enjoyment. It's going to be hard to wait for the sequel though! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Show More
underworld at night, but they make such good tea that most people don't care. Most people except the emperor, who has a major problem with vampires, and more especially with immigrants like Arthie who rise above what the emperor thinks they should. There is so much topical, hard hitting stuff in this book, about colonialism, racism, classism, the list goes on. It handles the heavy topics well, Arthie is angry, so so angry, but she is using her justifiable rage as fuel to succeed in a world against her. The writing is lush and the pace is fast, and the setup to the ultimate climax is well done, there are things that happen which I did not see coming but looking back, I can see how they were hinted at and built up throughout. The book ends on a cliffhanger which I always find frustrating, but there is enough resolution that it didn't take away from my enjoyment. It's going to be hard to wait for the sequel though! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Blood and Tea series. I got an eGalley for this for review through NetGalley.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this a lot. This was a fun read in an intriguing world with a lot of interesting characters and a bit of a heist feel to it as well. This is the
The world building here is well done. You have a world with corrupt politics, vampires, and an empire trying to take over everything. The characters are intriguing too. Arthie is a tough young woman with a lot of secrets but her teahouse, the Spindrift, is her life. When it is threatened she assembles a crew to get it back. The crew consists Jin (co-owner and like a brother to her), Flick (a young woman with a noble background who is a wonderful forger), Matteo (vampire artist); and Laith (mystery boy who works for the enemy but wants to switch sides).
This is fast-paced and well done. I really enjoyed the characters and some of the twists and turns to the plot. This has a very Ocean's Eleven or Six of Crows feel to it at points but with vampires and deadly world politics. There is a bit of a steampunk vibe to this as well because Jin excels at building clever contraptions.
The writing style feels a bit juvenile at times but was still easy to read and follow.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this book it was a fun and fast-paced read. There are quirky characters, intriguing contraptions, a bit of a romance, lots of action, and deadly politics. It was a well done blend that I found entertaining. I look forward to the next book in the duology and will probably pick up "We Hunt the Flame", the first book in the Sands of Arawiya, to read at some point as well.
Thoughts: I really enjoyed this a lot. This was a fun read in an intriguing world with a lot of interesting characters and a bit of a heist feel to it as well. This is the
Show More
first book I have read by Faizal and it made me want to go back and read her other duology (Sands of Arawiya).The world building here is well done. You have a world with corrupt politics, vampires, and an empire trying to take over everything. The characters are intriguing too. Arthie is a tough young woman with a lot of secrets but her teahouse, the Spindrift, is her life. When it is threatened she assembles a crew to get it back. The crew consists Jin (co-owner and like a brother to her), Flick (a young woman with a noble background who is a wonderful forger), Matteo (vampire artist); and Laith (mystery boy who works for the enemy but wants to switch sides).
This is fast-paced and well done. I really enjoyed the characters and some of the twists and turns to the plot. This has a very Ocean's Eleven or Six of Crows feel to it at points but with vampires and deadly world politics. There is a bit of a steampunk vibe to this as well because Jin excels at building clever contraptions.
The writing style feels a bit juvenile at times but was still easy to read and follow.
My Summary (5/5): Overall I really enjoyed this book it was a fun and fast-paced read. There are quirky characters, intriguing contraptions, a bit of a romance, lots of action, and deadly politics. It was a well done blend that I found entertaining. I look forward to the next book in the duology and will probably pick up "We Hunt the Flame", the first book in the Sands of Arawiya, to read at some point as well.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
A TEMPEST OF TEA is the first novel by Hafsah Faizal that I have read, and I will definitely be reading more. It reminds me of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows series mixed with Peaky Blinders but with vampires and a masked despot. Trust me when I say both comparisons are a compliment.
Arthie Casimir is
I am so happy that vampires are back in fashion. While I love the Fae, dragons, shapeshifters, and other beasties, my heart belongs to the fanged ones. The vampires created by Ms. Faizal are drop-dead gorgeous and lethal, but they are not the most frightening creatures that Arthie has to deal with. That honor belongs to the masked Ram, proving once again that the enemy you know is nowhere near as fearful or dangerous as the enemy you don't.
A TEMPEST OF TEA is part heist, part colonialism warning, and part dystopian thriller. With a story that keeps you guessing and larger-than-life characters, A TEMPEST OF TEA keeps your interest and makes for a fast, engaging read. Given its surprising ending, I eagerly anticipate the sequel and am sure I won't be alone.
Arthie Casimir is
Show More
the type of character I adore. She is fiercely loyal to her chosen family. Moreover, she is confident, brazen, and a wee bit scary. Most importantly, she actively undermines Ettenia's colonialism and endeavors to rectify as many wrongs as she can control. Arthie is a great reminder that even small actions can have big consequences. I am so happy that vampires are back in fashion. While I love the Fae, dragons, shapeshifters, and other beasties, my heart belongs to the fanged ones. The vampires created by Ms. Faizal are drop-dead gorgeous and lethal, but they are not the most frightening creatures that Arthie has to deal with. That honor belongs to the masked Ram, proving once again that the enemy you know is nowhere near as fearful or dangerous as the enemy you don't.
A TEMPEST OF TEA is part heist, part colonialism warning, and part dystopian thriller. With a story that keeps you guessing and larger-than-life characters, A TEMPEST OF TEA keeps your interest and makes for a fast, engaging read. Given its surprising ending, I eagerly anticipate the sequel and am sure I won't be alone.
Show Less
LibraryThing member alliepascal
Good but not a new favorite. I love the setting, and the author has great writing when it comes to this aspect and her characters. Arthie in particular is an incredibly interesting character and I enjoyed getting to know her throughout the story. The pacing is a bit slow, but I didn't really feel
People of course are saying that "A Tempest of Tea" is comparable to "Six of "Crows" and "The Gilded Wolves," being that it's a fantasy YA heist story, but I have to say that going into the book with those expectations will probably not go well. I personally didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed those books. I do really want to know where the story goes, so I'm planning on reading the second book.
Show More
impatient for the plot to get a move on or anything. I also didn't really like where the book ended, which was with a cliffhanger. I was aware that it was the first book in a series, so I was expecting that.People of course are saying that "A Tempest of Tea" is comparable to "Six of "Crows" and "The Gilded Wolves," being that it's a fantasy YA heist story, but I have to say that going into the book with those expectations will probably not go well. I personally didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed those books. I do really want to know where the story goes, so I'm planning on reading the second book.
Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2024-02-20
ISBN
1529097088 / 9781529097085
Local notes
A group of outcasts mounts a heist to save a tearoom which acts as a front for local vampires seeking fresh blood.
Waterstones exclusive, signed by the author with decorative sprayed page edges.
Waterstones exclusive, signed by the author with decorative sprayed page edges.