A Tempest of Tea

Hafsah Faizal

Feb 2024 · Sold by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

About this ebook

A #1 New York Times Bestseller

From the New York Times–bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame comes the first book in a hotly-anticipated fantasy duology teeming with romance and revenge, led by an orphan girl willing to do whatever it takes to save her self-made kingdom.

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. Dark, action-packed, and swoonworthy, this is Hafsah Faizal better than ever.

Ratings and reviews

This was a fun Young Adult fantasy heist with some great twists and a solid four star book for me. I loved the concept and the setting. Spindrift is such an interesting place and I loved Jin’s ideas and designs. I liked the characters - especially Jin and Matteo. I also felt like the romance with Arthie was a bit all over the place. She had two love interests and I wasn’t crazy about the relationship development. But I think the next book has so much potential!

First off, I love this gorgeous cover and that is what first drew me to the book. Arthie is an interesting character carrying a special gun and running Spindrift, a tea house that turns into an illegal bloodhouse that she also got by trickery and keep going with secrets and blackmail. So, cool premise. It tried to be like Six of Crows but with vampires instead of grisha. It did not quite reach that level but had enough twists to keep me reading to see if Arthie and gang could save Spindrift

"Steeped in Adventure" A Tempest of Tea brews a tantalizing blend of good characters and some really cool world building, with a plot that is reminiscent of the intrigue in "Six of Crows." The narrative's enjoyable style keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Let's just say it's like sipping a perfectly brewed cuppa—smooth and thoroughly enjoyable. But here's the problem for me: the promised vampire tearoom? It's like a tantalizing pastry that's only half-baked, leaving you craving more.

About the author

Hafsah Faizal is the New York Times-bestselling author of We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars, and the founder of IceyDesigns, where she creates websites for authors and beauteous goodies for everyone else. A Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, she was born in Florida and raised in California. She now resides in North Carolina with her husband and a library of books waiting to be devoured.