A Tempest of Tea | Did I Consume This Book Or Did It Consume Me? | Book Review

A mischievous gang, an epic and ambitious heist, vampires, and still time for tea…what more could you want in a book? Specifically, A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal. This is a new fantasy duology from the bestselling author of We Hunt The Flame that is coming out in February 2024, and what a book this is indeed!

I was very lucky to have gotten an early copy of this book at YALC in November 2023, and I have never been more excited to share my thoughts on a book than I am right now. So, let’s dive straight in, shall we?

Book: A Tempest of Tea
Author: Hafsah Faizal
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars
Release date: 22/02/2024 (UK) & 20/02/2024 (US)

Where to even start with this book? First and foremost, the writing style in A Tempest of Tea is exquisite. The world-building is so richly written, that everything is vividly brought to life around me and I can just envision myself in Spindrift (the main character’s…unconventional tea shop), trying their finest teas.

Faizal has mastered the art of that stunning, flowery writing style that is so popular currently, but Faizal differs in the way her use of this style is really effective in elevating the book. It never detracts from the plot or makes the book harder to read, but rather her writing style flows like clear water and is a joyous pleasure to read and take in. 

Making up the gang of misfits is five characters who you wouldn’t necessarily think would fit and work well together, but they form a cast for the book that is so enjoyable and interesting to read about. All their personalities and relationships with each other are great fun to read about and see grow as the story unfolds; and when the mischief starts to kick in, well that’s when they’re fun to read about to the nth degree!

Leading the book are Arthie and Jin Casimir, a dynamic duo. Fiesty, determined and easily loveable, the pair own and run Spindrift, making it more than just a tea shop, but a home. Joining forces with the Casimir’s are Flick, Laith and Matteo – all of whom I will leave you all to meet in your own time, but needless to say they’re as loveable as the Casimir’s are. Similarly to her worldbuilding, Faizal’s characterisation is fantastic; the characters jump to life off the pages and are full of personality, making them all so real and that much easier to connect with and love.  

There may be a main cast of five characters, but every character is fully fleshed out, explored and given plenty of room for development across the book. Every character is so different and brings something new and exciting to the team and this adds to what makes them so interesting to read about! Even more so as they interact with each other and the relationships shift and strengthen, or as tensions and conflicts arise. 

A Tempest of Tea has been paced well throughout, with equal time dedicated to plot and character sections. Once I started reading, I found the book to be quite addictive – high stakes, twists throughout, a tense and gripping story to lose myself in – A Tempest of Tea provides escapism perfectly. 

Furthermore, this book has so many layers and so much depth to it. Whilst at face value A Tempest of Tea is an exciting story of a heist, there’s so much weaved into the story that can be applied to our current society and with the cast all being so different, there really is someone everyone can relate to within the book. Faizal is a masterful storyteller and author and has cleverly crafted a book that has so much to it in such an intricate and beautiful manner. 

Frequently I’ve seen A Tempest of Tea being described as ‘Peaky Blinders with vampires’; as a massive Peaky Blinders fan who loves a fantasy book, I can confidently say: this is a perfect description. It may sound like an unconventional mix, but it works. In fact, it not only works but it works brilliantly. 

I was completely sucked into this world and story from the first page – I can’t decide if I consumed this book, or if it consumed me! When I was reading, and long after I finished the book, I couldn’t get the world, the story nor the characters out of my head. I kept thinking about it all, wanting to get back to the book, get back to the story, and be reunited with everyone. Even now, I’m finding I’m missing the troublesome crew and want to just start the book from the beginning once more! With this being the first book in a duology, I have been left thirsty for more content and I can’t wait to see where the next instalment leads, and what adventures and mischief is in store for everyone. 

A Tempest of Tea is such a journey, such a rollercoaster of a read. There’s hope, heartbreak, highs and lows and epic action – and a whole lot of heart. So much emotion is found within the pages and it is palpable. I smiled, laughed, my heart was warmed and broken, I was reduced to tears and left hanging on for the next book. 

A Tempest of Tea was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2024, and it has more than met my expectations. I went in with high hopes and the book knocked them right out of the park and left me with a huge beam on my face. Given this was my first read of 2024, the bar has been set very high! Needless to say, I’ll be revisiting this book and taking a trip back to Spindrift again and again – starting with when the book is out next month. Vampires’ hearts may not beat, but this book about them has made mine oh so very happy! 

A Tempest of Tea is a fantastic, fast-paced epic adventure of a book that drew me in and kept me captivated from the first to the last page. I could say so much more and still not do it justice, this is truly a book to be devoured and experienced for yourself, and a book that will be lingering in your mind long after you’ve read the final page, for all the right reasons. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy and transport yourself down to Spindrift. You won’t regret it. As Arthie Casimir says, ‘It’s time for tea, scoundrels’.

A Tempest of Tea is out on February 22nd in the UK and February 20th in the US.

You can find out more about the book and Hafsah Faizal here: https://www.hafsahfaizal.com/