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chainsawmochi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It is very, very rare for me to read a book so good that it leaves me dazzled at the end, craving more, the taste of it lingering on every fold of my brain. "A Tempest of Tea" is one such novel.
Heists. High Stakes. Vampires. Tea Houses. A government rotten from inside. Anti-Colonial Understanding and Exploration. A main character with more tricks up her sleeve than a magician, and a supporting cast so varied and beautiful that they make the perfect found family in the end.
Yet the ending left me in shambles.
"A Tempest in Tea" is the story of Arthie, of her adoptive brother Jin, and the teahouse they own and run together. It is also a story about lies and half truths, about finding the people you belong with, and learning to love them despite their flaws--or, perhaps, because of them. Arthie here plays somewhat of the part of King Arthur, bringing together a full round table of Victorian flavored fantasy knights. Each of them has their own role to play, their own reason for their actions, and all of them are expertly woven into the overall story by Hafsah Faizal's beautiful, tragic writing.
No words were lost upon this book. "A Tempest in Tea" is a delight to read, with pulse pounding action and a wonderful exploration of character. Faizal dives into the lives of multiple characters, with the majority of the main cast being PoC's living in a Victorian-styled, colonizing country. A land that is not their own, and a country that sees them as 'other.' A country where they have carved out a small piece for themselves and planted their hearts. The writing is delicious and tender at times, while being biting and blinding a moment later. Faizal has a way with words that paints a beautifully harsh world; a world so like our own that one could hold it up as a mirror.
This review may be all over the place, and for that, I apologize. I just spent the last hour or so devouring the last third of this book. While it starts off slow, "A Tempest of Tea" ends with a bang--and then another. I await the follow up with hushed breath, eyes wide and mind ravenous for more from this world and these characters. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Heists. High Stakes. Vampires. Tea Houses. A government rotten from inside. Anti-Colonial Understanding and Exploration. A main character with more tricks up her sleeve than a magician, and a supporting cast so varied and beautiful that they make the perfect found family in the end.
Yet the ending left me in shambles.
"A Tempest in Tea" is the story of Arthie, of her adoptive brother Jin, and the teahouse they own and run together. It is also a story about lies and half truths, about finding the people you belong with, and learning to love them despite their flaws--or, perhaps, because of them. Arthie here plays somewhat of the part of King Arthur, bringing together a full round table of Victorian flavored fantasy knights. Each of them has their own role to play, their own reason for their actions, and all of them are expertly woven into the overall story by Hafsah Faizal's beautiful, tragic writing.
No words were lost upon this book. "A Tempest in Tea" is a delight to read, with pulse pounding action and a wonderful exploration of character. Faizal dives into the lives of multiple characters, with the majority of the main cast being PoC's living in a Victorian-styled, colonizing country. A land that is not their own, and a country that sees them as 'other.' A country where they have carved out a small piece for themselves and planted their hearts. The writing is delicious and tender at times, while being biting and blinding a moment later. Faizal has a way with words that paints a beautifully harsh world; a world so like our own that one could hold it up as a mirror.
This review may be all over the place, and for that, I apologize. I just spent the last hour or so devouring the last third of this book. While it starts off slow, "A Tempest of Tea" ends with a bang--and then another. I await the follow up with hushed breath, eyes wide and mind ravenous for more from this world and these characters. I cannot recommend this book enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism, Genocide, Gore, and Xenophobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Grief, Blood, Murder, Racial slurs, Infertility, Police brutality, Body horror, and Emotional abuse
hdunscombe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Xenophobia, Blood, Violence, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Classism and Injury/Injury detail
itsjustbethg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: War, Blood, Genocide, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
kathigh86's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My first 5/5 of the year!
Hafsah Faizal is such an amazing author. Her writing is compelling and elegant. She is a master at trapping the reader in her worlds.
I absolutely adored the political commentary and how Faizal paralleled her world to the real world. I’m very excited to see how Ettenia evolves in the next book.
I loved the multi-POV in this book. We got a little bit of each character without giving away too much of their own secrets. I really enjoyed trying to guess everyone’s ulterior motives.
I have read the Sands of Arawiya duology. I felt like I was in on a little secret. It definitely added to my reading experience but not necessary to understand the general plot.
Overall this book was amazing. It was very slow in the beginning but once you hit part 2/the 60% mark everything is full steam ahead. I was not able to put this book down for the last 25%. So many things left unsaid too. I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book!
Hafsah Faizal is such an amazing author. Her writing is compelling and elegant. She is a master at trapping the reader in her worlds.
I absolutely adored the political commentary and how Faizal paralleled her world to the real world. I’m very excited to see how Ettenia evolves in the next book.
I loved the multi-POV in this book. We got a little bit of each character without giving away too much of their own secrets. I really enjoyed trying to guess everyone’s ulterior motives.
I have read the Sands of Arawiya duology. I felt like I was in on a little secret. It definitely added to my reading experience but not necessary to understand the general plot.
Overall this book was amazing. It was very slow in the beginning but once you hit part 2/the 60% mark everything is full steam ahead. I was not able to put this book down for the last 25%. So many things left unsaid too. I’ll be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Blood, Classism, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death of parent, Gore, and Trafficking
Minor: Alcohol, Genocide, Stalking, Colonisation, and Confinement
mariahmmm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Spindrift- tea rooms by day, illegal blood trade by night. In its walls, Arthie and Jin provide a refuge for vampires to safely feed without attracting attention from the Ram guards.
But Spindrift's future is in turmoil as the Ram battles to control and condemn vampires. Unlikely alliances and a deadly heist may be the only way to protect the tearoom and push back against the Ram.
A promising story that had a few too many plot holes, things jumping around, weird time gaps, and areas that needed polishing for me to feel immersed in the story or to fully enjoy it.
Jin and Flick had some real depth to their characters, and I enjoyed Matteo and Laith, but I never ended up liking Arthie which is a shame because she could have been a strong lead.
But Spindrift's future is in turmoil as the Ram battles to control and condemn vampires. Unlikely alliances and a deadly heist may be the only way to protect the tearoom and push back against the Ram.
A promising story that had a few too many plot holes, things jumping around, weird time gaps, and areas that needed polishing for me to feel immersed in the story or to fully enjoy it.
Jin and Flick had some real depth to their characters, and I enjoyed Matteo and Laith, but I never ended up liking Arthie which is a shame because she could have been a strong lead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Genocide, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, and Sexual content
soniajoy98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Blood, Classism, Racism, Grief, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Child death, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Torture, Cursing, Genocide, and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, War, Slavery, Stalking, and Hate crime
wylanslcve's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
upon completing this book, I have two main thoughts:
1) hafsah... how DARE you
2) I need the sequel right now or I'll combust
now, I completely understand why some may not like this book. the first act in particular is slow-paced and more character-oriented than some may prefer (I personally didn't mind it because I love character-oriented storytelling when it's done right, and I think this book does it pretty well - although I will say, the fact that barely 24 hours pass within the first 150ish pages still has me completely flabbergasted), some bits fall into exposition-dump territory (especially the more character-driven parts - there could definitely have been more seamless character exploration rather than dumping a whole lot of information at once, but I suppose that's bound to happen in character-oriented narratives) and sometimes it feels like it was trying a little too hard to be like six of crows (i.e. my favourite book of all time currently). all that in mind, I still really enjoyed this!
this is my first of hafsah's books and I think it's safe to say that I've found a new favourite author because her writing style in particular is spectacular: there's something so lyrical and captivating about it, and it was definitely a highlight of this entire book for me personally. the characters were so interesting and I fell in love with each and every one of them instantly. the six of crows somewhat-reluctantly-found-family-heist vibes were definitely there and, while I did mention that tempest at times tried a little too hard to be that book, it didn't really interfere with my reading experience (except for the amount of anxiety caused by the fact that not all 5 characters get chapters from their pov in tempest because six of crows did the exact same thing with not giving wylan any chapters from his pov in the first book due to reasons that aren't revealed until the end of the book, and I immediately assumed the same would happen with tempest... needless to say my anxiety was completely warranted because oh my goodness-)
the third act in particular was full of twists and turns that had me spiralling then sobbing hysterically but it was completely worth it. I managed to guess two of the more "minor" twists and was so proud of myself, then hafsah humbled me immediately by pulling an additional three or so plot twists that made my annotations turn into incoherent screaming. hafsah you'll be paying my therapy bills.
1) hafsah... how DARE you
2) I need the sequel right now or I'll combust
now, I completely understand why some may not like this book. the first act in particular is slow-paced and more character-oriented than some may prefer (I personally didn't mind it because I love character-oriented storytelling when it's done right, and I think this book does it pretty well - although I will say, the fact that barely 24 hours pass within the first 150ish pages still has me completely flabbergasted), some bits fall into exposition-dump territory (especially the more character-driven parts - there could definitely have been more seamless character exploration rather than dumping a whole lot of information at once, but I suppose that's bound to happen in character-oriented narratives) and sometimes it feels like it was trying a little too hard to be like six of crows (i.e. my favourite book of all time currently). all that in mind, I still really enjoyed this!
this is my first of hafsah's books and I think it's safe to say that I've found a new favourite author because her writing style in particular is spectacular: there's something so lyrical and captivating about it, and it was definitely a highlight of this entire book for me personally. the characters were so interesting and I fell in love with each and every one of them instantly. the six of crows somewhat-reluctantly-found-family-heist vibes were definitely there and, while I did mention that tempest at times tried a little too hard to be that book, it didn't really interfere with my reading experience (except for the amount of anxiety caused by the fact that not all 5 characters get chapters from their pov in tempest because six of crows did the exact same thing with not giving wylan any chapters from his pov in the first book due to reasons that aren't revealed until the end of the book, and I immediately assumed the same would happen with tempest... needless to say my anxiety was completely warranted because oh my goodness-)
the third act in particular was full of twists and turns that had me spiralling then sobbing hysterically but it was completely worth it. I managed to guess two of the more "minor" twists and was so proud of myself, then hafsah humbled me immediately by pulling an additional three or so plot twists that made my annotations turn into incoherent screaming. hafsah you'll be paying my therapy bills.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Classism, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and Blood
darkskin_aminata's review
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I just finished this book. I can’t lie it was my most anticipated read for the beginning of this year. The first pages had me hooked but it became slow and more 56% in I wasn’t feeling it, but I did force myself through because I wanted to see the end of it boy am I glad I did. I was hooked by 65%. The plot twists I didn’t expect. Now I’m mad it ended on a Cliff hanger. Miss Faisal I request the second book soon. I have so many unanswered questions. Please. 😩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Murder, Racism, and Genocide
jdasilva's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I thought it was starting off slowly, but it was just beautiful character development. Couldn’t put it down once I was halfway through. I was destroyed by the time I got to the end. What a ride. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Trafficking, Murder, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Grief, Genocide, Death, and Colonisation
mamacita88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Classism, Violence, Colonisation, and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Genocide, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery