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A review by pandaintheshelves
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
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
4.25
I came for the tea and the vampires. Stayed for the complex characters, the beautifully written world-building, and the twisty plot.
In this book, Peaky Blinders meets Arthurian legends with a big chunk of political intrigue and a web of conspiracies. All wrapped in a tight bow with betrayals, found family, self-discovery and character growth.
You will love "A Tempest of Tea" by Hafsah Faizal if you're a fan of:
✨ Fantasy and adventure
✨ Strong female protagonists
✨ Heists
✨ Vampire lore
✨ Beautifully written prose
✨ Morally grey characters
✨ Clever dialogue
I particularly enjoyed the social commentary on colonialism shown in the parallels between this world and the British Empire.
I'm all for stories unfolding slowly, especially those where the author puts a lot of time and energy into creating a complex world. So, if you're a faster-paced plot reader, keep that in mind this might be out of your comfort zone.
This story starts strong, slows for a bit during the middle part, and then picks up the pace at the end. Also, be aware this is part of a series, therefore, we have (as expected) one heck of a cliffhanger. And I say "as expected" not only because it is the first book, but because the author has admitted she likes her readers to suffer. And while I am here for the pain (don't judge, we all have issues 😅) may be something to consider for people with different k... Tastes. Let's say tastes 😊
I also have to note that the romantic relationships felt a tad rushed, almost reaching instalove territory. It wasn't a big deal, because they're not at the front and center, and they are portrayed more like instalust which I found more believable and realistic.
Those little details made it a 4.25 ✨ shamelessly rounded to 5 ✨ because, in the end, it was a great reading experience for me. I'll definitely be reading the second book when it gets published.
I had so much fun listening to the audiobook. The narration was dynamic, and I particularly enjoyed the different accents; it was a very nice touch. The Q&A between the author and her husband at the end was interesting too.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date: February 20, 2024
In this book, Peaky Blinders meets Arthurian legends with a big chunk of political intrigue and a web of conspiracies. All wrapped in a tight bow with betrayals, found family, self-discovery and character growth.
You will love "A Tempest of Tea" by Hafsah Faizal if you're a fan of:
✨ Fantasy and adventure
✨ Strong female protagonists
✨ Heists
✨ Vampire lore
✨ Beautifully written prose
✨ Morally grey characters
✨ Clever dialogue
I particularly enjoyed the social commentary on colonialism shown in the parallels between this world and the British Empire.
I'm all for stories unfolding slowly, especially those where the author puts a lot of time and energy into creating a complex world. So, if you're a faster-paced plot reader, keep that in mind this might be out of your comfort zone.
This story starts strong, slows for a bit during the middle part, and then picks up the pace at the end. Also, be aware this is part of a series, therefore, we have (as expected) one heck of a cliffhanger. And I say "as expected" not only because it is the first book, but because the author has admitted she likes her readers to suffer. And while I am here for the pain (don't judge, we all have issues 😅) may be something to consider for people with different k... Tastes. Let's say tastes 😊
I also have to note that the romantic relationships felt a tad rushed, almost reaching instalove territory. It wasn't a big deal, because they're not at the front and center, and they are portrayed more like instalust which I found more believable and realistic.
Those little details made it a 4.25 ✨ shamelessly rounded to 5 ✨ because, in the end, it was a great reading experience for me. I'll definitely be reading the second book when it gets published.
I had so much fun listening to the audiobook. The narration was dynamic, and I particularly enjoyed the different accents; it was a very nice touch. The Q&A between the author and her husband at the end was interesting too.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date: February 20, 2024