A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal blends intricate world-building with a diverse cast and engaging plot. Positive reviews praise its immersive storytelling and rich cultural elements. Criticisms highlight uneven pacing and underdeveloped secondary characters. Overall, readers find it a captivating and imaginative read with a few areas for improvement.

A reader who would enjoy Hafsah Faizal's A Tempest of Tea likely loves dark academia and magical heist narratives. Fans of Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows and V.E. Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic will appreciate its rich world-building, morally complex characters, and thrilling, multi-layered plot.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal is a fantasy novel interwoven with elements of heists, found family, and magic. It follows a diverse cast of characters as they navigate a world of intrigue and treachery, centered around a tea house that serves as a front for clandestine activities.

Mysterious / Gritty / Suspenseful / Fantastical / Emotional

**Arthie Casimir**  
A dynamic protagonist and one of the three primary narrators, Arthie manages Spindrift and grapples with her vampiric nature and past traumas while striving to protect those she loves.

**Jin Casimir**  
The deuteragonist and Arthie's adoptive brother, Jin is a clever and resourceful individual who battles his fear of fire and relies on the support of others to navigate challenges.

**Felicity “Flick” Linden**  
The tritagonist and an upper-class Black girl known as Flick, she matures from a forger seeking her mother's approval to an independent person loyal to her chosen family.

**Laith Sayaad**  
A significant antagonist and Arthie's love interest, Laith is driven by vengeance and is characterized by his distinctive white hair and complex relationship with Arthie.

**Matteo Andoni**  
A charismatic vampire painter and Arthie's foil, Matteo is known for his charm and protective nature while hiding his own secrets.

**Penn Arundel**  
A secondary character and father figure to Arthie, Penn represents vampire interests and struggles with the consequences of his leadership decisions.

**The Ram/Lady Linden**  
The primary antagonist, who also goes by Lady Linden, Flick’s mother, and symbolizes colonial exploitation, serving as a prominent force behind Ettenia's and the EJC's power.

Hafsah Faizal

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Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore A Tempest of Tea and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

A Tempest of Tea Summary and Study Guide

Background

A Tempest of Tea Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Act I: Vengeance Never Dies”

Part 1, Chapters 1-10

A Tempest of Tea Part 1, Chapters 1-10 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 11-22

A Tempest of Tea Part 1, Chapters 11-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Act II: Past and Future”

Part 2 A Tempest of Tea Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Act III: A Fire in Slumber”

Part 3 A Tempest of Tea Part 3 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

A Tempest of Tea Character Analysis

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Themes

A Tempest of Tea Themes

Symbols & Motifs

A Tempest of Tea Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

A Tempest of Tea Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

A Tempest of Tea Essay Topics

A Tempest of Tea

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read A Tempest of Tea?

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Book Details