Community Reviews
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Hafsah Faizal for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I was absolutely thrilled to receive an advanced copy of A Steeping of Blood. After falling in love with the first book, A Tempest of Tea, I couldn’t wait to dive back into Faizal’s lush, blood-soaked world of rebellion, identity, and tea-fueled revolution.
What initially drew me to the duology was the striking cover of A Tempest of Tea, but what kept me hooked was the refreshingly original worldbuilding where coconut and tea are more than commodities. Symbolic lifelines for immigrant vampires fighting to survive and be seen? The metaphor of lifeblood is so good. Faizal, a Sri Lankan author who wears a niqab, brings a rare and much-needed perspective to fantasy, infusing her storytelling with cultural richness, a dash of Arthurian legend, and nuance that deepens the entire narrative.
While I don't typically gravitate toward heist-centered plots, Faizal’s immersive storytelling made Book 1 an instant favorite. Book 2 shifts away from the heist structure into more traditional romantasy territory, following Arthie and her crew as they return to her homeland to confront the betrayals and revelations left unresolved. Though the plot here is more straightforward, it wasn't quite as engaging as Book 1. My expectations were insanely high, but it does end up tying up arcs with a conclusion that’s as heartbreaking as it is satisfying. If you enjoyed the first book, I'd still recommend this for the world I didn't want to leave that hits like a comfort read until the final few chapters tear your heart out.
Rating: 4/5
I was absolutely thrilled to receive an advanced copy of A Steeping of Blood. After falling in love with the first book, A Tempest of Tea, I couldn’t wait to dive back into Faizal’s lush, blood-soaked world of rebellion, identity, and tea-fueled revolution.
What initially drew me to the duology was the striking cover of A Tempest of Tea, but what kept me hooked was the refreshingly original worldbuilding where coconut and tea are more than commodities. Symbolic lifelines for immigrant vampires fighting to survive and be seen? The metaphor of lifeblood is so good. Faizal, a Sri Lankan author who wears a niqab, brings a rare and much-needed perspective to fantasy, infusing her storytelling with cultural richness, a dash of Arthurian legend, and nuance that deepens the entire narrative.
While I don't typically gravitate toward heist-centered plots, Faizal’s immersive storytelling made Book 1 an instant favorite. Book 2 shifts away from the heist structure into more traditional romantasy territory, following Arthie and her crew as they return to her homeland to confront the betrayals and revelations left unresolved. Though the plot here is more straightforward, it wasn't quite as engaging as Book 1. My expectations were insanely high, but it does end up tying up arcs with a conclusion that’s as heartbreaking as it is satisfying. If you enjoyed the first book, I'd still recommend this for the world I didn't want to leave that hits like a comfort read until the final few chapters tear your heart out.
Rating: 4/5
See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.