I Don’t think I’ve sobbed this way in a very long time.

‘A Steeping of Blood’ is the stunning sequel of a ‘Temptest of Tea’ that follows along a gong of skilled misfits teaming up for a heist at a vampire society. This sequel is even more gripping and heart throbbing than the first book. The angst is top notch and the stakes are higher than ever.

Arthie is one of the best and most badass main charcaters I’ve ever encountered, and Jin and Flick literally attacked my heart so strongly that I miss them so much. Also HAFSAH FAIZAL HOW DARE YOU. HOW DARE YOU. I demand a change because those last pages had me sobbing😭😭

Although the story broke my heart, it was absolutely worth it in the end. Will I ever forgive Hafsah Faizal? No I will not. But her work is top tier so I know I’ll never stop reading it. 10/10 for realllll!!

Thank you SO much netgalley for the opportunity to read one of my most anticipated releases as an arc copy
This is the second and final book of the tempest of tea series and the first one was one of my favorite books from last year
I will say, since I had such a big gap between reading these books I had forgotten some plot points and wasn’t as attached to these characters as much so it took me a bit to get into this story
With that being said, I really just love the plot and atmosphere of this book! It’s also really short when compared to the fantasy genre, and you can still feel some similarities to six of crows/crooked kingdom so I would say that if you like that duology, I think you will like this too

3.5 ⭐️

So this book starts where A Tempest of Tea ends with Arthie recovering from a gun shit wound and pure chaos.

This book definitely had a lot more action than the first book. I enjoyed the moments when the gang was all together.. the dynamic and banter was so worth it.
I adored Jin soo much and this book and fell in love with him! The way he treated Flick *swoon*

And Flick’s growth was present and a focal part of her journey. She def had a hard time accepting her mother for who she is: evil. I liked that we saw her struggle but I loved when she found her confidence.

Arthur also showed some growth in this book. She was a lot more vulnerable and open. Her and Matteo were *chef’s kiss*

This book offered a lot more romance in my opinion.. I was honestly living for it.

There were some plot twists which I did see coming but there was one unexpected event that happened towards the end that literally got me in my feelings that I wanted to throw my kindle against the wall! I was sooo upset! I did knock off half a star from my rating bc while I kindof understand the why, it did not need to happen.. I’m still pretty bitter about it.

The Ram was probably worse in this book and she def got the ending she deserved.

Overall, I did enjoy the book but there weee some parts that were a little cringe and repetitive.

I will def miss these characters!

Hafsah Faizal continues the adventure that started in a Tempest of Tea with this book, a Steeping in Blood. The twists and the intrigue kept me glued to the page and wanting to read just one more chapter. Without giving anything away, the ending had me devouring the final pages.
On a heavier note, this is an excellent read to help highlight the problems of colonialism and the levels of oppression that form the foundation of exploitative capitalism. I hope others who read this brilliantly-written duology also gain a better understanding of some of the ham still present to this day because of the world's history of colonialism, and perhaps understand why future colonizing conquests by any nation are a Really Bad Idea.
A Steeping of Blood is must read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

☕️🩸

A Steeping in Blood is a great conclusion to The Tempest of Tea storyline. This book brings high stakes, important discussions, internal turmoil, swoony romances, found family and plot twists that truly feel shocking.

It picks up right after the events of Tempest of Tea and we follow Arthie, Jin, Flick and Matteo in their adventures and missions to figure out how to take The Ram down once and for all and to show the people of Ettenia that vampires are not the ones they should fear.

To me, everything that happened in this book made sense and felt like there was meaning behind it. Though there were some events that happened that were heart wrenching (iykyk), it still rounded out in a good way and made it a good conclusion for the story.

Oh man. This book had me in tears at the end. The ending was amazing. Sad, but amazing. I loved the first book in this duology, and it ended on a massive cliff hanger. This book picks up right where the first left off. Full of politics, vampires, romance, and heists, this book really hit all the feels. This book really made me think, feel, and most importantly enjoy life.

A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Faizal is a fierce, atmospheric sequel that delivers even higher stakes, sharper twists, and richer emotions than its predecessor. Arthie Casimir is a force to be reckoned with as she navigates grief, loyalty, and the shifting alliances of a city on the brink of collapse. Faizal’s lush, cinematic writing brings Ceylan to life, and the tension never lets up as Arthie and her crew fight for survival. The emotional depth layered beneath the action kept me completely invested, and the new complexities in Arthie’s relationships added even more heart to the story. A gripping, blood-soaked, and deeply satisfying second installment — an easy 4-star read for fans of dark fantasy and morally complex heroines!

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this one more, and I was so disappointed when I didn’t. I truly felt like the story became so fast paced, as if there was no moment for both character or reader to catch their breath. At first, I think it was working but then the pacing seemed to become too irregular to the situations going on in the story. I don’t know if spreading out the story over more pages/another book would’ve helped, but I genuinely felt like the ending happened so fast and I was left confused and spiraling.

Typically I’m good with endings that made me sad, but this one did not make sense to me.

Overall, Faizal does an incredible job with descriptive writing and also writing angst and yearning in romantic subplots. Hopefully, I’m in the minority that will not really enjoy this book, because I absolutely loved We Hunt the Flame.

CW: blood, torture, injury/injury detail, death of parent, death, colonization, grief, murder, physical abuse, xenophobia

This installment was difficult for me to get through, which was such a bummer because I LOVED the first book so much. It felt a little heavy-handed with its themes while also being witty and it took me out a little bit.

It's still a duology I would recommend to people, with a little hesitancy.

Look…nobody is more upset about this than I am, but I am so bored. I started reading this book three weeks ago and I only got 15% in and I can’t do it anymore. The writing was so heavy handed and the conversations between were so stilted and awkward. The pacing also felt really off from what I have read. I just don’t want to put myself in a slump c so I am putting this one down for now. Maybe I will listen when the audiobook is out.

Thank you to the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Came for the vampires nd stayed for the found family. I love these characters so ncyh and feel like they are my friends too, while reading. Matteo and Archie are endgame and I don't care how much they both somehow have me convinced they deserve more too. The pace was so much faster with this book. The action to romance ratio was perfect for a YA. I felt cozy at times and also on the edge of my seat.

The narrative is exceptionally well crafted and highly focused on the plot. It captivated my interest from the beginning and maintained it throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, and found that the pacing of the story was remarkably swift. I particularly loved the themes of found family in this duology.. the only thing I didnt like was the ending but telling you why I didnt like it would be giving out a spoiler. overall, great book!

This is the second book in the series and I loved it as much as the first book. A wonderful duo story filled with vampires and tea! Highly recommend!

This book was full of fantasy, wonder and history. It was an amazing follow up to book one. Definitely read A Tempest first though. This was rich and lush and fun too! The mystery elements were fantastic!

I absolutely devoured the first book last year when it came out. Vampires meets Six of Crows, and a broody man with a cat! I was so excited for the sequel! This book picks up right where the last one left off! It was definitely an enjoyable read. I did feel a little bored in spots, like the book was dragging on! When I was nearing the ending, I couldn't figure out how the book was possibly going to be wrapped up with barely any pages left! But to say I was a little disappointed in the ending. The book series is advertised as a fantasy with a slow burn romance. But I feel like there was barely any romance in book 2. But I was more disappointing that the main love interest died? It didn't seem fair that Arthie didn't really get her happily ever after...

I love the world and I think the characters are fun, this book seemed to simultaneously feel too slow and too fast. The overall plot was interesting, but it took so long for anything to happen. On the other hand, any minor fights or problems were solved in an instant. Everyone was too trusting and willing to forgive anyone for anything. Got betrayed? 10 pages later they’re teaming up because they said sorry and promised to never do it again. I really think this book could have solely been about getting Jin’s parents back, messing up Ceylan, and the emotional back and forth between everyone.

Overall I think this duology is memorable and remains original. While I didn't enjoy the supernatural reveal in book one it grew on me in this book. The ending was solid and leaves a reader satisfied. The setting remains distinctive and the development of the world is well thought out. But in this book the characters shine.

The fast paced and heart stopping sequel to the Tempest of Tea, Hafsah Faizal throws readers back into the world of White Roaring and the lives of the Casimir's and their found family. Arthie wakes to realize that she lives, having been turned a full vampire by Mateo after her near death from their heist gone wrong. Arthie, Jin, Flick, and their crew have each suffered since that night's failure, but they have the ledger containing the secrets to taking down the Ram, the brutal monarch of Ettenia who created the suffering the crew felt that night, and for decades before. With the ledger revealing the home base of a secret project to weaponize vampires, and a sinister tribute planned by the Ram in just a week, the crew races the clock to save themselves and the people of White Roaring before it is too late.
I LOVED A Tempest of Tea, and this sequel was an amazing jump back into the story and the world this series created. A Tempest of Tea ended on such a cliffhanger, and this book picked right back off where it had left. I loved seeing Arthie's relationship with her emotions and the people in her life develop and change into something deeper, and the romantic relationship between her and Mateo and Jin and Flick get the time and care they deserved. This book was a lot more fast paced than the The Tempest of Tea, which is to be expected of a sequel with lots to accomplish to end the story of this vibrant and dark world. I love Faizal's writing, and how she is able to create such an expansive and rich scenery, a lovable and morally grey cast of characters, and discussions of race, gender and classism in such a unique story premise. I recommend this series to everyone who enjoys a fast paced fantasy with darker elements, and cannot say enough good things about this sequel.

2.5 stars rounded up to three. I liked the first book in this duology well enough and wanted to see where the story was going. I am sorry to say that everything I didn’t like in the first one was exacerbated in this one. I wish the author spent less time trying to make quotable quotes and more time on the plot. Alas, that did not end up being the case. And what even was that ending.

I ATE this book up!! This book was action packed, I was never bored not once. I had a few laughs here and there. The slow burns 😩 I was so heartbroken at the end, I still don’t know what to do with myself 24 hrs later. It just plays in a loop in my head. it’s like an HEA but also prepare yourself 😭