This was a solid conclusion to the duology and I look forward to the author's future works. I was so excited to get reacquainted with my favorite character Flick! There are a lot of good twists and turns, and the pacing is well done. I definitely found this book to be enthralling than the first one and read it in about three sittings.

The first book, A Tempest of Tea, was more than I expected it to be. Dreamy, exciting, and full of great characters you want to root for. That ending left me wanting more, and I'm so happy to have gotten to read this as soon as I did. While this isn't as exciting as the first in my opinion, it builds upon the first by really fleshing out Arthie into an even more endearing character. If you liked the first, I strongly believe you'll enjoy this as it builds upon the first one in many ways.

4.5 stars rounded up.

What a wild ride from start to finish. This is an excellent conclusion to the events of "A Tempest of Tea," and a definitely an emotional roller coaster! Flick has emerged as probably my favorite character in the series. She really came into herself and grew as a person throughout the events of this book. She and Jin fit perfectly together.

This book was action packed and there was never a dull moment as we follow Arthie and her crew's mission to destroy the Ram. I enjoyed the scenes taking place in Ceylan. Like "A Tempest of Tea," colonialism and the impact it has on those who are from colonized countries was a constant, and it is an important part of the story.

"How could someone take over another land and live guilt-free? How could they destroy and pillage and act as if it was wholly natural"

This quote in particular hits home, especially considering current world events.

I love found family, and this definitely gives found family. Watching Arthie and Jin navigate their relationship after Arthie's secret is revealed, the events on Ceylan, and how the crew rallies together was all written exceptionally well.

My only complaint is that one of the events right after Ceylan, and I won't give spoilers here, seemed like it was done more for shock value than plot value. The twist at the end, I feel, fit the story quite well and worked. But there was a character death I disagreed with. I also feel that, at times, this would have been better written as a New Adult book than YA. The themes are quite heavy, and while that does have a place in YA, in particular the chemistry between some characters I think almost would have been better as a NA book. It sits kind of in the middle, in my opinion.

I do think that the ending was a great way to end the book. The Ram got the ending she deserved, and it was quite fitting. There were a couple of twists with her character towards the end that I didn't see coming, but it wrapped up the story nicely, and I wasn't left wanting more. A great end to a great duology.

A lot of people tended to rate the first one kind of low so I'm expecting that the sequel will have some lower reviews as well, but I felt it was a wonderful conclusion, and one of the best sequels I've read. Things from the first book are brought in and mentioned throughout the book and not just in the beginning as like, an expose of the story so far. It wasn't like a "previously on..." the writing style was consistent, and so were the characters. They were the same characters from the first book, their personalities were the same, but there was a lot of character growth. The ending was mostly everything I wanted. There were many things that were expected and foreseen, but there were also things that I didn't see coming that I felt I should have. I also don't feel like there needs to be more. Like, reading more about these characters living their lives would be wonderful, as they're wonderful characters, but the story feels complete, it doesn't leave me wanting more or going "okay but now what?"

3.5 Stars

White Roaring is in turmoil following the events of the Ram's recent attack on the press and Arthie's crew. But the Ram's not wasting any time, and now she's called for a celebration of her rule. Arthie has to rally her crew and find a way to expose the Ram, while dealing with new emotions and new allies. She will have to face the ghosts of her past, by traveling to Ceylan to expose the atrocities that the Ram is committing against vampires. Arthie's never without a plan, but she might just be underestimating the lengths the Ram is willing to go, to hold on to her power.

A Steeping of Blood brings an action-filled conclusion to the Blood and Tea duology. Arthie and the crew face a lot of dangerous moments in this book, and the non-stop action made for a quick read. I liked the fact that Faizal picked up A Steeping of Blood right where A Tempest of Tea left off, and brought the reader right back into the chaos of the cliffhanger.

The found family and character relationships are definitely my favorite part of these books. And Faizal really does a great job of writing each of the characters through the multiple POVs. I loved seeing more of the romantic relationships between Arthie and Matteo and Flick and Jin in this book. Flick is definitely the star of the show in this book. Her character and character growth is done so well, and I found myself looking forward to chapter after chapter from her POV.

As much as I loved A Tempest of Tea, I found that A Steeping of Blood didn't quite live up to my expectations from the first book. I was looking for more of an impactful storyline with the vampires, but most of the time I felt like they weren't much different from the humans. The evil machinations and plans from the Ram seemed very convoluted, and her plot twist and motivations didn't come together, for me, in a satisfying conclusion. And I'm not bothered by storylines that don't have a HEA ending for all of the characters, but I felt like the ending for one of the main characters really made me dislike the ending of this book. I felt like it didn't add any kind of resolution or emotional value to the story, other than being a shock factor.

Overall, I enjoyed A Steeping of Blood as a conclusion to the series. The book does deal with heavy themes of racism, death, and stealing/colonizing other lands in a Young Adult fantasy world. If you love vampire stories, with morally grey characters, romance, and unexpected plot twists, then I would recommend A Steeping of Blood.

The amount of action and twists is what I expected to be in A Tempest of Tea and was disappointed at its lack. A Steeping of Blood starts off running and keeps going. I truly enjoyed that aspect. I also felt more emotion in this book then book 1. I really felt for Flick and Jinn. This book did suffer from some of the same issues book one had. Just like book 1 this book feels like we are being told the story and not immersed in it. Maybe that is the just authors writing style. But this book does have a lot more action and twists then the first book so I did not have any issues with it keeping my interest. Overall an interesting story and a fun read.

This was a great continuation and completion of the Blood and Tea duology. It picks up right where the last book left off, so immediately drops you right into the action, and doesn't stop until the last page is turned. This led to not being able to put the book down because once the ball started rolling there was no stopping it.

I wouldn't say that I was surprised by any of the "twists" throughout the book, but that still leant to great plot moments even if I may have seen them coming. The commentaries on colonialism and monopolies were poignant and real and the author did a great job of using a fantastical setting to highlight real world problems.

Huge amounts of character growth, especially for my girl Flick. So glad to see how much she's grown and changed since the first one and throughout this one.

The one downer I have about this book is a death at the end. No spoilers for who it was, but it felt wholly unnecessary and took away from the ending for me personally.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a copy of this ARC!

After the end of Tempest of Tea, Spindrift being gone literally feels like the death of a character.

The tension is so high in the sequel and I love it! Everyone’s development is so good especially with the introduction of new characters and new dynamics. Killing off my favorite character for seemingly no reason hurt me though. It furthered the plot but not in any meaningful way. I might have to sit with it for a bit more.

Overall, a solid finale.

Phew, buddy. Let me just start with, A Steeping of Blood was such a wild ride. I loved following Arthie and the crew on their quest to take down the Ram/Lady Linden. This was such an emotional roller coaster. I’m so proud of Flick for really coming into her own and standing up to her mother. The story kept me engaged, and I feel as though it ended well. EXCEPT FOR THE ONE THING! You know what you did, Hafsah! I won’t spoil it for anybody reading my review, but just know that you will be crushed. I cried. My heart broke. Be prepared.
I absolutely recommend reading this book! I know I can see myself reading it again in the future.

Write a review for A Steeping of Blood by Hafsah Fazial. Summary:

After the jaw-dropping ending of #1 New York Times-bestseller A Tempest of Tea, Hafsah Faizal crafts a deliciously twisty and seductive sequel that will leave readers breathless until the very last page. A romantic vampire fantasy novel for fans of Immortal Dark and Heartless Hunter.



Arthie Casimir has had her tea. Now she's out for blood.



White Roaring is sharpening its fangs after the deadly night that left the city in shambles. The press are dead, the public is calling for justice, vampires are in danger, and amid the turmoil, the Ram announces a celebration.



Still reeling from the bloodshed, Arthie Casimir has no time to mourn the death of anyone, let alone her own. She has no time for love, either, even though it had saved her life. As Arthie navigates new emotions and new allies, she must reassemble her scrambled crew and scrape what little they have left to fight one last time—and she will need to face the ghosts of her past to do it.



In Ceylan.



Hafsah Faizal returns with a vengeance in A Steeping of Blood, the thrilling and seductive sequel to the bestselling A Tempest of Tea. Picking up in the immediate aftermath of its predecessor's explosive conclusion, this installment plunges readers back into the richly imagined world of White Roaring, where the stakes are higher, the shadows are deeper, and the thirst for both tea and blood is insatiable.

Arthie Casimir, the resilient and resourceful heroine, is no longer just serving tea; she's out for blood, and Faizal delivers on that promise with a narrative that is both twisty and emotionally resonant. The city is reeling, the fragile peace shattered, and amidst the chaos, Arthie must navigate a landscape fraught with danger from all sides – a vengeful public, threatened vampires, and the ever-present machinations of the Ram.

Faizal masterfully balances the external threats with Arthie's internal struggles. The weight of loss, the burgeoning complexities of love, and the necessity of forging new alliances all contribute to a compelling character arc. Even as she rallies her battered crew for one last, desperate fight, Arthie must confront the ghosts of her past, adding layers of emotional depth to the high-stakes plot.

The world-building remains as lush and evocative as ever, with the vibrant setting of Ceylan providing a rich backdrop for the unfolding drama. Faizal's prose is both lyrical and sharp, drawing the reader into a world where elegance and brutality coexist. The romantic elements, while present, never overshadow the central conflict but rather serve to heighten the emotional stakes and explore the complexities of connection in a dangerous world.

A Steeping of Blood is a sequel that not only lives up to the hype but surpasses it. It's a breathless race against time, filled with unexpected turns, heart-wrenching choices, and a palpable sense of urgency. Fans of romantic vampire fantasy will devour this installment, eagerly following Arthie's journey as she embraces her newfound power and fights for a future that seems increasingly precarious. If you were captivated by A Tempest of Tea, prepare to be utterly spellbound by the intoxicating and dangerous brew that is A Steeping of Blood. You'll be left breathless until the very last page, already yearning for more.

Hafsah Faizal OWNS this genre. A Steeping of Blood only confirms that. Gorgeous, gripping, and flawlessly done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I think I’m in the minority of ARC readers for this one, as I much preferred it to the first in the duology. Where A Tempest of Tea spent most of the book focusing on making plans and lacked excitement, A Steeping of Blood made up for in action-packed scenes! It picked up right where the first book ended and ramped up quickly. It was much faster-paced, which I was very grateful for after pushing through the dull moments in Tempest. There were still times when scenes were stretched out, and there were plenty of idle times between fights and action, but I felt it was a much better balance.
I didn’t care much for Arthie in the first book, but I took to her more in this one. Jin and Matteo remained my favorites by far though. Flick’s character development continued, and she remained a middle of the road character for me.
The conclusion tied everything together in a neat little bow, but certain aspects broke my heart (no spoilers, but you’ll know it when you read it). My biggest qualm with the sad twist was that it felt random and forced to evoke emotion. I can handle a heart-breaking moment, but when it doesn’t feel earned, it bothers me.
Overall, I thought it was a great sequel and ending to the duology.

As much as I loved the first novel in this series, I enjoyed this one even more! This beautiful book managed to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. It jumps right back into the action and the plot never stops. Dealing with themes of colonialism, identify and community, it balances action and emotion. There isn’t a moment when the stakes don’t feel earned. It shredded my heart and put it back together again.

Flick and Jin own my whole heart.

A beautiful sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

I have been greatly anticipating this sequel, and it did not disappoint. My only regret is finishing it at work. Now I'm sad! I loved it. I love the characters. I will miss them. Well done.

The highly anticipated sequel to a Tempest of Tea, which was released last year. I really enjoyed how Faizal wasted no time when it came to confirming or denying theories that readers had after reading the first novel. Often times it’s something that’s dragged out, so I respected getting the theories answered early so that we can focus on the plot.

The found family and power dynamic within our group of characters is one of my favorites. I love that when characters are separated, each experienced an internal dialogue featuring how the others would react in that situation. Much like the first novel the story starts with a bang and it’s a fresh and exciting world to be a part of, but the pacing becomes slow. The first novel featured a heist which added a level of tension to the story that made the slow pacing to be excusable, but this time around and even with higher stakes, I felt the pacing still to be an issue. I will always pick up a new Faizal book for its beautiful writing, character arcs, and world building. Huge thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the lovely earc!

I would probably say a 3.5 or 3.75 mostly because the pacing was a bit slow and it took a very long time for me to be pulled into the story. I missed the heist aspect of the first book, and honestly I think the story could've benefited from being a trilogy instead of a duology. Even the ending (while heartbreaking) leaves questions for what comes next. How does Ettenia rebuild, how does Ceylan respond after the explosion, what is going to happen to Leith bc he's just kind of there. I liked that Arthie gets more time to heal and face her emotions, but taking away the character that can read her so easily and help her process that was cruel. How they handled the Rippers seemed a bit too easy, like there could still be holes in how that was addressed and it doesn't feel over. Flick was a highlight for the book, she really came into her own and I'm proud of her.

I really love this story. Vampires? Yes! Conspiracies? Yes! Please give me more! I can't wait for the next one

Honestly, I have some really mixed feelings about this sequel. On the one hand, I was immediately sucked back into this story after loving book one, and overall book two felt unputdownable to me. Its fast paced plot picks up where our crew’s best laid plans have gone to pot and they have to pivot in big ways to achieve their goals, making this duology perfect for fans of Six of Crows. While I didn’t feel the writing itself was quite as good as before (a little repetitive and a tad more simplistic), I found it enjoyable for the most part. I love the banter and flirting between the members of the crew, much of which had me kicking my feet and giddy with delight!

On the other hand, there were things that really bothered me. Certain developments felt thrown in, with ridiculously quick conflict resolution just for the sake of haphazardly tying up a loose end at the last minute. Similarly, there were a few instances where things felt rushed and not explained or written with intention. I predicted the two big emotionally devastating events very early on, but even my prediction couldn’t prepare me for how upset I’d be. I realize this is a fantasy featuring dark and serious themes, and not everyone is guaranteed an HEA, but some things felt unnecessarily cruel and ultimately made me feel like they did a disservice to the meticulously plotted character arcs and growth. There are plenty of books that dole out emotional damage that keep me coming back for rereads but the ending of this book left me sobbing ANGRY tears. Obviously tragedies are often inevitable, but our characters are repeatedly suffering throughout, making the whopper at the end feel unconscionably unfair. I can’t help thinking it was added just for shock value.

Like I said, mixed feelings. Maybe this was a victim of my insufferable mood reading and I just wasn’t in the right mindset for such a visceral gut punch, which is a bummer since this was such a highly anticipated sequel for me. I’m disappointed by the ending, but I can’t say it was all bad.

Leave it to Hafsah Faizal to absolutely rip your heart into pieces.

“A Steeping of Blood” is the stunning sequel taking place after “A Temptest of Tea”. A heartbreaking yet heartthrobbibg story filled with action, mystery, romance…and of course betrayal. Just think “Peaky Blinder” meets “Six of Crows” in this to die for duology.

I did indeed sob reading this and I imagine I’ll be seeing plenty of other readers do the same. This is a thrilling YA duo that is going to leave fans aching for more from Hafsah Faizal. At my adult age I still find Faizals books to be the most fascinating and entertaining in the industry. Without fail, she always provides the best pace, romance, and humor. Plot driven yet equally character driven. There’s just no way someone would come out not loving her work.

Although I am quite sad to say goodbye to this world, and completely devastated at what happened towards the end. I can’t wait to see to what comes next!

I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but A Steeping of Blood turned out to be a dark, lush, and gorgeously written descent into a world of vengeance, alchemy, and secrets that bleed beneath every page. Faizal’s writing is sharp and atmospheric—there’s a heaviness to it, but in the best way. Every word feels intentional, like it’s part of a spell being cast.

Pros:
• The worldbuilding is so rich. From the tea houses to the blood alchemy, Faizal builds a setting that feels ancient, lived-in, and dangerous.
• The protagonist is morally complex in a way that feels natural rather than forced. I liked how her choices weren’t always easy or clean.
• The plot balances mystery, magic, and revenge with a slow-burning tension that actually pays off.
• Themes of grief, legacy, and identity are handled with care and weight.

Cons:
• The pacing dips in the middle. I found myself wanting things to move a bit faster—especially with how strong the opening is.
• Some of the secondary characters blur together. I wanted more depth from a few of the side relationships, especially given how important trust and betrayal are to the story.
• If you’re not in the mood for something heavy, the tone might feel a bit much—it doesn’t really let up emotionally.

Overall, this is a haunting, fiercely written novel that isn’t afraid to dig deep into the messy parts of power and purpose. It’s the kind of book you sit with afterward, letting it steep (pun intended) before you realize just how much it’s gotten under your skin.