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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Cursing, Deadnaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual content, Trafficking, Abandonment, Alcohol
Ok , staring by thanking the publisher for this copy, second the audio omg
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
What a story!! This one takes a little bit to warm up but it’s so worth the pay off. Something I love about Faisal’s writing is that there is so much imagery and character work. By the end I felt like I made some new friends.
An immigrant owned tea shop in a place full of vampires. Spindrift is owned by Arthie and her non-blood related brother Jin. They sell tea during the day and blood by night. They just have one problem, they’re getting evicted. Together they embark on a journey to steal an important ledger from Atherium, along with some frenemies, to save Spindrift.
This story is part King Arthur, part Peaky Blinders and part Interview with a Vampire. I felt like even with so much inspiration Faizal gave us something truly unique in a sea of fantasy trial books. Every character in this was so well developed. I enjoyed Matteo’s banter the most, but each and every character had my heart. I would say Jin and Matteo were both favorites for me.
I love Faizal’s prose! I loved We Hunt The Flame and We Free The Stars for the same reason. Faizal can write imagery like no other! This is the type of book where you can’t just skim the pages, you have to savor every morsel.
The story explores colonialism, racism, and classism and kept pace the entire book. This is definitely medium to slow paced but once you get to the climax things play out beautifully. The world building was not an info dump at any point. The world is created through mood, conversation, clothing, etc. I love the way Faizal world builds because it feels like it just clicks.
I really enjoyed the connection to Arawiya (no spoilers here) but I would recommend reading Faizal’s books in order, or at the very least checking out her other duology after this one because Arawiya is mentioned enough that if you like to go in blind to books you should read Sands of Arawiya first.
(this review is so messy lmao, apologies) I don’t know why I had such a hard time reading the first hundred pages and getting into the story but halfway through it, the pace started to speed up and I just got hooked by the book (especially by Laith). I understand all the comparisons and at some point I was a bit annoyed at how it reminded me of Six of Crows. However, it had a uniqueness that got me intoxicated. Let me get this straight: we got vampires, a tea room turning into a bloodhouse at night, found family, heists, tea, tea, tea, hot white-hair boy, charming sidekick, complex and intriguing world, plot twists, loads of backstories… What else do we need? ❤️
•
The pacing was a bit uneven. It started to get action-packed about two-thirds of the book and that was the moment when the book was simply impossible to put down. The characters were what made me keep reading this book at first. I can’t wait to see their developments and what the author has in her pockets for them. Arthie is clearly not my favourite though, she’s a bit difficult, cold but we don’t really get to see her personality or how smart she is (I mean she’s a great criminal but ye how? why?) so I haven’t had the chance to connect to her. I just want to get to know her better! And Jin and Laith have MY HEART, MY SOUL!
•
The pacing was a bit uneven. It started to get action-packed about two-thirds of the book and that was the moment when the book was simply impossible to put down. The characters were what made me keep reading this book at first. I can’t wait to see their developments and what the author has in her pockets for them. Arthie is clearly not my favourite though, she’s a bit difficult, cold but we don’t really get to see her personality or how smart she is (I mean she’s a great criminal but ye how? why?) so I haven’t had the chance to connect to her. I just want to get to know her better! And Jin and Laith have MY HEART, MY SOUL!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, I enjoyed what this book could be more than what it actually is. The premise is great, as are the basics of these characters but the only fully fleshed out characters are Jin and Flick.
The heist element is, as it turns out, entirely unnecessary. Partly because the author is holding back all her best ideas for this book until the last section. It really picks up towards the end when the POVs get shorter and the secret reveals are made.
And yet, am I mad about it? No. Will it read the next one? Yes.
It could all just be a little better, but i still enjoyed it and it was an easy read when I wasnt feeling too well. Im hoping that now the book has ended the way it did, the second book will start where it left off.
The heist element is, as it turns out, entirely unnecessary. Partly because the author is holding back all her best ideas for this book until the last section. It really picks up towards the end when the POVs get shorter and the secret reveals are made.
And yet, am I mad about it? No. Will it read the next one? Yes.
It could all just be a little better, but i still enjoyed it and it was an easy read when I wasnt feeling too well. Im hoping that now the book has ended the way it did, the second book will start where it left off.
Just didn't pull me in yet, and I have other library loans to get through.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the first three quarters were a little boring BUT OMFG THAT ENDING?!?!