In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears--quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home. Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
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With a fast-paced plot, lovable characters, and a great fantasy murder mystery, it's no surprise that this book was a surprisingly quick read for me! The writing is fantastic and is a light fantasy that could introduce newcomers to the genre to read more! As this is the first, in what I can assume is a series/triology/duology, it took a bit to take off. At around a little over halfway, everything started happening and I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed many of the little puzzles throughout, solving them with the characters is always a great immersive experience. I did not expect to love this book as much as I do and I (impatiently) wait for the next one! :)

I adored this fantasy mystery! Robert Jackson Bennett excels at world-building and indirect characterization here--extra points for the queer-coding and neurodiversity representation--and the dialogue is wryly hilarious. I found myself wanting to learn more about the settings he created as well as Din and Ana's pasts. I can't wait to read the next one in the series (and was, in fact, sad that I couldn't immediately get my hands on it).

Pick this up if you're hankering for a new fantasy series with a Sherlock-and-Holmes dynamic.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I love mysteries, but fantasy can be a little hit or miss for me, and unfortunately, this one was a miss. From the beginning, I had a hard time grasping the world building. I did, however, enjoy the mystery, and the writing was good. The problem was that the fantasy world never clicked for me, and as a result, I didn't enjoy it very much.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wow wow wow. This was so much fun! I really enjoyed this so much and cannot wait for the next book. Din and Ana as characters worked for me. I loved how formal Din was and Ana is so crass. They work off each other as boss/assistant. The mystery was fun to me. Also the world!! Oh man did I love the botanical elements.

Robert Jackson Bennett has a marvelous mystery, Nero Wolfe style, set in a world that had built a huge wall to protect themselves from the leviathans of the deep ocean. The first victim is poisoned with the spore of an extremely fast growing plant. Ana Dolabra, the Justice agent, is brilliant, but avoids interaction, sometimes even wearing a blindfold. Dinios Kol, who was infused with perfect memory to record crime scenes, is very good at finding small clues. He’s assigned to Ana when she arrives in Daretana. Unfortunately Engineers working the wall are attacked by the same plant, and the plant weakens the wall at the same time a massive leviathan is heading towards it. Of course the murders involve The Tainted Cup (hard from Del Rey) of corruption and they provide a very complex problem to be solved. This is a wonderful introduction to Ana and Kol. I hope this finds its way to an award. I was amazed by it.

Thank you to NetGalley for an e-ARC!

The setting of this world was so immersive. I loved all of the descriptions of the magical plants/spores. It felt otherworldly and had some touches of sci-fi, especially with the ability to add "alterations" to your body. The types of alterations seem endless and I loved discovering the different types of abilities that one can have.

I loved the dynamic and banter between our main characters, Din and Ana. Ana reminded me of a blend of Sherlock Holmes and "L" from death note, and I never knew what to expect from her.

The overall mystery was a lot of fun to unravel. I predicted some of the twists but others truly socked me. I'm glad that the main mystery was solved in this first book. So, it can be read as a standalone. Excited to see what these character get up to in the next book.

I loved this unique mystery-fantasy hybrid. In the Empire, people can have all different "enhancements" that allow them to have great memories, do math really fast, see in the dark, and more. The residents have to contend with contagions, leviathans, as well as political plotting and power struggles. This made for a much more interesting and engaging mystery than the typical, and the book's filled with great characters. Din is an engraver, which means he can remember everything he sees, and his boss Ana is a hilarious recluse who scares people with her boldness and excellent intuition. They make a great team and I loved how Ana was quietly encouraging and believed so much in Din even when he struggles with impostor syndrome. Relatable! Can't wait for the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy!

This is my first book that ive read by Robert Jackson. His writing is such a good gateway for people who are looking to get into fantasy, but aren't ready or don't want to dive into the deep end with worldbuilding. I'm so impressed with how accessible his storytelling/writing is. It has a highly immersive quality, but never to the point where you are in over your head.

The particular magic system in this book is subtle and digestable, it plays a significant part in the story, but it doesn't demand attention. It felt natural and was integrated very well into the setting and plot. It lends well to the murder mystery atmosphere and provides a good vehicle for the two main characters to shine.

I also really enjoyed how this feels like a self-contained story within the series. I have no idea if this is going to be the pattern moving forward, or if there is going to be a more central/connected plot across the following books, but I'm super excited to see what mystery Din and ana are going to solve next regardless! I hope to receive another ARC to this story. Looking forward to what comes next. Thank you for the E-ARC.

I was given an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is a mystery plot in a secondary world fantasy setting with a Sherlock and Watson dynamic. When a tree sprouts from an imperial officer, killing him, detective Ana and her new assistant, Dinios, are tasked to find out who killed him and if there’s a contagion loose. Meanwhile, the sea wall keeping leviathans at bay from attacking their home is breached and the wet season has only started.

Ana and Dinios really do embody that Sherlock and Watson dynamic. Ana is eccentric and incredibly intelligent, even having enhancements done on her fingers so she can absorb information, while Dinios can relay information flawlessly when he smells mint, but he’s still learning about Ana’s job.

The worldbuilding was probably my favorite part. The Attack on Titan-esque walls keeping leviathans out paired with the various positions in the empire and how magic plays a part were so engrossing. Dinios’s enhancements of total recall are fascinating and the weaknesses of it felt really thought out. Scent being the trigger was the best part because scent memory is something that I would love to see more of in fiction.

I would recommend this to fans of fantasy mysteries, readers of Sherlock Holmes who are also into fantasy, and readers of fantasy who prefer more hard worldbuilding.

Oh, "The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett was a journey I wasn't fully prepared for, but absolutely loved. Bennett has this unique talent for mashing up genres in a way that feels both fresh and deeply engaging. This book wasn't just a fantasy for me; it was an intricate dance of mystery, history, and so much more, all woven into a narrative that felt as enlightening as it was entertaining.

The world Bennett constructs is nothing short of mesmerizing. He paints every scene with such detail and vibrancy that I felt like I was walking the streets alongside the characters, immersed in the chaos and beauty of it all. And speaking of characters, they're the kind that stick with you—flawed, complex, and faced with choices that make you ponder what you'd do in their shoes. Their struggles felt real, adding layers of depth to the story that kept me invested from start

When was the last time I’ve read a follow-the-clues mystery? I’m confident that this is kind of a first. I’ve read mysteries, I’ve read thrillers, but there is something about a Sherlock Holmes type mystery I have never experienced, but fully enjoyed. AND it’s a fantasy too? My head was spinning!

The Tainted Cup had a slow start for me and I found myself constantly putting the book down after a few pages. By the time I hit about 35%, the story took off and the real action started! I really liked the militaristic positions within their society, especially the engravers! What an idea! I loved that scent helped with triggering memories and how they remembered EVERYTHING. Honestly that’s what’s going to bring me back for the next one.

I also liked seeing the chemistry between Strovi and Din. The ending was so cute and I hope we get to continue following their relationship.

And Ana! What a hilarious firecracker!! She was witty, quirky, and had no filter. She loved to play with people (not in a mean way) and watch them squirm because of her blunt truths and observation. What a mysterious and interesting character! Can’t wait for that to be explored. While Ana is sharp, Din was soft but meticulous and honorable. His naivety was charming and his heart and mind bold. He was a fun character to follow.

I did give it 3.5 because I wasn’t IN LOVE with the story. It was a good read, but I couldn’t fully grasp the story. It felt like something was missing for me and had a bit more plot holes than I liked. But I will be back for the sequel. Maybe then, things will be explained!

I'm a huge fan of Bennett's Founders Trilogy, so I was excited to hear that he's starting a new series.

I really enjoyed the "murder mystery in a high fantasy setting" premise of this story. I liked the characters, and the mystery kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. This book was amazing and I can't wait to read this series. Robert Jackson Bennett delivers again with the Fantasy/Mystery series.

I highly recommend that you check this out....4.5/5 (rounded to 5)

"The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett had the potential to be an interesting blend of mystery and fantasy, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the premise of the story seemed promising, with a unique world where humans undergo genetic alterations to protect the realm, the execution left much to be desired.

From the outset, I struggled with the book. The slow pacing and convoluted world-building made it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Instead of being drawn into the plot, I found myself constantly trying to decipher the intricacies of the world and the unfamiliar language, which only served to detract from my enjoyment of the narrative.

Despite my initial reservations, I continued reading, hoping that the story would improve. While the final third did see some improvement in pace and intrigue, it wasn't enough to fully redeem my reading experience. By that point, I found myself only moderately invested in the central mystery.

Ultimately, "The Tainted Cup" left me underwhelmed. While it may appeal to readers who are willing to invest time in deciphering complex world-building, for me, the slow start and lackluster execution make it unlikely that I'll continue with the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced e-reader copy of this book.

I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. Already dying for the sequel. Loved the relationship between Dolabra and Kol and can’t wait to learn more about her in future books. Amazing world building and want to learn more about inner ring.

I’d heard so many positive things about previous RJB books, and this is my first of their works. But I have to say, everything I’d heard stands true even for this book. The Tainted Cup felt so original and captivating and I never wanted to put it down and even now, I’m wishing there were more for me to continue. I eagerly await the sequels.

This book really surprised me. I was invited to read and then I started hearing about it everywhere. I don’t read a lot in this genre but it was interesting and at times I couldn’t help but laugh at Ana’s antics and some of the things she shared. I’m interested in learning more about the world - I feel like there was a lot said but not explained in this book - and I’m curious to see how the characters interact in the next book!

Questioning all my life choices due to the fact that I was skeptical about this book based on the synopsis, but then promptly fell in love in the first 50 pages. Is "Fantasy Mystery" my new genre obsession? Why yes, I think it is. Thank you, Robert Jackson Bennett.

Immediately, the worldbuilding had me in awe. You know Brandon Sanderson's books and how they build this incredibly complex world that surely has to be real because of the amount of detail and backstory? Same vibes here. Between the fernpaper walls, the reagents keys to allow passage through the plants guarding a home, and the leviathans whose blood provide special superhuman abilities, I was fully there in the Empire.

BUT, even better - the writing was effortless. There was no initial moment of "okay, gotta slog through this at the beginning and it will all make sense later." From the get-go, I understood everything I needed to and was at home in this new world. I just cannot explain to you how much I loved this combination of accessible but still complex worldbuilding!

My one teeny tiny, itty bitty irk with the worldbuilding was the use of modern cursing. Made-up, in-world cursing would have sealed. the. deal! for me here. Instead, the f-word was frequently present.

Our narrator, Din, was quite externally emotionless. I think I would have liked more peeks into his mind and what emotions lay underneath the surface, but I also think his personality really worked as our narrator. We were allowed to focus on the mystery and take in all the details without fighting off Din's emotional torrent. But, just a warning to those who want deep emotional connection to their characters - you don't necessarily get that here.

Ana, however, was a hoot. Did I know what was going on in her head half of the time? Pshaaa, no - but did anyone? To create one of those "mad scientist" type characters, you must be careful to make them believable but still retain their air of unattainable skill. Ana was a perfect mix for me - she had some human moments (and Din was able to follow her thoughts sometimes), but she still had that implausible "otherness" that allowed her to be a genius. She was a top character for me!

As for the plot, I was hooked. Just utterly, thoroughly hooked. How I *love* a good mystery with tension and surprises, and give it to me in a fantasy world?! Perfection.

The ending (ie, the resolution of the murder mystery) fell right into the careful balance of believable, adequately scaled, and conclusive without being too neatly aligned. I'm excited to see where Ana and Din go next, because I am feeling the inklings of an underlying thread that may come out more in further works.

Wow! Who knew book two of the Shadow of the Leviathan series would become highly anticipated for me? Be sure to give this one a try if you like genre-bending stories, accessible fantasy, and plant-based worldbuilding!

I am not typically a fantasy book reader and this book was a bit daunting for me to read. I struggled at first to make sense of all of the characters and the roles they were playing in the book. I also felt like this book was a lot longer than it really was and at times I struggled to maintain focus and keep track of all of the characters. By the last 100 pages I was very invested in the book and loved the way the ending tied everything together. Despite the fact that I thought I would DNF this book at first I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

As far as murders go, making a tree spontaneously grow out of someone killing them instantly is pretty unique. This is exactly what happens to an Imperial officer as the inciting event in this mystery.

Ana Dolabra along with her assistant Dinios Kol are assigned to investigate. Din acts as Ana's eyes and ears as he has been modified as an engraver to have a perfect memory. Ana seldom leaves home, so the accuracy of Din's evidence gathered and interviews are of utmost importance. In addition to seldom leaving her home, Ana wears a blindfold most of the time and swears like a sailor. The swearing somewhat scandalizes Din, but Ana can get away with a lot because of how well her mind works while solving a case.

I loved both Ana and Din.They work so well together. We get to know Din a little more though since the story is told through his eyes.

The world building is excellent. The Empire reminds me a little of a medieval walled city in structure. The further away from the wall you get, the more affluent you are. And in this case, the further away from the wall you get, the safer you are from the leviathans who try and breach the wall. So in addition to working on solving the mystery, Ana and Din must be aware of the dangers lurking.

Overall this is a very well written book. I gave it 5 stars out of 5. It has a fascinating mystery, excellent world building, and interesting characters. And as it is book one in a series, I look forward to reading more about Ana and Din. I'd recommend this book to people who enjoy a good fantasy as well as those who enjoy a good mystery in a fantasy setting.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my opinion.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett was published February 6th, 2024 by Del Rey. It is book one in the Shadow of the Leviathan series.