Robert Jackson Bennett, Quill to Live favorite, is back with a brand new series about a pair of detectives in a world threatened by enormous sea monsters. The Tainted Cup is the first book of the Shadow of the Leviathan series and it is overflowing with dark, damp, leafy mysteries. These shadowy secrets contrast perfectly with the vibrant warm cast, all of which have full rich personalities that shine like beacons in this terrifying and stressful world. To top it all off, the beating heart of this story is a murder mystery in the style of Holmes and Watson. All of Bennett’s stories have featured delightful mysteries, but The Tainted Cup finally takes them and puts them on center stage.

So what is The Tainted Cup about? Well for one, a horrifying murder in an opulent mansion. With seemingly no warning, a high Imperial officer lies dead when a tree spontaneously erupts from his body. This is greatly surprising to everyone, but not as surprising as it could be. This world is one of alchemy and biomancy, where people from many walks of life get grafts to alter their bodies for jobs, combat, and pleasure. Grafts fundamentally change your biology, granting you things like super strength, eidetic memory, or academic aptitudes. But, even knowing all that, a tree exploding out of someone is a mystery. It likely is a deadly contagion; alchemy gone rogue or the blood of the Leviathans working strange magical changes. Oh did I not mention the Leviathans?

Society at large in this world is structured around fighting an endless stream of gigantic sea Leviathans. One season a year, they try to push their way up into the central area of the Empire, and each year the army and engineers of the empire repel them. But, every year the Leviathans seem to get bigger and harder to repel – thus the grafts of the Empire must get stronger to combat them. Anyway back to the mystery: called in to investigate is the brilliant and eccentric Ana Dolabra. At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically grafted to possess a perfect memory. Due to some complications on Ana’s part, most of the sleuthing is done by Din and most of the solving is done by Ana. It’s a pairing that works incredibly well in the format of the story, as we spend all of our time in the fabulous mind of Din as he feeds information to Ana who slowly pieces together what happened.

As always with Bennett’s work, the characters are a great time. The setting is so bleak and upsetting that they really stand out against the dark. Din and Ana have great chemistry and their back-and-forth dialogue is witty and fun. The myriad of support/suspects are all dramatic and interesting, each possessing secrets that must be uncovered. Each character has their own little quirks and personalities, but they all feel like they contain a heaviness that just pervades the story. These are people who live in constant fear of immediate violent death at the hands of forces they can barely fight or control and it shows in the traumas and coping mechanisms of the people who inhabit this world. Some have vices that are disastrous toward just themselves, and others (like the rich) have crutches that are a problem for everyone. But, it wouldn’t be a Bennett novel if the rich weren’t being super problematic and I am here for it.

Speaking of great pervasive ideas in The Tainted Cup, the themes are absolutely on point. There are a number of central ideas in this story and they all feel like they pop out with clever insights through attention to detail on Bennett’s part. The biggest theme is around cause and effect, or how changes in an ecosystem have larger magnified effects. Grafts change your biology and can cause huge unexpected changes in the body. Biologically modified flora and fauna in the series are carefully studied before they are introduced to the wild. This is because previous less controlled experiments and changes to the world reaped horrifying results and untold deaths. The Leviathans themselves represent enormous mobile ecological disasters. Killing one saves the Empire from being run over, but even in death the Leviathans decompose and release alchemical agents that alter the land in wild ways. The Empire has entire military divisions for the study of ecological and alchemical change. There is a real scientific vibe throughout every one of the characters involved.

The mystery itself is enjoyable, but I think it could have been slightly grander given the focus of the book on investigation. A large portion of the book is devoted to establishing how people live under the Leviathans and it pulls the focus away from the case a bit. Yet, this presented more time for character introspection which was the best part of the book. Given that this is clearly supposed to be a mystery series I was hoping for who-dun-it to be slightly more interesting, but it’s still pretty great so I have very little to complain about. The Tainted Cup itself is a very well-contained story but is clearly planting seeds for a larger series spanning mystery. Although the first book stands well on its own, it does feel a bit like the tip of an iceberg and it left me wanting to read the next installment immediately.

As always, the Bennett trademarks are here. 1) a wonderful world that blends fantasy and modern society to create a place that feels like I could live without it being urban fantasy. 2) Deeply visceral action and a nice helping of horror mix into the story to make the entire experience of reading the book feel constantly edge-of-the-seat. 3) Characters you adore will shatter your heart at an unspecified future point in the story. 4) It is full of smart commentary on current society–generally reflecting worker class dissatisfaction with how the elite rip all the resources from the world and leave our children a burning husk to live on. So, great times all around.

The result of all of this is another banger of a first book in a series that will likely rate among my favorites. It is a safe bet that The Tainted Cup will be one of the best books this year and I wholeheartedly recommend it. I have only known Din and Ana for about a week and if anything bad happens to them I will be sending a very strongly worded letter to Bennett. Anyway, read this book, it won’t disappoint.

If you’ve been looking for a Sherlockian style mystery paired with a fantasy setting with incredible world building, run out and pick up The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennet!

Our Sherlock character, Ana Dolabra, is called in to investigate the death of a high Imperial officer after a tree spontaneously bursts from his body. Ana’s incredibly brilliant yet eccentric to a fault, so she often rubs people the wrong way.

Her assistant, Dinios Kol, is an engraver, a person who has been magically altered to possess perfect memory. He’s sent to the scene of the crime to observe and report back to Ana, who rarely leaves her home. But Dinios has secrets of his own, and he’s afraid that if Ana finds out, all he’s worked for might fall apart.

If you’ve read The Divine Cities trilogy by Robert Jackson Bennet, you know that he has an amazing imagination. He can create worlds that I’ve never seen before in fantasy. He’s done that again in The Tainted Cup. In fact, it’s hard to decide if I enjoyed the inventiveness and intricacies of the magic and political structure of the world, the banter and growing friendship between Ana and Dinios, or how the complexity of the mystery and plot.

I usually find in a fantasy that contains a mystery, either the fantasy or mystery element is lacking. Not so here! Both are equally as strong. The Shadow of the Leviathan series still has so many mysteries and aspects of this interesting world to uncover and explore, that I’m insanely excited to read the sequel!

Highly recommended!

*Thank you to NetGalley and DelRey Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.

“Perhaps it is a wise thing, to prepare for death every day, just as the Empire prepares for death every wet season.”

In a backwater canton, too close to the sea walls where leviathans try to come ashore every wet season for comfort, an officer of the Imperial army is murdered in a bizarre fashion--a tree has sprouted from his body. Investigator Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol are assigned to the case, and their investigation soon leads them to Talagray, a city bordering the sea walls, just as the wet season begins. As they dive into this mystery, they discover a conspiracy that involves ten dead Engineers, a dangerous contagion, and a destroyed canton. What begins as a single murdered officer evolves into a plot that threatens the entire Empire.

“For if my conjectures prove true, we shall unmask a murderer—and a great deal more than that. Or we shall get all our throats slit.”

I loved this. It was a wild ride from start to finish. This is a murder mystery set in a sci-fi world where people are altered to have special abilities and giant monsters emerge from the sea every year. In any other book, the focus would be on the sea leviathans. Instead, we get thrown headfirst into a conspiracy that involves several murders, mysterious keys, poisons, and corruption. Every time I thought something was solved, a new mystery emerged. The plot, once it started, continued without stopping. I could not put this down. This was a masterfully plotted book, where I felt the only stones left unturned where the ones left for the sequel book. The ending felt abrupt, but only because I so desperately wanted more. I eagerly anticipate the second book in the trilogy.

The characters here were phenomenal. I adored Ana from the moment she was introduced to the very end. She's a delightful mad genius, while Din is an inexperienced but pragmatic assistant. They play off each other incredibly, though I admit that I expected Ana to be the protagonist from the description. However, Din did not disappoint; I would not trade his narration for anything.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey and Robert Jackson Bennett for the opportunity to review an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

5/5 stars
includes: a dyslexic protagonist, hints at a queer character/romance, and a phenomenal murder mystery
book recommendation: Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson (for another excellent plotted mystery)
song recommendation: Jessica Jones Main Title - Sean Callery
TW: body horror

Robert Jackson Bennett's "The Tainted Cup" is not just a detective story, it's an immersive experience that blends fantasy, mystery, and intrigue into a potent concoction that will leave you breathless. Stepping into the world of "The Tainted Cup" is like entering a captivating painting; vibrant and detailed, with shadows lurking at the edges.

The story revolves around Ana Dolabra, a brilliant and eccentric detective whose methods are as unorthodox as her blindfold. Alongside her is Dinios Kol, her ever-faithful assistant, whose enhanced memory serves as a perfect foil to Ana's intuition. The murder they investigate is unlike any other: a high-ranking official found dead, a tree inexplicably erupting from his body. This seemingly impossible crime sets the stage for a thrilling chase that delves into the heart of political corruption, ancient magic, and the true cost of power.

Bennett's world-building is masterful. He paints a vivid picture of a society grappling with the remnants of a leviathan attack, where magic mingles with technology and danger lurks around every corner. The characters, both major and minor, are richly drawn, each with their own motivations and secrets. Ana Dolabra, in particular, is a captivating protagonist – sharp, witty, and shrouded in mystery. Her dynamic with Dinios is one of the highlights of the book, providing both humor and emotional depth.

The mystery itself is intricately woven, with each new clue leading to a deeper layer of conspiracy. Bennett keeps you guessing until the very end, masterfully juggling red herrings and unexpected twists. The resolution is satisfying, tying together the various threads while leaving enough room for further exploration in future installments.

"The Tainted Cup" is more than just a detective story; it's a commentary on power, corruption, and the human condition. It's a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page, leaving you eager to dive back into this captivating world and unravel its remaining secrets. If you're looking for a unique and engrossing read, "The Tainted Cup" is an absolute must.

This book was absolutely amazing! We are following Din, assistant investigator of Ana who is so eccentric, hilarious and intriguing. The mysterious death of a man found with a tree growing out of his chest reads very much like a Sherlock and Watson situation. The world building is very interesting and the author did a fantastic job of describing the setting without confusing the reader. The pacing was perfect, there is queer representation and I cannot wait to read the second book and hopefully learn more about the Leviathans and this world.

This was a fun, twisty murder mystery set in a fantasy world. The Sherlock Holmes-Watson pair in this mystery are head investigator Ana Dolabra and new assistant Dinios Kol. The story is told from Kol's point of view which I thought was an excellent choice.

Dolabra and Kol are tasked with investigating the bizarre death of a high ranking official at an influential family's mansion. Kol has been enhanced to be an engraver who is altered to remember everything that he encounters. At the same time, it is the rainy season when huge leviathans come towards the land of the empire with only the enormous sea walls for protection. Is this murder and a recent breach at the wall related? It is up to Ana and Din to find out.

The world building and pacing in this book were excellent. There were many clues sprinkled throughout but plenty of twists that I didn't see coming. Everyone seems to have a secret and it was fun to read about Din's reactions to everything around him and working on his first case. I think that fans of mystery or fantasy can find something to like here. I loved the characters of Ana and Din and look forward to reading more adventures.

I just enjoyed this book so much! It was such a unique premise for me, blending murder mystery with fantasy, but it was such a good time. The story was well paced, kept my intrigued, the characters were funny and easy to root for, and the atmosphere was perfect! It definitely leans more on the side of cozy mystery and the stakes weren’t super high (in my opinion) until closer to the end, but it kept me gripped the entire time!

read if you like:

- fantasy
- murder mystery
- cozy
- lighthearted/lower stakes

I would like to thank NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it now in your local and online bookstores and libraries.

If you love fantasy novels and murder mysteries, The Tainted Cup is the perfect read. While I felt it was a little hard to get into, I ended up hooked. I loved the characters, especially Ana, whose dry wit was my favorite part of the book. I would have preferred more world building, as I think it would have made some aspects of the book less confusing. Overall, I thought it was a fun and engaging read. Din and Ana are an investigative duo that I can’t wait to read more of. I’ll definitely be back for the next in the series!

An imperial officer in Daretana is killed when a tree erupts from his body. Beyond the Empire’s borders, illness, contagion, and the blood of the leviathans create impossible damage. Ana Dolabra is the brilliant but eccentric detective sent to investigate the death, and she has the magically altered Dinios Kol as her assistant. She's odd but effective, and he's often perplexed by her abilities. The two begin to close in on the murderer, uncovering a scheme that threatens the Empire. Din also wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe.

This is the first book of the Shadow of the Leviathan series. (If this is like his other works, it'll be a trilogy.) When we open with Din arriving at the scene of the death, Ana isn't even present. She prefers to draw conclusions while in her own home, far from the scene, and military officers are understandably surprised. In this opening we learn about the military ranks, the alterations that can be had through magic or money, and the way even in fantasy worlds, there's the desire to haze the new guy. Din's skill as an engraver is fascinating: the magical alteration gives him an eidetic memory, and he has trouble reading. He has his workarounds, and we have a very good picture of his life and the world he lives in within a short period of time. The little details that he sees are pulled together rapidly to paint a picture of how and who killed the officer, but that opens up more questions than answers.

This is a murder mystery set in a fantasy world where augmentations serve the greater Empire. The areas closest to the water are most at risk of leviathans breaching the walls and coming ashore, killing thousands due to their sheer size and the aberrations their blood will create. At the same time, the elite families and the military rub shoulders, jockeying for power and trying to get more prestige and money. Din is a stickler for rules, which at once hamstrings and saves him; we discover eventually why he has trouble reading, why certain tasks are easy for him to mimic, and why Ana selected him to be her assistant in her great work in the area.

This is such a fascinating and engrossing read; I devoured the novel quickly. I love the details in the world-building, how the minor details we think are just descriptions of the areas actually are important in Ana's case as she searches for the truth and justice. Sometimes justice can't be achieved, as the function of most offices is to maintain the Empire for the ordinary folk to continue living. At other times, justice comes after all.

Read 2.19 - 2.20.2024
DNF @30%

This book just wasn't for me. I am still rather new to the Fantasy genre and I have found it has to grab me from the very first or I am just not into it and unfortunately, this did not grab me and I spent a good portion of the 30% being slightly confused at just what was going on [the world-building was just not enough for me I guess], along with being completely put off by [what I have deemed] the gratuitous language by the one character [that also seemed V E R Y jarring with both the world and with how everyone else spoke] and not really loving any of the characters. It is disappointing as I am always hopeful that I will find a new Fantasy series to like/love; it is not to be with this one.

I have given this two stars because there were some moments that I enjoyed what I was listening to [a HUGE plus to an excellent narrator; I highly recommend him] and also, I can see how anyone who truly loves the Fantasy genre would get into this book and I would recommend it to those I know who fit that bill.

I was asked to read/review this book by the publishers and I'd like to thank them [Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Del Rey] along with NetGalley and the author, Robert Jackson Bennett for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my very first by RJB and it certainly wont be my last. Every bit of hype that I have heard surrounding his writing is absolutely true!

Gritty and engaging,The Tainted Cup, is a story and world that readers will become fully immersed in. It boasts an accessible but intriguing magic system that will appeal to both veteran and new fantasy readers. The plot is twisting and fast paced, giving the story an addictive quality. The Characters each felt multidimensional and delightfully flawed, a few walking the line of unlikable. The World-building really drew me in with it's layered and evocative fantasy setting. Much like the magic system felt incredibly accessible without being "dumbed down".

This one is worthy of your 2024 TBR!!

Wonderful, exciting story with beautiful imagery. It was great to retreat from reality and be totally immersed in the world the author created. Fantasy is not one of my favorite genres, but this book may have changed that fact. It is so much more. A murder mystery, colorful, interesting characters, and witty dialog made for a fun and enjoyable book. Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC.

This was a really fun and interesting novel. I thought it was very unique and enjoyed the characters immensely. I am looking forward to the next one.

I loved this book! This was my first book from this author and will not be my last. If you like the Holmes/Watson dynamic you'll probably enjoy this book as it had those elements, wonderful world building filled with cool and deadly plants, and a sprinkle of Pacific Rim/Godzilla mysterious monsters.

4 Stars!

My recent foray back into more and more fantasy stories has brought to my attention Robert Jackson Bennett, and my first novel with this author was a very nice win!

Bringing to life a truly unique world, Bennett has created an intricate universe where a mighty Empire rules, and its power over its citizens depends on the confidence they have in the ability of that Empire to protect them. Unfortunately, the Empire is under constant threat of powerful sea creatures known as leviathans who yearly try their beastly best to destroy and conquer the landscape. The only thing keeping them at bay are specially designed fortifications bordering the coastline. It’s not a far stretch to realize that massive amounts of manpower and resources go towards protecting the country, and it will come as no surprise that corruption willingly comes along with it.

Supporting this set up is an intricate class system with a very distinct line between the haves and the have nots, and our hero Din is squarely in the have nots being a low ranked Imperial officer with very limited life choices. He’s gone through extensive training and preparation having become an Engraver, one with the ability to remember everything he sees, hears, and experiences. This makes Din the perfect person to be the apprentice assistant to the infamous investigator Ana Dolabra. She’s eccentric, brilliant, and not afraid to step beyond propriety and protocol to find the truth, so when a prominent officer from the renowned Engineering team has a sudden gruesome violent death, she and Din are assigned to figure out the hows and the whys.

What originally pinged my radar about this book was the promise of a Holmes and Watson type dynamic which holds a very soft spot in my heart for such tales. Ana definitely has unorthodox methods, and by-the-books Din is a foil for her, stating the facts (amongst often reminding her of the rules) so her ingenious mind can make astounding leaps and bounds to bring about the killer. Admittedly, this started off a bit slow, what with new words and terms and trying to gain a basic understanding of this unusual world and its people who are often grafted with abilities to help them in their profession or suffused with talents to hone their skills. However, as more is learned through the investigation, the sobering truth that the very safety of the Empire is at stake really fueled my reading momentum as the last half of the book was hard to put down.

I highly enjoyed the smart writing, the layering of the plot’s twists, the intriguing cast of characters. Equally captivating was the evolving relationship between Ana and Din, which was tentatively resigned at first on Din’s part, but slowly turned into more, making me look forward to the strengthening of their entertaining working (not romantic) dynamic in future books. Though this is heavy in tone with the feeling of constant danger and touches of horror and treachery, the bits of exciting action, biting banter, and some well placed humor throughout was a nice counterbalance.

Again, this world and the caste system is fascinatingly complex. It’s idealistic at times, cynical and sad often in contrast, but hopeful in the loyalty of many that serve the Empire. I loved the ending as it hints at more to come, possibly a larger threatening conspiracy, and Ana definitely has set her sights on the inevitable fight to come, dragging poor Din along whether he wants to or not! Hence, I impatiently wait for Bennett’s next installment which is sure to reveal more of the dirty underbelly I suspect we readers only got a glimpse of!

Thank you to the author and Del Rey of Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley for a copy in exchange for a review posted on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6278972332

I really enjoyed this story! Once I was able to get an understanding of the world then I was able to get into the mystery. I was very surprised by how everything turned out but it was a great read!

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for my free copy in return for my honest review!

In this fantasy mystery, a high-ranking imperial officer is gruesomely murdered in a mansion on the outskirts of the Empire. Eccentric detective Ana Dolabra and her new assistant Dinios Kol (an Engraver - who has the capacity to remember everything he is told/sees by taking a whiff of a scent kept in viles (wouldn't we all love this ability?) are dispatched to solve the impossible crime.

Dolabra's brilliant deductive skills are matched only by her bizarre tendencies, like never removing her blindfold in fear of being over stimulated. As the odd pair investigates and uncovers a sinister plot that threatens the Empire, Dinios struggles to keep his own secrets safe from Dolabra's piercing intellect. With rich world-building and an intricate puzzle to unravel.

With its eccentric leading lady, creative worldbuilding, and escalating stakes, The Tainted Cup is a riveting fantasy mystery questioning who to trust. Diabolical machinations hide behind every corner as Dolabra races to prevent catastrophe, with the charming yet wary Dinios attempting to shield his own buried past.

Mystery, fantasy, sci-fi? Yes please! I was very impressed with this book. It honestly went over my head a few times. I just really struggled to visualize the world and some of its elements. However, the main characters are so fun and interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This had such an interesting premise and I had high hopes. Unfortunately, I struggled to finish. I enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes/Watson vibe, but our main character was so foul-mouthed, and her side kick just didn't invest me in the story either. There was a lot of world building, but I don't know if there was too much information to absorb or if I just wasn't in the right frame of mind. It totally could have been an "it's me" scenario.

Some people will totally gravitate to this book and the writing was not bad...it just wasn't a hit with me.

2.5 stars