New assistant investigator Dinios Kol didn't expect his first assignment to be looking into the mysterious death of an Imperial Officer who died after a tree sprouted from his body while in residence at an opulent mansion owned by a very prominent family in Daretana.

Taking the information back to his superior Ana Dolabra - who is known throughout the Empire for her brilliance just as much as for her eccentricities - it soon becomes clear that there's a rot within the Empire that's been long festering.

As more questions are raised, and more bodies discovered, it soon becomes apparent that someone doesn't want Ana and Din to solve this puzzle. Add to that the very real and deadly Leviathan making its way toward the protected walls of the Empire, and Ana and Din will be lucky to get out of this one alive.

I thought that Robert Jackson Bennett handled the world-building wonderfully. It's always so hard to paint a picture of an unreal place and give it enough reality so people can picture it in their mind. I think it helps that there was a good amount of repetition in regards to the fact that once Din had investigated a scene, or a witness, oftentimes he would have to replicate it for Ana and sometimes she would turn around and repeat it as she was giving us her grand conclusions. Some might find this to be too much, I found it perfect in this case because it kept all those details fresh in my mind; not just of the case itself, but of this fictional world.

The story is also helped by the fact that once Ana and Din first appear on page together it was magical. The dynamic of these two seemingly outcast people forming a bond and a successful working relationship was very heartening. Really this is only just the beginning. I look forward to seeing their relationship grow and discovering more about their characters.

Like many of Sherlock's adventures, this book is told completely from the perspective of Din (aka Dr. Watson). I think this works well in this case because he's looking at things with new/fresh eyes like we are as readers. So he's learning as he goes just like we are. This also helps to keep a bit of mystery surrounding Ana. I think we've only begun to scratch the surface of her talents and abilities.

There were a lot of moving parts to this book. Not only is there the murder to solve but we're also thrust into the state of emergency that is the wet season aka when a Leviathan breaching the walls is a looming threat throughout the Empire. Each aspect of the story was kept so crisp and precise even with all the secondary characters moving in and out. Having the focal points be Ana and Din along with their investigation really kept the story grounded.

This is probably one of my favorite reads of the year so far because it kind of came at me unexpectedly. I was a little wary going in and starting a new series with new world-building, but became to enmeshed so quickly that I didn't want to put it down. Highly recommended.

This was my first Robert Jackson Bennett read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The mystery component of this book mixed with the fantasy setting added some fun surprises - magical plants and people that have been altered to have specific abilities. I do hope we get more of Ana and Din's adventures, I loved their characters, and look forward to learning more about this unusual world they protect.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.

The Tainted Cup is an inventive fantasy murder mystery!

Dinos is an assistant investigator in the empire of Daretana. He has been augmented to be an engraver - someone who can remember everything perfectly, and uses bottles of scent to trigger and activate their incredible memories. He works for Ana, who has the reputation of being exceedingly eccentric (but also the best detective in the empire).

Din and Ana are asked to investigate a strange death - a man was killed by a tree erupting out of him. This kind of contagion has happened before, in a now-defunct section of the country, but dapplegrass hasn't killed anyone in years (and how did it get into Blas's home?).

When they find out more people died of dapplegrass poisoning, Ana and Din know they've got to unravel the mystery to save the kingdom. That is, if a Leviathan doesn't break through the walls protecting their kingdom first, and destroy them all.

While there wasn't quite enough worldbuilding for one to ever feel comfortable in Daretana, I think that is part of the appeal of this story. You feel just as unsettled as Din feels as he's trying to navigate in a large city, in high society where he doesn't feel welcome. The characters are really well-written and developed, and whodunit definitely surprised me!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.

5/5🌟 The Tainted Cup was my first Robert Jackson Bennett book, and BOY was I captivated by this story. I need MORE. Bennett’s writing of vivid landscapes, bouncy dialogue, and a clean, unique magical system was absolutely beautiful. Every moment, every page had me enthralled.

The Tainted Cup intertwines several story elements that would be perfect for a variety of readers: a fantasy world, murder mystery, unique magical system, and the ever-looming presence of their world dying any moment by a hill-sized monster. With so many components, Bennett structured the pacing and detail of this story remarkably well. I never left a page feeling like I needed more from a scene or conversation.

From corrupt politicians to flirty officers, the characters were truly the heart of the story. I loved the platonic relationship of Ana and Din. Their banter with one another and others was full of wit. The way Bennett wrote his MCs with neurodivergence made me so happy. I typically don’t see neurodivergent characters in such dark, complex environments, but Bennett did it so well by giving them a power of their own, especially within their development as a character.

There is so much to love about The Tainted Cup. I cannot wait to see what Din and Ana explore next!

Thank you Del Rey Books, Robert Jackson Bennett, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I love this book! Woven together in one novel are an intricately crafted fantasy world as well as an intriguing murder investigation. Both aspects of the story are done masterfully. THE TAINTED CUP kept me engaged from the beginning to the end.

The investigative duo of Ana and Din form team not too dissimilar to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Anagosa Dolabra is an Immunis for her region, an investigator, a detective. Dinios Kol is her assistant. More than that, Din is her eyes. Ana almost never goes to the crime scene but rather takes the information that Din literally engraves into his memory through a magical eidetic process. At the same time, Ana is made sightless by a mask that she wears, forcing her to focus on her other senses and logic out answers from the data Din provides.

The complex world in which Ana and Din work full of unique magics such as grafts for stonewood, slothiks, cracklers, and healing. It was through magical grafts that both Ana and Din acquired their exceptional skills. Yet the world flows from the words so smoothly that the reader is drawn in and understands what is happening without ever feeling that things are strange. The author has made the world believable and real.

One gruesome murder draws the team’s focus, but before long the investigation expands when a dozen others are found murdered in the same way. The real problem that arises from all these deaths is that these dead engineers were responsible for the defenses that protect the country from the leviathans in the sea that threaten to destroy the nation. As the novel progresses, the reader is drawn in further as the mystery spirals further into the country’s hierarchy.

I loved this book and found myself engaged from the first word to the last. It is well worth a read for anyone who loves a good mystery as well as anyone who loves a great fantasy novel. It is especially rewarding to those of us who relish both! Five enthusiastic stars!

The Tainted Cup is a high fantasy and a detective novel mashup about a team investigating a high profile series of murders using a biological weapon.

Dinios Kol is a new assistant for the eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra when they are called in to inspect the death scene of an important officer of their realm. The man is found in a mansion of a wealthy family with an entire tree embedded inside him. Soon a whole series of similar bodies will be found that puts the entire empire at risk as a large creature called the Leviathan is approaching their shores leaving destruction in its wake. Ana, Dinios and a hastily assembled team will need to find out who is the murderer is and what they want before it’s too late.

Robert Jackson Bennett has created a world that has new races, augmentations to the human body and a complex political system that’s unique to this book. Ana is a hilarious sly genius that we typically see in a male character while Dinios is her newbie assistant that has a lot to learn but shouldn’t be underestimated. And it has monsters! I enjoyed this murder mystery within the fantasy and I look forward to future books in this series.

When the book begins, the reader is immediately thrown into the Empire of Khanum, with little time spent on world building (which is my biggest issue with the book and made the beginning quite confusing). The story features Din (an engraver - he essentially has a photographic memory), who is working as an assistant to Ana (an investigator) and starts off with a murder mystery. There is also the imminent threat of a leviathan breaching the city walls and killing everyone in Talagray. Throughout the book, I felt the clues were well placed, the pacing was good and the mystery was well written. Despite my confusion at the beginning, the book was fun and unexpected. Everything wraps up nicely at the end, but it also teases future installments in the series. Overall, I would recommend the book to readers who enjoy fantasy/mystery novels.

4.25/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

"The Tainted Cup" had a lot of promise—a mix of mystery and fantasy with a twist that sounded just up my alley (mysterious death by spontaneous tree eruption? Sign me up!). While it delivered on many fronts, there were definitely a few things along the way that made the ride a bit bumpy.

The partnership of Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol brings a fresh take on the classic Holmes-and-Watson partnership. Ana, with her brilliant but maddeningly eccentric detective mind, and Din, the engraver who has been programmed to have a perfect memory, make for an often entertaining pair. Despite finding Ana a bit obnoxious at times, Din managed to steal the show for me. His loyalty, wit, and sharp observations made me eager to see what he'd notice next.

However, entering the world of Daretana and Talagray was sort of like being thrown into the deep end without swimming lessons. The setting is imaginative—spontaneous tree eruptions, magical leviathans, altered people, and a detective who literally refuses to view the world she navigates—but it sometimes felt like navigating a maze without a map. The political intrigue and the magical system, particularly the leviathans and their blood's effects, were interesting but could have used a bit more depth and unpacking. I found myself craving backstories and explanations that never really came.

Other quirks that threw me off in the world-building details were things like measuring distances in spans and smallspans, then suddenly switching to miles, or making reference to made-up month names without really giving the reader a sense of their place in the year or the ability to know how much time has passed between them. These choices often pulled me out of the story, trying to piece together the basics of the world instead of getting lost in the mystery. Also, the frequent swearing felt jarring against the backdrop of an otherwise elegantly constructed world, not quite fitting with the tone and sometimes coming across as unnecessary.

Despite these gripes, the story itself was intriguing. The plot is full of twists and turns, with moments of brilliance that had me fully engaged, only to lose steam in the following chapter with another confusing leap or an unexplained element. This inconsistency is what led to my 3.5-star rating, but I rounded up to a 4 for the moments that truly shined.

Ana may have tested my patience, but Din's charm and the sheer uniqueness of the setting have me invested enough to see what happens in the next book.

I was provided an ARC of this book via Netgalley, however I did opt to listen to the final version of the audiobook upon publication. As always all opinions are my own. The audiobook is fantastic, the narrator does a wonderful job with the many characters, given each one a unique voice and accent. I found this very important as there are many players in this mystery and having them each have a unique voice made it very easy to keep track of everyone.

This was fantastic! I don't think I've ever read a fantasy mystery, and if I have it wasn't anything like this. The author paints a vivid world of flora and fauna that are so unique. The characters are equally interesting and people can undergo augmentations to heighten their senses, assist them in their daily jobs, or to look more aesthetically pleasing. Our cast of characters are mainly members of the military, our main character Din is an apprentice assigned to eccentric Senior Investigator Ana. Din is her eyes during the investigation, while she pieces together the intricate puzzle involving a murder, high society, and strange creatures that threaten humanity.

This has a bit of everything. If you enjoy a good mentor-mentee detective type mystery with an intricate fantasy element this is the book for you. If you don't like books with complex plotlines and a long list of characters, this may not be the book for you. This has great elements of political intrigue and conspiracy as well. It was such a great mash up of so many great things. This has such great world building, the materials, people, and other entities of the world are describes so well and are often made of unexpected material or altered to be more appealing or used in unique ways. The plot moves at a great pace as well and there are nice elements of humor and action to keep the reader interested. I couldn't put this down!

This is currently showing as a trilogy, however this doesn't end on a cliffhanger. The main storyline ends with the promise of Din and Ana to have future investigations. The current mystery has been solved and I'm so looking forward to seeing what kind of adventures they get into next This world promises to have lots of mysteries to uncover.

- Subgenre: High Fantasy
- Features: First Person POV, Government Corruption, Kaiju, Murder Mystery, Single POV
- Series Length: Trilogy (Incomplete)

What would Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes do in a world threatened by giant sea monsters, magically-altered humans, and weaponized plants? That's the premise of The Tainted Cup, which delivers detailed world-building with a classic murder-mystery plot.

I will break down this review into world-building, characters, and plot.

World-Building:

Bennett immediately drops readers into a world of magical alterations, inhuman threats, and detailed government systems. Our POV character, Dinios Kol, is a Sublime: a human magically enhanced for advanced cognitive function. In Din's case, he "engraves" memories into his mind, and can recall every experience perfectly. Human enhancements cover a range of abilities, including mathematical or spatial reasoning, enhanced senses, or physical strength and endurance. All at a price, of course.

The narrative introduces a lot of new terminology, including government divisions and rankings, types of human alterations, magical building materials, regional details, and so on. Even as an experienced fantasy reader, I found this a little overwhelming, and some readers may struggle to keep up. Overall, however, the world is detailed and fascinating.

Characters:

In The Tainted Cup, we follow Dinios Kol, and his brilliant, eccentric master, Ana Dolabra.

I greatly enjoy the contrast between them: Din, a young, by-the-book apprentice, and Ana - a vulgar, off-putting, and incomprehensible investigator, exiled to the dregs of the world. They provide a perfect foil for each other, and I found them both highly likable.

Plot:

Here's where I struggled: I prefer highly character-driven stories, and The Tainted Cup is mostly mystery-driven. Although I enjoyed the world and characters, I still slogged through the story. Don't take this as a criticism of the book, however: it's just not for me (at least for the moment). I think many people will greatly enjoy the mystery and delightfully detailed world.

Conclusion:

I liked this book, even if it wasn't fully for me! If you want to sink your teeth into a complex world and a grisly murder investigation, pick up The Tainted Cup.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC. The Tainted Cup published February 6th, 2024 and is available now!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I LURVEEEE THIS BOOK SO MUCH IT IS SO PRETTY AND DELICIOUS. gRACIAS POR COMPARTIR CONMIGO. (as per a friend's reaction to this book)

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is a fantasy novel that blends both the fantastical and mysterious. In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible. Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home. At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective. As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens 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.

I haven't read too many of Jackson Bennett's work, but I'm glad I got to read this one. It's magical and mysterious in all the right ways. Now if you'll excuse me I have an author's whole work list to read through.

In an opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupts from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of giant, ancient sea monsters give way to strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.

"I mean… the Empire spends endless amounts of blood and treasure defending a whole continent from sea beasts the size of small mountains. But it can’t save a canton from one damned plant?"

This book has:
✔ Sherlock and Watson-style detective team (with a Female lead)
✔ High fantasy with references to Greek Mythology
✔ Orphan Black vibes (highly altered people with unique powers and abilities)
✔ A satisfying conclusion (no frustrating cliffhangers here!)
✔ A diverse and inclusive cast of characters

Overall, I loved The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. As with all fantasy series, you’ll spend the first few chapters trying to acclimate yourself and learn the language, but once you’ve met the cast of characters this novel will have you hooked. I was certain I had everything figured out, only to find I was totally off-base, this mystery kept me guessing without becoming too convoluted to follow the plot. I came to love the crude but undeniable genius investigator Ana, and her earnest assistant Din, and I’m eagerly awaiting their next adventure.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I truly enjoyed this novel! I can’t wait to read more books in Shadow of the Leviathan.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book so much, but it just wasn't for me. Though I can't wait to buy it for my husband, as this is much more up his alley! I just could never quite grasp what was happening and the complicated world Bennett created, and unfortunately I lost interest after a while.

a wonderful mystery with twists and turns, murder and characters which are quirky, interesting and complex. I love Ana. this book captures you in the first chapter and is a real page turner and a must read!

The Tainted Cup is the story of Din, who is the apprentice to a master investigator named Ana Dolabra. Out in the remote wilds of the world, an imperial officer is found dead in the strangest way: a giant tree grows from him, seemingly out of nowhere. It is up to Ana and Din to find out what happened.

I really enjoyed this one. It had plenty of twists and turns that I didn't see coming, which kept me very enthralled in it until the very end. I loved the way the story came to light, and how tiny clues were uncovered and seeing Din and Ana put them together. This world has all kinds of special bodily upgrades used for various personal upgrades. For example, Din has photographic memory, that he uses to collect evidence for Ana. This ability is so trusted that his memory can be used as evidence in court. It's interesting seeing what abilities others have and how they use them.

I really liked Din as a character. He was easy to root for and I was always interested in his exploits. Most of all though, Ana Dolabra was my favorite character. She is hilariously foul mouthed and often inappropriate, and that is just the kind of character I latch onto.

This was an interesting mystery from beginning to end, and I'm looking forward to reading more into the series! I had 4.5/5 stars of fun with The Tainted Cup, and I can't wait for more!

What a romp! After being disappointed by so much of the fantasy I've picked up in the past few months this was such a fun read. World building - amazingly detailed and well thought out without reading like a textbook. Characters - likable, quirky, and well developed. Who knew I would live a high fantasy detective story so much. This is a world I'm looking forward to diving back into.

This book was a bit out there for me but I went into it with an open mind and I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoy the story and the characters. I recommend this book and I would read more from this author.

The Tainted Cup is a fantasy mystery that is the first book in the Shadow of Leviathan series.
We follow Ana Dolabra a detective and her assistant Dinios as they investigate a murder in a mansion. But this murder is different it’s set in a world where the blood of creatures called Leviathans can cause mutations and magic and a threat of a hidden enemy. The author did a great job describing the world and the people in it. This is a really original story filled with suspense and a magical world. Since this is the first in this series I believe we will learn more about the Leviathans in book 2 which I look forward to reading.

Set against the background of imminent disaster, "The Tainted Cup" is a fast paced mystery set in a high fantasy world that follows an unlikely set of detectives as they follow a path of corruption and intrigue to reveal the truth behind a series of murders and reveal some deeply unsettling truths.This book creatively borrows from a number of genres to produce an intriguing and captivating story. Thus the magical technology and heavy body modifications present throughout the book are reminiscent of cyberpunk and the impending attack from monsters identified as leviathans are reminiscent of both Kaiju movies and classic space opera. In fact, the discerning reader is likely to draw comparisons with a wide range of well known classics including, "The Dragon Riders of Pern", The Sherlock Holmes stories, "Dune", The Lord of the Rings" and many more. Yet, first and foremost this book is a creative and original book that builds on existing foundations to tell a new and compelling tale. This book is recommended for anyone who enjoys mysteries and suspense-thrillers and is looking for a change of scenery.


4.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, Net Gallery, for the advanced copy of this book. This was murder mystery part monster movie set in an alternate world. Very unique murder scene amid attacks from titans/kaiju.