This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I couldn't resist this new-to-me author, as Robin has been a fan. With a mystery, and the strange main characters I had to read The Tainted Cup. I chose the ebook version although audio is also appealing.

The world was complex and yet it didn't feel overwhelming in the way it was developed. In the same way, the characters were slowly and steadily built along with the story. I liked the pace and handling of the detailed information.

This fantasy world has augmented human, political classes, and huge monsters. We learn about some of the different types of augmentations which also divides them somewhat into the kind of work they perform. Travel between regions seems to take time and they travel by cart or by horse. People seem to only be knowledgeable about their own area and not well traveled unless they are more wealthy or travel for work. But usually investigators do not travel and stay in their own region.

Our main character is an augmented human, Din, an engraver, newly assigned to an investigator, Ana. The murder they investigate happened at one of the wealthiest family's home, so there is a lot of politics involved and danger to those investigating. I came to really root for them and enjoyed their skills. They solve problems with a very Sherlock Holmes style with much observing and witness statements.

I loved this start to the Shadow of the Leviathan series and can't wait to read more. There is much yet I want to learn about these characters and their history, as well as the world where they live I will probably try the next one on audio.

Amazing worldbuilding in this fantasy and mystery set in an Empire living in constant terror of giant sea creatures breaching its walls. Good mix of the familiar and the exotic, especially with the "enhancements" that some are given which enables almost superhuman capabilities. Ana and Din make an unlikely but fun pair as they investigate a murder that turns into a much larger conspiracy.

Attack on Titan meets Knives Out in this Sci-Fi Dystopian Fantasy world full of murder, hidden vendettas, political corruption, and titans seeking to break barriers.

Have you ever read a book where you go, “the author wrote this for me.” Because that is me with this book. I firmly believe Robert Jackson Bennett wrote this for me. It was everything I love in stories, settings, and characters. I was so absorbed in this book from beginning to end. I did not want it to end. This is a book you finish and have to resist starting it again. The second this comes out, I will be at that bookstore, and I just know I will be rereading this again very soon.

The Tainted Cup follows a senior investigator, Ana Dolabra, who was banished to the outer parts of the Empire, and her new assistant investigator, Dinios Kol, who has his own hidden secrets, as they get wrapped into a murder investigation starting in their small canton. As victims begin to pile up faster than answers, Ana and Din are sent to a neighboring canton called Talagray. Here they must begin to solve a growing mystery that not only already jeopardized the safety of the Empire but leads them to unveil covert political corruption within its very foundations. At the same time, the walls that were built around the Empire years ago to protect them from the sea Titans were breached. A titan now approaches, seeking to break through their already weak barriers, and bring destruction to not just Talagray but all of the Empire.

The setting is top notch. I thoroughly enjoyed the Attack on Titan-like elements. I loved that Bennett did not copy everything from that anime, but instead seemed to take inspiration from it, and make something similar but incredibly unique. The world Bennett created was one that I found to be exceptional. It was brimming with these sci-elements that resulted in superiorly altered humans and plants. I mean I would love to have a mushroom that sits in the corner of my room and cleans my air. Excuse me. Bennett takes you on a journey through the novel to meet a variety of people who were altered in different ways, which is just so interesting.

Speaking of characters, my stand out favorite had to be Ana. It is never confirmed she is neurodivergent so I will not assume for this character, but her uniqueness as a character was something I related to on a deep level. As someone who is neurodivergent and diagnosed with social anxiety, she truly made me feel so seen. She is introverted, awkward in social interactions, and her delivery of certain thoughts comes out funny with its blatant honesty. She may come off “rough around the edges” but she is at her core, loving and deeply caring. She takes people as they are, and instead of beating them down for their negatives, she celebrates their strengths. Ana pushes Din to test his boundaries, and his comfort. Through that you really see him grow as an investigator and a person. She is the perfect mentor in so many ways. Watching her interactions were some of my absolute highlights of a novel.

Din feels like watching a little sibling step into their own for the first time. He starts out nervous, and lacking in confidence. As he gets dragged into this mystery he really becomes someone who holds their head high, who begins to put pieces together on his own, and grows tremendously. The dynamic between Ana and Din was perfection.

Regarding the plot, it wasn't overly intricate. I managed to anticipate certain answers while reading, while others unfolded as revelations where I was on the same journey as everyone else. However, I must emphasize that the gem in Bennett’s writing was at the end of this story. It speaks volumes on an authors writing style when a reader can anticipate aspects of the mystery and still delight in the unfolding and presentation.

This book was an absolute blast. From the setting, to the sci-fi elements, to the characters, to the humor, every little thing here is executed perfectly. I genuinely can not wait to re read it, and continue on with the series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dry humor, sci-fi worlds, or Sherlock Holmes-like mysteries. It is a ride.

Maybe more 3.5 Stars?

This murder mystery set in an epic fantasy is a fun and unique premise. I loved the Sherlock-esque characters, the duo of Ana and Din had amazing rapport - like if Sherlock were an eccentric old woman and Watson were a resigned, reserved apprentice constantly sent off to do her wild bidding.

It took me a while to get into the story, you're more or less thrown into the thick of things at the start, so it was a bit discombobulating to try to grasp the fantasy world, the magic system, political system, and all the unique terms that come along with them. But it was all very unique which I appreciated.

It's also not very action-packed, which may be good or bad depending on preference. When there is action though, it's high stakes and thrilling, but the majority of the book is lengthy conversations, interviews, and debriefs. I almost want to categorize this as cozy fantasy because of its leisurely pace, but it might be a bit too gruesome at times to be entirely that?

Either way, it had twists and turns I didn't see coming and the characters alone make it worth a read!

The Tainted Cup draws inspiration from the partnership of famous detective duos from the past like Sherlock Holmes and Watson, but with a huge helping of amazing fantasy world building. Ana Dolabra is an eccentric detective who often chooses to go about blind folded to hone her other senses. Her recently acquired assistant, Dinios Kol, has been enhanced so as to have perfect recall of anything he sees or hears. 

The two must uses their detecting skills to resolve a mystery surrounding high powered officers who are killed by trees secretly germinating inside of them and sprouting unexpectedly from their body, which might be part of larger scheme involving the giant leviathan beasts that lurk in the seas around their walled cities. I like that the border between magic and science is blurred in the story and that the focus is on biomechanical inventions and enhancements.

This is the first of the Shadow of the Leviathan series and with such a richly developed fantasy world, I can’t wait to see what will next be in store for Ana and Dinios.

the characters, and the detective mystery the author wove together from beginning to end.

The two primary characters are Din and Ana. Din is the assistant investigator to Ana, a woman who has some quirks when it comes to interacting with the world. In a lot of ways, there are parallels to her character and Sherlock Holmes, who is constantly tinkering, shutting themselves away from the world, and seeing nuance where other people often miss it.

Din has only recently become an assistant investigator and has not yet fully graduated to the position. He has been “altered” to be an engraver, which means he is able to have total recall of everything he hears, sees, and smells; his only real failing is that he can barely read, even with his augmentations.

The dynamic between the two is fun, the murders they work to solve are fairly complex and rich with detail. I give kudos to Author Bennett for keeping me riveted to the narrative and hope there will be more adventures for the unlikely duo. It really works andI think they balance each other incredibly well. This book was one which seemed to come out of nowhere for me but I am so glad it did. I loved it! I want to thank NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy in return for my honest review and feedback.

Immersed in the captivating narrative of this book, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in a multifaceted tapestry of elements that collectively rendered it an immensely enjoyable experience. The characters within this narrative are not only intricately developed but also exude a depth that allows for a genuine connection with the reader. The dynamic between the Sherlock and Watson-inspired characters introduces a compelling dynamic, with Ana's eccentricity and honesty standing out, complemented by Din's shy yet determined personality. The storytelling from Din's perspective offers a nuanced exploration of the unfolding events, while the ensemble of side characters adds complexity to the mystery at hand. The murder mystery plot, marked by its complexity, skillfully weaves together strands of magic and scientific elements, creating a unique and enthralling tapestry. The interplay between magic and science in this literary realm is not merely decorative but serves as a catalyst for altering minds and abilities, enriching the overall narrative and elevating the mystery plot in an original manner. The presence of morally corrupt nobles and military villains adds a layer of intrigue and tension to the storyline, contributing to the overall richness of the narrative. The palpable corruption embedded within the societal structures and involved parties lends a striking realism to the narrative, rendering it relatable and thought-provoking. Surprisingly, the military element, with its creation of societal structure, fosters intriguing relationships among characters, contributing to the narrative's depth. The dark and brooding atmosphere of the world portrayed in the book adds an additional layer of depth, fostering an eerie ambiance that further intensifies the unfolding mystery. The looming presence of leviathans, otherworldly great beasts integrated into the fabric of the world, adds an additional layer of tension to the unfolding mystery. In essence, the amalgamation of these diverse elements orchestrates a narrative symphony that I thoroughly enjoyed. Anticipating future installments in this series, I eagerly await the opportunity to delve into more works by this talented author.

An intriguing, magical fantasy world and a cunning mystery are brought together in one captivating series opener. Robert Jackson Bennett is a new to me author who has made me sit up and realize that fantasy blended with mystery might just be my new favorite thing.



A Tainted Cup introduces a fascinating exotic fantasy setting that brought to mind medieval Chinese history if that were paired with a unique type of magical world where everything from the very people of the ancient Khanum Empire to the houses they reside in are infused with the magical blood that drenched the plants, soil, and creatures. The magical blood comes from the great, fearsome leviathan creatures who prey on their land and the people of the empire unite behind great sea walls to keep out and fight off- occasionally killing one and spilling its blood when it makes landfall.



The empire is in a class structure with the very wealthy living furthest inland from the sea and the threat of the massive leviathan monsters behind three further walled sections of the land. The people are made up of a handful of ethnical races, but all are under imperial leadership.



The main narrator of the story, Dinios ‘Din’ Kol, lives in the furthest ring from the center and his goal is to save enough money to buy his family land within the next ring over, the Third Ring. To do this, Din has qualified for alterations to be an apprentice engraver (his brain is altered so that he records through all senses everything he encounters and can reproduce it all to an exacting degree admissible for legal purposes) working for the judicial branch of the Empire. He’s been assigned to a recently arrived Imperial investigator, Ana Dolobra, who is as eccentric as it gets. She stays isolated behind the walls of her cabin in the jungle due to her senses needing protection from overstimulation. Thus, Din is the one who must be her literal eyes and ears on the investigation they are presented with when a man is killed in a horrific, mysterious manner.



The Tainted Cup gives a fabulous nod to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the characters of Ana and Din right down to Din being the one to tell their story. I thought the introduction to their world, them as individuals and a beginning partnership, and the adventures they have on their investigation was woven rather well. Always in the background and sometimes the forefront is the constant danger during this wet season of a leviathan getting through the high sea walls and the military fortifications there to rampage and kill them all.



This was a fully-developed and complete tale leaving a few minor threads dangling after the fabulous finish of mystery and climaxes of action. I liked that though the author gave enough to give the reader a mental picture of the world and the characters, there felt like that was the beginning and much more will be revealed as the series progresses.



And, so I thought The Tainted Cup was sensational and can’t wait for more. Recommended for those who enjoy a writing style that engages all the reader’s inner senses and paints an amazing fantasy world with colorful, well-developed characters and mystery.

Twenty year-old Dinius Kol is determined to do his best out in the backwaters of empire. Whatever it takes, he’ll earn his much needed paycheck in order to send money back home to his distant family. When maverick Imperial Investigator Ana Dolabra arrives in his remote province, he fights to become her assistant.

Fast forward a handful of months, and the newly minted Assistant Investigator has successfully helped Ana uncover several instances of payroll fraud while humoring her eccentricities. Most notable of these is her refusal to leave her house. Witnesses are brought to her instead, or Din is sent out to gather information for her. In this last, he’s aided by the elective augmentation he underwent in order to advance his career and position in the imperial hierarchy:

QUOTE
The great and heavenly Empire of Khanum had long ago perfected the art of shaping life, root and branch and flesh and bone. [I], as an Imperial engraver, had been altered to remember everything I experienced, always and forever.

I looked and looked [at the crime scene], occasionally sniffing at the vial in my hand. Engravers remembered everything, but later recalling those memories quickly and easily was another thing. Scent was used as a cue: just like ordinary folk, engravers associated memories with an aroma so later, when I reported to my master, I would uncork this same vial, fill my skull with these same vapors, and use their scent as a gateway to recall all I’d experienced.
END QUOTE

When a gruesome murder takes place on the country estate of the Hazas, a wealthy family of landed gentry, Din is tasked with investigating the scene, interrogating the witnesses and reporting everything back to Ana. The murder victim had been an important engineer in charge of supervising the empire’s fortifications against the monstrous Leviathans that threaten humanity from the sea. None of the Hazas had been in residence at the time of Commander Blas’ death, but someone on the grounds had definitely been involved.

Din finds himself encountering unexpected resistance as he investigates the exotic murder, in large part due to his own unassuming appearance and the unusual circumstances of having an absent supervisor. He acquits himself well, however, later earning rare praise from his eccentric boss after asking:

QUOTE
“Did I not meet your expectations in this regard, ma’am?” I asked, worried.

“Oh, no, no. You did fine, Din. I mean, if I’d been in your boots, I’d have found that fucker of a housekeeper’s wine cup and dumped in a thimble of ground glass. But really, for your first murder investigation, you did phenomenal–walking up to a Haza estate and interrogating each witness is not something many people would have managed so well.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, pleased.

“In fact, Din, I’d say you have the <i>exact</i> right appetite for blank, bloody-minded drudgery that makes an assistant investigator excel.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, far less pleased.
END QUOTE

Between them, Din and Ana realize that the commander’s death is no isolated incident, but is part of a greater threat to the empire. Forced to travel to the sea front, they uncover perilous danger from mortal killers, even as monsters lurk in the turbulent waters. But they also discover that they’re keeping secrets from one another, secrets that could prove even more deadly than any external threat to their lives.

Robert Jackson Bennett is a master of world-building: I adored the first two books of his Founders Trilogy, even as I’m trying to find time to finish reading the series. When I learned that he was writing a classic murder mystery set in another fantasy world, I knew that he would knock it out of the park. And with The Tainted Cup, he certainly has! Brilliant, sarcastic Ana is the spiritual successor to celebrated detectives like Nero Wolfe and Sherlock Holmes. Refreshingly, Din isn’t wholly eclipsed by his boss, as Wolfe’s and Holmes’ sidekicks too often were. The way that he and Ana learn about and to trust each other is vindication for any reader who’s ever felt that Archie Goodwin and John Watson never got enough appreciation.

Most importantly of all, this is just such a fun, compelling read! I finished all four hundred plus pages in less than twenty-four hours, so enthralled was I by the writing and plot of this terrific and very human mystery. Khanum, with its strange monsters and technology, feels as easily accessible to the imagination as any real-life foreign or historical land due to Mr Bennett’s skill at spinning a yarn, rooting the unfamiliar and fantastical in the utterly believable. While this novel is complete on its own, I genuinely can’t wait to read the rest of this series!

*I received this book (Via eArc by Netgalley) for free from the Publisher ( Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine, Del Rey) in exchange for an honest review*

I had a very fun time reading this book. This is my first book from Robert Jackson Bennett and it would not be my last. If you love Sherlock Holmes, you will love this book, in a fantasy setting. It is very enjoyable and super entertaining. As someone who read a lot of Sherlock as a Literature student, it was an interesting take as a mix with the fantasy setting with a splash of murder mystery. I am looking forward to the next installments.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine, Del Rey and Neutrally for the ARC and I am instantly gonna purchase this when it releases.

Wow, this is a great novel both if you enjoy murder mysteries and also imaginative fantasy--but with both of those elements being very important and well-thought / vivid. I highly enjoyed the characters and was very intrigued by the science of the world they inhabited, and I'm excited to read more in this series...

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Picture this: an empire of walls. Circular walls that separate the outside world from the inside. And on the inside, more walls. More walls that separate different rankings of existence. The closer you are to the outer walls, the more likely you are to die if a leviathan breaks in, through the outer most layer. Within this empire, a mysterious death, linked with tragedy at the outer wall. Only can the Sherlock Holmes of this fantasy world save the day.
This book was phen.om.en.al. I was blown away at the cleverness of Bennett and how the world building was so detailed, and yet I was not confused or disoriented at any point during this book. This book was fast paced, engaging, mysterious, shocking, and everything I could have hoped for.


Content Warning: death, body horror, poisoning, verbal and physical abuse


Would I Recommend: Absolutely! Those who love Sherlock Holmes will love this!

5 stars

Review posted 31Jan2024 to Goodreads & NetGalley
Review will also be posted to B&N and Amazon on publish date

2.5/5 stars

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett follows Dinios Kol, an apprentice, assistant investigator to detective Ana Dolabra, as they unearth a series of gruesome murders that are happening in their canton. In a world where people are altered or enhanced through different suffusions or grafts, both Ana and Din have special abilities - Din is an engraver which means by utilizing scent he can recall everything in extreme detail, while Ana remains blindfolded in her home due to overstimulation while investigating different situations. The unlikely, but perfect, pair are tasks with figuring out why this senior officer, and others, are being killed by a tree growing from their body. The story of this mystery continues to escalate and unfold in a very Sherlock-Holmes type way. Will they solve it before the historically dangerous leviathans breach the sea walls?

Honestly, I struggled with this book. The world building was lackluster and hard to follow - when new concepts, roles, or materials were introduced it took a lot of context clues and several pages to figure out what was happening or what it meant. The author definitely made a lot of assumptions of what the reader would understand - definitely not a fantasy book that I would recommend to a fantasy beginner. The mystery part of the plot of this book was interesting, and is what kept me going, but the world building is truly what knocked 2 stars off of my rating. Now that I read the first one, I am interested to see if the other two in the trilogy will be easier to follow, but that will be determined when they are released.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so torn on how to rate this! I thought the world and magic/SciFi elements were fantastic. But this type of story very rarely really really works for me. This was all plot and sleuthing with very little character exploration and relationship building. Which is a shame for my personal taste because these characters were great. Ana and Din are extremely likable, I just wish we got more from this aspect. I also felt like this was a little long for the story being told, but I’m still interested enough in this world and these characters to pick up the next book in the series when it comes out! Although I felt the same at the start of the Foundryside series by this author and unfortunately those never ended up fully connecting for me either.

If you grew up on The Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew, odds are you'll love The Tainted Cup. The plot was so well done, with excellent twists, turns, and reveals around every corner. What really makes this book stand out, though, is the incredibly unique world that Bennett has created. An empire plagued by monstrous Titans, a science-based magic system, and a plant-based infrastructure all led to the perfect setting for this story that was full of intrigue and corruption. I'm looking forward to seeing what else this world will hold!


My one flaw with this story was a strange inability to connect with the characters on an emotional level. I enjoyed Din's stoicism, especially paired with Ana's exuberance, but something kept me from fully caring about them in the way I typically do. I'm extremely hopeful that spending more time with them (and maybe Strovi?) in book two will help that final piece click into place!

I found the world-building of this book overwhelmingly massive and hard to follow. While the premise sounded super interesting, with the sheer amount of information being dumped at me, I really couldn't find it in me to care about the mystery of what was happening because I was getting confused just trying to understand the hierarchy and structure of this world. I found myself feeling like there was just so much information being thrown at me and so little reasoning given as to why I should care about any of it.

Incredibly fun read. Sherlock and Watson solving crimes in a delightfully plant-filled empire reminiscent of Attack on Titan with walls to keep out the leviathans. The relationship between Ana (Sherlock) and our protagonist Din (Watson) was wholesome and entertaining. Fantastic writing that kept me hooked and desperate for the next episode of their adventures.

Really interesting worldbuilding and the mystery and plot were extremely engaging. I could have done with a bit more character development as that's what I prefer in books and this book was very plot heavy. But I think that the next book might open up a bit more with the characters (the two main characters opened up a bit more to each other toward the end), so I'm definitely planning to continue with this series.

In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Assigned to investigate the incident, Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Dinios Kol. They must investigate quickly as the Empire itself is at stake. This is set in a different world that is entirely unique and well world delving into.

The Tainted Cup by the author of the Lockland series has drafted an intriguing murder mystery mixed with fantasy with a bit of monster hunting. In The Tainted Cup, we meet two quirky characters that embody Waston and Holmes, but one is Din, an engraver (who can memorize things and repeat them), and Nan, who you think has augmented herself but is just very quirky. Din and Nan are on the hunt to figure out how people are being killed by trees while also trying to survive the wet season when leviathians (think Godzilla) are attacking and breaching the walls. I would have liked a bit more about the Leviathans, but I did find the murder mystery to be quite interesting, and it gave us a chance to learn more about the magic system and establish our two main characters very well for the next book.
The Tainted Cup is an excellent start to a series that looks like we have a new case in each book and more about the leviathans that threaten this world.