“The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett is a gripping and imaginative fantasy novel that effortlessly combines elements of mystery and adventure.
Bennett's world-building in is superb. He paints a vivid and immersive setting, rich in detail and history. From the grandeur of the ancient cities to the dangers lurking in the wilderness, every aspect of the world feels meticulously crafted. The inclusion of magical elements seamlessly integrates with the overall narrative, adding depth and intrigue to the story.
The characters are complex and the whole plot comes together so perfectly!

4.25

The Tainted Cup is everything I come to expect from an RJB novel wrapped in a mystery that takes full advantage of the setting and bio-engineering mechanics introduced in this book.

Robert Jackson Bennett is so good and not touted nearly enough as a fantasy sci-fi author. He is also only improving as his career progresses. This is only the first in what might become a series, and I do so dearly hope that it does. The Tainted Cup can certainly stand on its own, but there is so much more world to explore and characters to unravel that I hope RJB decides to keep bringing us back to the Khanum Empire and Din and Ana.

First off, the setting simply oozes atmosphere. You can practically see the sepia-toned, film grain filters slipping down over the scene in the first few pages. One of my favorite things about RJB's writing is how his worlds become characters in their own right. You can smell the dank air, feel the humidity on your skin, taste the rot and corruption on your tongue. And the casual use of bio-enhancements, genetic alterations, body modification hits as both mundane and unsettling throughout the entire story. It felt like a grungier, washed out version of a Hayao Miyazaki animation. RJB always takes me to places I don't expect, and then keeps secrets of the world hidden for later books that totally blow my mind when revealed, even though they are being slowly uncovered along the way.

This story is in first-person from the perspective of Din (Dinios Kol), which on the surface may put you in the mind of Watson and brings about comparisons of Watson-Holmes relationship for this murder mystery. Din is the assistant to investigator Ana Dolabra, who does have some Sherlock qualities. However, Din's development and story is much more robust than Watson's and Ana has way more nuance and secrets than Holmes as a character. While there is certainly a focus on the murder mystery plot (which is very well done), the characters are fully realized and incredibly interesting. I was just as wrapped up in Din's conflict and story as I was in trying to find the clues to the mystery. And of course there are quirky, interesting side characters as well because it's an RJB story and everyone just adds to the atmosphere.

Layered in with the murder investigation and the characters' own mysteries is a military element with political intrigue. Oh, and actual Leviathan monsters that threaten the Empire. The story brushes up against Cosmic Horror without really feeling Lovecraftian. The monster/disaster part of the world building is a prime example of RJB holding back and leaving the reader with lingering questions (and desperately wanting more!).

If you go into this story expecting a full-fantasy Sherlock Holmes mystery, your expectations are going to be met and exceeded. I love Sherlock Holmes, and I love a good fantasy detective story. The Tainted Cup scratches that Sherlockian itch while not being like a Conan Doyle story at all. It is distinctly Robert Jackson Bennett and showcases some of his best qualities as a writer. I was thoroughly entertained the entire time I was reading.

So why not a full 5 stars? While the story and characters are entertaining, I was not impacted emotionally by them. The payoff is satisfying, but there are still lingering questions. The slightly under 5 stars is more in anticipation of deeper stories to come in this world and between Din and Ana.

Definitely pick this one up if you are a fan of fantasies with mysteries. The Tainted Cup is also perfect for those who love some superb world building. Combine these two, and I would much rather read more of Din and Ana than Harry Dresden. Obviously, if you're already a fan of RJB's other series then you probably have already bought this one too and devoured it or it's at the top of your TBR (as it should be).

Here's to hoping that another Shadow of the Leviathan story comes out soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for providing a digital review copy of The Tainted Cup in exchange for my honest review.

Classic murder mystery meets a rich fantasy world with complex magic and politics in Robert Jackson Bennet's book "The Tainted Cup". In a world where Leviathans kill and destroy all in their path, the Empire is the only thing holding them at bay. However, not all is as it seems when high ranking officials start dying mysteriously by plant contagions. Din and Anna work to investigate these murders, government corruption, and uncover a conspiracy.

In this fantasy world, people have the ability to modify themselves, either permanently or temporarily. These can make them smarter, faster, stronger... or in Din's case, he can remember every experience down to the most minor details. This makes for perfect recall of the crime scenes.

This book is witty, fast-paced, and full of beautifully crafted world building. I like the classic nature of the murder mystery, meshed with the rich fantasy world. Din's dyslexia is a welcome representation to see in a world of books that sometimes use modifications or enhancements to erase disabilities. It is also implied that Anna has autism. I cannot speak to the quality of either representation as a non-member of those communities, but I highly enjoyed reading both of these characters.

There is also some LGBTQ representation, both in Din's hinted attraction to a male captain and in the relationship of two minor character females. This book is perfect for fans of fantasy books with a little to no romance.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. The world building and mystery were intricately done and interesting to read. I loved rooting for these characters and can't wait to see where the story goes.

This is the fifth book I've read by Robert Jackson Bennett. I've thought all were quite good. This one though, this has me eager to read the next book in the series before the first is even published. It is a well-executed mystery set in a world of mysteries and wonder, and I found it hard to put down. I'm quite eager to learn more of this world, the leviathans that menace it, and the Empire that defends humanity. Very highly recommended for fantasy fans.

Daretana canton is at the borders of the Empire. Contagions are plenty, and the Leviathans can be a little too close for comfort. Dinios Kol is an engraver, a magically altered person who “engraves” situations into their memories and has been called to a prominent mansion where someone has been killed. The manner of death: a tree spontaneously combusted from the body. Kol’s superior officer Ana Dolabra doesn’t leave her residency so Kol must be her eyes and ears. As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that there is more going on behind the scenes than the host family wants Dolabra to know about.

When catastrophe strikes at the sea walls in Talagray during a Leviathan attack, Ana and Kol are called to save the Empire. Ana and Kol must determine the who’s, what’s, and why’s of eleven deaths before the next Leviathan attack or be prepared for more tragedy.

I really enjoyed this novel. It’s being compared to Holmes and Watson, and I agree. Ana is the perfect adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, especially because she has similar eccentricities. I loved the mind leaps that are so obvious once explained, but I also loved seeing Kol develop under Ana. I enjoyed the combination of mystery with fantasy. I really want to own a giant mushroom air purifier.

The mystery and plot were perfection. Robert Jackson Bennett wrote in his acknowledgment about “how America is now terrified of building stuff.” I understand this fear, because there are too many ways for things to go horribly wrong. The villain(s) and the motives are entirely too realistic. However, that’s what kept me going. I wanted to know how Ana would solve it, but also how Kol and others would react.

My only wish was that it was an audiobook, because I know I butchered some of the names, even in my own head.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

The Tainted Cup starts out as a murder mystery within a world with magical elements and unique world building. The writing style is beautiful and I think a lot of people would enjoy this. However, I struggled to get into this and I don’t believe it has anything to do the author or content of this novel. I think my mood reading tendencies just led to my failure of getting engrossed with the story - thus I didn’t finish this. I will most likely revisit this when the time is right for me and expect to thoroughly enjoy the ride!

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and the author for providing an early copy, I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

A big thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to review this book!

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is truly something special. The story is pitched as a Sherlock-esque novel about a detective and her assistant trying to solve a series of very odd murders. While this is a very very good description, it's not where the author took his inspiration from - he credits the Nero Wolfe and the Hannival Lecter books.

The story follows an engraver called Dinios Kol (a human altered to remember everything he sees) as he is apprenticed to an investigator called Ana Dolabra. Ana is such a fun and unpredictable character and her mind creates connections between information that nobody else realises is significant.

The story starts after Kol is sent to view a murder scene that is so bizarre that only Ana would be able to solve it This murder is the catalyst that shoots them into a web of deeper secrets bigger than either of them can imagine. Trying to stay alive with massive beasts attacking the walls, poisonous politics and a possible contagion in the air, this story keeps you invested in the plot until the very last page.

I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to read more of these characters in the future. But for now, I'm going back and reading the Foundryside series by this author as well.

this was unlike anything i’ve read before. the plot i found was so smooth sailing and intriguing from the get-go, which is to say the pacing of this deserves all the glory. and this having a murder mystery esque quality to it felt all the more satisfying because i was able to really picture it unfold.

usually a lot of fantasies i read nowadays have such an intricate, multi-layered magic system that goes over my head but with this one, it’s quite subtle and ingenious, but still poignant enough where you’re seated and paying attention.

very excited to continue ana and din’s story!

The Tainted Cup by Robert JacksonBennett is a fantasy mystery novel following Dinios Kol, an engraver (altered to have a perfect memory), who is an apprentice assistant investigator of only a handful of months to Immunis Anagosa Dolabra. This book is a combination of my two favorite genres, fantasy and mystery, and it really hit a spot I didn’t know what missing.

The story starts off with the unusual murder of a high ranked Engineer at the far out house of one of the wealthiest families in the Empire. It eventually leads to a suspected conspiracy to bring down the sea wall, among other complex plots.

As for characters, Din and Ana seem to be an odd pair. Ana is extremely quirky, preferring not to leave her residence and wearing a blindfold to reduce inputs. Din is her eyes and ears, engraving everything into his perfect memory. Ana is much a Holmesian character, who sees much even as narrator Din doesn’t. We also meet a slew of other interesting characters along the way who are memorable in different ways, and some I hope we meet again.

I adored the world, with leviathans rising to attack sea walls. It gave a sense of impending doom and that what Din and Ana did didn’t matter in the face of that doom. Yet they persist, and ultimately unravel what appears to be an extremely complicated plot.

I can’t wait for the next book of the series, I’m very much looking forward to learning their next case.

Favorite quote:
“Now … Now it feels frail, and imperfect, and improvised, and … and coincidental, ma’am. The wrong wind might blow it all apart, should it go untended.”

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read this book as an ARC so I could give an honest review.

i requested this because i liked some of this author's previous books but i think i'm just not in the mood for mystery stories right now. might come back to it when i'm in a different mood and i'm sure it will be great for a lot of people but i'm just not feeling it right now

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!

I really enjoyed this book! It's great blend of murder mystery and fantasy. The character and world building are great but it does start a little slow. I haven't read this author before but I'll definitely be adding him to my list!

Alright... I have a confession to make. I've never read a book by this author before and I didn't even recognize his name so I had no idea he is the author of what, I have heard, is some really absolutely incredible scifi/fantasy. So I've been literally telling people, just absolutely clueless, how im so surprised this book is so freaking great! Lmao.... aaaaaahhhgg.. that's my life. Apologies.

Now that THAT is out of the way, I will continue to heap praises on this marvelous read. This story takes place in a dystopian style world in which there are attacks from titans at an enormous seawall that protects this empire, while the people that live within make heavy use of plants for protection and control. However, sometimes, these plants can be used to harm as well.

The murder/mystery aspect (which was so fascinating) mixed with these very interesting details of the people, politics and, of course, the plants and their varying uses to enhance many humans, all this together makes just the best read. It's this author's brilliant ideas, especially the plants, their uses, and their side effects, but also the characters themselves who each are very well thought out and fleshed out in this story. Just the combination of all these factors, the smallest details to the main flow, the whole plot, idea, of the book... created for me a scary world definitely, but also a world I felt like I was in, literally inside of, every time I picked this book up (and, while frightening thought I very much so desired to be this enthralled.) Like I was walking by Din's side (the main character) the whole time and feeling like I was experiencing the exact same emotions as him. That's how real this felt to me.

So, if you can't tell, I loved this book. I am begging.... begging for more. Please!!!!

Out February 6, 2024!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

This book was a little difficult to get into at the beginning. It started off very slow for me. That being said, I think this book was very well written. I think the author did amazingly with the world-building and the character development. The way the plot unravels is expertly done. I loved the detective-like feel of the book. It’s a very well crafted murder mystery in a fantasy setting. The clues, the red herrings, the leads they were chasing had me extremely invested in figuring out the culprit. The revelations coming together at the end of the book were amazing. It sets the stage for the rest of the books in the series. If you love murder mysteries and fantasy, this is definitely the book for you.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, however my review is completely voluntary and honest.

Robert Jackson Bennet’s The Divine Cities trilogy has long been on my TBR list. When I was given the chance to read his forthcoming novel, The Tainted Cup, I jumped at the chance, and I’m extremely happy I did.

A fascinating blend of fantasy and murder mystery, the novel held my attention throughout, and in fact, it was hard to put down. It’s populated with extremely well drawn characters, even the minor ones, and the world building is some of the best I’ve read in ages. As this appears to be the first of a series, I can’t wait to read the further adventures of Ana and Din.

My profuse thanks to Del Rey Books and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I ventured outside of my typical reads for this one and I’m glad I did! It takes me a little bit to get used to the fantasy/sci-fi language, but I found the characters in The Tainted Cup to be rather remarkable. I would absolutely read more mysteries from this author. Din and Ana will be in my brain for a while. Their personalities were evident throughout the book and I enjoyed delving deeper into their pasts and presents as they worked through this mystery. I hope the author brings us along for their next adventure.

This is a murder mystery with all the twists and turns you'd expect, but something I didn't expect in a fantasy world. What a fun ride.

When a high-ranking officer is murdered by the administration of a contagion that causes a tree to erupt from his body, investigator Ana Dolabra and her new assistant Dinios Kol are tasked with finding the perpetrator. Ana, whose unorthodox methods are often at odds with her straight-arrow assistant, is quick to make associations that involve a far-ranging conspiracy. Ana and Din aren't sure how far up the imperial ranks the scheme extends, but as they close in, they realize that the Empire and perhaps their lives are in peril.

Excellently written with humor and intrigue, this story is engaging with beautiful characters, especially Ana and Din. Both are entertaining, and their combined skills make them a formidable crime-solving duo. The world they inhabit is atmospheric and dangerous. I was happy to see there will be another book set in this world with these two larger-than-life characters. If you like murder mysteries and fantasy, I highly recommend this book. 4.5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Ballantine, for a review copy in exchange for an honest review. The publication date is February 6, 2024.

I absolutely adored this book. It has a compelling mystery, interesting magic system, and political intrigue — plus the main characters are lovable. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

The Tainted Cup is pretty high on my list of anticipated reads for 2024, and it was as wonderful has I had hoped. Robert Jackson Bennett always creates worlds that feel a bit unique and interesting. The mystery is a great way to show and develop the world and the pacing was perfect to keep me engaged. This is absolutely worth checking out!

Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review.

I had no idea what to expect going into this as I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed it! This is a murder mystery set in a fantasy world and I’ll admit it took me a little while to wrap my head around all the different terms and characters, but once I did I was hooked.

My favorite aspect of this was definitely the narrator, Din. I’m such a sucker for characters who are extremely talented and yet are completely clueless to how cool they are. He was written in a way that allowed him to be very cunning and vulnerable at the same time and I loved that.

ALSO THOSE CRUMBS OF ROMANCE BETTER NOT HAVE BEEN FOR NOTHING IF THEY DON’T COME BACK IN BOOK 2 I WILL BE SO SAD.

The setting [partial description]: a murder of a high imperial officer--a tree is growing out of his body! Ana Dolabra, a brilliant investigator is assigned to the case, Her quirks include: "...insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home. " Anna is assigned new assistant, an apprentice--Dinios Kol, "...an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report..." The two uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself.

This book is TOTALLY out of my wheelhouse! But, I could not put it down! Highly imaginative, beautifully creative and descriptive, "a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world." At first I was unsure, but I was sucked in and became engrossed. I loved the world that the author created: engravers, sublimes, the Iudex, Iyalets, Leviathians, a wet season, and many, many other moving parts. A huge cast of characters.

Two words I had to look up: cuirass and thurible--go back to the 15th century!

I can definitely see this as a movie--sort of a space western.

In the acknowledgments, the author states that he set out to write "a fun murder mystery," but his editor set him on a slightly different path. I was totally unfamiliar with this prolific author, but will seek him out in the future.