Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me i'm not sure why. I ended up Dnfing it as i found it a bit too slow, and the plot just wasnt doing anything for me. The characters didnt interest me and neither did the world. I wish i ended up liking this but unfortunately i didn't.

Review: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
Rating: 5/5 Stars

Robert Jackson Bennett’s "The Tainted Cup" seamlessly weaves together the elements of a gripping murder mystery with the whimsy, and allure of high fantasy. Set in a fantastical world rich with political intrigue, military operations, characters with magical enhancements, and daunting leviathan creatures, this book offers readers an exhilarating journey filled with sword fights and unexpected twists.

From the outset, Bennett establishes strong characterization and intricate world-building. The crime-solving duo of Ana and Din forms the heart of the narrative, with their dynamic partnership adding depth and humour to the story. Din is as a relatable protagonist, while Ana intrigues readers with her enigmatic past and exceptional crime-solving prowess. Together, they transcend the conventional Sherlock and Watson archetype, carving out their own distinctive place in the realm of hilarious and loveable crime-solving duos.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its subtle and authentic representation of neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ identities, seamlessly sprinkled into characterization without feeling forced. Additionally, the magic system is structured and scientific, offering readers a glimpse into a world where biological alterations amplify various capabilities, each with its own limitations and drawbacks.

The plot unfolds at a brisk pace, filled with twists and revelations that keep readers on the edge of their seats. What begins as a singular murder mystery gradually evolves into a multifaceted drama intertwined with political machinations and hidden agendas. Bennett deftly avoids predictability, ensuring that readers are kept in suspense until the very end.

As a newcomer to Robert Jackson Bennett’s work, "The Tainted Cup" has left me eagerly anticipating more from this author. With its engaging storyline and well-crafted characters, this book is a testament to Bennett’s storytelling prowess. I eagerly await the next instalment in this series.

Disclosure: I received an advanced reader's e-reader copy of this book from NetGalley, courtesy of Hachette, in exchange for an honest review.

I came for the murder mystery but I stayed for the leviathans.

Murder mysteries in a fantasy setting have to be my new favourite genre mash-up. If you love a Benoit Blanc-esque cast of eccentric characters and/or the highly detailed magic systems of Brandon Sanderson and/or the existential complexity of Attack on Titan, then you’ll love this.

I was engrossed from pretty early on and spent most of my days wishing for work to be over so I could go home and continue reading this book. Enamoured with the Holmes-Watson duo, Dinios Kol and Ana Dolabra, I found myself attempting to guess at the connections Ana would inevitably make after each of Dinios' investigations and still be pleasantly surprised each time.

The use of plant magic in both the murder weapon and the investigative tools (and even the architecture) was wholly unique. The greater world-building and politics were brushed over in favour of focusing on the mystery, which was solved within this first book despite being a series. But I cannot wait to see how Bennett creates a larger problem to puzzle over throughout this series while giving us even more mysteries in the vein of ‘I would have gotten away with it too if it weren’t for you meddling kids!’

Absolutely adored this story.

Acclaimed fantasy author Robert Jackson Bennett kicks off a brilliant new series with the captivating and impressive novel, The Tainted Cup, which sees two unique investigators dive into an enthralling magical murder.

In an opulent mansion in the backwater province of Daretana, an unusual case emerges when an important Imperial officer is apparently killed when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in the unpredictable Empire of Khanum, which is constantly besieged by Leviathans, giant beings from the ocean whose blood and bodies can mutate the land and create unique contagions, this is a shocking death.

The job of discovering what caused this unusual death falls to Ana Dolabra, an Imperial investigator known both for her staggering intellect and her many oddities. Able to make connections no-one else can, Ana begins her unique investigation, using her new assistant, Dinios Kol, as her proxy. Din, an engraver magically altered to possess a perfect memory, acts as his boss’s eyes on the case, and begins to gather all the raw information Ana needs to uncover the full mystery. The conclusion she makes about the case: murder!

Determining the case to be an unusual and deadly form of magical poisoning, Ana and Din manage to find one of the culprit’s accomplices. But it quickly becomes apparent that this is only the beginning of their investigation when several engineers responsible for maintaining the great outer walls of the Empire against the Leviathan threat are killed in a similar manner in the next canton. Determined to discover who is responsible for both the murders and the resulting Leviathan attacks, Ana and Din journey to the wall to find out more. What they discover is an elaborate conspiracy, one that threatens the entire Empire and could result in the death of everyone to the Leviathans.

The Tainted Cup ended up being an incredible read from Bennett who masterfully blended a complex mystery with unique fantasy elements and amazing characters to tell a gripping and powerful story. I had such a great time with this book and honestly couldn’t put it down until I worked out every secret and twist that Bennett loaded into this outstanding five-star read.

https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/03/07/the-tainted-cup-by-robert-jackon-bennett/

This book was my first read from Robert Jackson Bennett, and I was not disappointed.
This fantasy murder mystery is not my usual reading material, but I might be converted. As many others have said, it has a Sherlock and Watson dynamic, which I’m here for.

Ana Dolabra is the unconventional yet humorous investigator, and Dinios Kol is her patient assistant. Ana is eccentric and usually wears a blindfold, and Din is an inexperienced engraver—altered to recall everything they see. They are asked to investigate a suspicious and usual murder, but they find there are more questions than answers and some major covering up. I was hooked from the beginning.

I enjoyed the writing style and narrative; the pace worked well for me, and I didn’t find myself bored at any moment. Although the book was plot-heavy, it didn't bother me, and whilst the characters could have been fleshed out some more, I think that will come in subsequent books. I loved Ana’s take no shit attitude, although she does swear a lot, but that wasn’t an issue for me. Their banter and developing relationship have built a solid foundation for the rest of the series.

I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

Thanks to Hachette Australia & New Zealand and NetGalley for the eArc of The Tainted Cup. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions about the book.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

The Tainted Cup is a highly entertaining, and surprising mix of fantasy, science fiction and murder mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of it.

The story follows Din, a Signum, and an Engraver (someone who permanently remembers *everything*, as opposed to me, who seems to only remember everything at 3am on sleepless nights), a trainee assistant investigator for the Iudex and Empire; Din is a rather serious, matter of fact guy who is a stickler for the rules (or.. is he?), and is sent in to investigate a ghastly murder on behalf of his elusive and reclusive superior, Ana. In following the clues, one murder becomes many, and what unfolds is both a gruesome and highly entertaining mystery, filled with twists and turns, and pepperings of wild humour courtesy of the abrasive, whip smart and brilliant Ana, who can solve crimes blindfolded (literally!). Oh, and there’s the constant threat of giant beasts crossing over a protective wall with the sole aim of decimating everything.

The murder and intrigue was captivating, although at times I felt like I was in a Black Mirror episode (not a bad thing, just .. wild). The world of Khanum is expansive, and largely unexplored in this story; with ‘contagions’ that appear, like our first murder, where a plant known as dapplegrass springs from the victim, killing them.; there’s plenty of talk of flesh eating worm infestations, particularly the cheek worms, that uh.. well.. they are not your face cheeks. The people of Khanum get ‘grafts’ done that enhance their abilities, be it giving them exceptional strength, the ability to see in the dark, or in Dins case, remember everything.

The way this story explores what can only be interpreted as disabilities is really unique - Din, the MMC, has a form of dyslexia, which is masked by his engraving ability; Ana, his superior, is AuDHD coded, and is prone to overstimulation, prefers solitude and familiar surroundings, has a tendency to tell it how it is, rather than soften her blows, and has a wicked and oft inappropriately timed sense of humour. They make the perfect odd couple, and were highly relatable.

I’m really glad this is looking to be a larger series, as it the world was limited to lower, more industrial military townships, and we are yet to see how the wealthy elite of the world live. It’s implied that there is widespread corruption in the Empire that needs to be weeded out (hopefully figuratively and not literally); so the possibility of exploring greater Khanum, chasing justice, and possibly some hijinks with the weirdest Holmes/Watson team you’ll ever meet is something I very much look forward to. I also hope to see more of the budding queer romance between Din and Kepheus because it was rather sweet, albeit brief.

My only criticism of the book, is that it really could have done with a glossary of terms, that expanded beyond the military ranks and included roles as well, such as Iudex and Apoth etc.

[Thank you to the publisher, Hachette ANZ, for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.]

This book was amazing. This was not what i was expecting at all. At its core, the story is about an investigator and her assistant (I got strong Sherlock Holmes and Watson vibes) trying to solve a murder, only to be lead onto an even bigger mystery. I loved the characters Ana and Din and the dynamics between them. Ana is an eccentric but brilliant of mind, Din remembers every detail shown to him, together the team they make is just so perfect.
The fantasy world they are set in reminded me so much of Attack on Titans (big fan so could not not compare). The wall, the titans was exactly the same. There is still so much we dont know about the Levithans though, and the book focused more on the murder mystery aspect than the world building. Everyone in this world is enhanced in one way or another though and that was quite different. I really hope we get to understand more about how this world came to be the way it is!
I loved it and this is one book to savor!

This is my first read by this author and it did not disappoint.

This is a fantasy driven murder mystery and I’ve never read anything like it. I’m sure most people will compare the main characters dynamic to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson…. Including myself.

Ana Dolabra, is the quirky and humorous investigator and Dinios Kol, her stoic assistant. They are tasked with investigating a suspicious and unusual murder however they find more questions than answers. As Ana is very eccentric predominately wearing a blindfold and Din is inexperienced engraver (altered to recall everything they see) this is intriguing from the beginning.

I really enjoyed the writing style and narrative, it was easy to visualise and imagine. The world building would make for a good movie. This book was very plot heavy and I personally would have liked to see more connections and developments between the characters.

I’m usually pretty good at picking up patterns but they were a few things that took me awhile to see despite the hints, credit to the author!

Interested to see what’s next!

In creating the investigative pairing of Holmes and Watson, Arthur Conan Doyle set a crime fiction template that is still being widely used. That of the highly gifted savant investigator and their handy, more active offsider. In The Tainted Cup, Robert Jackson Bennet takes the Holmes and Watson tropes and translates them to a fascinating and complex fantasy world. Like the best of crime fiction, he then uses the investigation to explore and expose the world that his characters inhabit.
The Tainted Cup begins with a horrific death. At an exclusive estate in a remote part of the Empire, an imperial engineer is killed when a grass life plant explodes from his body. Dinios Kol, assistant to investigator Ana Dolabra is sent to examine the scene and report back. Kol has been enhanced to be an engraver, which means he has perfect recall of everything he sees and hears. Which is handy as Dolabra stays in her book strewn house and mostly wears a blindfold. Solving the case only leads to more questions and soon the pair are off to the local capital of Talagaray where similar murders have occurred. But all is not safe in Talagaray which is close to the walls which protect the Empire from giant kaiju-like monsters called Leviathans that come from the sea. As the threat from the sea grows, Dolabra and Kol find the threads of their investigation reach back into the past and go higher than is safe for them.
The Tainted Cup is a great fantasy novel and a great detective novel. The world that Bennett creates is one that is driven by the use of plants and additives derived from the very monsters that threated its existence. And he uses the investigation to reveal these details rather than relying on exposition. All of this is done sufficiently so that readers can then follow how the rules of this world impact on the resolution of the mystery.
And it is full of great characters. Dolabra follows in the mould of Sherlock Holmes – frighteningly intelligent, dismissive of authority, addicted to danger and subterfuge to prove her theories, and usually at least a few steps ahead of everyone else involved in the investigation. But Kol, as the one who gets into all of the action, is the character around whom the story revolves. And he works effectively as Dolabra’s Watson, he has his own talents and inner strength but also a few skeletons that he carries around.
As with all good mystery stories, Bennett wraps up the action neatly. But the action in this book was set in one small area on the fringes of the Empire. Not only that but there are some connections left dangling. The Tainted Cup feels like the first book in a series with plenty more of this fascinating world to explore. And through Dolabra and Kol a pair of engaging characters to continue to explore it with.

Note: ARC provided by Hatchette Aus via Netgalley.

I’ve enjoyed most of Bennett’s previous work, including the Divine Cities and Founders trilogy, although my favourite remains The Troupe. The Tainted Cup is a superb novel, and offers a tighter plot and an even more interesting world than his past endeavours.

Plot: A fantasy murder mystery. The mystery is compelling and fast-paced, dropping hints and reveals regularly whilst keeping a satisfying denouement at it’s conclusion. I guessed the main culprit quite early, but there were enough accomplices to keep things interesting. My main criticism was that the motivations of the main culprit seemed a little weak compared to others, but it just about makes sense in the context of the world. The solving of the mystery is super enjoyable and I think it’s this plotting that works a lot better than some of his other works. I’m excited to see where things go in the sequels.

Characters: Bennett enjoys writing ‘excitable’ and quirky characters, and this book is no exception. Told through a Watson-Holmes dynamic, Din is our main character, understudying to Ana. He is apparently uptight and unsmiling, although it doesn’t seem like it from his inner monologue. He has a special ability to remember everything he sees and hears exactly, like a living camera. Ana is a highly-competent master investigation who has all sorts of weird habits and quirks ala Holmes, but my biggest problem with her is that she doesn’t really DO much, except listen to what other characters have done and join the dots. Din’s story is far more interesting and I’m glad he’s the POV character. I’m glad his augmentation is used extensively and is extremely useful, and Bennett has done well to integrate his magic system with how Din uses it.

Worldbuilding: This is a mushroom-core world with a kaiju/Lovecraftian backdrop. Everything is fungus, growths and pustules and I found everything intriguing and well-explained. Human are augmented with fungus-like upgrades and these are all integrated well into the world, with some people stronger, faster, more alluring than others, as well as mental improvements such as Din’s. There's elements of body horror and body modifications, both in the murders and in just the general world - almost everyone has weird physical features. The threat of giant leviathans hovers over the story, but never threatens to take away from it – something saved for sequels. I perhaps would have like to see more of the world in this book, but enough is hinted at.

Prose: Bennett’s exposition remains strong. This could be a different world to convey, but he does a great job of making the fantasy elements clear and easy to understand. Character voices could use more work to make each one more distinct.

Overall, a great novel and I’m keen for more in this series.

I'm just going to come out and say it - I would much prefer this as a movie. Jackson Bennett (or just Bennett?) draws a very pretty picture in his Holmes and Watson story. He leaves plenty of breadcrumbs for the reader to follow, but the plot is thin. Ana is a curious Sherlock character and the casual diversity was nice. But there were moments when the 'technology' of the world made it seem like all the prettiness was just laid overtop of our own world.
Still, an enjoyable read.

A great read and a good step up in confidence and plotting compared to his previous stuff. Liked this a LOT. The slightly "broken' protagonist cleverly sucks the empathetic reader in quite nicely and the juxtaposition with the eccentric genius foul mouth loud investigator is fantastic. Inviting and engrossing and a very unexplored subgenre that i hope to see more of. Thanks for the read!

Disclaimer: I was provided with an early arc from NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for an honest review.

If the cover of The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett couldn't sell me on finally delving into his books then I don't know what else could. I have wanted to read both his Founders Trilogy and Divine Cities series since seeing that he is compared to Brandon Sanderson. There can be no higher praise in my eyes and I finally have the chance to dive in.

Let's just say that trying to go to sleep when I had only 70 pages left was the hardest thing I have had to do all year. I was so captivated by this murder mystery that trying to return from the pages to reality every time there was an intrusion was a chore. I intentionally woke up earlier than normal so that I could read through to the end without disturbance and it was so worth it.

'I said nothing. For there is nothing worth saying when you are being forced into a pit of horrors.'

When an Imperial officer winds up dead in an opulent mansion, a tree suddenly sprouting out of his body, Dinios Kol is tasked to investigate by the reclusive and brilliant investigator, Ana Dolabra. Dinios is an engraver, someone who has magically altered perfect recall of everything they see and hear. What Din uncovers sets off a cascade of discovery and mystery that drives the plot forward at breakneck speed. The constant quest for new information, leads and evidence was so fascinating.

It is so easy to compare Ana and Din to the most famous investigative duo, Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson. I won't do that because Ana and Din stand on their own. Ana was an oddball who wore a blindfold most of the time and had an almost agoraphobic need to stay inside. While Din sought out the answers to their problems and updated her with his incredible memory. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how they solved the continually evolving puzzle utilisng their own skillsets.

'She snapped the trunk door shut on herself. I stared at it, bewildered. Then came a soft thump from within, as if she was making herself comfortable, and all fell to silence.'

I'm not one to guess a plot or a reveal before it happens and this worked out so well with The Tainted Cup. I had no idea who was behind everything and that made my enjoyment skyrocket, especially as we entered the last 100 pages. Let's just say the people I assumed were the guilty parties were in fact completely innocent and guilt free.

Besides the murder mystery there was also the very big elephant in the room, Leviathans. They are obviously going to play a huge part in this series as it is named, Shadow of the Leviathan, but even the small glimpse we got into their involvement in this world was awesome. I look forward to seeing just how crucial they are to the plots of the next two books.

The Tainted Cup has completely and utterly sold me on Robert Jackson Bennett. I have already gone out and bought the first book in the Founders Trilogy to read immediately. If this story is any indication as to what he can produce my excitement is through the roof. I believe that I have found a new must read author.

The book releases on February 6th and it's going to be hard not to resist buying myself a copy to read this one again and again. Do yourself a favour, pre-order now, and look forward to devouring this fantastic fantasy murder mystery. Trust me you will not be disappointed.

The Tainted Cup is a murder mystery dark-fantasy novel set in a world where people are augmented with grafts, like plants.
This is a truly unique world, marvelously crafted and so very strange and uncomfortable. If you enjoyed the manga series Attack on Titan, or the Red Kingdom book Series by P.J. Nwosu then read this novel, you will love it. The murder mystery is highly satisfying, the world is amazing and threatening, the characters are high in colour and very likable in their own weird ways, and the social dimension is great fun. I loved seeing the story grow and grow and grow... just like a monstrous weed.
I am really looking forward to the next book in the series and getting to see more of that world, and solving other empire-spanning mysteries.

I very much liked this author's previous series, and this, although in a new setting, contains the same factors that I enjoyed in those books. Most obviously, a very high-concept setting that enables a plot to work that wouldn't work anywhere else, but also somewhat morally compromised characters who are doing their best to do the right thing in a corrupt and even dystopian world. (Dystopian would normally be an automatic "no" from me, but when it's done this well - and is in the background rather than the foreground - it works.)

Enormous kaiju, who grow bigger each year, emerge from the ocean every wet season, and the might of the Empire is concentrated on keeping them from breaking through to the heartlands. And yet that's not what the book is about. Instead, it forms a suspenseful background to a murder mystery that could only happen in this world, where the bizarre mutagenic properties of the kaiju corpses are used to modify plants, animals, and humans in the cause of the anti-kaiju battle (and also for everyday purposes like building houses).

The protagonist is a young "engraver", whose alteration gives him an eidetic memory. He assists an eccentric, foul-mouthed but highly intelligent investigator who's in pursuit of a murderer with an unusual weapon: a modified plant that sprouts inside its victims and grows suddenly, killing them and destroying things in their vicinity. And soon enough, there are more victims, and this time they're engineers working on the walls that keep the kaiju out, and a wall is damaged, making it vulnerable, and now the stakes are even higher, and the pressing question is: will imperial power politics prevent the mystery from being solved and justice from being done?

I received a pre-publication copy via Netgalley for review, and apart from a few mostly minor errors and the usual overabundance of coordinate commas where they don't belong, it's cleanly edited (with a couple of months to go before publication still). While it has a dark and ugly side to the story that isn't to my personal taste, and which therefore kept it out of the Platinum tier of my Best of the Year list, it's thoroughly well constructed, compelling, and conveys a fascinating world and characters who have both internal and external struggles to cope with. Highly recommended.