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

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

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

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

Read 2.19 - 2.20.2024
DNF @30%

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

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

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

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

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

This one is worthy of your 2024 TBR!!

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

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

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

4 Stars!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.5 stars

This was a really great time. I wasn't sure what to expect when I was sent a link to this book and asked to read it. This was a great mystery and I had a great time with the world building and the characters. I definitely will be reading more of Bennett's works in the future.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so much fun! I loved the interesting world, the characters, everything. It did take me a long time to finish but it was definitely not because I was bad. It was entirely me just being lazy to read. I would highly suggest going into this blind like I did, I was asked to read this, and I’m so glad I did! If you do pick it up, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

9 / 10 ✪

https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2024/02/20/the-tainted-cup-by-robert-jackson-bennett-review/

—

<i>” Just wish to comment, ma’am, that, ah, I’ve no idea what’s going on anymore. “</i>

—

While it took me a bit to get into, the Tainted Cup delivers a thrilling plot, a mind-bending mystery, and fantastic world-building over the course of its 400-odd pages.

When a book is really good, the resulting reviews (rants) are either really long or really short. Yeah, I could probably rave about it as the next fantasy Holmes and Watson (as one is very much on narcotics, and the other only ever has a tenuous grasp of what’s really going on), I’ll keep it to a minimum, I promise. The pairing of Din and Ana make such a good team! Ana as a bit aloof, eccentric, and… borderline insane, and Din as quiet, observant, but harboring secrets of his own within.

No notes about the mystery—I thoroughly enjoyed it! No real notes regarding the plot—some hiccups here and there, but nothing to put you off it. The world… took me a bit to get into. It’s different—everything biologically based (such as the technology and infrastructure) that we don’t see too much outside of science fiction. There was a bit of a learning curve in the beginning, really the only thing that held this back from being the perfect new series to fall in love with. Don’t get me wrong, you can still fall in love, it might just take a little.

Thank you to the Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books/Del Rey for the opportunity to read an advanced reader’s digital copy (ARC) of “The Tainted Cup: A Novel” by Robert Jackson Bennett, with a publication date of February 6, 2024. First, I apologize for not posting my review before the publication date, but I want to make it clear that "The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett is absolutely worth reading. “The Tainted Cup” is the first sci-fi/fantasy novel I have read by this author, and it will not be the last. When I started reading the book, I did not realize this was the first book in a series. I loved the quirky characters in this novel, Ana Dolabra and Dinos Kol (Din), and I can’t wait to read Book 2. Anna and Din are reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Anna is a blindfolded, eccentric super private investigator with a superior mind, and Din, her trusty sidekick, who is magically altered, has engraving skills that exceed Dr. Watson’s deductive skills. Mr. Bennett did a great job utilizing Ana and Din's specialized cognitive challenges to solve the mystery of who killed an imperial officer & others and why that threatened the Empire. Mr. Bennett built a fantasy world where the lethal killers are humans as well as plants. The graphic and gory death scenes add to the tension and excitement of the novel. This well-plotted saga is full of twists and turns that will keep you engaged and intrigued until the very end. Everyone has secrets and is not who they appear to be.

Is “The Tainted Cup” worth reading? Yes! Are there lots of twists and turns in the novel? Many in this well-plotted saga! "The Tainted Cup" takes a while to get into, but once the story grabs hold, it will not let go. Why is the novel titled "The Tainted Cup? Mr. Bennett does a fantastic job connecting the dots in the mystery to the title, making it clear why "The Tainted Cup" is the perfect name for this book.

If you're looking for a gripping and thrilling read, then "The Tainted Cup" is definitely a book you don't want to miss!

The Tainted Cup offers a refreshing twist on the classic Holmes and Watson dynamic, skillfully blending murder mystery with a fantasy world threatened by Kaiju-level dangers.

The first chapter grabbed me right away by masterfully setting up the initial murder investigation while establishing the intricate world. Dinios Kol's unique investigative skills as an engraver add such an intriguing layer to the story, while Ana Dolabra brings humor, sarcasm, and wit.

I was reminded of The Justice of Kings, by Richard Swan, as both narratives focus on solving a mystery alongside unfolding overarching plots and are narrated from the apprentice's perspective.

In conclusion, "The Tainted Cup" stands out as an enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for the next installment in the series.

<b>4.5 / 5 stars</b>

<i>My sincerest gratitude to Netgalley, Robert Jackson Bennett, and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC received in exchange for an honest review.</i>

RBJ knows how to create a story with great world-building with elements of fantasy. The mystery was written well and I found myself being surprised several times along with the fast pace once the story gets started I couldn't put it down. Although the amount of cursing was a bit much I still enjoyed reading The Tainted Cup.

Picture a narrative that marries the epic scale and existential peril of "Attack on Titan" with the cunning detective work reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. That's the kind of unique blend Bennett offers, creating a world that's both innovative and full of intrigue, centered around the concept of augments—enhancements that allow its characters to adapt in a dangerous world.

The story kicks off with Din, who's on the trail of what seems to be a straightforward murder but soon discovers a complex tangle of mysteries. The plot focuses on Ana and Din as they investigate the unusual death of an engineer, found with a tree growing from his body. While the murder mystery itself is engaging, it's the characters and the world-building that really make the book shine.

Din is particularly memorable. He has the ability to remember everything, which is both a blessing and a curse. Working alongside Din is Ana, an investigator for the empire with a personality that's as unpredictable as it is brilliant. Described as chaotic and wild, Ana is always several steps ahead—impulsive, ingenious, and always ahead of the curve.

What truly sets "The Tainted Cup" apart is its ability to weave a complex narrative with a backdrop that feels both expansive and intimately detailed. The characters are not just moving within the story; they're living, breathing entities, each with their distinct quirks and complexities.

"The Tainted Cup" excels in creating a believable, detailed world with characters who have depth and complexity. For readers looking for a fantasy book that offers both a compelling mystery and a deep dive into a well-crafted world, "The Tainted Cup" is definitely worth picking up. It's a solid, enjoyable read that combines mystery, character development, and creative world-building in a way that's accessible and captivating.

Thank you to Random House for the eARC! My review will be posted on 2/20/2024.

dnf @50%

objectively well done, I can see why this is an awarded author but for some reason i just wasn’t interested in the story. I can’t even pinpoint what it was about it (i’m not a fantasy person usually but the fantastical elements here are light and easy to follow), it just wasn’t holding my interest. maybe i’ll try this again at some point when i’m more in the mood

<strong>Early Access/NewThrilling Mystery Series </strong>
What an exciting read! This is the first novel of Bennett’s of which I’ve read. Not so sure I’ll read his other series, but I absolutely will pick up any future installments in this one.

I absolutely loved Din, and Anna. Their personalities are so well fleshed out, that by the end of the book, I had the impression as if I had intimately known them for some time now. Yet, I’m left with the sensation that the surface has barely been scratched. Same with The Empire, and the entire world it’s built around.

Although it’s my understanding, this is a new series, it could easily be a standalone by itself. I imagine simply because of the genre, that of "Traditional Detective Mystery", this in itself leads a sense of credibility to this. A murder mystery tends to be solved by the end of the book. There are obvious hints, and situations at the end, that there will be more to follow, as this duo moves forward as Investigator and Investigator Assistant.

In every respect, I vigorously anticipate progressing with this eclectic, and unconventional team! Can’t wait for the next installment and just hope Bennett is a fast writer! 😉

Note: I received early access from NetGalley, for this manuscript, and have at my own discretion and opinion, chosen to post a review.