An engaging start to a new trilogy. A woman who blindfolds herself but can figure out perplexing mysteries. Her new assistant with strange skills and a good heart. This detective team tackles and solves their first case and here's hoping there will be many more. Fun read in a fantasy setting.

The Tainted Cup is a wonderfully written fantasy book with a whodunit murder mystery as the plot. Din, an engraver who can memorize every facial expression, tone of voice and any piece of verbal information is an assistant to Ana, one of the quirkiest detectives in all of the Empire. Together they set off interviewing as many people as possible to solve the murders of ten engineers plus Blas.

As someone who does not read a lot of fantasy, this book was beyond my wildest imagination. An entire world created with complex characters and job titles.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Robert Jackson Bennett’s acclaimed Divine Cities trilogy came out shortly before I returned from a school-induced genre hiatus, and ever since, he’s been one of the authors I’ve been wanting to circle back to. I’ve heard nothing but good things, just hadn’t had the right push to the top of the TBR. The release of a new fantasy mystery novel The Tainted Cup provided just the push, and now I can see what the hype is about.

The Tainted Cup takes place in a secondary world with a deeply weird ecology. Worms are cultivated for their light, locked doors are guarded with flesh-eating vines only kept at bay by the right key, people receive implants to give anything from perfect memory to super strength, and all of society is organized around keeping back the leviathans that rise out of the sea during the annual wet season. And in this world, a man is found brutally poisoned in the house of one of its richest families. And unraveling the mystery of that murder may shake the land to its core.

The Tainted Cup is told from the perspective of an investigative assistant whose brain has been modified to yield perfect recall. He observes a scene and takes his observations back to the eccentric genius with the mind to put things together. As such, the telling is very much in the spirit of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson, only with a fantasy setting, a more observant Watson, and a lady Holmes. And The Tainted Cup is the rare fantasy mystery that truly lives up to both genres. So often, a fantasy mystery is just a fantasy novel with a body at the beginning—mystery conventions regarding clues and suspects are followed irregularly, if at all. But here, every piece of evidence is delivered through the observations of the lead, and the suspects are all perfectly available for the reader to evaluate, even if the hopes of matching the in-universe savant are slim.

And it doesn’t just live up to the billing as a proper mystery, it’s a really gripping one. The initial crime scene opens up a host of possibilities and gives the reader a natural on-ramp into a strange and fascinating world. And it just keeps going from there. The investigator may solve little pieces of the mystery—she is a genius, after all—but there are always questions about the bigger picture that drive the plot forward, especially as the world enters the wet season and the external dangers get more and more severe.

As more and more pieces of the web are revealed, the excellent scenes with a detective showing off her skills are supplemented with some clandestine investigation and a handful of action sequences that keep the tension ratcheted up. All the while, the inexperienced main character learns more and more about himself and grows more confident in his role. It’s not necessarily a mind-blowing character arc, but it serves to buttress the action and mystery to keep the story engaging from start to finish.

Ultimately, The Tainted Cup was pretty much just what I wanted from a fantasy murder mystery. The mystery itself is intriguing, it’s well-paced with tension that ratchets up as the novel goes on, there’s a fun character dynamic, and there’s a satisfying ending that leaves room for more stories taking place in the same universe. “Drop everything and read it now”? Perhaps not. But an excellent example of a subgenre that’s rarely executed half so well? Absolutely.

Recommended if you like: fantasy mysteries, the Holmes and Watson archetypes, weird ecology.

Overall rating: 17 of Tar Vol’s 20. Five stars on Goodreads.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

The Tainted Cup is the first mysterious installment in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, which follows Ana and her assistant Din as they investigate a mysterious death.

I think this is the first time I've ever read a fantasy mystery that's been the absolute perfect balance of both, and then some. I was genuinely enthralled the entire time I was reading this book. The plot was a fascinating puzzle and I found my expectations subverted at nearly every turn. It was fantastic. And more than the plot, I loved our main characters, Din arguably moreso, as well as their fantastic dynamic. I'm always going to be a sucker for anything that feels even remotely Sherlockian, and this book met and exceeded my expectations beautifully. I can't wait to read more!

The Tainted Cup blends the quirky and chaotic investigations of Sherlock with the towering coastal threats of Pacific Rim to create a fast-paced, entertaining fantasy story. Though I really enjoyed the story and am excited to see where Robert Jackson Bennett goes from here, I felt disconnected from the main characters and was underwhelmed by the predictability of the mystery.

This first installment introduces a fascinating world under the constant threat of titans attacking from the sea. A bizarre murder in the outermost ring of the empire uncovers a complicated web of politics and corruption among the empire’s elite. I was really intrigued by the intricate system of modifications introduced in this book. I thought the story did a good job of exploring the limitations and consequences of different modifications. The titans are a constant threat lurking in the background, adding tension and impending danger to the investigation. This sense of a countdown really helps keep the pacing fast and engaging. I love how the murder mystery slowly turns into a fight against corruption within the Iudex and the gentry. I am really excited to see Din and Ana’s investigations take on an empire-wide scope.

The mystery plot in The Tainted Cup is enough to keep you interested in the story. The reveals are well-paced, there is constant progress, and the clues are nicely woven throughout the story. However, I was a bit disappointed with how straightforward and predictable the mystery could be. The clues are hidden throughout the story but they aren't hidden particularly well. There are very few red herrings and, therefore, I found myself predicting most of the reveals and connections. This made Ana’s Sherlock-esque speeches with all the connections fall a bit flat. In general, I find these speeches to be a clunky way to advance the plot. The predictability of the reveals coupled with rather simple character motivations leaves the plot feeling a bit underwhelming.

I love the idea of Ana and Din but I felt so disconnected from them as characters. The lack of time spent with them as people, rather than just investigators, kept me from feeling a strong emotional connection. Ana works well as the quirky detective and mentor and I am intrigued by her character. However, we get shockingly little character development from her until the very, very end of the book. I realize that there are many secrets to come but she felt underutilized in this book.

Din had a personality when it was plot-relevant and then the rest of the time he listened and was confused. I want to like him as a character more. There are moments where he is snarky, sneaky, clever, and maybe a little bit unhinged. But for the majority of the book he comes across as flat and distant. Once again I get the sense that there will be a lot to discover about his character and that he will grow over the next books, but this restrained approach does not work when Din is the only POV character. That being said I LOVED the moments where we get to see Din in action. I also love the dyslexia representation.

Though I have spent most of the review dissecting small critiques, I really enjoyed The Tainted Cup and I am excited to see how the story grows in the next books. If you are looking for the tension of a mystery/thriller with the uniqueness of a fantasy world I would highly recommend picking up The Tainted Cup.

The Tainted Cup
by Robert Jackson Bennett
Pub Date: 06 Feb 2024

The Tainted Cup was such an entertaining read! It's like reading an Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes murder mystery. The story blends fantasy with mystery, definitely a complex must read story,

Brief Synopsis:

In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.

Many thanks to #NetGalley and #RandomHouseBallantine for an E-ARC of this book.

First and foremost. the premise of this novel is enough to hook anyone! I really enjoyed the Sherlock/Watson type partnership and the mystery in this fantasy novel. With that being said, in comparison to other RJB novels, this one seemed difficult to get into. The writing was smooth, but something just felt different with this novel. Maybe I was not in the right mood for this book? I will be revisiting it in the future and providing a more in-depth review at that time.

I was so pleasantly suprised with how addictive and fun this book was! I wasn't sure what to expect going in but I feel that RJB has found a perfect niche in these types of fantasy murder mysteries. There were just enough unique world building elements reminiscent of The Founders Trilogy ...paired with intrigue that kept me flipping page after page. The characters were unique and well thought out....and the humor and wit were perfectly balanced to lighten the mood. I didn't predict the ending but it made sense and wasn't so far fetched that it came out of left field either, which is refreshing. Overall a splendid time! Highly recommend

Robert Jackson Bennett gives us a new idiosyncratic detective to add to the pantheon. Ana Dolabra is every bit as brilliant - and weird - as Holmes, Poirot, and Wolfe, and her assistant & chronicler Dinias Kol holds his own with Watson and Archie Goodwin. The mystery at the center of the book is complicated and far-reaching while serving as a vehicle to introduce one of the strangest fantasy worlds I've ever come across. The story gives us plenty of action, imperial intrigue, plots and counter-plots, an epic backdrop of world-threatening cataclysm, amoral billionaires, and even a touch of romance.

It's the best mystery and the best fantasy novel I've read in several years. I very much hope there is a sequel or six yet to come.

This story reminded me of part Star Trek, Alice in Wonderland and Columbo. I found that while I was reading the story, I would picture a world that was earth like but the land and oceans were different, and that the society were based on people who were chemically change in order to have specialist who can accomplishes extraordinary things, but sometimes the individual tenacity was more important than the conversion.
There are many layers to this story, the first layer starts out with an engineer, who had helped support the construction of the wall that keeps monsters out of the empire, but is killed in a horrible way and as investigators Ana and Dinios start looking into the death they find out there are many people involved in the death and more than one reason for the death. The second layer were the actual council people, who also ended up dead, but you don't know who the bad guys are until the end. And the final layer involves a powerful family member who is the only one left and also know something about the deaths, but doesn't want to tell. One last moment I found interesting were the creatures themselves and how Dinios connected with them. I enjoyed it as the two unraveled the mystery of the death and found the world fascinating and richly described, it increased the enjoyment of the chase.
I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey and NetGalley for the advance copy of this intriguing world.

From the initial description of The Tainted Cup, I understood that it was a mystery novel, the first in the new Shadow of Leviathan series. What I did not grasp until I read the book is that it is a blend of mystery and fantasy. In my opinion, it was more fantasy than I personally care to read. The reader is introduced to an eccentric detective, Ana Dolabra, and her assistant, Dinios Kol. There are several levels of mysteries involving a death investigation as well as Ana and Dinios.

Perhaps if you like fantasy, this is the book for you.

Murder mystery meets fantasy in this thrilling novel series, essentially merging two of my favorite genres into one book. Although, The Tainted Cup marks the beginning of Shadow of the Leviathan series, I assure you it does not end in a cliffhanger and the mystery is solved by the end.

The vivid portrayal of the Empire, encompassing its people, their culture and socioeconomic classes, and the utilization of plants as a unique magic system, was phenomenal. Within this fantastical realm, we encounter a Holmes-Watson-like duo, Din and Ana. Din works as Ana's assistant . He handles much of the legwork and Ana is more of the mystery solver. While Din and Ana may be opposites, their complementary dynamic enhances the story, making it even more engaging to read.

When delving into any murder-mystery material, avoiding predictability is crucial to preserving the thrill and excitement. Fortunately, The Tainted Cup does not disappoint in this regard. Most of my predictions were a little off because of the unexpected twists adding layers of intrigue.

While the main mystery is resolved, there were quite a few unanswered questions linger, making me anticipate for the next book. Overall, The Tainted Cup is a captivating read, I highly recommend it, especially mystery lovers looking to explore fantasy. It serves as a good gateway to the fantasy genre for every reader.

What a change from his normal works! This was an enthralling fantasy mystery novel that branched out from Robert Jackson Bennett's other works. A kooky and unique story.

While this book started off a little confusing, it quickly started to draw me in. It’s fantasy, but not really in the way you’d expect. There’s a sort of magic system, but not in the typical sense. It’s one that’s rather hard to explain, but which I enjoyed. It involves people who have been given grafts to augment certain abilities – strength, memory, looks. These people can hold certain jobs and perform certain tasks, and all of this is integrated into the story and world very well. It might take a minute to understand at the beginning, but once you do it is quite enjoyable. This book also gave me major Sherlock Holmes vibes regarding the two main characters and the mystery in the plot. It’s not a bad thing – I love Sherlock Holmes, and it almost felt like a new take on the character, while still being completely original. There were also faint hints of Attack on Titan, though it isn’t a huge resemblance, and not nearly as depressing and such.

The book starts off right at the beginning of a murder investigation and throws you into the world of augments and their abilities. However, instead of being a simple murder investigation, it quickly becomes a much larger plot with many supporting characters and lots of threads to follow. As you move along, the leviathans are introduced - huge creatures that the world is desperately trying to stave off. Not much information is given on them - we don't why they do what they do or why they have changed over the years, just that they have. I'm guessing this could possibly be revealed in future books, along with more information on the Empire itself, and on our main characters. While there is a lot of info given on Din, Ana remains mostly a mystery. I am quite interested to see how this series continues and am looking forward to the next book.

To say I was excited for Robert Jackson Bennett’s latest release, The Tainted Cup, would be an understatement. I’ve been a fan of his writing since I first read his novella Vigilance in early 2020. He could write an encyclopedia, and I’d probably still be there on Day 1 to read it. Even so, The Tainted Cup couldn’t be more perfect for me if it tried. It’s one tangled web of spies, warring houses, and mysterious deaths. Did I mention literal sea monsters are trying to destroy everything?

If someone pulled all my favorite tropes, threw in my ideal character archetypes, and combined them into one book, it would be The Tainted Cup. There’s intrigue, ecological disaster, spores of a deadly infectious contagion, and cyberpunk-like body enhancement – all in an epic fantasy setting. Subterfuge abounds, and things are never quite as they seem. After a mysterious death, where a tree-like growth sprouts from the chest of an Imperial officer, some begin to suspect a murderer may be on the loose. There’s a team on the case, though, even if the investigators don’t look all that impressive.

I adored Din and Ana, the two Imperial investigators tasked with solving the murders in The Tainted Cup. The publisher markets the book as a Holmes and Watson-like mystery. And, yes, it certainly is that. I would argue Ana and Din have bits and pieces of several different mystery detectives and sidekicks, though. Din seems to have more of Agatha Christie's Hastings than he has of Watson, and Ana has quite a bit of Poirot. At times, Ana even has hints of Columbo, asking questions when she obviously knows the answer. Ana and Din pair so well together, and their friendship makes this book really special.

Aside from Ana and Din, the secondary characters, even the suspicious ones, make this story sparkle. The stand-outs for me were Captain Miljin, a worn-down former military officer, Itonia Nusis, a super-smart medical scientist, and Kepheus Strovi, a gentry-born man turned military officer. By the end of the book, I didn't want to leave them, Ana, or Din behind.

Final Thoughts:

The Tainted Cup is for mystery lovers, fantasy lovers, and those who love a genre-bending read. While it's a great murder mystery, there's so much depth to the fantasy world outside of the main mystery. With two more books planned, according to Goodreads, I'm sure this series will be talked about for a long, long time.

Rating: 5+/5 stars. I expect this to be one of my favorite books of the month, if not the year.

Thanks to Del Rey for an advanced review copy! All thoughts are my own.

*** blog post on Back Shelf Books will go live on February 7, 2024, (the day after publication) as requested.

Happy pub day to The Tainted Cup!

This was such a unique book! It’s basically mystery meets fantasy, and it reminded me of a video game - you know, the ones where you have to question all the villagers to solve who murdered the king or what not. The world building was complex and thorough, and I really enjoyed the place the author created. I loved the characters, especially Ana who was kind of a mash up of Benoit Blanc and Professor X à la Logan. And I thought the mystery was intricately plotted and fun to follow.

My only (minor) complaint was that there was so much going on that it felt a bit dense, but overall it I enjoyed this one of a kind mystery! Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!

There seems to be so much promise with this series and I genuinely cannot wait to read more of it.I gave this a 4.5 star. It was super close to perfection, but there are a few moments around the middle that I didn't really find myself caring about much. Still, it was a ton of fun. The magic system is interest, but I also feel it kind of leans towards sci-fi. People and living things are being genetically altered to be able to do specific things that is needed. A ton of fun and intrigue.

The Tainted Cup is a Sherlock-and-Holmes-style murder mystery by fantasy author Robert Jackson Bennett, set in a dystopian fantasy world. In the Empire, all civilians live under the shadow of the Leviathans - great sea creatures that seasonally attack the walls and try to come ashore and wreak havoc. Rather than using electricity or metal, the majority of technological advances have been made with plants, whose growth and properties have been altered by the blood of the Leviathans.

The main character, Din, has been altered using grafts to become someone who remembers everything he sees and experiences, perfectly. As a result, he is the perfect addition to the Iudex - the portion of the Empire dedicated to solving crimes. When he is paired with Ana, an eccentric genius who spends most of her time blindfolded to avoid overstimulation, and sent to the very edges of the Empire as a trainee assistant, he is completely unprepared for the case that awaits him. A well-known, well-liked general has been found dead in a wealthy family's country home. The cause of death? A tree has sprouted from his chest and grown through his body. As Ana and Din work to solve the murder, they uncover more death and corruption. The only thing that seems to be missing is answers.

This was such a fun read! I loved the magic system in this book, it felt like plant steampunk, with superpowers. It was a really fun addition to the murder mystery - who could have seen in the dark? Who would be strong enough to do this? I enjoyed the twist on Sherlock and Holmes with Din having perfect memory and Ana being the one to make sense of all of his recollections. Highly recommended!

✅ Fantasy murder mystery
✅ Disability rep: dyslexia/neurodivergence
✅ Queer main character
✅ Sherlock and Holmes style investigative duo

Thank you so much to Robert Jackson Bennett and Del Rey for this ARC through NetGalley. The Tainted Cup is out today!

Intricate plotting and fun characters make this detective fantasy impossible to put down. A great start to the series. 5/5 stars!

Happy publication day to the Tainted Cup!

In this fantastical world, you follow Din, the assistant to Investigator Ana, as they unravel the mysteries of the Empire’s inner workings following a series of unusual murders. I never knew I needed a fantasy version of Sherlock Holmes, but I am so glad that it exists!

The world of the Tainted Cup feels like a mesh between Pacific Rim, Attack on Titan, and the Ghibli world of Nassicca. Bennett did a fantastic job creating a world that felt lived in and real while not making it overwhelming for the reader. There is not a single moment when I thought the world-building was getting in the way of the story, which can be hard to find in a lot of fantasy books.

I adored Din and Ana’s relationship throughout the story. The quirky investigator and her assistant have my whole heart and truly it’s their relationship and interactions that made this book fantastic! The mystery itself was captivating. Bennett writes in a way that allows the reader to fully participate in the investigation as well. Each revelation feels earned and makes the overall mystery so much more engaging than most. Get ready for a lot of twists and turns as friends become enemies and foes become friends.

I also love that this book is self-contained. There is no need to wait for the next book to finish the story and it was amazing to not feel trapped into reading a massive fantasy series. That being said I cannot wait to see more of Din and Ana's future adventures and more of this fantastical world.

This book is perfect for any fantasy lover and it lived up to the hype as my most anticipated read of the year!

Thank you so much to Robert Jackson Bennett and Netgalley for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.