Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the eARC. Wow, so much to unpack about reading this novel which I've learned is soon to be a duology. Cantons, leviathans, cracklers, bombards, and on and on, I need a syllabus! It was a joy to witness the world building and the creative mind of an author I've enjoyed reading. On to part two soon. Highly recommended.

I've heard this book is a wild one, which honestly only makes me want to read it more, I love originality - which is likely why I requested it in the first place (also the UK cover is one of the most wild beautiful things I've ever seen)

So i'm torn on this one. I enjoyed the concept and the characters, but it seemed to drag on at times. I had a hard time getting into it until about half way through, then I loved it. Despite that, I would still recommend this book.

I have enjoyed Bennett's writing style previously so I went into this with high expectations. My delight in this novel is the blending of genres. I am a fantasy reader if in the right mood for it but I am always a mystery/thriller reader. The blending of these two genres along with fantastic characters made this a terrific reading experience. Highly recommend!
#TheTaintedCup #NetGalley #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #DelRey

Officially need to read everything RJB has written...
Murder, conspiracy, body mods, and Leviathans, what more could a girl want?
The characters were interesting and likeable, making this a breeze to read and enjoy. The story itself was a semi familiar and fun whodunit.
I LOVED this unique setting. A big win for me was that the world building wasn't thrown at me in huge, overly complicated chunks. Instead RJB gives you enough information about this world and its workings in small bursts that are easy to digest AND thoroughly hold your attention.

Ive already got my preorders in and am looking forward to the audiobook as well!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House P.G.- Ballantine, DelRey for the eARC

Murder mystery in a fantasy setting? Sign me right up! This was my first Robert Jackson Bennett book and now I feel like I need more in my life. I completely devoured this book in no time. The world was amazing and I just needed to see Ana Dolabra and her ways. She was an eccentric genius and just made me remember my times reading Sherlock Holmes. Then adding in Dinios Kol *chefs kiss*. If you love mystery books and you are very unsure about fantasy, read this book! It is a great doorway into the genre. Read this book.

Murder-mystery in a fantasy world....love it! I liked this overlap of genres. Characters & world were well developed. I look forward to more books in the series.

Thank you Publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy

The best book in 2024, The dynamic relationship is perfect, especially the banter between the student and his master. The mystery itself is a top notch!

I found the world building to be strained and the story moved very slowly. The magic system was obscure and I found the characters not at all engaging.

Robert Jackson Bennett is one of our most creative writers of fantasy and science fiction. His worlds are well thought out and unique. The Tainted Cup is such a novel. With it's nod to everything from Sherlock Holmes to Kaiju, it is an interesting and well thought out ride.

The Tainted Cup is a delightful murder-mystery set in a captivating fantasy world. Bennett expertly blends the elements of mystery and fantasy, creating an intriguing realm complete with a fascinating magical system. The characters are well-developed and engaging, while the murder plot unfolds like something straight out of a crime documentary. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and found myself completely immersed in its thrilling narrative. A must-read for fans of both genres!

The intial first few chapters were captivating but then by 20% it had comepltely lost me! Could not finish it

This was my first book by this author and after I first finished reading it I wasn't exaclty smitten with it, but a few days after finishing I just couldn't get it out of my head. The action and storyline were calling to me. If you enjoy fanatasy and a bit of mystery you will find this very entertaining. It kept me on my toes. I loved the professional relationship between Din and Anna and can't wait to see what the future has in store for both of them!

This one was a tough one for me I have read this authors past series and really enjoyed it so was really excited to read this. However what I didn’t realize (and this is my fault) was how much of a police procedural this was. Police procedurals do not have the greatest track record with me and again this is personal opinion so this book already started off at a disadvantage. I will say this is a unique story with a mix of sci-fi, fantasy,and murder mystery but definitely a slow slow burn. I did listen to the audiobook and must say that Ana got on my nerves so bad in this book and I think the audiobook had a little to do with that. The characters were not my favorite though Ana was aggravating and Dinios was a bit forgettable for me. My main issue with this book was I felt like I was thrown into an existing world and I was still trying to figure out how the world worked and I just never got into the mystery because I was trying to keep the world and the characters straight. I just want to say again though that this was really personal reasons I didn’t care for this book, I don’t think I will continue with this series but would read more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Quite a captivating dark mystery. The world building is amazing and intricate.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is perfect for fans of intricate mysteries and dark fantasy. You'll be hooked by the clever detective work of Ana Dolabra and her loyal assistant, Dinios Kol, as they navigate a world filled with deceit and magic. With gripping adventures and a richly imagined setting, this story is sure to captivate!

The Tainted Cup is a compelling mystery set in a well-developed fantasy world with its complexities and quirks. In a world where people can be enhanced with certain skills - mastery of complex mathematics, perfect recall, etc. - and the looming threat of Leviathans, at its center is a fantastic Holmes/Watson type dynamic in Ana and Kol - the former as a highly intuitive investigator seemingly lacking in social skills, and the latter a engraver, enhanced with perfect recall of memories; they are tasked with investigating the death of a high ranking official, killed in an unusual way. Their investigation unravels a web of conspiracies and personal grudges, revealing underlying suspicions of corruption and greed. The worldbuilding is spectacular, and the overall pacing and exposition of the its quirks is organic. I look forward to the next installment in this series, and learning more about this world and its people.

Robert Jackson Bennett's The Tainted Cup is a riveting addition to the fantasy genre, offering a compelling blend of intricate world-building, sharp character development, and an engaging plot. Set in a richly imagined world where magic and politics intersect, the novel takes readers on a thrilling journey through a land where ancient forces and modern ambitions collide.

The story centers around a mysterious and powerful artifact—the titular tainted cup—that holds secrets capable of altering the fate of nations. Bennett’s skillful storytelling weaves together multiple perspectives, each adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The protagonist, a seasoned adventurer with a morally ambiguous past, is both flawed and captivating, making for a protagonist who is as intriguing as he is relatable.

One of Bennett’s strengths is his ability to create a vivid and immersive setting. The world of The Tainted Cup is both familiar and foreign, with intricate details that bring the environment to life. The political intrigue and magical elements are deftly handled, creating a story that feels both expansive and intimate.

The pacing of the novel is well-executed, with a balance of action, dialogue, and introspection that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The plot twists are unexpected and well-crafted, providing a satisfying narrative arc while leaving room for future exploration.

Overall, The Tainted Cup is a testament to Robert Jackson Bennett’s talent for storytelling. It’s a must-read for fans of fantasy who appreciate a well-constructed world and morally complex characters. With its blend of adventure, magic, and intrigue, this book is sure to captivate readers and leave them eagerly anticipating Bennett’s next work.

This was such an interesting and unique book.
I loved the world and how in depth Bennett went with the world building. It did get confusing at times with all the different types of people and places but I absolutely loved the idea of how in this world they can modify people to have different abilities.
I’ve never read something quite like this and it was such a fun ride.
I LOVED Ana’s character. She was so eclectic. Her character was my favorite by far. And the juxtaposition between Din and Ana was excellent. Their partnership really made this book.
The world building was extremely complex and although it was executed so well it was still overwhelming at times.
It’s truly incredible the depths that Bennett went to create such a wild and fully fleshed out world. It sucks you in right away and takes you on an adventure you won’t forget.
Overall this was a great book with a unique concept.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of my only 5 star reads so far this year (not including rereads). I loved the world building and the combination of fantasy and mystery. Din and Ana are a great pair, and I love how they balance out each other’s character and weaknesses. The supporting cast is interesting and well developed as well and I am interested in the sequel. It appears to be in a new location, but I hope some familiar faces meet our two MCs there. There is a lot of world building, and it takes a little bit for everything to be clear but I liked how it did not just start with a huge information dump and we were slowly introduced to the world. All in all, I highly recommend this book and as it is unrelated to the author’s other works, it is a great starting point. I cannot wait for the sequel.