I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy crime novel mash-up. The author is one of the best, most imaginative world builders in fantasy today. Combine that with the quirky, funny, interesting and complex characters he created to put in The Empire, along with the "whodunit" story and you have The Tainted Cup. An excellent, fast and fun read. Definitely will read other stories set in this world.

This was a very unique book for me. I haven't read the Sherlock Holmes series of books (but have watched shows and movies), so was intrigued by the description. I can definitely see similarities in this from what I know of the detective. I loved the combination of Ana and Din in this story and would love to read more about their further cases and adventures.

The world in this was very unique and unfamiliar. It took me quite a while to feel like I was understanding it and what was going on in it. Even after reading the whole book, I'm not sure I fully understand the classifications and rankings - I was happy there was a reference at the beginning of the book to help with this. This is a minor argument though - it really only mattered when I was trying to figure out who was whose boss; and again, I'd be very interested to read and learn more about what is going on in this kingdom.

Overall, an enjoyable read that was somewhat out of my comfort zone - which I definitely appreciated. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this.

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, and Del Rey for this advanced copy! You can pick up The Tainted Cup on February 6, 2024.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The blend of fantasy and murder mystery really captured me, though. And, of course, the characters really popped off the page.

Din was a fascinating narrator, and his mentor/mentee relationship with Ana was brilliant. Plus, we love seeing queer rep in adult fantasy! I really enjoyed how we saw this world through his eyes, and how Robert Jackson Bennett used Din's Watson-esque persona to relate the mystery to the reader (keeping up with Ana/Sherlock would've been impossible otherwise).

And the mystery was super satisfying! Nothing felt out of left field, and while I predicted some twists, I was pleasantly wrong about others. The fantasy aspect only enhanced the story, from Din's engraving skills to the Apoths' plant manipulations to the presence of the leviathans.

While I wouldn't call this a cozy fantasy, it had an element of patience while we unraveled the mystery that felt cozy. The story was interspersed with some action, but the rest was mostly character interactions as they tried to find the murderer!

I'd recommend you pick this up when you're in the mood for something less quest-driven but still fantastical, with a plant-driven world and magically altered humans.

Actual rating: 3.25/5

I was initially drawn in by the synopsis, as I love both Sherlockian type mysteries and the epic fantasy genre. However, I think I was disappointed perhaps less by the synopsis and more by my own expectations.

But first I will address the positives:

The two main characters, Ana and Din were fun to follow, and I loved their dynamic whenever they were "on screen" together. As the synopsis indicates, they are very reflective of Holmes and Watson and emulate their relationship closely with Ana being secretive regarding her background and the nature of the mystery while Din attempts to gather data with his more relatable perspective.

The fantasy elements are actually very unusual, and this was one of the most surprising things going into the book. There are two major elements to this setting: first, that there are titans or leviathans that periodically attack the Empire, so the inhabitants created rings to secure themselves. It put me very much in the mind of Attack on Titan, but unlike Attack on Titan, things appear to be less dire. Secondly, there are augmentations that people can apply to themselves that allow for magically enhanced abilities (i.e. heightened memory, reflexes, etc).

However, as I'd mentioned previously, I was somewhat let down by the story. I think this is partially my own fault as I'd expected the story to segue into a more epic story and was a little frustrated to see that it firmly remained a murder mystery from beginning to end more or less.

More specific things that I didn't altogether care much for is:

The murder mystery and fantasy combination. I was enticed initially by the concept but I later on realized this made following the mystery less fun than I'd expected. Murder mysteries are enjoyable because not only are you finding out about interesting, sinister plots, but also because you can try to solve it yourself. Unfortunately, I found this more complicated when I wasn't sure what the limitations were, given the fantastical setting we're in. And when things were revealed, I was more or less indifferent to them.

The culprits are somewhat easy to identify. I could not necessarily hope to understand the intricacies of the plot by myself, but the villains seemed obvious.

This altogether made the book a little more on the dry side of things, but I think if you do not extend your expectations beyond what the synopsis indicates, you will probably enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book!

Coming in as a huge Founders trilogy fan, this was extremely different, but has me excited to see what comes next. My favorite parts were absolutely the worldbuilding, how the world came to life through specifics of the murders - I adore RJB's worldbuilding in general, but here it felt so comfortable and matter-of-fact that this was how the world worked. My main issues were just that I personally am not one for mysteries, but the interpersonal relationships brought me in anyway - one particular conversation between Din and Ana towards the end, during the falling action, cemented the heart of this book, making it less about the crime and more about how they as people interact with the world around them. Will love to see how this world develops in the future!

It's been a long time since I've honestly not been able to put down a book. This one was so fascinating, I stayed completely enthralled through every page. In a land where the blood of leviathans can cause changes at a molecular level causing contagion as well as new possible attributes, a man is killed by a tree sprouting full size out of him, and it takes a while just to determine it is murder and not contagion. Anna Dolabra is a justice investigator so receptive to detail that she wears a blindfold to stop sensory overload, so she can THINK. And it is Dinios Kol, her Sublime assistant who has had augmentation to his brain making him an Etcher, one with photographic memory, that brings the pertinent details to her, as much as she wants and always available. It is Din who goes to the death scene to etch it, and interviews witnesses and relevant people, their every twitch burned into his brain.
The characters of Anna and Din are extraordinary and fascinating. Anna is likened to Sherlock Holmes, and there are parallels, but Anna seems far more dynamic, and really ENJOYS her work. Like Holmes, she is way ahead of everyone else, but the clues are all there. Din is no Dr. Watson; he is far more intelligent, and there is no bumbling in his character. The way he handles some of his interviews is masterful, and Anna appreciates him and his skills. The world building is also original and well-drawn. And the Leviathan as the instigators of both horrendous destruction and at the same time, seemingly unlimited creation, is an intriguing element. So much and all good. Highly highly recommended.

Sherlock Holmes, meets Knives out, meets...Attack on Titan?

A young man with the sniff of a vial can engrave whatever he sees and hears into his memory, but he has a secret that he fears will be exposed and cost him everything. He works for an eccentric detective who is easily overstimulated and wears a blindfold...which leads to some hilarious moments. Meanwhile, they have entered the wet season and the Leviathans (huge creatures that come ashore and are harvested for magical materials) are attacking the wall. Now a murder has occured but not just any murder, a tree that has sprouted from inside a man.... This sets the stage for a tale of murder, mystery, corruption, and the never ending fight for power.

The only flaw I saw in the book was that I wish we would have learned more about the characters. Though, though this may have been a plot choice, to keep the element of mystique around them. The world that RJB created was fascinating and I hope that this is just the first in a series of adventures.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Del Ray for the ARC

It’s a fantasy detective novel! A Holmes and Watson-type duo are charged with solving a murder, but it quickly grows into much more than that- and not just because the victim had a tree growing out of him. (I did say it was a fantasy detective novel.) The most powerful family in the empire may be involved, and the sea walls that hold back ocean leviathans could be in danger, risking the lives of thousands.

Some people in this empire are altered for enhanced abilities, and the straight-laced assistant has the ability to remember everything. The detective is eccentric and wears a blindfold most of the time. It’s an interesting story, full of intrigue and secrets, that kept me reading and entertained. I really enjoyed this fun read. I liked the author’s other books that I’ve read, so this continues the trend. It comes to a satisfactory conclusion with no cliffhanger, but since it’s book one, I’m looking forward to more adventures with this duo! It comes out February 6. Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC.

I read the Foundryside series and really enjoyed it, so this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2024. Sadly, it didn’t work for me. I couldn’t get into the pacing and found the first half of this rather dull. Which is saying something since this is supposed to be a gripping murder mystery. I almost DNF’ed it a few times, but kept pushing through, hoping it would get better. While I did eventually get hooked into the mystery and I thought the world Bennett created was cool, I never felt connected to any of the characters. I’m definitely in the minority of reviewers for this one, and I do still think fans of Bennett’s will eat it up, it just didn’t fully work for me.

What a fantastic book this was. I don’t even want to divulge any details and allow readers to simply immerse themselves in this fantastical world that is equal parts Sherlock Holmes and Knives Out mixed with the perfect amount of fantasy elements. A perfect read for those wanting to slowly get into the fantasy genre. I couldn’t put this one down.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I don’t really read much fantasy anymore, I find it takes me a while to get into bc of the world building and whatnot. When I first started this, I had regrets about requesting it bc I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get into it. It did take me a little while, and it kind of slowed me down, but once I got further along, I found myself looking forward to picking it back up again. I can’t even say why. Most of it seemed like the set up to a bigger story but a lot of the main plot seemed to be resolved. Though I do have some thoughts about where it’s going to go.

Admittedly, the narrator is a bit.. I don’t want to say dull.. but he doesn’t have a lot of obvious personality. But that seems to be intentional and for some reason I liked him for it. For Ana, I felt picturing Sisu in human form from Raya and the Last Dragon. Am I alone in that?

As a mystery person, I enjoyed that aspect of the story and that’s what made me request it in the first place.

Considering I don’t read much fantasy and usually get remorseful when I decide to tackle one, I’m glad I picked this up and I’ll probably request the next one.

Gorgeously unique fantasy mystery with the most amazingly disaster bi of a protag and a wise detective figure. Thanks for the arc!

When an imperial officer spontaneously sprouts a tree from his body, assistant investigator Dinios Kol is called upon the strange scene. However, as similar deaths start cropping up and engineers begin dying, Dinios fears a larger conspiracy may be afoot.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett weaves an intriguing Sherlockian fantasy murder mystery with a fascinating world for readers to sink into.

In the Empire of Khanum, plants are engineered into light sources and people magically alter themselves with grafts or infusions. For instance, our MC is an “engraver” who can store his memories in vials so he can perfectly recall them later.

I may be biased, but I really loved the cosmic horror undercurrent playing out in the background as well. Every wet season, tides rise and colossal leviathans (sometimes referred to as titans) emerge from the sea and it takes three layers of fortified walls to hold them back. I couldn’t help but think of Attack on Titan here and I’m curious to see how this subplot develops as the series progresses.

Unfortunately, I think the weakest part of the book for me had to be investigator Ana Dolabra. She felt more like a caricature of Steven Moffat’s Sherlock and her anachronistic dialogue sticks out like a sore thumb compared to other characters' antiquated manner of speaking. For instance, she uses profanity like "goddamn" in a world with multiple gods instead of something like "godsforsaken.”

The saving grace here though is that we spend more time with her assistant, Dinios, who I find the more fleshed out of the two. I’m hoping that Ana will get more nuance and backstory in the upcoming books.

Overall, The Tainted Cup delivers a fun and unique genre-bending murder mystery that’s filled with twists and political intrigue.

Thank you, Netgalley and Del Ray, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got a review copy of The Tainted Cup in exchange for an honest review. A fantasy murder mystery was all I needed to read to get me excited about this book. Din is an augmented apprentice, who is designed to remember everything, and an investigator, Ana, in the Empire get roped into a string of murders and are in a race to solve them before a leviathan breaches the sea walls.

I really, really enjoyed this book and will be reading the rest of the series when they come out. I was nervous at the beginning as it felt a little slow and I was not connecting with the characters immediately, but it all connected a few chapters in once I met Ana and their investigation really got underway. I am obsessed with Ana and could not get enough of her character. Din is very likeable and I loved trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together. I have no idea how RJB kept all the facts straight; it was so impressive. I highly recommend this book.

Author Robert Jackson Bennett has proven many times before that he is exquisite at building fantasy worlds. The Tainted Cup proves no different. Set in a society that designs plants for protection and civil duties, the Tainted Cup quickly grasps the reader's attention in a fantastical murder mystery.

Like his other works RJB, proudly displays representation of neurodivergence and disabilities. Din, the main character, has a form of dyslexia, he can read words but it’s very difficult for him and he can’t use his ability unless he modifies how he reads.

I'm looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to Random House - Ballantine and NetGalley for this eARC!

I readily admit that I had never heard of Robert Jackson Bennet and began reading with no expectations. I was offered an ARC of the book and somehow thought it might be about Ancient Rome. Well, I was in for quite the surprise to find this is a fantasy murder mystery, and the first in a series.
In a world where plants are the basis for everything, and Leviathans are the monsters who attack, the people of the world live in a kingdom ruled by an Emperor and "the Gentry"
The world is corrupt, and people live with enhancements that come from graphs that are made with Leviathan blood and flesh.
There is a murder of a highly ranked officer. He has been murdered in the house of a very important Gentry family. He has been murdered by a poisonous plant.
There is a huge cast of characters ,but our main characters and the 2, who I believe we will follow through the series are an investigator, a woman who rarely leaves her room and stays blindfolded so she can think without being stimulated by sights, and her apprentice. He has been enhanced to remember everything he sees and hears, and can repeat it all back to her. They are both fabulous characters who bring intelligence and humor to all that happens.
We slowly learn about the world, the government, and all that happens as more murders occur, and we watch our characters solve them.
There are many twists and turns, and many surprises. I will be watching for the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is truly a book I would have never found on my own and I enjoyed it so much.
But don't just take my opinion, read this book!!

With a unique world and engaging characters, this was a hit for me! This is my introduction to the author, and I’m hooked. The world is fascinating, with an empire in constant peril from nebulous Leviathans and a civilization built on bio-engineering the bacteria (?) harvested from their corpses. Bennett doesn’t do the info-dump, which means your understanding grows organically but also sometimes leaves you with only a vague idea of what’s going on. I loved that, and I felt it fit the overall vibe. Because this is a fantasy, but above all, it’s a murder mystery. A series of grisly killings linked to a high-powered family causes massive difficulties as the city prepares for a titan attack, and the eccentric Immunis Ana Dolabra is called in to investigate. The plot is clever - some of the twists I guessed, some I didn’t, and the fact there were any surprises was a nice change for me. Plus, I’m always a sucker for a Holmesian character, and Ana was a delight!

Caustic, isolated, brilliant, heedless of station, and single-minded in focus, Ana has all the necessary traits of a Holmes descendant, though the author says she’s really a Hannibal Lector. Din is a perfect foil for her. He’s young, reserved, and scared shitless someone is going to notice he doesn’t belong here. In a society of people genetically enhanced to perform various tasks in service to the empire, Din is an engraver, modified for perfect memory recall, but he nearly flunked out of training. Confused by being selected for his position as Ana’s Assistant Investigator and hiding a secret or two, he nevertheless carries out his duties with unflagging determination. Add in a hint of a potential queer romance, and you have one of my favorite fantasy reads of the year. If you’re into murder mysteries, Holmes-inspired characters, or unique epic fantasy, this is a must-read!

Fantasy isn’t my go-to genre but I was intrigued by the summary of this book and checked it out. I’m glad I did, it was excellent! While it is a fantasy book, it’s essentially about an investigation which is right up my alley since I love mysteries.

It can take some time to get your footing as you understand the world building in a book like this, but you get thrown right into the story so there isn’t a huge burden from the outset to understand the book’s internal logic.

I really liked the two main characters and the investigation and storytelling was clever. I’ll definitely want to read more from this series.

Two outcasts are paired together in the roles of investigator and apprentice to solve a rather curious string of murders. Hilarity and a bit of grotesqueness ensue.

It took me a few tries to start this story, but once I committed to reading, I flew through the pages. The subtle but immersive world building, the banter (so much banter!), the Sherlock Holmes/Watson-esque partnership, I was hooked! I loved the neurodiverse representation of the two main characters and the overall perspective through Din’s eyes. I would easily read more books featuring this duo!

Highly recommend to anyone looking for a new fantasy series that can be enjoyed for both its standalone quality and potential for expansion.

Thank you to Netgalley, Delrey Books, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me thinking about it nonstop. I loved how the author pulled together all of the world building as Din and Ana continued to solve the murder mystery. Each revelation had me scrambling to read it faster so I could know the answers to the mystery. I believe this book had a romance tag on it, and I would not deem it a romance at all. Loved the book and can't wait to see where the next book leads.