Robert Jackson Bennett's "The Tainted Cup" isn't just a fantasy novel; it's an immersive experience. Bennett masterfully crafts a world that feels both alien and strangely familiar, steeped in rich history and brimming with fascinating details. From the towering, bioluminescent trees to the intricate political landscape, every element feels meticulously constructed and utterly believable.

The magic system, centered around a mysterious substance called arborium, is particularly captivating. The way arborium interacts with the environment and the characters' bodies is both imaginative and unsettling. Bennett doesn't shy away from exploring the darker aspects of this power source, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the world-building.

But "The Tainted Cup" is more than just a world; it's populated by characters you can truly root for. Din, the apprentice investigator, is endearingly awkward and relatable. His unwavering loyalty and sharp mind make him a fantastic protagonist. Ana Dolabra, his mentor, is a character unlike any other. Her gruff exterior hides a brilliant mind and a surprising amount of heart. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, each with their own motivations and quirks that contribute to the richness of the narrative.

The central mystery itself is a masterclass in suspense. Bennett lays out clues with a masterful hand, keeping you guessing until the very end. The investigation takes you on a thrilling journey through this fascinating world, unraveling secrets and confronting dangerous forces along the way.

"The Tainted Cup" is a must-read for any fan of fantasy fiction. Bennett's masterful world-building, unforgettable characters, and gripping mystery combine to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of his work or new to his writing, this book is guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for allowing me to read and review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book!
This was a fantasy type of book that I was less familiar with than the other fantasy type of books and/or other genre books. I have often read fantasy/romance type "romantasy" books, but this book was less romantic than simply fantasy with a world that was richly built and characters with lots of backstory and action and adventure across this story and narrative.

This was such a weird and fun book! The fantasy setting has so many strange elements to it, but the characters are fascinating and the plot is a fast-paced murder mystery. This book feels different from the Foundryside trilogy but some characteristics of the writing are the same (some humor, interesting character interactions, detailed world). I’ll definitely read the sequel! Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.

This isn't my first experience with Robert Jackson Bennett. I read one of his books several years ago, and it was nothing like this. Although, really, I don't know if there is anything like this. I savored this, and I finally ran out of pages, and I am craving a new book set in this world. Bennett knows how to write a mood, and this world is so dark and strange. Huge monsters are constantly threatening their lives, and the people still have time for all kinds of intrigue.
This is a murder mystery, and it follows all the rules of that genre while offering a world with completely different rules. Din is an engraver; he can memorize an insane amount of details. He is Ana's apprentice, and she is wild, brilliant, abrasive, and mysterious in her own way. They are perfect companions for solving this case, and I really hope this turns into a series.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

I finally dove into this Fantasy Mystery and was blown away. Robert Jackson Bennett has created a wonderfully original fantasy world. It has magical creatures and plants, altered humans, politics and dangerous threats from corrupt humans and the natural world. The creativity of this book is OFF THE CHARTS. I LOVED the main character's narrative voice. I LOVED the dynamic he had with his supervisor. RJB has crafted the perfect slow burn mystery. I was SO EAGER to solve the whodunit, but I appreciated that he methodically unraveled the details, lining everything up for the ultimate big reveal. As a reader who consumes 100+ books every year, this is a story that will stand out and that I will remember. I am so happy this is the first in a series, but man how can I wait for the story to continue?

I hate to say it but this one just didn’t work for me. I struggled through most of it and just never felt connected.

This is my first review after a long hiatus from writing them, but I knew that when I came back The Tainted Cup would be one of my first books to tackle. I loved this book so much. So much in fact, I read it as an ARC, and then turned around and purchased it when it came out so that I read it yet again. Our story opens on Dinios Kol arriving at a murder scene. Not your typical murder scene, mind you. Din is presented with a the scene of a man killed by a tree sprouting from his body. Yes, you read that right. Intrigued? What follows is a sweeping story full of magic, intrigue and plenty of danger as well.

I really loved how Robert Jackson Bennett laid out this entire plot. I've already mentioned how quickly it moves, but it doesn't do it at the expense of the reader. We meet Ana Dolabra, Din's boss, and discover that she is an eccentric but utterly brilliant investigator. Our protagonists are tasked with uncovering a most sinister plot, before more people are murdered. If that weren't enough though, Bennett also throws in the very real threat of a leviathan bombarding the city, the further into the rainy season this investigation goes. Ana's intellectual prowess, combined with Din's ability to engrave memories down to the most minute detail, make for a fascinating storyline. This book is impossible to put down once you've started, I can tell you that.

Truly I could gush about the magic system, and the world building, and even the secondary characters for ages. They are all perfectly executed. I'll resist though, and leave all of that for you to uncover. What I will say, is that Robert Jackson Bennett always climbs to the top of my read list because his books are my favorite kind of Fantasy: accessible Fantasy. They are vibrant and fascinating, but also written in a way that any person can come right in and cozy down into. The Tainted Cup is a sweeping Fantasy story, but it doesn't feel cold and unapproachable, and I love it for that.

I am very excited to read the next book in this series! A super unique death, some magic, a fun mystery duo (Ana and Dinios) unlike I have seen in previous detective stories, and good representation. It was well written and generally fast paced!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

I really wanted to love this book but I had a hard time getting through it. I felt like the world building was confusing for me and I had trouble with the characters and the story. The writing as usual was well done.

"The Tainted Cup" by Robert Jackson Bennett is a fusion of fantasy and murder mystery. Set in a richly imagined world, the story follows the dynamic duo of Dinius Kol and his employer Ana Dolabra, a brilliant investigator, as they unravel a complex and high-stakes case.

The unique concept of botanically altered humans possessing extraordinary abilities adds depth and intrigue to the story. As the mystery unfolds, the author weaves in elements of political intrigue and societal hierarchies, creating a multi-layered tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end.

The Tainted Cup has well-developed characters and ingenious world-building, this is a must-read for fans of both fantasy and detective fiction. Bennett's ability to combine these genres so seamlessly is a testament to his skill as a storyteller, and the result is a truly enjoyable and satisfying read.

Robert Jackson Bennett has been on my radar since the completion of the Founders trilogy. I still haven't read it but when I started seeing buzz surrounding his new murder mystery I immediately requested an ARC. I received my ARC after publication date but was still so excited to read this one. Safe to say I will definitely be checking out Bennet’s beloved trilogy soon.

The Tainted Cup is a genre bending start of a series that I am here for. A unique magic system and fantasy world in which our protagonist interns for an extremely eccentric investigator. This murder mystery offered what I would envision if Emily Wilde and Sherlock Holmes collaborated on an investigation.

I really enjoyed the magical elements and the checks and balances the characters must endure when augmenting their magical abilities. I also love natural based magic environments and this book is an apothecary’s dream.

I am looking forward to the continuation of this series and really hoping to dive deeper into the life and blossoming relationship of our beloved investigator and her assistant.

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for an opportunity to review this book, all opinions are my own.

This book is set in a new fantasy world, similar to Bennett's previous series, The Founders trilogy. Like those stories, this Empire is a feudal society, but magic is used primarily to alter and enhance human beings, endowing them with fantastical abilities (which are not always visible upon first inspection). It is also a murder mystery, an unusual genre in a fantasy.

The investigative team is Ana Dolabra, a brilliant, eccentric detective, and her assistant Dinios Kol. It is not clear how Ana has been modified, but Din has become an engraver: he is capable of permanently remembering everything he has experienced. From the beginning, he finds himself in one challenging new environment after another. His path from innocence to experience is central to the narrative. But the story also involves a horrifying contagion that kills by erupting into a tree from inside the victim's body, a powerful clan with dark secrets, and Ana's secret mission which is only revealed at the end.

The resolution of the mystery is finally fully revealed in a climactic scene that puts Ana and Din in mortal danger. At the same time, a dangerous leviathan threatens the stability of the Empire itself. While the murder is fully resolved, the final chapters also set up Ana and Din for future adventures.

Thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader's Copy.

Although it took me a minute to wrap my head around, the author did a good job in developing a fantastical setting that was fun to get lost in. Well developed characters and a thoughtful and entertaining whodunit. This is a great vacation read with a satisfying ending.

Magic and mystery the best combination!

Din is an apprentice to Ana, an investigator that everyone thinks has lost her mind and has been punished to live in the outer rings closest to the water. It is his job to record all details during investigations. Being in a small village not much exciting happens until a high ranking man is murdered by a tree. It is now Din and Ana to find the truth.

The more answers just lead to more questions! Corruption, greed, and the need for power (story as old as time).

I girl bossed too close to the sun and grabbed too many NetGalley requests. Now here we are three years later, still waiting for a review. Well, here is what I have right now.

I tried really hard with this one. I really did. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. It would be rude and a disservice to rate this as I know several others really enjoyed it.

It is not for me and I had to DNF (did not finish) for reading reasons. I could not connect with the plot of the characters at all. I did not and could not force myself to read it as I picked it up and put it down several times, but could not get into the book.

I appreciate the opportunity, but it is not going to be one I will recommend going forward.

Thank you again for my gifted copy.

This is a fantastical whodunnit! Fantasy is not usually my jam, but The Tainted Cup may have changed my mind!

This was definitely a hit for me. I love how unique and interesting this author is able to make the world and the characters aren't flat.

I will probably go for 4 star rating for this one, even though I am 100% sure that my not absolutely LOVING this book was entirely due to my mindset. I'm needing a break from fantasy 😫 The only reason I didn't set this one aside was because the mystery component really kept me going. I did love the humor and the quirkiness of our MCs. The Holmes/Watson type duo was a ton of fun here. I think if this ends up being a series I will reread this one before continuing to a second book, because it feels like a lot of the plot just bounced off my tired brain.

I can say for sure that if you're a fan of Bennett's worldbuilding and character, this won't disappoint. It's what I've come to expect from him and I look forward to coming back to this series when its sequel is released in the future.

I thought this was an interesting change from the Foundryside series.

This book is very similar to the Foundry series in that book 1 has to set up "the rules of the realm". There is a lot of technical jargon in the way that RJB writes. His way of writing has definitely improved but I feel like it lacks the defining, strong language used by other fantasy writers like Tolkien or Brandon Sanderson. Overall though, I think he did well building this realm and using his writing experience to bring us a whole new world and series.

I like the Sherlock Holmes crossed with magic dynamic. It definitely works and I hope this series continues on.

Thank you to Random House and to Robert Jackson Bennett for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

After I finished the Founders Trilogy, I felt hopeful that Robert Jackson Bennett would become one of my favorite authors, but I needed a few more books to really seal the deal. Enter his latest, The Tainted Cup, a multi-murder mystery in a fascinating fantasy world that kept me guessing until the end. It had all the things I've come to expect from Bennett: great characters, enjoyable dialogue, and a plot I can't stop reading. If you love fantasy but don't care for mysteries at all, you are unlikely to enjoy this one. But if you don't mind a little genre-bending, definitely pick this one up!