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Shadow of the Leviathan #1
The Tainted Cup
In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.
Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears--quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.
Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.
Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver, magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears--quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.
Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
Featuring an unforgettable Holmes-and-Watson style pairing, a gloriously labyrinthine plot, and a haunting and wholly original fantasy world, The Tainted Cup brilliantly reinvents the classic mystery tale.
413 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2024
About the author
Robert Jackson Bennett
28 books18.4k followersRobert Jackson Bennett is a two-time award winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel, an Edgar Award winner for Best Paperback Original, and is also the 2010 recipient of the Sydney J Bounds Award for Best Newcomer, and a Philip K Dick Award Citation of Excellence. City of Stairs was shortlisted for the Locus Award and the World Fantasy Award. City of Blades was a finalist for the 2015 World Fantasy, Locus, and British Fantasy Awards. His eighth novel, FOUNDRYSIDE, will be available in the US on 8/21 of 2018 and the UK on 8/23.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,496 reviews
February 10, 2024
You can always count on RJB to write a stunningly original work of fantasy that’s precisely and cunningly crafted to leave its reader feeling bereft and abandoned and craving a sequel like an ember craves air. This was good. 10/10. Would read again in a heartbeat.
There is so much to sing about here, but what I loved most is how this book roots so tenderly for its neurodivergent protagonists who have to actively and painstakingly manifest worth and recognition in a world that gives them so readily and abundantly to everyone else. This is in many ways a story about being confronted with systems of power that make no allowance for difference, where difference is in fact recorded as suspect, and differently abled bodies become the locus of aberrance even as they are exploited, manipulated, and remade for the use, whims, and fantasies of the rich and powerful. It’s a story about transgressing, defying, redressing and resisting this dominant order, sometimes at world-destroying costs. You will find so many resonances here with the overlapping crises of our contemporary moment, and it might just make you afraid.
If you’re a fan of the unique dynamic of Sherlock and Watson, the eccentric flare of Benoit Blanc in Knives Out (2019), and/or like your fantasy with more than a dash of murder, mystery, and existential threat—this is for you. Heck, if you’re just a fan of a good time, you do not wanna miss this book! Read it for yourself, and let it bedazzle your brain.
There is so much to sing about here, but what I loved most is how this book roots so tenderly for its neurodivergent protagonists who have to actively and painstakingly manifest worth and recognition in a world that gives them so readily and abundantly to everyone else. This is in many ways a story about being confronted with systems of power that make no allowance for difference, where difference is in fact recorded as suspect, and differently abled bodies become the locus of aberrance even as they are exploited, manipulated, and remade for the use, whims, and fantasies of the rich and powerful. It’s a story about transgressing, defying, redressing and resisting this dominant order, sometimes at world-destroying costs. You will find so many resonances here with the overlapping crises of our contemporary moment, and it might just make you afraid.
If you’re a fan of the unique dynamic of Sherlock and Watson, the eccentric flare of Benoit Blanc in Knives Out (2019), and/or like your fantasy with more than a dash of murder, mystery, and existential threat—this is for you. Heck, if you’re just a fan of a good time, you do not wanna miss this book! Read it for yourself, and let it bedazzle your brain.
February 28, 2024
it’s like knives out but if knives out was set in a fantasy world and benoit blanc was an old woman who had hired the most disaster bisexual to be her eyes and ears.
robert jackson bennett has done it again!
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing the review copy
Read my full review here
Follow me on Instagram
robert jackson bennett has done it again!
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing the review copy
Read my full review here
Follow me on Instagram
February 28, 2024
This review is a copy of the transcript of my video review on The Tainted Cup.
ARC provided by the publisher—Del Rey Books—in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
The Tainted Cup is a compelling and rewarding murder mystery in a high fantasy setting redolent of Attack on Titan and The Last of Us.
Robert Jackson Bennett is one of my favorite authors. Every time Bennet releases a new book in a new series, I feel it is mandatory for me to mention that fact. As a fan of The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders trilogy by him, I believe he is another SFF author deserving of so much more recognition. When I need engaging and inventive science fiction or fantasy books, I know it is safe to always rely on reading Bennett’s books. And he never fails to deliver. I am a reader who loves reading fantasy novels, Japanese manga, or Korean manhwa. I love storytelling, period. And there is satisfaction in reading stories that blend these sources into their creation, intentionally or not. Like how My Hero Academia manga by Kohei Horikoshi was born of the author's love for Western Superheroes and comics. And in the case of The Tainted Cup, the first book in The Shadow of the Leviathan series by Robert Jackson Bennett, it felt like a mix of Knives Out in a setting inspired by Attack on Titan and The Last of Us. So what is the premise of The Tainted Cup?
The Tainted Cup revolves around an eccentric detective named Ana Dolabra—an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities—and her long-suffering assistant, Dinios Kol—an engraver magically altered to possess a perfect memory. In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible. Din’s job is to observe, report, and act as Ana’s eyes and ears—quite literally because among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home. Din’s skill for observation and perfect memory with Ana’s impeccable deductions and mind, the two of them must cooperate to untangle a web of magic, deceit, and murder that endangers the safety of the Empire.
The Tainted Cup rightfully belongs in the high fantasy genre due to its setting and world-building, no doubt about that. But if I were asked to recommend The Tainted Cup to readers, I would recommend it—more strongly—to readers who love reading murder mystery rather than fantasy novels due to the way Bennett structured the narrative. Of course, it would be even better if you are a fan of both genres, but fascination with murder mystery stories is more important here. I mentioned Attack on Titan (or Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese) by Hajime Isayama earlier. The story in Attack on Titan begins with the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan destroying the wall of Maria. Due to this unforeseen event, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Levi, and many other characters in the series struggle to battle against the oppressive violence and horrors of the Titans. The Tainted Cup begins with something akin to that premise. Immediately after the murder mystery begins, a breach to the massive wall of their civilization is inflicted by a titan—called Leviathan in the novel. However, it is worth noting that The Tainted Cup is not an action-packed narrative centering on repelling the dangers the leviathan poses to the empire. The threats of the Leviathan loomed in the background, and I assume this will be explored further in the sequel. But at its core, The Tainted Cup is a murder mystery-centered narrative in a high fantasy setting, with a touch of The Last of Us owed to the Dappleglass contagion in the storyline.
When we speak about detectives and their assistants in stories, it is difficult to avoid the names Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. This setup and duo are popular in murder mystery stories for many valid reasons. After more readers read The Tainted Cup, the duo of Din and Ana will remind readers of Holmes and Watson. Or, to make a comparison to a recently published fantasy series, the names Justice Konrad Vonvalt and Helena Sedanka from Empire of the Wolf trilogy by Richard Swan will be mentioned frequently. And none of these would be a mistake. Compared to The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders trilogy, Bennett’s narrative in The Tainted Cup is more plot-driven rather than character-driven. Understandably. In The Tainted Cup, the story is narrated from the perspective of Din instead of Ana. Throughout the novel, we have not seen a lot of exploration into Din's character and background. With the exception of Din’s ability to retain memory and information as an Engraver, making him a living library of information, Ana is, in comparison, a more interesting character. Bennett himself has mentioned Ana is a mix of Nero Wolfe and Hannibal Lecter. But Din and Ana complement each other. Every investigation, clue, and report Din discovered for Ana, and every scene they were together, resulted in a relentlessly captivating reading experience.
If you have read City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett, then you will know The Tainted Cup is not Bennett’s first dive into writing murder mystery stories. And still, I was impressed by how everything clicked together in the last 13% of the The Tainted Cup. The barrage of revelations was absolutely thrilling. It made me feel as if I was watching Sherlock Holmes or Knives Out in a fantasy setting. Even if you manage to predict the perpetrator, one of the best things about a murder mystery story is finding out how every puzzle fits the bigger picture nicely. It is in the details. A good revelation or plot twist is not only about shock value. It also means when you reread a story or think back upon it, you can see the puzzles and hints laid out for you, whether you realize their existence or not on your first traversal. As Bennet said, a murder mystery story is largely a process of logistics and ensuring the timelines work and the right evidence fits in the right place at the right time. And all of these have been accomplished brilliantly in The Tainted Cup.
I was on a streak of books ranging from disappointing to good quality. The Tainted Cup stopped the streak. The world-building is fascinating. The storyline is entertaining. And there are still tons of mysteries about the Leviathans and the two main characters to be given in the next books. The Tainted Cup is the beginning of an incredible murder mystery series in the high fantasy genre. The duo of Ana and Din will mark their spot in the detective's hall of remembrance. I can certainly envisage The Shadow of the Leviathan series spanning many volumes, and I will be grateful. Bennett mentioned he had fun writing the novel and is looking forward to reading more murder mystery novels in the series. It is reflected in the narrative. I always find it odd that despite having murder mystery as one of my favorite types of stories to consume, as proven in many fantasy and sci-fi books with this plot included, I almost never read non-SFF murder mystery novels. And somehow, even though it is marked as a fantasy novel, I believe The Tainted Cup has ignited my passion to read more non-SFF murder mystery books. It has been a pleasure and an honor to read this book early, and I already can't wait to read the next book in the series as soon as it's available. If you love the sound of reading a murder mystery novel with a compelling duo in an intriguing fantasy setting redolent of Attack on Titan, read The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett.
You can pre-order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Ciprian, Cullen, Dan, David, Dernerror, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Francesca, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Jonathan, Jordan, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Maggy, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Redmischief, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tiffany, Tori, Tracy, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
ARC provided by the publisher—Del Rey Books—in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
The Tainted Cup is a compelling and rewarding murder mystery in a high fantasy setting redolent of Attack on Titan and The Last of Us.
Robert Jackson Bennett is one of my favorite authors. Every time Bennet releases a new book in a new series, I feel it is mandatory for me to mention that fact. As a fan of The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders trilogy by him, I believe he is another SFF author deserving of so much more recognition. When I need engaging and inventive science fiction or fantasy books, I know it is safe to always rely on reading Bennett’s books. And he never fails to deliver. I am a reader who loves reading fantasy novels, Japanese manga, or Korean manhwa. I love storytelling, period. And there is satisfaction in reading stories that blend these sources into their creation, intentionally or not. Like how My Hero Academia manga by Kohei Horikoshi was born of the author's love for Western Superheroes and comics. And in the case of The Tainted Cup, the first book in The Shadow of the Leviathan series by Robert Jackson Bennett, it felt like a mix of Knives Out in a setting inspired by Attack on Titan and The Last of Us. So what is the premise of The Tainted Cup?
“Oh, you’ve always got to smile a little, Din… Even during, you know, the abysmally fucking awful times.”
The Tainted Cup revolves around an eccentric detective named Ana Dolabra—an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities—and her long-suffering assistant, Dinios Kol—an engraver magically altered to possess a perfect memory. In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible. Din’s job is to observe, report, and act as Ana’s eyes and ears—quite literally because among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home. Din’s skill for observation and perfect memory with Ana’s impeccable deductions and mind, the two of them must cooperate to untangle a web of magic, deceit, and murder that endangers the safety of the Empire.
“Oh, people love the Legion, with their swords and their walls and their bombards. But though they receive no worship, it’s the maintenance folk who keep the Empire going. Someone, after all, must do the undignified labor to keep the grand works of our era from tumbling down.”
The Tainted Cup rightfully belongs in the high fantasy genre due to its setting and world-building, no doubt about that. But if I were asked to recommend The Tainted Cup to readers, I would recommend it—more strongly—to readers who love reading murder mystery rather than fantasy novels due to the way Bennett structured the narrative. Of course, it would be even better if you are a fan of both genres, but fascination with murder mystery stories is more important here. I mentioned Attack on Titan (or Shingeki no Kyojin in Japanese) by Hajime Isayama earlier. The story in Attack on Titan begins with the Colossal Titan and the Armored Titan destroying the wall of Maria. Due to this unforeseen event, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Levi, and many other characters in the series struggle to battle against the oppressive violence and horrors of the Titans. The Tainted Cup begins with something akin to that premise. Immediately after the murder mystery begins, a breach to the massive wall of their civilization is inflicted by a titan—called Leviathan in the novel. However, it is worth noting that The Tainted Cup is not an action-packed narrative centering on repelling the dangers the leviathan poses to the empire. The threats of the Leviathan loomed in the background, and I assume this will be explored further in the sequel. But at its core, The Tainted Cup is a murder mystery-centered narrative in a high fantasy setting, with a touch of The Last of Us owed to the Dappleglass contagion in the storyline.
“It’s not all walls and death and plotting! Nor is it dreary dispensations and bureaucracy! We do these ugly, dull things for a reason— to make a space where folk can live, celebrate, and know joy and love.
When we speak about detectives and their assistants in stories, it is difficult to avoid the names Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. This setup and duo are popular in murder mystery stories for many valid reasons. After more readers read The Tainted Cup, the duo of Din and Ana will remind readers of Holmes and Watson. Or, to make a comparison to a recently published fantasy series, the names Justice Konrad Vonvalt and Helena Sedanka from Empire of the Wolf trilogy by Richard Swan will be mentioned frequently. And none of these would be a mistake. Compared to The Divine Cities trilogy and The Founders trilogy, Bennett’s narrative in The Tainted Cup is more plot-driven rather than character-driven. Understandably. In The Tainted Cup, the story is narrated from the perspective of Din instead of Ana. Throughout the novel, we have not seen a lot of exploration into Din's character and background. With the exception of Din’s ability to retain memory and information as an Engraver, making him a living library of information, Ana is, in comparison, a more interesting character. Bennett himself has mentioned Ana is a mix of Nero Wolfe and Hannibal Lecter. But Din and Ana complement each other. Every investigation, clue, and report Din discovered for Ana, and every scene they were together, resulted in a relentlessly captivating reading experience.
“I have never liked the company of too many people, Din. I have always preferred patterns and the consumption of information to socializing. I have preferred and will always prefer staying in my residence and will avoid stimulation at all costs. This is simply who I am.”
If you have read City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett, then you will know The Tainted Cup is not Bennett’s first dive into writing murder mystery stories. And still, I was impressed by how everything clicked together in the last 13% of the The Tainted Cup. The barrage of revelations was absolutely thrilling. It made me feel as if I was watching Sherlock Holmes or Knives Out in a fantasy setting. Even if you manage to predict the perpetrator, one of the best things about a murder mystery story is finding out how every puzzle fits the bigger picture nicely. It is in the details. A good revelation or plot twist is not only about shock value. It also means when you reread a story or think back upon it, you can see the puzzles and hints laid out for you, whether you realize their existence or not on your first traversal. As Bennet said, a murder mystery story is largely a process of logistics and ensuring the timelines work and the right evidence fits in the right place at the right time. And all of these have been accomplished brilliantly in The Tainted Cup.
“It’s the maintenance folk who keep the Empire going. Someone, after all, must do the undignified labor to keep the grand works of our era from tumbling down. I simply perform maintenance, in my own little way. And you have ably assisted me in that, of course.”
I was on a streak of books ranging from disappointing to good quality. The Tainted Cup stopped the streak. The world-building is fascinating. The storyline is entertaining. And there are still tons of mysteries about the Leviathans and the two main characters to be given in the next books. The Tainted Cup is the beginning of an incredible murder mystery series in the high fantasy genre. The duo of Ana and Din will mark their spot in the detective's hall of remembrance. I can certainly envisage The Shadow of the Leviathan series spanning many volumes, and I will be grateful. Bennett mentioned he had fun writing the novel and is looking forward to reading more murder mystery novels in the series. It is reflected in the narrative. I always find it odd that despite having murder mystery as one of my favorite types of stories to consume, as proven in many fantasy and sci-fi books with this plot included, I almost never read non-SFF murder mystery novels. And somehow, even though it is marked as a fantasy novel, I believe The Tainted Cup has ignited my passion to read more non-SFF murder mystery books. It has been a pleasure and an honor to read this book early, and I already can't wait to read the next book in the series as soon as it's available. If you love the sound of reading a murder mystery novel with a compelling duo in an intriguing fantasy setting redolent of Attack on Titan, read The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett.
You can pre-order this book from: Amazon | Blackwells (Free International shipping)
The quotes in this review were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
You can find this and the rest of my reviews at Novel Notions | I also have a Booktube channel
Special thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for giving me extra support towards my passion for reading and reviewing!
My Patrons: Alfred, Aliysa, Ambrosius, Andrew, Andrew W, Annabeth, Arliss, Barbara, Biskit, Brad, Cade, Chris, Christopher, Ciprian, Cullen, Dan, David, Dernerror, Donuts, Dylan, Edward, Elaine, Elias, Ellen, Francesca, Frank, Garrick, Gary, Gregory, Hamad, Helen, Jenn, Jesse, Jimmy Nutts, Joie, Jonathan, Jordan, Kristina, Lara, Lourdes, Luis, Maggy, Melinda, Michael, Michael, Mike, Miracle, Mordie, Nicholas, Norbert, Radiah, RCT, Redmischief, Samuel, Sarah, Sarah, Scott, Shawn, Tiffany, Tori, Tracy, Trish, TS, Wendy, Wick, Woodman, Xero, Yuri, Zoe.
February 7, 2024
Anything I finish reading and want to read all over again deserves five stars, right? Having patiently waited for RJB to finish up his pedestrian YA series that began with Foundryside, when I learned his newest was a mystery wrapped in a fantasy, I was at Netgalley two seconds later. I found it to be an utterly absorbing mystery that kept shifting, RJB-like, under my feet. A murder investigation. No, a coming-of-age. No, a political fantasy. No, a murder investigation. No… well, I don’t want to spoil it. Let me just say that I found it rather delightful how my expectations were simultaneously met and thwarted.
In the afterward, RJB writes, “I’d had the idea of writing a fun murder mystery novel for a while, and then I sat down and pumped out something that was very decisively not a murder mystery novel… I then had to go through the rather tempestuous process of chucking it in the garbage and starting over.” But I find myself wondering what remained from that early process? Was it a full on, ecological-disaster fantasy novel? Was it this strangely genetically-obsessed culture, that had no problems with modifying the life around them in service of their needs? The giant mushrooms as room air purifiers and sheets of fernpaper leaves as housing material (useful in a tremor-quake prone land) were just the tip of the fascinating iceberg in this world. The story is told from a first-person point of view, and while immersive, I thought it did a nice job of providing information and contextual clues without overwhelming with weirdness.
I thought the characterization was well done. More than a couple passages brought me back to a post from K.J. Charles about indirect characterization. Din is our narrator, a young man who has finally been selected into the ranks of the Sublimes a mere four months ago. He has been assigned to Ana, a somewhat eccentric new Investigator, assigned to Din’s very outlying district in a very new position. Din finds himself wondering if she’s been exiled from the Empire’s center.
“She went totally still. And for the first time that day, all the wild madness in her eyes went dead. ‘My goodness gracious,’ she murmured. ‘Did you hear that, Din?’ ‘Hear what, ma’am?’ ‘That emotion,’ she said. ‘Pardon?’ ‘That was the most emotion I’ve ever heard in anything you’ve ever said, Din! This must be a real corker of a death if it’s cracked your dull demeanor and summoned forth such wild passion.’ She pulled on her blindfold, grinning. There was something unsettlingly predatorial about her grin: too many teeth, and all too white.”
Judging by other reviews, I imagine negatives would be a great deal of what I found attractive about this story: the intriguing interplay between the immediate murder and the larger context that continues to ripple out as the investigation continues; the neuroatypical leads; the world-building questions raised with a population that has to deal with regular disaster (oh, now I get it. No parallels here, RJB, none at all). My own most nagging issue was the cursing. I have absolutely no problem with cursing (ask my friends), but all the words used were oh-so-common ones, including a ‘goddamn,’ that was really quite puzzling when we didn’t have any theology anywhere I can recall. I wasn’t quite sure if this was a far-future sci-fi dystopia, where we could allow for some language anachronisms, or pure fantasy, but at the end of the day, I decided to let it go. Still, it was one of those niggling things, a small stone in the shoe.
“So instead of committing robbery, I made tea.”
Despite that, I found it absorbing. The sense of a larger puzzle being completed, Din’s growing confidence; Ana’s entertaining deceptions. I also love the underlying messaging in the book, a point periodically needed to be made in a society where genetic modifications determine options and profession.
“And we get some say in what kind of person we are, Din. We do not pop out of a mold. We change. We self-assemble.”
As I was unable to immediately start the next book in the series (RJB hints he would like to write more in the afterword; I dearly wish he’d get on it), I had to content myself with a leisurely re-read. This time the pieces fell more clearly, enabling me to see, with Sherlockian-clarity, the complexity slowly being unveiled. Truly a delight.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced e-reader copy of this book. Of course, all quotes are subject to change in the final edition, but I feel that they’ll give you a good flavor of the voice.
In the afterward, RJB writes, “I’d had the idea of writing a fun murder mystery novel for a while, and then I sat down and pumped out something that was very decisively not a murder mystery novel… I then had to go through the rather tempestuous process of chucking it in the garbage and starting over.” But I find myself wondering what remained from that early process? Was it a full on, ecological-disaster fantasy novel? Was it this strangely genetically-obsessed culture, that had no problems with modifying the life around them in service of their needs? The giant mushrooms as room air purifiers and sheets of fernpaper leaves as housing material (useful in a tremor-quake prone land) were just the tip of the fascinating iceberg in this world. The story is told from a first-person point of view, and while immersive, I thought it did a nice job of providing information and contextual clues without overwhelming with weirdness.
I thought the characterization was well done. More than a couple passages brought me back to a post from K.J. Charles about indirect characterization. Din is our narrator, a young man who has finally been selected into the ranks of the Sublimes a mere four months ago. He has been assigned to Ana, a somewhat eccentric new Investigator, assigned to Din’s very outlying district in a very new position. Din finds himself wondering if she’s been exiled from the Empire’s center.
“She went totally still. And for the first time that day, all the wild madness in her eyes went dead. ‘My goodness gracious,’ she murmured. ‘Did you hear that, Din?’ ‘Hear what, ma’am?’ ‘That emotion,’ she said. ‘Pardon?’ ‘That was the most emotion I’ve ever heard in anything you’ve ever said, Din! This must be a real corker of a death if it’s cracked your dull demeanor and summoned forth such wild passion.’ She pulled on her blindfold, grinning. There was something unsettlingly predatorial about her grin: too many teeth, and all too white.”
Judging by other reviews, I imagine negatives would be a great deal of what I found attractive about this story: the intriguing interplay between the immediate murder and the larger context that continues to ripple out as the investigation continues; the neuroatypical leads; the world-building questions raised with a population that has to deal with regular disaster (oh, now I get it. No parallels here, RJB, none at all). My own most nagging issue was the cursing. I have absolutely no problem with cursing (ask my friends), but all the words used were oh-so-common ones, including a ‘goddamn,’ that was really quite puzzling when we didn’t have any theology anywhere I can recall. I wasn’t quite sure if this was a far-future sci-fi dystopia, where we could allow for some language anachronisms, or pure fantasy, but at the end of the day, I decided to let it go. Still, it was one of those niggling things, a small stone in the shoe.
“So instead of committing robbery, I made tea.”
Despite that, I found it absorbing. The sense of a larger puzzle being completed, Din’s growing confidence; Ana’s entertaining deceptions. I also love the underlying messaging in the book, a point periodically needed to be made in a society where genetic modifications determine options and profession.
“And we get some say in what kind of person we are, Din. We do not pop out of a mold. We change. We self-assemble.”
As I was unable to immediately start the next book in the series (RJB hints he would like to write more in the afterword; I dearly wish he’d get on it), I had to content myself with a leisurely re-read. This time the pieces fell more clearly, enabling me to see, with Sherlockian-clarity, the complexity slowly being unveiled. Truly a delight.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced e-reader copy of this book. Of course, all quotes are subject to change in the final edition, but I feel that they’ll give you a good flavor of the voice.
August 30, 2023
RJB is such a good gateway author for people who are looking to get into fantasy, but arent ready or dont want to dive into the deep end. im always so impressed with how accessible his storytelling/writing is. it has a highly immersive quality, but never to the point where you are in over your head.
the particular magic system in this book is subtle. it plays a significant part in the story, but it doesnt demand attention. it feels natural and is integrated very well into the setting and plot. it lends well to the murder mystery atmosphere and provides a good vehicle for the two main characters to really shine.
i also really enjoyed how this feels like a self-contained story within the series. i have no idea if this is going to be the pattern moving forward, or if there is going to be a more central/connected plot across the following books, but im super excited to see what mystery din and ana are going to solve next regardless!
a big thanks to random house/del rey for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
the particular magic system in this book is subtle. it plays a significant part in the story, but it doesnt demand attention. it feels natural and is integrated very well into the setting and plot. it lends well to the murder mystery atmosphere and provides a good vehicle for the two main characters to really shine.
i also really enjoyed how this feels like a self-contained story within the series. i have no idea if this is going to be the pattern moving forward, or if there is going to be a more central/connected plot across the following books, but im super excited to see what mystery din and ana are going to solve next regardless!
a big thanks to random house/del rey for the ARC!
↠ 4 stars
February 10, 2024
“Perhaps it is a wise thing, to prepare for death every day, just as the Empire prepares for death every wet season.”
I inhaled two books by Robert Jackson Bennett over the last week and a half, and both were excellent. I think I can call myself a fan now.
“Oh, people love the Legion, with their swords and their walls and their bombards. But though they receive no worship, it’s the maintenance folk who keep the Empire going. Someone, after all, must do the undignified labor to keep the grand works of our era from tumbling down.”
The setting is wonderful - a vast Empire where graft alterations of people for specific tasks and traits is common, and the borders of which are guarded by the colossal sea walls that are attacked every season by even more colossal Leviathans, and strange outwardly contagions abound, and where there’s a delicate interplay between politics and plain survival in the place that seems precariously perched on the edge of utter catastrophes all the time. And in this delightfully complex and well-realized setting we have a fascinating murder mystery that - of course - is only a part of grander scale events as our narrator Din, an apprentice assistant to an eccentric and brilliant investigator Ana, starts on his first murder case — that of an Empire official gruesomely murdered by a huge plant erupting from his body.
It’s very clever and addictingly interesting, and develops this world so well that I felt completely engrossed and absorbed in it. The plot moves along snappily without ever sagging, and the point is not the whodunit (that Bennett leaves enough clues to figure out) but the details of the plot and the complex picture of the world they build puzzle piece by puzzle piece. And I loved the interplay between our protagonists built on the contrasts that are wonderfully complementary - a pragmatic and level-headed apprentice youngster and a brilliant and cynical mad genius a few steps ahead of everyone, but never irritatingly so.
“For the Empire is huge. Complex. Often unwieldy and slow. And in many places, weak. A massive colossus, stretching out across the cantons, one in whose shadow we all live … and yet it is prone to wounds, infections, fevers, and ill humors. But its strangest feature is that the more its citizens feel it is broken, the more broken it actually becomes.”
This is a book that would be so much fun to reread for the sake of the details that will now stand out more as I know the plot resolution.
Fantastically delightful. 5 stars.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine, Del Rey for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
September 2, 2023
This was such an entertaining read!
Going in, I was expecting this book to be in the same vein as Bennett's earlier work City of Stairs, opening with a murder mystery that eventually leads to a fantasy epic. Turned out very quickly that this was not the case. The Tainted Cup is rather the opposite, a proper murder mystery that borrows a fantasy setting, which means we're in for a completely different set of surprises -- a page-turner with lots of puzzles, traps, big twists, and dramatic reveals.
Thanks to the fast-paced plot, this book was a surprisingly quick read for me despite its length. The writing is pretty "light" as far as fantasies go, without too much worldbuilding to slow things down, and once the suspense started to pick up around the 50% mark, it was hard to put the book down. Some of the mystery puzzles were quite clever as well, and my favorite was the search for the paper miller around the middle of the book, which gave me a big "ah-ha" moment.
I did see some of the final reveals coming relatively early though, and I wished more clues could be better hidden and less convenient (or maybe I'm just spoiled by all the detective tv shows that shaped my taste differently). But overall the puzzles and twists were fun, as were the character interactions. I even laughed out loud a couple of times from all the dry humor.
I'm curious to see where Bennett plans to take this series next. In this first installment, the fantasy side of the story mostly functions as a backdrop of the plot (magical animals and plants, people with augmented abilities, etc.), and we only get to glimpse a leviathan from afar for about one page. But as Din and Ana's adventure continues and future investigations ensue, I'm sure there will be more to learn about their world, as well as their own backstories.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Going in, I was expecting this book to be in the same vein as Bennett's earlier work City of Stairs, opening with a murder mystery that eventually leads to a fantasy epic. Turned out very quickly that this was not the case. The Tainted Cup is rather the opposite, a proper murder mystery that borrows a fantasy setting, which means we're in for a completely different set of surprises -- a page-turner with lots of puzzles, traps, big twists, and dramatic reveals.
Thanks to the fast-paced plot, this book was a surprisingly quick read for me despite its length. The writing is pretty "light" as far as fantasies go, without too much worldbuilding to slow things down, and once the suspense started to pick up around the 50% mark, it was hard to put the book down. Some of the mystery puzzles were quite clever as well, and my favorite was the search for the paper miller around the middle of the book, which gave me a big "ah-ha" moment.
I did see some of the final reveals coming relatively early though, and I wished more clues could be better hidden and less convenient (or maybe I'm just spoiled by all the detective tv shows that shaped my taste differently). But overall the puzzles and twists were fun, as were the character interactions. I even laughed out loud a couple of times from all the dry humor.
I'm curious to see where Bennett plans to take this series next. In this first installment, the fantasy side of the story mostly functions as a backdrop of the plot (magical animals and plants, people with augmented abilities, etc.), and we only get to glimpse a leviathan from afar for about one page. But as Din and Ana's adventure continues and future investigations ensue, I'm sure there will be more to learn about their world, as well as their own backstories.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2024
Who can resist the charm of an Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes kind of murder mystery transported into a dystopian world where plants provide humans with more secure, healthy, and higher quality life sources? These plants not only provide light and clean air but also serve as a complex security system!
The world-building and characterization in this book are the strongest elements of the author's brilliant talent, which drags you into a whirlwind of a unique and surprising adventure that you never want to end. I am a little sad because I read this book faster than I planned; I couldn't help myself. The opening chapter gives us a glimpse of one of the strangest murder scenes: a high empirical officer is found dead in Daretana's most sacred mansion (he was just a friend of the owners spending time at the place with their blessing). The identity of the victim is not the strange part (even though his face is barely recognizable); it's the position in which he's found that is the most bizarre thing: a tree is literally sprouting out of his body, damaging the rest of his remains. The death seems suspicious and raises questions about whether the officer has been affected by the contagion spreading through the Empire, including the Leviathan blood that creates strange magical abilities in those affected.
Ana Dolabra, the primary investigator, has already been called to the outer ring of Talagray, where engineers are hired to protect the lands from the contagions of Leviathans.
As a highly eccentric investigator with unusual methods and straightforward comments that scandalize her new assistant Dinios Kol, who was assigned just four months ago, she finds herself working with a young, scruffy, and enigmatic Signum detective with a photographic memory that enables him to recall conversations and details from crime scenes. Dinios becomes Ana's senses, making unique observations at crime scenes and sharing his discoveries. This becomes especially handy when Ana refuses to leave her house for years, wearing blindfolds to strengthen her senses. These are not the only strange methods she applies during her investigations. However, as they delve more into the strange crimes, even Dinios senses that he's working with the best kind of investigator in the Empire, someone who might be the only one capable of finding the perpetrator.
The magic system and the perfect execution of the mystery keep you guessing until the end, and the remarkable characters make me wish this book should be adapted into a streaming series. I'm absolutely sold, and I feel personally touched by the magical writing talent of Robert Jackson Bennett. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series and spend more time with Ana and her sarcastic tunes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Del Rey for sharing this AMAZING book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The world-building and characterization in this book are the strongest elements of the author's brilliant talent, which drags you into a whirlwind of a unique and surprising adventure that you never want to end. I am a little sad because I read this book faster than I planned; I couldn't help myself. The opening chapter gives us a glimpse of one of the strangest murder scenes: a high empirical officer is found dead in Daretana's most sacred mansion (he was just a friend of the owners spending time at the place with their blessing). The identity of the victim is not the strange part (even though his face is barely recognizable); it's the position in which he's found that is the most bizarre thing: a tree is literally sprouting out of his body, damaging the rest of his remains. The death seems suspicious and raises questions about whether the officer has been affected by the contagion spreading through the Empire, including the Leviathan blood that creates strange magical abilities in those affected.
Ana Dolabra, the primary investigator, has already been called to the outer ring of Talagray, where engineers are hired to protect the lands from the contagions of Leviathans.
As a highly eccentric investigator with unusual methods and straightforward comments that scandalize her new assistant Dinios Kol, who was assigned just four months ago, she finds herself working with a young, scruffy, and enigmatic Signum detective with a photographic memory that enables him to recall conversations and details from crime scenes. Dinios becomes Ana's senses, making unique observations at crime scenes and sharing his discoveries. This becomes especially handy when Ana refuses to leave her house for years, wearing blindfolds to strengthen her senses. These are not the only strange methods she applies during her investigations. However, as they delve more into the strange crimes, even Dinios senses that he's working with the best kind of investigator in the Empire, someone who might be the only one capable of finding the perpetrator.
The magic system and the perfect execution of the mystery keep you guessing until the end, and the remarkable characters make me wish this book should be adapted into a streaming series. I'm absolutely sold, and I feel personally touched by the magical writing talent of Robert Jackson Bennett. I cannot wait to read the other books in the series and spend more time with Ana and her sarcastic tunes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Del Rey for sharing this AMAZING book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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January 26, 2024
The Tainted Cup
by Robert Jackson Bennett blends fantasy with a mystery. When a high Imperial officer is found dead in his home in Daretana, investigator Ana Dolabra is called in to determine how this happened and who killed him. It’s not every day a tree erupts from a body even in an empire where contagions are plentiful and the blood of Leviathans corrupts the land. Was this an accidental contagion or was Commander Taqtasa Blas assassinated? Ana is assisted by her new apprentice assistant, Dinios Kol, an engraver magically altered to possess a perfect memory.
However, the case is even bigger that the death of one officer. The safety of the Empire is at stake.
Ana is brilliant, but eccentric, easily bored, and often incites outrage in others. She insists on wearing a blindfold most of the time and doesn’t often leave her home. She also actively seeks knowledge in between cases, disregards politeness, and makes unusual but often accurate conclusions. Dinios has secrets, has a dull demeanor at times, doesn’t come across as friendly, and is somewhat baffled by Ana’s actions and deductions. Their interactions enlivened the story. However, don’t be fooled by your initial opinion of him. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but they are introduced gradually and that helped. A list of ranks is provided, but a character list would have also helped.
The story immediately grabbed my attention with a riveting mystery and quirky characters. One question came to mind quickly. If Ana is such a brilliant investigator, why was she assigned to the small community of Daretana? The plot is complex, twisty, and multi-layered. The world-building is well-developed as readers learn more about it throughout the novel. While there are a few slow spots, I was rewarded by an enjoyable read as I persevered through them. I also wanted a little more suspense throughout the book. The ending of the book includes the highest level of action in the book and then sets the stage for book two. What will their next case entail?
Overall, this engrossing fantasy mystery has good characterization, even with a main character that wasn’t always likeable, and great world-building. The mix of mind and physical enhancements combined with sea monsters, sword fighting, contagions, and mysteries in this fantasy world made for an entertaining and fun read. Themes include wealth, power, greed, murder, secrets, revenge, betrayal, friendship, bureaucracy, and much more. Readers who enjoy a murder investigation set in a fantasy world will likely enjoy this novel. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey and Robert Jackson Bennett provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 06, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------------------------------
My 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
However, the case is even bigger that the death of one officer. The safety of the Empire is at stake.
Ana is brilliant, but eccentric, easily bored, and often incites outrage in others. She insists on wearing a blindfold most of the time and doesn’t often leave her home. She also actively seeks knowledge in between cases, disregards politeness, and makes unusual but often accurate conclusions. Dinios has secrets, has a dull demeanor at times, doesn’t come across as friendly, and is somewhat baffled by Ana’s actions and deductions. Their interactions enlivened the story. However, don’t be fooled by your initial opinion of him. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but they are introduced gradually and that helped. A list of ranks is provided, but a character list would have also helped.
The story immediately grabbed my attention with a riveting mystery and quirky characters. One question came to mind quickly. If Ana is such a brilliant investigator, why was she assigned to the small community of Daretana? The plot is complex, twisty, and multi-layered. The world-building is well-developed as readers learn more about it throughout the novel. While there are a few slow spots, I was rewarded by an enjoyable read as I persevered through them. I also wanted a little more suspense throughout the book. The ending of the book includes the highest level of action in the book and then sets the stage for book two. What will their next case entail?
Overall, this engrossing fantasy mystery has good characterization, even with a main character that wasn’t always likeable, and great world-building. The mix of mind and physical enhancements combined with sea monsters, sword fighting, contagions, and mysteries in this fantasy world made for an entertaining and fun read. Themes include wealth, power, greed, murder, secrets, revenge, betrayal, friendship, bureaucracy, and much more. Readers who enjoy a murder investigation set in a fantasy world will likely enjoy this novel. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine, Del Rey and Robert Jackson Bennett provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 06, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
----------------------------------------
My 4.16 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 25, 2024
i don’t even know how to explain this book properly but what i can say is this was a interesting blend of murder mystery set in a fantastical world. the way the story was written kept me engaged in what was going on and why these murders occurred. i’d describe this as a mix of Knives Out, The Last of Us game with the plant/fungal spores and body augmentation, along with Attack on Titan in the world being behind a wall that protects the people from these leviathan’s (titan like creatures) that rise every now and then. then of course we have our Sherlock Holmes and Watson type characters: Din and Ana.
to be honest i wish i read this physically as i found myself lost for most of the book which i don’t think would’ve happened as much if i read it with my eyes and was able to follow along lol. i liked the characters and their eccentric personalities (Ana especially), but i can’t say i’m fully connected to them yet. Robert Jackson Bennett’s writing shines through though and i’m looking forward to seeing what new mystery will be uncovered in the next book.
to be honest i wish i read this physically as i found myself lost for most of the book which i don’t think would’ve happened as much if i read it with my eyes and was able to follow along lol. i liked the characters and their eccentric personalities (Ana especially), but i can’t say i’m fully connected to them yet. Robert Jackson Bennett’s writing shines through though and i’m looking forward to seeing what new mystery will be uncovered in the next book.
September 20, 2023
3.5 stars
I can accept many things in a fantasy book, but for some reason I just cannot accept repeated use of modern curse words in a book full of magic and monsters. There's just something so off putting about using variations of "f*ck" 50+ times in a book where the main character has special powers to memorize everything they can see and hear and is investigating murders committed through some kind of disturbing plant magic. One of these things is not like the others.
As for the plot, I really liked the mixture of a mystery/detective novel in a fantasy setting. Some of the things I was able to put together on my own, but a good chunk of it was a fun surprise reveal at the end.
As for character development, there are a lot of secondary characters that were mostly well developed and the main character Din definitely seemed like a real person, albeit one with magical abilities. However I had a very hard time with Ana, who seemed very anachronistic (mainly due to her aforementioned cursing) but I do think she was purposefully kept as an "unknowable" character because her background is going to be revealed more in future books.
I will say there is a very small dash of romance in this book - but the love interest was barely given any page time. This was also fade to black too so don't get your hopes up there either.
Overall I found the world building, fantasy elements, and the mystery/plot to be very enjoyable. If the author just cuts back on the cursing I would be willing to pick up the second book whenever it comes out.
I was given an ARC via Netgalley but this did not impact my rating or review. This book is set to be published on February 6, 2024.
I can accept many things in a fantasy book, but for some reason I just cannot accept repeated use of modern curse words in a book full of magic and monsters. There's just something so off putting about using variations of "f*ck" 50+ times in a book where the main character has special powers to memorize everything they can see and hear and is investigating murders committed through some kind of disturbing plant magic. One of these things is not like the others.
As for the plot, I really liked the mixture of a mystery/detective novel in a fantasy setting. Some of the things I was able to put together on my own, but a good chunk of it was a fun surprise reveal at the end.
As for character development, there are a lot of secondary characters that were mostly well developed and the main character Din definitely seemed like a real person, albeit one with magical abilities. However I had a very hard time with Ana, who seemed very anachronistic (mainly due to her aforementioned cursing) but I do think she was purposefully kept as an "unknowable" character because her background is going to be revealed more in future books.
I will say there is a very small dash of romance in this book - but the love interest was barely given any page time. This was also fade to black too so don't get your hopes up there either.
Overall I found the world building, fantasy elements, and the mystery/plot to be very enjoyable. If the author just cuts back on the cursing I would be willing to pick up the second book whenever it comes out.
I was given an ARC via Netgalley but this did not impact my rating or review. This book is set to be published on February 6, 2024.
September 6, 2023
i'm < 100 pages in and this book already SLAPS.
********************************
dammit, now i urgently need to read book 2.
********************************
dammit, now i urgently need to read book 2.
February 26, 2024
⚠️ I'm feeling lazy as shrimp today so if you're looking for detailed information about this story, I advise you to check someone anyone else's review. You're welcome.
Why I gave this book a (despicably low) 4-star rating :
① Robert Jackson Bennet creates the most amazingly creative worlds.
② Robert Jackson Bennet creates characters with the most unique personalities.
③ I might or might not be slightly in 💕lurve💕 with Ana. She's eccentric as fish and I think she might very well be Turin Mulagesh's second cousin thrice removed.
④ Slightly scrumptious character interactions abound.
⑤ Mystery-type thingies and whodunnits are always fun to read. Well almost always anyway.
⑥ I wish there was a ⑥ but there isn't which might or might not explain my despicable rating.
Why I didn't give this book a 5-star rating (shame on me and stuff):
① Yes, the world is unique but RJB sometimes gets lost describing it. Not only that, his descriptions are sometimes kind of nebulous and I found myself wishing there were illustrations in the book, to get a clearer picture of what the author meant. (Or maybe I just have zero imagination and should just stick to picture books instead of trying to read stories for grown-ups.)
② Yes, I love the two MCs but I'm disappointed that they are so reminiscent of Sherlock and Watson. RJB is such a gifted, imaginative author I expected a lot more from him. Why base his characters on existing ones when he has the knack to create the most original ones? 👋 Waves at Shara, Mulagesh, Sigrud and Sancia 👋
③ The book lacks evil bastards of epic proportions and Machiavellian shenanigans.
④ The story is not as poignant and/or thought-provoking as Robert Jackson Bennett'sother fantasy series Divine Cities. Which makes me realize, it's not really my fault I didn't rate this book 5 stars, it's RJB's! He ruined me forever with his first trilogy and now I'll never be able to enjoy his newer work as much as I did Divine Cities. Woe is me and stuff.
BUT. Dispair I shall not for there will be two more installments in this series and move beyond Sherlockian tropes I hope we will. Who knows, we might even get some juicy, crafty political frolicsomeness and provocative social commentary as well! Keeping my pincers crossed and stuff! (I think I should start sacrificing newborn babies in RJB's name while I'm at it. You never know, it might help.)
👋 Until next time.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Such a despicably low rating for a Robert Jackson Bennett book, I should be ashamed of myself. Please do excuse me while I hide and allow in utter guilt and remorse for a little bit.
➽ Super Extra Short Review to come and stuff.
[September 2023]
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
A NEW RJB BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why I gave this book a (despicably low) 4-star rating :
① Robert Jackson Bennet creates the most amazingly creative worlds.
② Robert Jackson Bennet creates characters with the most unique personalities.
③ I might or might not be slightly in 💕lurve💕 with Ana. She's eccentric as fish and I think she might very well be Turin Mulagesh's second cousin thrice removed.
“I didn’t really need her to confirm my hunch. I mostly wanted you to bring her so I could fuck up her day. She sounded like such an awful turd.”Need I say more? Didn't think so.
④ Slightly scrumptious character interactions abound.
⑤ Mystery-type thingies and whodunnits are always fun to read. Well almost always anyway.
⑥ I wish there was a ⑥ but there isn't which might or might not explain my despicable rating.
Why I didn't give this book a 5-star rating (shame on me and stuff):
① Yes, the world is unique but RJB sometimes gets lost describing it. Not only that, his descriptions are sometimes kind of nebulous and I found myself wishing there were illustrations in the book, to get a clearer picture of what the author meant. (Or maybe I just have zero imagination and should just stick to picture books instead of trying to read stories for grown-ups.)
② Yes, I love the two MCs but I'm disappointed that they are so reminiscent of Sherlock and Watson. RJB is such a gifted, imaginative author I expected a lot more from him. Why base his characters on existing ones when he has the knack to create the most original ones? 👋 Waves at Shara, Mulagesh, Sigrud and Sancia 👋
③ The book lacks evil bastards of epic proportions and Machiavellian shenanigans.
④ The story is not as poignant and/or thought-provoking as Robert Jackson Bennett's
BUT. Dispair I shall not for there will be two more installments in this series and move beyond Sherlockian tropes I hope we will. Who knows, we might even get some juicy, crafty political frolicsomeness and provocative social commentary as well! Keeping my pincers crossed and stuff! (I think I should start sacrificing newborn babies in RJB's name while I'm at it. You never know, it might help.)
👋 Until next time.
[Pre-review nonsense]
Such a despicably low rating for a Robert Jackson Bennett book, I should be ashamed of myself. Please do excuse me while I hide and allow in utter guilt and remorse for a little bit.
➽ Super Extra Short Review to come and stuff.
[September 2023]
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
A NEW RJB BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 3, 2024
Personal rating: 4.5
Imagine Sherlock Holmes in the world of a more fantastical Attack on Titan. YUP! I absolutely loved this. It was weird, complex and I was so invested in the mystery. Sure, I had some minor cons but it was almost perfect.
Full review to come on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
Imagine Sherlock Holmes in the world of a more fantastical Attack on Titan. YUP! I absolutely loved this. It was weird, complex and I was so invested in the mystery. Sure, I had some minor cons but it was almost perfect.
Full review to come on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
February 5, 2024
Thank you Del Rey Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I absolutely adored THE TAINTED CUP (TTC) by Robert Jackson Bennett! THE TAINTED CUP is a showcase of Bennett’s creativity and range as a fantasy writer. TTC is much different than his Founders Trilogy in which I have only read FOUNDRYSIDE, but I found myself enamored with the way Bennett can construct vivid landscapes within a brand new world.
TTC has several story elements that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Fantasy world? Check. Murder mystery? Check. Monstrous leviathans trying to destroy the city? Check. A unique magic system? DUH. There’s even more things I could list but I don’t want to exhaust myself nor you. The heart of this story is a murder mystery so you can expect plenty of reveals and twists throughout the novel. The pacing of TTC is great and kept me engaged throughout which I feel is important for a story centering a murder and corrupt politicians.
TTC follows an eccentric investigator, Ana Dolabra and her apprentice Dinios Kol. I loved the choice RBJ made to write the story from the apprentice Din’s perspective. I think it added another layer of complexity to the story because you never know what Ana is thinking as the lead investigator of the murder. Ana and Din are reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. Their evolving relationship was always fun to read and I thought they had great (platonic) chemistry as partners.
There is a lot to love about THE TAINTED CUP and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks when it comes out on February 6th! And I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!
4.5/5 stars
I absolutely adored THE TAINTED CUP (TTC) by Robert Jackson Bennett! THE TAINTED CUP is a showcase of Bennett’s creativity and range as a fantasy writer. TTC is much different than his Founders Trilogy in which I have only read FOUNDRYSIDE, but I found myself enamored with the way Bennett can construct vivid landscapes within a brand new world.
TTC has several story elements that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Fantasy world? Check. Murder mystery? Check. Monstrous leviathans trying to destroy the city? Check. A unique magic system? DUH. There’s even more things I could list but I don’t want to exhaust myself nor you. The heart of this story is a murder mystery so you can expect plenty of reveals and twists throughout the novel. The pacing of TTC is great and kept me engaged throughout which I feel is important for a story centering a murder and corrupt politicians.
TTC follows an eccentric investigator, Ana Dolabra and her apprentice Dinios Kol. I loved the choice RBJ made to write the story from the apprentice Din’s perspective. I think it added another layer of complexity to the story because you never know what Ana is thinking as the lead investigator of the murder. Ana and Din are reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. Their evolving relationship was always fun to read and I thought they had great (platonic) chemistry as partners.
There is a lot to love about THE TAINTED CUP and I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks when it comes out on February 6th! And I can’t wait to see where the rest of the series goes!
4.5/5 stars
August 31, 2023
The Tainted Cup
Robert Jackson Bennett
This starts a new and exciting series from the author with one of the most imaginative stories and characters! This is a mystery yet so much more! It starts with a body found in a country mansion on this strange world. He dies by having a tree grow straight up and through him!
An inspector, Ana, is called upon but her "Engraver", called Din, is sent to the scene to assess the situation.
Din can view the whole situation, like smells, the feel of things, remember word for word the interviews, and all other visual details then report it all back to Ana.
These two characters and their roles are very strange and intriguing! Ana has bindings on her eyes but seems to see very well. I was fascinated with their jobs and their unique gifts.
So much happens in here! I am definitely going to buy the audio version when it comes out to listen to while I do things. I really loved it. I can't wait for the next book too!
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this exciting and fantastic book! It is amazing!
Robert Jackson Bennett
This starts a new and exciting series from the author with one of the most imaginative stories and characters! This is a mystery yet so much more! It starts with a body found in a country mansion on this strange world. He dies by having a tree grow straight up and through him!
An inspector, Ana, is called upon but her "Engraver", called Din, is sent to the scene to assess the situation.
Din can view the whole situation, like smells, the feel of things, remember word for word the interviews, and all other visual details then report it all back to Ana.
These two characters and their roles are very strange and intriguing! Ana has bindings on her eyes but seems to see very well. I was fascinated with their jobs and their unique gifts.
So much happens in here! I am definitely going to buy the audio version when it comes out to listen to while I do things. I really loved it. I can't wait for the next book too!
I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this exciting and fantastic book! It is amazing!
January 29, 2024
I was so impressed with how satisfying the mystery component of this book was! Often times, if mystery is not the author's main genre, they can be a little flat or not well executed, but I found the plot of this to be excellent. I also quite liked the fantasy world building and overall atmosphere. The only thing that kept me from fully loving this is that I personally am pretty tired of the Sherlock/Watson character dynamic. It was pretty well done, but I just am a little bored by it unless there's more nuance or innovation to that trope
Overall, highly recommend! This was really entertaining & well done
CW: for my fellow fungiphobes, there is a lot of spore talk in this
Overall, highly recommend! This was really entertaining & well done
CW: for my fellow fungiphobes, there is a lot of spore talk in this
February 7, 2024
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.
Thank you Del Rey for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
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.
Thank you Del Rey for the eARC
Links to my TikTok | Instagram
February 11, 2024
As a new assistant to quirky head investigator Ana Dolabra, Dinios Kol begins to enter realms previously unknown to him, investigating crimes among the well-to-do. It seems a man has been killed by a...tree, and it's up to Ana and Din to figure out the hows and whys of it all. Add to that the fact that it is the rainy season. During that time, there is much, much, more to worry about than rain. Because during the rainy season, the leviathans come. Will Ana and Din be able to find the murderer(s) before they murder again? Will it even matter once the leviathans begin to attack? You'll have to read this to find out!
Robert Bennett Jackson is a world-builder of the highest order. He creates worlds that are believable and relatable, and this book is no different. Din is an engraver. This means that his brain has been altered to remember and report back every single thing he sees or hears. How cool is that? Jackson also creates memorable and sometimes eccentric characters like Ana Dolabra. Ana gets overstimulated easily, so she wears a blindfold all the time in an attempt to sharpen her other senses. It's a strange thing for an investigator to do, but this makes Din a perfect candidate for her assistant.
The murder investigation quickly grows as do the threats from the sea. As the rainy season moves in, the sea walls are under attack and the entire investigation has a dark cloud over it, as many are concerned that they'll all soon be dead and a murderer on the loose won't matter anymore.
Containing magic, leviathans, engravers and other bodily alterations, the world here is supremely interesting and entertaining. I see no real limits as to where this story can go and I am going to be here for those tales. The idea of the leviathans and the rainy seasons is fascinating to me and I am hoping that future books will explore more of that as well as providing more of the often funny interactions between Ana and Din. I need more, please. Stat!
Highly recommended!
*Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
Robert Bennett Jackson is a world-builder of the highest order. He creates worlds that are believable and relatable, and this book is no different. Din is an engraver. This means that his brain has been altered to remember and report back every single thing he sees or hears. How cool is that? Jackson also creates memorable and sometimes eccentric characters like Ana Dolabra. Ana gets overstimulated easily, so she wears a blindfold all the time in an attempt to sharpen her other senses. It's a strange thing for an investigator to do, but this makes Din a perfect candidate for her assistant.
The murder investigation quickly grows as do the threats from the sea. As the rainy season moves in, the sea walls are under attack and the entire investigation has a dark cloud over it, as many are concerned that they'll all soon be dead and a murderer on the loose won't matter anymore.
Containing magic, leviathans, engravers and other bodily alterations, the world here is supremely interesting and entertaining. I see no real limits as to where this story can go and I am going to be here for those tales. The idea of the leviathans and the rainy seasons is fascinating to me and I am hoping that future books will explore more of that as well as providing more of the often funny interactions between Ana and Din. I need more, please. Stat!
Highly recommended!
*Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
February 27, 2024
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 throughout 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 ahead, 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 honest review
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 throughout 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 ahead, 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 honest review
February 25, 2024
Robert Jackson Bennett, you think up some amazing characters for your books.
Meet Dinios Kol. Din or just Din for short. There is nothing really amazing about him other than he has be biomechanically altered to be an engraver, someone who remembers absolutely everything they ever see or hear.
He was pretty much the biggest loser around until somehow he aced all his tests and became assigned to special investigator Ana Dolabra. I would describe her as a cross between Hannibal Lector (in a less serial killer sense, I think) and Sherlock Holmes. She is brilliant, eccentric and marches to a tune no one hears but her.
They are the heart of the story and I really loved the dynamic between them. There is a mystery a foot. One of the leading military heads was found killed in a very peculiar way in one of the richest families estates. I tree of sorts basically decided to burst out of his check and use him as a growth medium until it decided it grew enough. Din and Ana will need to find out how this happened and why. It is a pretty big mystery and it will take them out of the small providence they are in and closer to The Wall.
Because there isn't enough going on with the murder mystery the blooms (that will be punny when you read this) a bit out of control, there is also a huge wall that keeps out Leviathans from the deep. Well at least it does most of the time that is. There might also be a large hole in said wall right now and the bustling around that comes with trying to stay alive and out of the path of monsters.
The mystery was pretty intricate and awesome. The main characters, well lets just say I love the Sherlock-Watson type dynamic. Ana is interesting, wonderful, a little mad and I totally fell in love with her. Din's engraving skill was so interesting and I enjoyed getting to know his character better.
The World Building...this is where RJB shines. The different races and then the way their bodies could be manipulated into things by using biologic material from Leviathans that are killed was so interesting and dynamic. Different worms, or contagions could make you like Din, or give you super strength or speed or a number of other things. It was all so interesting to me.
I've loved RBJs other series and he has a winner with this new series as well. Can't wait to see what other trouble and chaos they can get into.
Meet Dinios Kol. Din or just Din for short. There is nothing really amazing about him other than he has be biomechanically altered to be an engraver, someone who remembers absolutely everything they ever see or hear.
He was pretty much the biggest loser around until somehow he aced all his tests and became assigned to special investigator Ana Dolabra. I would describe her as a cross between Hannibal Lector (in a less serial killer sense, I think) and Sherlock Holmes. She is brilliant, eccentric and marches to a tune no one hears but her.
“Excuse me,” said Gennadios. “But— the investigator is blind?”
“Only occasionally, Madam Gennadios,” said Ana. “I find that reducing one or several senses often makes it far easier to absorb information, and think. Please— sit.”
They are the heart of the story and I really loved the dynamic between them. There is a mystery a foot. One of the leading military heads was found killed in a very peculiar way in one of the richest families estates. I tree of sorts basically decided to burst out of his check and use him as a growth medium until it decided it grew enough. Din and Ana will need to find out how this happened and why. It is a pretty big mystery and it will take them out of the small providence they are in and closer to The Wall.
Because there isn't enough going on with the murder mystery the blooms (that will be punny when you read this) a bit out of control, there is also a huge wall that keeps out Leviathans from the deep. Well at least it does most of the time that is. There might also be a large hole in said wall right now and the bustling around that comes with trying to stay alive and out of the path of monsters.
“You sound,”she said, “a touch shook there, Din.”
“I think it’d be mad if I didn’t, ma’am. The only comfort I have is knowing you’re accustomed to things like this.”
She frowned. “Accustomed? Hell, Din, I’ve no idea what I’m fucking doing.”
The mystery was pretty intricate and awesome. The main characters, well lets just say I love the Sherlock-Watson type dynamic. Ana is interesting, wonderful, a little mad and I totally fell in love with her. Din's engraving skill was so interesting and I enjoyed getting to know his character better.
The World Building...this is where RJB shines. The different races and then the way their bodies could be manipulated into things by using biologic material from Leviathans that are killed was so interesting and dynamic. Different worms, or contagions could make you like Din, or give you super strength or speed or a number of other things. It was all so interesting to me.
I've loved RBJs other series and he has a winner with this new series as well. Can't wait to see what other trouble and chaos they can get into.
"I was just wondering if that was why you’d asked me to bring Gennadios.”
“Oh, partially. I didn’t really need her to confirm my hunch. I mostly wanted you to bring her so I could fuck up her day. She sounded like such an awful turd.”
February 18, 2024
From the physical structure of the world to the unique botanical magic employed within its (very big) walls, Robert Jackson Bennett has built an undeniably cool sandbox to play around in. This first book of the trilogy is a dynamic fantasy murder mystery that should please longtime RJB fans and newcomers alike.
I’ve always enjoyed Bennett’s sharp dialogue and great character work. Here, I loved the master and apprentice dynamic between Ana and Din. Ana, especially, was a superbly written character. It’s never enough to be told a character is a genius, we have to see it in action and Ana’s genius is all show and no tell.
While I wasn’t always captivated by the mystery at the heart of the book, Bennett builds out the layers of the conspiracy nicely and doles out the twists and reveals in a satisfying manner. I am truly excited to see what the next book has in store, as it seems like Bennett has just scratched the surface of what stories are possible within the Empire of Khanum.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog: The Speculative Shelf
Twitter: @specshelf
Instagram: @thespeculativeshelf
I’ve always enjoyed Bennett’s sharp dialogue and great character work. Here, I loved the master and apprentice dynamic between Ana and Din. Ana, especially, was a superbly written character. It’s never enough to be told a character is a genius, we have to see it in action and Ana’s genius is all show and no tell.
While I wasn’t always captivated by the mystery at the heart of the book, Bennett builds out the layers of the conspiracy nicely and doles out the twists and reveals in a satisfying manner. I am truly excited to see what the next book has in store, as it seems like Bennett has just scratched the surface of what stories are possible within the Empire of Khanum.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog: The Speculative Shelf
Twitter: @specshelf
Instagram: @thespeculativeshelf
February 6, 2024
2.6.24 Happy publication day to the Tainted Cup, please read this weird twisty gay science fantasy murder mystery <3
***
The most intricate, ambitious, labyrinthine SFF mystery I’ve read since Gideon the Ninth.
Leviathans threaten the shores of the empire every wet season, and every year the citizens fear the sea wall, the legion troops, and the artillery won’t be enough to hold them back any longer. In a society shaped by elaborate plant manipulation, the people regularly undergo grafts and suffusions, altering and enhancing themselves in strange ways to better serve the empire and its wall. And among the rich and influential clans of this land, political schemes and conspiracies run deep.
Among all of this, our protagonist Din is called on to solve a highly gruesome and unusual murder on a lavish estate.
This story is so strikingly original, so vivid, so satisfying. It’s built on the bones of the classic murder mystery formula, but the stakes are dialed up to 100 as it gradually expands in scope to a grand political affair. The worldbuilding is a little bit dark fantasy, a little bit weird fantasy, a little bit Sci Fi and steampunk. The fantasy elements and mystery elements of this book fed into one another masterfully. SFF mystery has so much potential since the author gets to invent a whole new set of rules for the world that can then be played with, manipulated and subverted, and when it’s all married together well and the internal logic tracks all the way through, the payoff is incredible.
I also want to highlight the fact that this book has a queer, disabled main character! Din is now my son and I love him so much. This is a queer-norm setting, but the character does face some ableism.
If I wanted to poke holes, I could find elements of this novel that weren’t quite as impactful as I hoped they’d be and knock this down to a 4.5 or a 4 star. But the thing is, I don’t want to poke holes, because it’s been ages since I’ve had this much pure fun reading anything. At one particularly shocking point, I was reading this book while I stood over the stove cooking pasta because I genuinely couldn’t put it down to make myself dinner. I was dialed in.
Absolutely can’t wait for the next book! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an eARC.
***
The most intricate, ambitious, labyrinthine SFF mystery I’ve read since Gideon the Ninth.
Leviathans threaten the shores of the empire every wet season, and every year the citizens fear the sea wall, the legion troops, and the artillery won’t be enough to hold them back any longer. In a society shaped by elaborate plant manipulation, the people regularly undergo grafts and suffusions, altering and enhancing themselves in strange ways to better serve the empire and its wall. And among the rich and influential clans of this land, political schemes and conspiracies run deep.
Among all of this, our protagonist Din is called on to solve a highly gruesome and unusual murder on a lavish estate.
This story is so strikingly original, so vivid, so satisfying. It’s built on the bones of the classic murder mystery formula, but the stakes are dialed up to 100 as it gradually expands in scope to a grand political affair. The worldbuilding is a little bit dark fantasy, a little bit weird fantasy, a little bit Sci Fi and steampunk. The fantasy elements and mystery elements of this book fed into one another masterfully. SFF mystery has so much potential since the author gets to invent a whole new set of rules for the world that can then be played with, manipulated and subverted, and when it’s all married together well and the internal logic tracks all the way through, the payoff is incredible.
I also want to highlight the fact that this book has a queer, disabled main character! Din is now my son and I love him so much. This is a queer-norm setting, but the character does face some ableism.
If I wanted to poke holes, I could find elements of this novel that weren’t quite as impactful as I hoped they’d be and knock this down to a 4.5 or a 4 star. But the thing is, I don’t want to poke holes, because it’s been ages since I’ve had this much pure fun reading anything. At one particularly shocking point, I was reading this book while I stood over the stove cooking pasta because I genuinely couldn’t put it down to make myself dinner. I was dialed in.
Absolutely can’t wait for the next book! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for providing me with an eARC.
February 23, 2024
Robert Jackson Bennett has always been an author whose work I have admired. In fact, his Divine Cities trilogy is included in my 10 Favorite Fantasy Series of All-Time and is a dark fantasy masterpiece. His second series The Founders trilogy was very different in tone and setting but also garnered a ton of praise in fantasy circles. So obviously when I heard that he had a brand new book and series coming out I jumped at the chance to get a copy and read it. What I discovered is that Bennett has done it yet again in this his third unique world and has delivered one heck of a thoughtful and magical fantasy mystery story.
The first thing that I will say about THE TAINTED CUP is it is very much a procedural murder mystery at its heart and I found that part of the book to be utterly compelling. But there's also the bonus factor of this still being a Robert Jackson Bennett fantasy so we are treated to some awesome elements that only his mind can deliver like giant leviathans who have threatened the coastal cities so much over the years that they had to erect a huge sea wall to protect them from random attacks. This threat is still very much an active one and so picture this as a backdrop while also dealing with the main story of the murders that have taken place. Bennett's worldbuilding is truly second to none and it has only gotten better in this his third series.
Added to the mystery and incredible worldbuilding are characters who are somewhat complex and morally gray. Bennett also performs the little trick of having the main character and POV be the understudy of the legendary investigator. It's almost the same method that Richard Swan used so effectively in his Empire of the Wolf trilogy and I have to say I really like this technique as it allows for us to experience the words and actions of Ana filtered through the doubts and inner dialogue of Din, who is working very closely with her to solve the mysterious deaths. It's almost like having two main characters and it gave the story such wonderful depth.
I will say that the middle of the book slowed down a bit and there was a time when I feared that it would stall and my enjoyment would be lessened. I mainly attribute this to the necessary dialogues taking place with regard to the murder investigation interviews. The action and intensity slowed down considerably during this section. However, the last 75 pages or so kicked everything back up and the book finished in spectacular fashion to say the least, leaving me wanting that next book in my hands as soon as possible.
Ultimately I really enjoyed THE TAINTED CUP and found it to be an interesting murder mystery set in a super cool world filled with sea monsters and influential cabals who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. If you enjoyed books like The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells and The City and the City by China Mieville, you should find much to like in this, Robert Jackson Bennett's latest offering.
The first thing that I will say about THE TAINTED CUP is it is very much a procedural murder mystery at its heart and I found that part of the book to be utterly compelling. But there's also the bonus factor of this still being a Robert Jackson Bennett fantasy so we are treated to some awesome elements that only his mind can deliver like giant leviathans who have threatened the coastal cities so much over the years that they had to erect a huge sea wall to protect them from random attacks. This threat is still very much an active one and so picture this as a backdrop while also dealing with the main story of the murders that have taken place. Bennett's worldbuilding is truly second to none and it has only gotten better in this his third series.
Added to the mystery and incredible worldbuilding are characters who are somewhat complex and morally gray. Bennett also performs the little trick of having the main character and POV be the understudy of the legendary investigator. It's almost the same method that Richard Swan used so effectively in his Empire of the Wolf trilogy and I have to say I really like this technique as it allows for us to experience the words and actions of Ana filtered through the doubts and inner dialogue of Din, who is working very closely with her to solve the mysterious deaths. It's almost like having two main characters and it gave the story such wonderful depth.
I will say that the middle of the book slowed down a bit and there was a time when I feared that it would stall and my enjoyment would be lessened. I mainly attribute this to the necessary dialogues taking place with regard to the murder investigation interviews. The action and intensity slowed down considerably during this section. However, the last 75 pages or so kicked everything back up and the book finished in spectacular fashion to say the least, leaving me wanting that next book in my hands as soon as possible.
Ultimately I really enjoyed THE TAINTED CUP and found it to be an interesting murder mystery set in a super cool world filled with sea monsters and influential cabals who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. If you enjoyed books like The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells and The City and the City by China Mieville, you should find much to like in this, Robert Jackson Bennett's latest offering.
January 26, 2024
This is my new obsession and personality, I need more books in this series YESTERDAY.
This book has:
- absolutely unique biopunk world where people fight mostly with blades and cannons, but they use complicated piping systems for baths and fungi for air-conditioning;
- an empire with a strict governing system divided among various departments, that is separated from the sea by an enormous wall, which guards it from gigantic leviathans coming out of the deep (strong Attack on Titan vibes this one!);
- society where people can undergo physical procedures that improve their strength, dexterity, memory, sensitivity etc.
- wonderfully rich and well-paced plot that would be enough for at least three different books;
- complex and witty murder mystery, that evolves into something MORE;
- brilliant Sherlock & Watson duo, whose relationship is engaging and entertaining.
This book doesn't have: FLAWS.
Seriously, it ticks all of my boxes. I loved it.
This book has:
- absolutely unique biopunk world where people fight mostly with blades and cannons, but they use complicated piping systems for baths and fungi for air-conditioning;
- an empire with a strict governing system divided among various departments, that is separated from the sea by an enormous wall, which guards it from gigantic leviathans coming out of the deep (strong Attack on Titan vibes this one!);
- society where people can undergo physical procedures that improve their strength, dexterity, memory, sensitivity etc.
- wonderfully rich and well-paced plot that would be enough for at least three different books;
- complex and witty murder mystery, that evolves into something MORE;
- brilliant Sherlock & Watson duo, whose relationship is engaging and entertaining.
This book doesn't have: FLAWS.
Seriously, it ticks all of my boxes. I loved it.
February 18, 2024
This was incredible, fun and very inventive. I hope there will be many more adventures with these characters.
Full review to come
Full review to come
February 12, 2024
It's my favorite book of 2024 so far! Bennett knows how to blend multiple genres while maintaining stakes high, characters compelling, and the world intriguing. In "The Tainted Cup," he incorporates elements of fantasy, murder mystery, and coming-of-age, all seasoned with some body horror (trees erupting from bodies), and I loved every second of it.
Dinios Kol lands a job as the new assistant to Ana Dolabra, an eccentric and brilliant investigator who solves cases blindfolded and from the confines of her home. Their first case together is complex, involving members of the wealthy Haza clan, empire politics, and a potential contagion. Trees tearing apart human bodies are an interesting take on weird ecology :)
Kol is augmented to remember things photographically, while Dolabra is a riot: sassy, eccentric, and with a fierce temper. I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic as a detective duo. There's more to their skills than I've mentioned, but why spoil the joy of discovery? I’m not doing this to anyone.
I loved the book and hope it sells well enough to compel the publisher to shower Bennett with gold to keep the series going!
Dinios Kol lands a job as the new assistant to Ana Dolabra, an eccentric and brilliant investigator who solves cases blindfolded and from the confines of her home. Their first case together is complex, involving members of the wealthy Haza clan, empire politics, and a potential contagion. Trees tearing apart human bodies are an interesting take on weird ecology :)
Kol is augmented to remember things photographically, while Dolabra is a riot: sassy, eccentric, and with a fierce temper. I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic as a detective duo. There's more to their skills than I've mentioned, but why spoil the joy of discovery? I’m not doing this to anyone.
I loved the book and hope it sells well enough to compel the publisher to shower Bennett with gold to keep the series going!
February 13, 2024
I really loved this. It was such a unique world and story which is kind of ironic considering how much inspiration it’s drawn from other established media.
There are several moving parts to this story and world building.
Firstly is the larger context of the world. The closest thing I can compare it to, strangely enough, is Attack on Titan. This world has townships which exist behind a series of walls that have been built to defend against Leviathans, giant sea monsters single-mindedly focused on the destruction of people.
Then there is the ‘magic’ system of this world (although it’s not really fantasy, yet also not really sci-fi- still struggling to put my finger on this one). This world appears to possess grafts which enhances people characteristics, providing things like super strength, heightened memory, enhanced sense of smell and sight. How this occurs is not explained in great detail and just exists.
Finally there is Ana and our main character Din. They are the Sherlock and Watson of our story. Ana was truly the mad genius Sherlock and her scenes so regularly made me laugh. Din will take a place as one of my favourite MCs in a book for a very long time. He is dry and witty, determined and sneaky, yet there is a warmth to him that draws the reader in. And as always I cackle with joy when even the books I didn’t realise were queer when I started them end up being queer. I love to be able to live in a time when this can be a reality and not just side eyeing and being reconciled to queer baiting the reader and never committing.
There were some periods when this was a little slow, and I admit it took me till about the 40% mark to get my head around the world building but once I hit that 40% mark I did the next 60% in almost a single sitting. For what little faults this had for me, I am desperately excited to see where the series goes to from here!
If Captain Strovi isn’t in book two I will riot.
There are several moving parts to this story and world building.
Firstly is the larger context of the world. The closest thing I can compare it to, strangely enough, is Attack on Titan. This world has townships which exist behind a series of walls that have been built to defend against Leviathans, giant sea monsters single-mindedly focused on the destruction of people.
Then there is the ‘magic’ system of this world (although it’s not really fantasy, yet also not really sci-fi- still struggling to put my finger on this one). This world appears to possess grafts which enhances people characteristics, providing things like super strength, heightened memory, enhanced sense of smell and sight. How this occurs is not explained in great detail and just exists.
Finally there is Ana and our main character Din. They are the Sherlock and Watson of our story. Ana was truly the mad genius Sherlock and her scenes so regularly made me laugh. Din will take a place as one of my favourite MCs in a book for a very long time. He is dry and witty, determined and sneaky, yet there is a warmth to him that draws the reader in. And as always I cackle with joy when even the books I didn’t realise were queer when I started them end up being queer. I love to be able to live in a time when this can be a reality and not just side eyeing and being reconciled to queer baiting the reader and never committing.
There were some periods when this was a little slow, and I admit it took me till about the 40% mark to get my head around the world building but once I hit that 40% mark I did the next 60% in almost a single sitting. For what little faults this had for me, I am desperately excited to see where the series goes to from here!
If Captain Strovi isn’t in book two I will riot.
February 28, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters and world building hit the right tone for me and the murder mystery was a delight. The coming of age of the point of character was relatable. I like Robert Jackson Bennett's writing a lot and definitely will be continuing this series.
I listened to the audio book and loved Andrew Fallaize's performance. Chef's kiss!
Note: I am saying nothing about the plot because it is a mystery and it is frustrating when a mystery is inadvertently spoiled by someone saying "I loved this (minor to reviewer/major to hardcore mystery readers) plot point" It is a respectable one and since he wrote it as a fantasy mystery because his mom is a mystery fan, she should be proud of him.
I listened to the audio book and loved Andrew Fallaize's performance. Chef's kiss!
Note: I am saying nothing about the plot because it is a mystery and it is frustrating when a mystery is inadvertently spoiled by someone saying "I loved this (minor to reviewer/major to hardcore mystery readers) plot point" It is a respectable one and since he wrote it as a fantasy mystery because his mom is a mystery fan, she should be proud of him.
February 6, 2024
The most fun I’ve had reading in SO long
This was such a good time, so glad it's finally in the world. I loved so much about this fantastical Sherlock-Holmes-style murder mystery. Kol was a fascinating main character and you can already see the ways in which his character will grow and change over the course of the series, I'm so excited to read more about him.
The pacing of this was solid — you won't be waiting long for breadcrumbs to drop. While some of the reveals in this mystery were predictable (and I'm a novice mystery reader), it didn't really bother me. I loved the vibes so much.
Just such a fun book to read, I'd highly recommend this one.
This was such a good time, so glad it's finally in the world. I loved so much about this fantastical Sherlock-Holmes-style murder mystery. Kol was a fascinating main character and you can already see the ways in which his character will grow and change over the course of the series, I'm so excited to read more about him.
The pacing of this was solid — you won't be waiting long for breadcrumbs to drop. While some of the reveals in this mystery were predictable (and I'm a novice mystery reader), it didn't really bother me. I loved the vibes so much.
Just such a fun book to read, I'd highly recommend this one.
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