The Tainted Cup: A Novel (Shadow of the Leviathan, #1)

by Robert Jackson Bennett

A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from the Edgar-winning, multiple Hugo-nominated Robert Jackson Bennett

“Great fantasy detective stories are too rare, but Bennett—[a] rising star of fantasy—more than delivers.”—Charlie Jane Anders, The Washington Post

“A thoroughly satisfying delight from start to finish.”—Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times Book Review

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

Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.

At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.

As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens 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.

By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.

• ISBN10: 1984820702
• ISBN13: 9781984820709
• Publish Date: 6 February 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Del Rey Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 432
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781984820709

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Tainted Cup is a very well written fantasy mystery series starter by Robert Jackson Bennett. Released 6th Feb 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Ballantine imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out fourth quarter 2024 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is an engagingly constructed classic murder mystery starting with the extremely outré death of an imperial officer. The world building and magical systems are well wrought and believable (in context). 

It's a Holmes and Watson homage in some ways, with an eccentric, abrasive, and super brilliant sleuth, Ana Dolabra, who is assisted by an assistant with perfect memory recall as a sort of Watson character. 

The setup seems like a bit of a everything-including-the-kitchen-sink conglomeration of genres, including a heaping dose of political fantasy, but the author has a prodigious imagination and it really manages to span mystery/fantasy/political structure as a cohesive whole.

Four and a half stars. The language and violence are R-rated, but not used egregiously. It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home reading, or gift giving. A second volume is due out in 1st quarter 2025. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

The Empire has been at war for centuries. Every wet season brings more danger as the contagion finds more footholds. Worse, the Leviathans continue to find ways through the walls and into the cities.

Enter Dinios Kol, aka Din. He's been magically altered to have a perfect memory, making him the ideal assistant for Ana Dolabra. She's a brilliant investigator who is often overstimulated by the world. Together, these two must find the truth behind a series of murders – failure to do so may cost the whole Empire the war.

Review:

Where has this book been my whole life?! No, seriously, I loved every minute of The Tainted Cup. Think the Chronicles of Amicae (by Mirah Bolender) meets Pacific Rim. Only there are more plants. (Side note: if you still need to read the Chronicles of Amicae but loved The Tainted Cup, please read it next).

The Tainted Cup was a fascinating read. It's one part mystery investigation (with strong Sherlock vibes from our brilliant yet quirky Ana Dolabra) and one part fantasy (thanks to the magic and contagion risk, not to mention the Leviathans). In truth, there's still so much to learn about the magical system, politics, and even the monsters, so I'm very excited to get my hands on the next book in this series.

The mystery investigation is satisfying. It's a multi-layered murder mystery with the potential for treason and deep corruption. Throw in a naive protagonist and several unique threats, and it was quite a compelling read.

As for the magical system, it is both complex and straightforward. By complex, I mean there's still so much to learn. Yet it's simple enough to be easily approachable to those who only read a little fantasy. It's the best of both worlds.

Long story short, I loved The Tainted Cup. If I could go back in time and reread it all for the first time, I would do so in a heartbeat. Note to self: Look up everything Robert Jackson Bennett has written. I've been missing out, and I need to remedy this ASAP.

Highlights:
Fantasy with Mystery Elements
Contagions & Plants
Pacific Rim meets the Chronicles of Amicae

You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy