The Tainted Cup
Robert Jackson Bennett
Feb 2024 · Shadow of the Leviathan Book 1 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Andrew Fallaize
4.6star
10 reviewsreport
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13 hr 51 min
Unabridged
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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.
“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.
Ratings and reviews
4.6
10 reviews
Jam Pet
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February 25, 2024
The Tainted Cup is a fine book that could age well should the series develop. A different review describes the setting aptly as a sort of "Attack on Titan meets low fantasy Sherlock and Watson". I personally found the book by googling "new English style murder mystery" and this was at the top of the list. This is my first read in the "Fantasy murder mystery" genre, which takes the aforementioned Holmsian formula and adds homebrew. When I think of my ideal book for this genre it's probably written by Brandon Sanderson and doesn't exist. The mystery element of this story was fine in isolation, and is slightly elevated by the setting. I think this world can enable further stories and mysteries to get even deeper and more interesting, but personally I was left wanting by this works conclusion. I think the characters, their roles, and the murders conclusion were all fine but I was ultimately left wanting. I'm melancholic in feeling on it, but look forward to giving the next one a go. 3/5.
Emzy Strong
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July 16, 2024
This is an amazing story. The world biking and culture crafting is insane. I adore the author’s attention to detail, even when it comes to some of the unsightly scenes. The characters are very intriguing and have a lot of depth. I love watching Din and Ana work together. The plot is such a twisty turn thing that it was so much fun to explore with the author. Truly an enjoyable story.
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